PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Raiona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexi Zaitev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zaitev has chosen Hell's Bells as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Raiona
vs
Zaitev

188 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

- The Red Eye - Q158 for $100

KAISER
{GTI} - HGH Nutrients

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Raiona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexi Zaitev!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Sergei Dronov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaitev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raiona manages to avoid it.
Raiona digs a good body shot into Zaitev's ribs.
Zaitev moves out of range of the strikes.
Zaitev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Raiona lands with a shot to the body.
Raiona looks to land a left hand but Zaitev moved out of range nicely.
Zaitev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zaitev takes a swing at Raiona's ribcage but misses.
Raiona throws a hook but Zaitev avoids it easily.
Raiona jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Raiona throws a predictable looking body shot
and Zaitev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Raiona looks to land a right hand but Zaitev moved out of range.
Zaitev scores with a jab to the body.
Raiona connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Raiona slips a straight right by Zaitev.
Raiona swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raiona swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zaitev counters with a left to the body.
Zaitev with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raiona misses with an uppercut.
Zaitev is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Raiona rather than just go for the knockout.
Zaitev moves out of range of the strikes.
Zaitev throws a sloppy body shot
and Raiona counters with a left to the body.
Zaitev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Raiona.
Raiona takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zaitev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Raiona.
A slow jab from Zaitev misses its intended target.
Zaitev cracks Raiona with an open hand slap.
Raiona with a hook.
Raiona throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alex Raiona seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zaitev defending well as Raiona loads up on a big left hand.
A slow jab from Raiona misses its intended target.
Raiona swats away the attempt to clinch by Zaitev.
Raiona throws a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raiona misses with a hook.
Raiona throws the left hand but Zaitev avoids the punch easily.
Raiona ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Raiona fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Raiona lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Raiona connects with a right hand. Zaitev shakes it off.
Raiona uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaitev.
Raiona thows a left - swing and a miss!
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaitev. Raiona does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaitev walks into a left hand.
Raiona is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Raiona bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Raiona throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zaitev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zaitev connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Raiona scores with a sloppy right hand. Zaitev should have avoided that one.
Zaitev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raiona looks to score with a jab to the body but Zaitev is just out of range.
Zaitev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Raiona at a distance.
Raiona throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zaitev throws a body punch but Raiona moves out of range.
Zaitev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Zaitev throws a jab when Raiona was well out of range.
A slow jab from Raiona misses its intended target.
Zaitev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zaitev looks to land a left hand but Raiona moved out of range nicely.
Raiona slips under a jab from Zaitev.
Raiona cracks Zaitev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The fighters circling - Raiona throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zaitev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raiona was well out of range. Poor timing from Zaitev.
The fighters circle momentarily. Raiona darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Raiona is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Raiona staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raiona just misses with a punch to the body.
Raiona missing with a left hand there. Zaitev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zaitev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Raiona fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaitev manages to avoid it.
Raiona keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Raiona misses with an uppercut. Zaitev saw that one coming.
Raiona takes a swing at Zaitev's ribcage but misses.
Zaitev misses with a looping right.
Raiona on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Raiona throws a shot from downtown. Zaitev moves away and avoids it.
Zaitev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raiona was well out of range. Poor timing from Zaitev.
Raiona really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Raiona misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zaitev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Raiona misses with an uppercut. Zaitev saw that one coming.
Zaitev misses with a body shot
and Raiona counters with a stiff right hand.
Raiona throws a jab when Zaitev was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Raiona dominated that round.
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.

Raiona defending well as Zaitev loads up on a big left hand.
Raiona misses with a shot to the body
and Zaitev counters with a left to the body.
Zaitev loads up on a big right hand but Raiona slips the punch.
Raiona throws a looping overhand right but Zaitev ducks down to avoid it.
Zaitev misses the shot to the body.
Raiona connects with the punch.
Raiona cracks Zaitev with a good jab.
Raiona throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raiona swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Zaitev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Raiona misses with a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Zaitev.
Raiona lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zaitev can't find room to land a body shot as Raiona controls the action.
Raiona goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Raiona lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Zaitev or not.
Zaitev struggles to land a body shot inside as Raiona controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zaitev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Zaitev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zaitev lands a body shot.
Raiona struggles to land a body shot inside as Zaitev controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raiona goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaitev lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Zaitev prevents a body shot from Raiona.
Zaitev prevents a body shot from Raiona.
Zaitev misses with some punches.
Raiona tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Raiona holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Raiona misses with a punch to the body.
Nice body punch from Raiona - that landed with a thud.
A body shot lands from Zaitev.
Zaitev tries a body shot but Raiona blocks it.
Zaitev misses with a short punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Zaitev lands a hook that snaps the head of Raiona backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zaitev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Raiona misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right hand to the body from Raiona.
Zaitev tries a body shot but Raiona blocks it.
Zaitev prevents a body shot from Raiona.
Zaitev blocks a body shot from Raiona.
Zaitev pushes Raiona back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zaitev tries to land knees in the clinch but Raiona avoids the damage to the body.
Raiona blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Raiona misses with a punch to the body.
Raiona lands a body shot.
Zaitev is breathing heavily.
Raiona tries to work over Zaitev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Raiona lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Zaitev or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaitev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A shot to the body from Raiona misses
and Zaitev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Raiona scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Raiona thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zaitev wants to clinch.
Raiona looks to land a left hand but Zaitev moved out of range nicely.
Alex Raiona is winning the standup battle so far.
Zaitev comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Raiona tries to bum rush Zaitev with a series of wild strikes but Zaitev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Raiona connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Raiona lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zaitev at a distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Raiona, as that shot connected.
Raiona misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Zaitev to counter with a crisp jab.
Zaitev moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raiona throws an overhand right that lands on Zaitev's shoulder, as Zaitev tries to avoid the shot.
Raiona scores with a jab. Zaitev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A lazy left from Raiona finds it's target.
Raiona throws a body punch but Zaitev moves out of range.
Raiona displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zaitev throws out the jab.
Zaitev staying out of range there.
Zaitev moves away from the strike by Raiona.
Zaitev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raiona misses with a wild body shot.
A big left from Raiona misses.
Raiona scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Raiona swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zaitev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Zaitev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Raiona.
Raiona lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raiona thuds a left hand into Zaitev's body.
Zaitev lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Raiona throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zaitev on the side of the head.
Raiona comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Raiona takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Zaitev misses with a jab to the body
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Raiona counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Raiona punishes Zaitev's body with a nice straight punch.
Zaitev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Raiona.
Zaitev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Raiona just misses with a punch to the body.
Zaitev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raiona scores with a shot to the body.
Zaitev tries to move into range but Raiona moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Jab by Raiona.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Raiona dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Raiona throws a body punch but Zaitev moves out of range.
Raiona swats away the attempt to clinch by Zaitev.
Zaitev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zaitev misses the jab.
A slow jab from Raiona misses its intended target.
Zaitev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Raiona counters with a stiff right hand.
Raiona throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaitev avoids the body shot from Raiona.
Raiona lands a jab to the nose.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raiona throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zaitev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Raiona throws out a loose jab but Zaitev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Raiona looks to land a left hand but Zaitev moved out of range nicely.
Raiona misses the shot to the body.
Raiona throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitev drops his hands momentarily and Raiona takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Raiona misses with an uppercut.
Raiona scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zaitev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Raiona throws a jab but it's blocked by Zaitev.
Raiona cracks Zaitev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Raiona throws a hook but Zaitev blocks it.
Zaitev misses with an uppercut.
Raiona throws a predictable looking body shot
and Zaitev counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Zaitev has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Raiona connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Raiona connects with a crisp jab.
Raiona throws an overhand right that lands on Zaitev's shoulder, as Zaitev tries to avoid the shot.
Zaitev swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Raiona counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zaitev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Raiona.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Zaitev. That snapped Raiona's head back.
Raiona fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaitev manages to avoid it.
Raiona dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Raiona is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Raiona throws a hook but Zaitev avoids it easily.
Zaitev moves away from the strike by Raiona.
Raiona connects with a jab.
Raiona throws out a loose jab but Zaitev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zaitev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Raiona lands a head shot.
Raiona thows a body shot but no joy.
Zaitev misses the body punch
and Raiona counters with a nice body shot.
Zaitev works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Raiona throws a hook to the side of Zaitev's head but Zaitev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zaitev throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Raiona counter with a right hand.
Zaitev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raiona misses with a hook. Zaitev ducked under it nicely.
Raiona bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Raiona misses with a hook to the body
and Zaitev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Raiona 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.
Zaitev takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zaitev blocks a jab.
Zaitev takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zaitev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Raiona.
Raiona lands with an uppercut that bounces Zaitev off the cage and back into rage.
Raiona lands the left hand.
Zaitev walks into a left hand.
Raiona displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zaitev throws out the jab.
Nice cross by Raiona.
Raiona lunges at Zaitev with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zaitev's hand.
Alexi Zaitev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raiona works the jab nicely.
Raiona lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zaitev throws a looping overhand right but Raiona ducks down to avoid it.
Raiona swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Zaitev counters with a right hand to the body.
A left lands for Raiona.
A shot to the liver by Raiona. Beautiful body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raiona misses with a hook to the body
and Zaitev counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaitev scores with a sloppy right hand. Raiona should have avoided that one.
Alex Raiona is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Raiona darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Raiona throws an overhand right that lands on Zaitev's shoulder, as Zaitev tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raiona throws out a loose jab but Zaitev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zaitev misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Raiona counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Jab, jab by Raiona - just one landing.
Zaitev drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Raiona showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Raiona, 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Raiona!