PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hugh Hefner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Zhelyabov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hefner comes to the cage accompanied by Puff The Magic Dragon. Zhelyabov has chosen Гимн СССР as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hefner
vs
Zhelyabov

175 cm
22
153 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

172 cm
25
155 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hugh Hefner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Zhelyabov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hefner has Zhelyabov up against the cage in a clinch.
Zhelyabov stops a takedown attempt from Hefner.
Zhelyabov dodges an elbow strike from Hefner.
Zhelyabov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zhelyabov blocks an elbow strike.

Zhelyabov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zhelyabov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hefner connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A bone on bone clash there as Hefner blocks the leg kick.
Zhelyabov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hefner at a distance.

Hefner bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hefner in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Zhelyabov wants to control but Hefner postures up.
Zhelyabov pushes Hefner away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Hefner gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hefner thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zhelyabov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Hefner.
Zhelyabov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hefner off and has taken his back!
Hefner is in bad spot here.
Zhelyabov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hefner. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hefner has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Zhelyabov not allowing Hefner to control his hands.

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.
Hefner tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Hefner is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hefner is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hefner regains half guard.
Zhelyabov prevents Hefner from improving his position.
Zhelyabov prevents Hefner from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hefner trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Hefner wants to improve his position but Zhelyabov is controlling well.
Hefner is not content to let Zhelyabov control the position.
Hefner wants to get back to his feet.
Hefner is looking to improve his position.
Hefner is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zhelyabov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Zhelyabov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Zhelyabov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hefner looks to land a left hand but Zhelyabov moved out of range nicely.
Hefner digs a good hook to Zhelyabov's body.
Zhelyabov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hefner throws out the jab.
Zhelyabov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zhelyabov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zhelyabov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hefner.
Zhelyabov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zhelyabov scores with a nice head shot.
Zhelyabov scores with a sloppy right hand. Hefner should have avoided that one.
Zhelyabov jabs at Hefner's body.
Hefner throws a lazy right hand but Zhelyabov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hefner works Zhelyabov's body with a nice hook.
Zhelyabov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hugh Hefner will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zhelyabov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hefner.
Zhelyabov throws a body punch but Hefner moves out of range.
A jab from Hefner misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Hefner misses the target.
Zhelyabov tries to land a front kick but Hefner steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hefner checks a leg kick.
Zhelyabov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hefner tries to clinch up but Zhelyabov circles away and keeps his distance.
Zhelyabov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hefner throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zhelyabov's waist but Zhelyabov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hefner off to one side.
Zhelyabov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hefner's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hefner shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zhelyabov defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Hefner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zhelyabov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Zhelyabov as Hefner shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhelyabov lands with a shot to the body.
Zhelyabov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hefner's sensitive parts.
A jab from Hefner misses.
Hefner misses the jab.
Nice body kick from Zhelyabov.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zhelyabov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hefner checks it well.
Hefner misses with a body shot.
Hefner fails with a takedown attempt.
Zhelyabov thows a body kick. Hefner tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Hefner uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhelyabov.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hefner is defended easily by Zhelyabov.
Zhelyabov lands with a nice body punch.
Zhelyabov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhelyabov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hefner.
Zhelyabov connects with a right hand. Hefner shakes it off.
Hefner fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zhelyabov avoids it really well and circles away.
Both fighters circling a little - Zhelyabov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hefner steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Zhelyabov. That one must have hurt.
Zhelyabov thumps Hefner with a low kick.
Zhelyabov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zhelyabov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zhelyabov fakes the leg kick and cracks Hefner in the body.
Zhelyabov looks to land a combination but Hefner avoids it well.
Zhelyabov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhelyabov stuffs the takedown attempt from Hefner. Hefner gets slowly back to his feet.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hefner crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zhelyabov - the referee stops the clock and Hefner gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zhelyabov. Hefner manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhelyabov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zhelyabov lands with a slapping head kick.
Zhelyabov fakes the leg kick and cracks Hefner in the body.
Zhelyabov lands a nice shot to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Zhelyabov. Hefner shrugs it off though.
Hefner will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Zhelyabov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Zhelyabov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zhelyabov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zhelyabov throws a nice head kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hefner takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zhelyabov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zhelyabov tries a head kick but it misses.
Andrei Zhelyabov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhelyabov thows a body shot but no joy.
Zhelyabov cracks the inside of Hefner's front leg.
Nice uppercut there from Zhelyabov.
Zhelyabov throws a push kick but Hefner slaps the foot to one side.
Hefner shoots for a takedown but Zhelyabov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhelyabov scoring well with a low kick there.
Zhelyabov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hefner rather than just go for the knockout.
Zhelyabov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hefner takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Andrei Zhelyabov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zhelyabov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zhelyabov throws a head kick that Hefner semi-blocks.
Zhelyabov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zhelyabov cracks the inside of Hefner's front leg.
Hefner fails with a takedown attempt.
Zhelyabov thuds his shin into the meat of Hefner's side.
Zhelyabov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zhelyabov misses with a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhelyabov feints and then cracks Hefner's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hefner down.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hefner crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zhelyabov - the referee stops the clock and Hefner gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zhelyabov. Hefner manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zhelyabov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zhelyabov looks to land a left hand but Hefner moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Zhelyabov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Zhelyabov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hefner is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hefner misses with a takedown attempt - Zhelyabov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zhelyabov feints and then cracks Hefner's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hefner down.
Zhelyabov lands a head shot.
Hefner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhelyabov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hefner.
The fighters circling - Hefner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zhelyabov misses with a low kick.
Hefner swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zhelyabov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhelyabov. Hefner does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hefner takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zhelyabov lands a high kick!
Hefner checks a low kick from Zhelyabov.
Zhelyabov lands a glancing blow to the side of Hefner's head.
Donk. Hefner catches Zhelyabov right on the button with a cross.
Zhelyabov throws a sloppy head kick and Hefner moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhelyabov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zhelyabov scores with a leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhelyabov throws a front kick aimed at Hefner's knee but Hefner avoids it well.
Zhelyabov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zhelyabov lands with a slapping head kick.
Hefner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zhelyabov as he jumps to the side.
Hefner shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zhelyabov defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Hefner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhelyabov misses the target.
Hefner is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hefner wants to clinch.
Hefner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhelyabov manages to avoid it.
Hefner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zhelyabov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zhelyabov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhelyabov misses with a head kick.
Hefner waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zhelyabov.
Zhelyabov takes a swing at Hefner's ribcage but misses.
Hefner avoids a kick to the body.
Zhelyabov lands a high kick!
Zhelyabov misses with a straight left.
Hefner moves out of range of the body kick.
Hefner blocks a head kick by Zhelyabov.

Hefner drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zhelyabov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Hefner is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zhelyabov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hefner tries to move to full mount but Zhelyabov actually manages to regain half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zhelyabov can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhelyabov is refusing to be controlled, as Hefner sits in half guard.
Still in half guard, Hefner seems content to control.
Hefner throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hefner has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hefner looking to ground and pound but Zhelyabov is blocking nicely.
Hefner wants to control the pace but Zhelyabov is squirming around nicely.
Zhelyabov squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Hefner working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Zhelyabov can't escape the position.
Hefner looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hefner unloading with bombs!
Hefner sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Zhelyabov tries to reverse the position but Hefner maintains control.

Hefner looking to secure an arm triangle but Zhelyabov defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrei Zhelyabov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zhelyabov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrei Zhelyabov!