PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Zirkhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Deki Stankovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zirkhov
vs
Stankovic

167 cm
19
158 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

173 cm
22
163 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Resistance
Hell's Balls Recovery

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Zirkhov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Deki Stankovic!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stankovic throws a series of punches but Zirkhov avoids them all with ease.
A lazy left from Stankovic finds it's target.
Stankovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
No joy there for Stankovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zirkhov dodges the punch combination from Stankovic.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zirkhov.
Zirkhov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Stankovic is trying to control Zirkhov's posture but Zirkhov avoids it.
Stankovic is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Stankovic isn't going anywhere.

Zirkhov is trying to get an arm triangle but Stankovic is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic is trying to buck Zirkhov off.
Zirkhov trying to control the action but Stankovic is working from the bottom.
Stankovic wants to get back to his feet.
Zirkhov tries to advance to mount but Stankovic denies him.
Zirkhov passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Stankovic!
Stankovic is looking to improve his position but Zirkhov isn't that keen on the idea.

Zirkhov has control of Stankovic's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Stankovic regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Stankovic can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Zirkhov seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Stankovic is holding on tight.
Stankovic is trying to stand up.
Stankovic can't escape the position.
Zirkhov trying to control but Stankovic is having none of it.

Zirkhov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Stankovic is surviving well by controlling Zirkhov's body position as best he can.
Stankovic is trying to stand but he's just given Zirkhov his back.
Zirkhov tries to get the hooks in deep but Stankovic pushed the leg off.
Stankovic trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zirkhov patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Stankovic preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Zirkhov.
Stankovic is in bad spot here.
Stankovic trying to get back to his feet but Zirkhov is in full control for now.

Zirkhov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Zirkhov is looking to control Stankovic but Stankovic is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Zirkhov controlling well, preventing Stankovic from escaping the position.
Zirkhov wants to control but Stankovic is keeping busy.

Zirkhov looking to break Stankovic's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Stankovic remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Zirkhov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Stankovic has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Zirkhov.
Zirkhov punches the canvas rather than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Zirkhov is trying to stick to Stankovic's back but Stankovic is turning into Zirkhov. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Zirkhov's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Stankovic.
Zirkhov looking to control.
Zirkhov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stankovic.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stankovic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zirkhov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stankovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stankovic misses with a straight left.
Stankovic tries to bum rush Zirkhov with a series of wild strikes but Zirkhov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Zirkhov scores a takedown into full mount!
Zirkhov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Stankovic can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Zirkhov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stankovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Zirkhov. Zirkhov gets slowly back to his feet.
Stankovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stankovic throws a hook to the side of Zirkhov's head but Zirkhov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stankovic loads up on a big right hand but Zirkhov slips the punch.

Zirkhov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stankovic is trying to defend but Zirkhov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Stankovic is trying to stand up here but Zirkhov is controlling him well.

Zirkhov seems to be working for a kimura but Stankovic defends the submission attempt.
Stankovic is looking to improve his position.
Stankovic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic won't allow Zirkhov to pass to mount.
Stankovic is holding on to half guard well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stankovic throws a right and a left that Zirkhov avoids nicely.
Zirkhov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stankovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Zirkhov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Stankovic!
Stankovic tries to hold on but Zirkhov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic working to try and regain half guard.
Zirkhov wants to take Stankovic's back here but Stankovic is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Zirkhov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Stankovic can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Zirkhov wants to control but instead Stankovic manages to regain half guard.
Stankovic wants to get back to full guard.
Stankovic works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stankovic working a defensive guard here.
Zirkhov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zirkhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Stankovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stankovic looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Zirkhov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Zirkhov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stankovic has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stankovic is trying to stand back up but Zirkhov is controlling him
Stankovic is pressing down on Zirkhov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stankovic wants to get back to his feet but Zirkhov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Stankovic is breathing heavily.
Stankovic wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Zirkhov manages to pass to side control.
Zirkhov trying to mount his opponent but Stankovic defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Zirkhov not doing much here.
Stankovic is trying to stand back up but Zirkhov is controlling him

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stankovic throws a looping overhand right but Zirkhov ducks down to avoid it.
Zirkhov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stankovic but Stankovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuri Zirkhov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stankovic looks to throw the jab but Zirkhov is out of range.
Zirkhov defending well as Stankovic loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Zirkhov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

The fighters circling - Stankovic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stankovic throws a lazy right hand but Zirkhov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stankovic throws the left hand but Zirkhov avoids the punch easily.
Zirkhov slips under a jab.

Zirkhov shoots in and bounces Stankovic off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Zirkhov wants to pass the guard but Stankovic is keeping the position.

Zirkhov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zirkhov thows a big elbow that misses.
Stankovic pulls Zirkhov in close to prevent any damage.
Zirkhov prevents Stankovic from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic keeping moving, preventing Zirkhov from controlling successfully.
Stankovic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Zirkhov pushes Stankovic off and gets back to his feet.
Stankovic misses with a hook. Zirkhov ducked under it nicely.
Deki Stankovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Zirkhov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zirkhov keeps control of Stankovic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Stankovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zirkhov slips a jab and a cross from Stankovic.
Zirkhov moves out of range of the strikes.
Stankovic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zirkhov.
Stankovic cracks Zirkhov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Stankovic missing with a left hand there. Zirkhov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zirkhov scores with a takedown into Stankovic's guard.
Zirkhov wants to pass the guard but Stankovic is keeping the position.
Stankovic keeping moving, preventing Zirkhov from controlling successfully.
Zirkhov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Stankovic tries to buck Zirkhov off but Zirkhov is having none of it.
Zirkhov is looking to take a break and control but Stankovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zirkhov advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic stops Zirkhov from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

Zirkhov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stankovic has given up his back here. Will Zirkhov look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Stankovic fending off the submission attempt from Zirkhov.
Stankovic is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Stankovic trying to control the action but Zirkhov just sinks the hooks in.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stankovic defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Zirkhov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Stankovic defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Stankovic trying to control the hands but Zirkhov breaks the grip.
Zirkhov just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Stankovic controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Zirkhov not allowing Stankovic to control his hands.
Deki Stankovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stankovic holding both Zirkhov 's hands and preventing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuri Zirkhov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zirkhov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuri Zirkhov!