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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianfranco Zola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zola has chosen Balls to the Wall as his entrance music. Robert Zhirkov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.
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| 180 cm
28
141 lbs
10 - 8 - 1 |
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163 cm
29
142 lbs
22 - 7 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong |
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Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
10 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
22 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gianfranco Zola!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhirkov digs a good hook to Zola's body.
Zhirkov clobbers Zola with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.
Zhirkov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zola fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zhirkov is out of range.
Zhirkov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zola shoots in looking for a takedown. Zhirkov tries to sprawl out of it but Zola keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zhirkov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zhirkov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zola has time to react.
Good leg kick by Zhirkov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zhirkov thuds his shin into the meat of Zola's side.
A punch combination from Zhirkov misses.
Zhirkov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zola doesn't seem bothered though.
Zola defending well as Zhirkov loads up on a big left hand.
Zola keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zhirkov.
A jab from Zhirkov does it's job there.
Zola throws a lazy right hand but Zhirkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhirkov throws a nice head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zhirkov fails to land with a series of punches.
Zhirkov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Zhirkov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zola in his tracks.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Zhirkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zola.
Zhirkov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zola takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zhirkov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zola's head.
Zhirkov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zola slips a straight right by Zhirkov.
Zola shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Zola was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Zola sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Zhirkov is looking to get to half guard.
Zhirkov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Zhirkov tries to reverse the position but Zola maintains control.
Zola wants to control the pace but Zhirkov is squirming around nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zhirkov tries to lock up and control but Zola gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Zhirkov is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Zola tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Zhirkov is trying to escape the mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zhirkov is looking to escape.
Zhirkov is working to get back to half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zola is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Zhirkov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Zhirkov reaches up to try and control the position but Zola seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Zhirkov rolls and tries to escape and now Zola has his back!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zhirkov has hold of Zola's arm. He needs to escape this position sooner or later but for now he's happy enough to control the position and prevent the submission attempts.
Zhirkov can't escape the position.
Zola is trying to stick to Zhirkov's back but Zhirkov is turning into Zola. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Zola's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Zhirkov.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zola is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zhirkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zola works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zhirkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zhirkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Zola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zola looking to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zola wants to sweep here but Zhirkov controlling him for the moment.
Zhirkov with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Zhirkov ducks under a wild hook from Zola.
Zhirkov lands an overhand right.
The crowd cheers as Zhirkov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zola doesn't seem phased though.
Zola shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zhirkov sprawls well. Zhirkov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zola gets slowly back to his feet.
Zhirkov misses with a straight right.
Zola throws a predictable looking body shot
and Zhirkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zola walks into a stiff left hand from Zhirkov.
Zola throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zhirkov misses with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Zhirkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zola gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zola throws a shot from downtown. Zhirkov moves away and avoids it.
Zola on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Zhirkov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov misses with a few strikes there.
Zhirkov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The fighters circling - Zhirkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zhirkov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Zola has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zola there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zola throws a jab but it's blocked by Zhirkov.
Zola with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zhirkov counters with a straight right hand.
Robert Zhirkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gianfranco Zola.
Zhirkov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zola lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zola is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Zola is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zhirkov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zola is breathing heavily.
Zhirkov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Zhirkov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Zhirkov misses with an uppercut.
Zhirkov scores with a hook.
Zhirkov connects with a nice looking jab.
Zola throws a hook to the side of Zhirkov's head but Zhirkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zhirkov.
Zola walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zhirkov misses the jab.
Zhirkov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhirkov looks to throw the jab but Zola is out of range.
Zhirkov connects with a body shot.
Zhirkov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice body punch from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zola takes one on the button.
Nice straight punches there by Zhirkov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zhirkov.
Zhirkov defending well as Zola loads up on a big left hand.
Zhirkov connects with a high kick.
Zhirkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zola.
Robert Zhirkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhirkov lands with a nice body punch.
Zhirkov cracks Zola with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zola has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands with an uppercut that bounces Zola off the cage and back into rage.
Zhirkov scores with a nice head shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zhirkov.
Zhirkov cracks Zola with an open hand slap.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Zola shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Zhirkov misses the jab.
Zhirkov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zola misses with a shot to the body
and Zhirkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zhirkov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Zhirkov lands a body shot.
Zhirkov tests Zola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zola takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zhirkov jabs Zola to the body, keeping him at a distance.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zola walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zola on the side of the head.
Zhirkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zhirkov lands with a right hand.
Zhirkov dips to his left and cracks Zola with an uppercut!
Zhirkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zola.
Zhirkov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zola in his tracks.
Jab from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a nice looking jab.
Zola misses with a body punch
and Zhirkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Zola takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Zhirkov lands a glancing blow to the side of Zola's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice straight punches there by Zhirkov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zhirkov.
Zola throws a looping overhand right but Zhirkov ducks down to avoid it.
Zola misses with a shot to the body
and Zhirkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zhirkov connects with a looping right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Robert Zhirkov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Zola takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Zhirkov misses with a hook. Zola ducked under it nicely.
Zhirkov misses with a double jab.
Zola takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Zola throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zola misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zhirkov counters with a body kick that stops Zola in his tracks momentarily.
Zhirkov moves away from the strike by Zola.
Zhirkov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zhirkov's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Zhirkov duly obliges.
Zhirkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zola can do to turn this around?
Zola misses the shot to the body.
Zola slips a jab from Zhirkov.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a looping right hand.
Zola swings for the body but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Zola takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Zhirkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Zola is just out of range.
Zola takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov stuffs the takedown.
Zhirkov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Jab by Zhirkov.
Zola doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zhirkov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Robert Zhirkov is winning the standup battle so far.
Zola throws a right and a left that Zhirkov avoids nicely.
Zola throws a leg kick that misses.
Zhirkov tests Zola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zhirkov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Good shot there by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov misses the jab.
Zhirkov lands a two punch combo.
Zhirkov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Zhirkov lands a nice shot to the body.
Zhirkov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zola connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gianfranco Zola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zola on the side of the head.
Zhirkov throws a one two combo.
Zola throws a big shot that misses.
Zola walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Zola moves out of range as Zhirkov strikes.
Zhirkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zola takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nice jab there from Zhirkov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhirkov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zola throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zola takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zola ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zhirkov throws a looping overhand right but Zola ducks down to avoid it.
Zola gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A big left from Zhirkov misses.
Zhirkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zola's head backwards.
Zola takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A nice combination there by Zhirkov.
A clash of legs there as Zola blocks the low kick.
Zola throws a nice looking combination but Zhirkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zola on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Good exchange - Zhirkov coming out on top.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zola misses with a body punch
and Zhirkov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Zola's knee momentarily.
Nice jab there from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands a jab.
Zola takes one to the chin there.
A swing and a miss from Zhirkov.
Zola tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zola's sensitive parts.
Zhirkov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Zola shoots and misses
and Zhirkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zola on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zhirkov. Zhirkov obviously looking to wear him down.
Robert Zhirkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhirkov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Zhirkov scores with a head kick. Zola tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A lazy left from Zhirkov finds it's target.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the head.
Zhirkov lands a two punch combo.
Zhirkov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Zhirkov throws a shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhirkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zola.
Robert Zhirkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gianfranco Zola.
Zola takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Zola has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a jab.
And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Zhirkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zhirkov, 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:25
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:25
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:25
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Zhirkov!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
85% |
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