PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Zoliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shaquille Oneal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolai Zoliev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zoliev
vs
Oneal

195 cm
22
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

217 cm
25
280 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Zoliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shaquille Oneal!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oneal misses with a two punch combination.
Shaquille Oneal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zoliev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Oneal.
Oneal misses with a jab, cross combination.
Oneal throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zoliev.
Oneal wants to clinch up but Zoliev keeps it at a distance.
Oneal looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Oneal.
Oneal looks to land a combination but Zoliev avoids it well.

Zoliev looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zoliev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Zoliev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Oneal wants to stand and escape but Zoliev is having none of it.
Zoliev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikolai Zoliev wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Zoliev gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Zoliev lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoliev wants to pass to mount but Oneal is defending the position.
Zoliev not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zoliev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Zoliev dominated that round.
That's time! Zoliev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zoliev has Oneal up against the cage in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Zoliev is working Oneal over against the cage.
Oneal gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zoliev.
Stalling in the clinch from Zoliev.

Zoliev lands a takedown into guard.
Zoliev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Oneal avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oneal is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Zoliev dives into side control.
Zoliev staying calm.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zoliev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zoliev slows the pace down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoliev tries to advance to mount but Oneal denies him.

That's four 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Oneal is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Zoliev dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Oneal rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zoliev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Zoliev shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Oneal wants to get back to his feet.
Zoliev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoliev controlling the action here.

That's two 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.
Zoliev is trying to control the action in half guard but Oneal is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oneal tries to kick Zoliev off but Zoliev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nikolai Zoliev.
Oneal clinches but Zoliev breaks the clinch

and Zoliev counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zoliev content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zoliev gets to his feet - Oneal follows without any prompting.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Zoliev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zoliev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Zoliev!