PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ibra Zlatan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and lil hurt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ibra Zlatan has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Zlatan
vs
hurt

193 cm
19
215 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

176 cm
19
192 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ibra Zlatan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, lil hurt!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
hurt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zlatan circles away quickly and effectively.
Zlatan tries to close the distance and clinch up but hurt swats him away and circles back towards the center.

hurt closes the distance and pushes Zlatan back into the ropes.
Zlatan throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zlatan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite hurt's efforts to push away.
hurt wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zlatan misses with a knee to the head.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Zlatan throws an elbow but misses.
Zlatan missing with knees to the body.

hurt breaks the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zlatan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

hurt tries to keep at a distance but Zlatan has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zlatan tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zlatan is trying to stall.

hurt pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
hurt misses with a wild combination.
hurt misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
hurt misses with a jab, cross combination.
hurt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zlatan is looking to clinch.
hurt throws a right and a left that Zlatan avoids nicely.
hurt misses with a few strikes there.
Zlatan tries to clinch up but hurt circles away and keeps his distance.
hurt misses with a series of wild punches.
hurt throws a series of punches but Zlatan avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
hurt misses with a jab, cross combination.
hurt misses with a series of wild punches.
hurt swinging wildly here.

Zlatan tries to keep at a distance but hurt has taken the fight into the clinch.
hurt has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zlatan.
hurt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

hurt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zlatan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from hurt.
hurt misses with a double jab.
Zlatan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from hurt.
Zlatan is looking to clinch but hurt is avoiding it.
Nice sprawl there from Zlatan as hurt shoots in.
hurt misses with a two punch combination.
Zlatan tries to close the distance and clinch up but hurt swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zlatan tries to clinch up.
Zlatan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ibra Zlatan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of lil hurt.
hurt swats away the attempt to clinch by Zlatan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zlatan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but hurt paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zlatan wants to clinch up but hurt keeps it at a distance.
hurt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zlatan circles away quickly and effectively.
Zlatan wants to clinch.

hurt closes the distance and clinches.

hurt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Zlatan moves into the clinch.
Zlatan will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning hurt up against the ropes.
hurt looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
hurt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Zlatan throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but hurt blocks it with crossed arms.
hurt avoids a wild elbow strike from Zlatan.
Zlatan is trying to maintain a safe position but hurt gets an underhook and turns Zlatan into the ropes.
Zlatan leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Zlatan is looking to control hurt's arms but hurt gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zlatan has his back to the ropes.

hurt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
hurt moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
hurt fails to land with a series of punches.
hurt fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zlatan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zlatan fails in his attempt to clinch.
hurt throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Zlatan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Zlatan has hurt pressed against the ropes, preventing hurt from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

hurt manages to break the clinch.
hurt misses with a series of wild punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zlatan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
hurt has a takedown stuffed.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zlatan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A combination from hurt does no damage.
Zlatan misses with a wild combination.
Zlatan tries to close the distance and clinch up but hurt swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Zlatan tries to keep at a distance but hurt has taken the fight into the clinch.

Zlatan jumps into guard, dragging hurt to the mat.
Zlatan is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zlatan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zlatan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. hurt manages to get himself to full guard.
Zlatan won't allow hurt to sweep him here.
Zlatan throwing strikes but missing.
hurt is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
hurt seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zlatan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Ground and pound from hurt.
Zlatan is trying to control but can't.
hurt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zlatan trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but lil hurt will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

hurt throws a left and a right that both miss

and Zlatan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zlatan throwing strikes but missing.
Zlatan preventing the sweep.
Zlatan passes hurt's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Zlatan lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
hurt wants to improve his position but Zlatan is controlling well.
Zlatan is looking to advance position but hurt won't allow it.
Zlatan working over hurt with some ground and pound. hurt looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
hurt wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Zlatan there.
hurt is trying to escape back to his feet but Zlatan uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Zlatan fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Zlatan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zlatan working the head with strikes.
hurt gets back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
hurt wants to get back to full guard.
Zlatan tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
hurt is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. hurt manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
hurt not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
hurt might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Zlatan kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
hurt looking for a sweep. Not yet hurt, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Zlatan clinches with his opponent.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by hurt as Zlatan tries to tie him up.
Zlatan scores with a knee to the head.
Zlatan lands a nice knee to the body.
hurt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
hurt is trying to break the clinch but Zlatan is controlling him.
Zlatan misses with a knee strike.
hurt blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zlatan looking to stall.
hurt takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

hurt manages to break the clinch.

Zlatan gets caught flat footed, as hurt shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Zlatan is trying to control the position but hurt postures up.
hurt trying to control the position from guard on top but Zlatan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zlatan is trying to keep hurt in close.
hurt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
hurt wants to control from the top but Zlatan keeps moving.
hurt is fighting to break Zlatan's control of his arms but Zlatan is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
hurt throws a one two combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zlatan tries to keep at a distance but hurt has taken the fight into the clinch.
hurt looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

hurt pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zlatan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as hurt sprawls well. hurt wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zlatan gets slowly back to his feet.
hurt misses with a two punch combination.
lil hurt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
hurt misses with a takedown attempt

and Zlatan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zlatan.
hurt wants to get back to striking at distance but Zlatan won't allow it.
Zlatan tries a knee to the head but hurt blocks it.

hurt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zlatan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. hurt defends it nicely.

hurt forces Zlatan back against the ropes and clinches.
hurt is looking to break free of the clinch but Zlatan has double underhooks.
Zlatan changes levels and goes for a takedown here. hurt fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ibra Zlatan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

hurt closes the distance and pushes Zlatan back into the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ibra Zlatan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Zlatan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

hurt avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Zlatan clinches.
Zlatan is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. hurt gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
hurt wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

hurt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zlatan slips a jab and a cross from hurt.
Zlatan moves in looking to clinch but hurt pushes him off.

hurt rushes Zlatan and presses him up against the ropes.
Zlatan trying to control the position but instead, hurt has worked for underhooks and has pushed Zlatan into the ropes.
Zlatan has hurt pressed against the ropes, preventing hurt from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
hurt has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

hurt manages to break the clinch.
hurt swinging wildly here.

Zlatan moves into the clinch successfully.
Zlatan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. hurt is defending well for now.
hurt can't break the clinch.

hurt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
hurt swinging wildly here.
Zlatan throws a nice looking combination but hurt bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
hurt circles away from the clinch attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zlatan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but hurt circles away quickly and effectively.
A combination from hurt does no damage.
hurt fails with the takedown.
Zlatan tries to clinch but hurt is having none of it.

hurt closes the distance and pushes Zlatan back into the ropes.
hurt tries to break free but Zlatan pushes him back against the ropes.
Zlatan wants to stall.
Zlatan looking to throw knees to the head but hurt is blocking nicely.
Zlatan has hurt pressed against the ropes, preventing hurt from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

hurt pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zlatan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
hurt throws a right and a left that Zlatan avoids nicely.
Zlatan fails with an attempt to clinch.
hurt throws a right and a left that both miss.
hurt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zlatan dodges the punch combination from hurt.
Zlatan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ibra Zlatan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
hurt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

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.
hurt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zlatan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
hurt changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zlatan tries to avoid it but hurt manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zlatan to the ground. Zlatan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
hurt misses with a few strikes there.
Zlatan is looking to clinch.
hurt misses with a double jab.
hurt circles away from the clinch attempt.

Zlatan moves into the clinch.
Zlatan looking to throw knees to the head but hurt is blocking nicely.

hurt manages to break the clinch.
Some wild striking there from hurt.
Zlatan avoids a punch combination nicely.
hurt misses with a jab, cross combination.
hurt misses with a double jab
and Zlatan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zlatan dodges the punch combination from hurt.
Zlatan throws a hook but hurt avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
hurt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ibra Zlatan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of lil hurt.
hurt throws a series of punches but Zlatan moves out of range.
Zlatan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of hurt's head.
Zlatan tries to close the distance and clinch but hurt swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
hurt throws a right and a left that Zlatan avoids nicely.
Zlatan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
hurt circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zlatan tries to clinch but hurt is having none of it.
Zlatan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but hurt paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zlatan doesn't manage to clinch there - hurt circles away.
Zlatan tries to clinch but hurt is having none of it.
hurt throws a right and a left that both miss.
A punch combination from hurt misses.
Zlatan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zlatan dodges the punch combination from hurt.
Zlatan lands the left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
hurt working hard to break the clinch.
hurt is trying to break free.
Zlatan throws a knee to the head but misses.
hurt prevents the takedown attempt.
hurt can't break the clinch.

hurt pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
hurt tries to bum rush Zlatan with a series of wild strikes but Zlatan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
hurt takes one on the button.
Zlatan misses with a body kick.
hurt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
hurt shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
hurt misses with a two punch combination.
hurt misses with a series of wild punches.
hurt looks for a takedown but Zlatan sprawls well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Zlatan gets a clinch.
Zlatan tries to stall but hurt uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
hurt has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zlatan tries a knee to the head but hurt blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ibra Zlatan.
I think Zlatan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ibra Zlatan!