PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Raymore Ardonia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Zarencev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Raymore Ardonia
vs
Zarencev

191 cm
27
221 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
205 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mirko Raymore Ardonia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Artem Zarencev!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zarencev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ardonia swivels and escapes.
Zarencev fails with a takedown attempt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ardonia, as that shot connected.

It looks like Artem Zarencev has been cut.
Ardonia lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zarencev circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice defenses there by Zarencev.
Zarencev is looking to clinch.
Ardonia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zarencev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ardonia somewhat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zarencev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ardonia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zarencev fails to land the takedown.
Mirko Raymore Ardonia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artem Zarencev.
Ardonia bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zarencev's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zarencev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zarencev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ardonia avoids it really well and circles away.
Zarencev looks gassed!
Zarencev shoots in and drives through. Ardonia sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarencev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ardonia.
Ardonia throws a series of punches but Zarencev avoids them all with ease.
Zarencev shoots in looking for a takedown. Ardonia tries to sprawl out of it but Zarencev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ardonia manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ardonia throws a right hand that Zarencev ducks under and follows up with a left that Zarencev also avoids with ease.
Ardonia looks to land a combination but Zarencev avoids it well.
Ardonia lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zarencev circles away quickly and effectively.
Ardonia throws a series of punches but Zarencev avoids them all with ease.
Zarencev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ardonia sprawls well. Ardonia wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zarencev gets slowly back to his feet.
Ardonia moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ardonia keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ardonia digs a good hook to Zarencev's body.
Zarencev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ardonia counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Ardonia takes the fight into the clinch.

Ardonia breaks the clinch.
Artem Zarencev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ardonia feints and as Zarencev raises his hands in defense, Ardonia changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zarencev is on top in guard.
Zarencev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ardonia is proving hard to escape from.
Zarencev looking to pass the guard.
Ardonia on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ardonia tries to get out of the position.
Zarencev throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ardonia working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zarencev.
Ardonia will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ardonia trying to control the position.

Zarencev stands and steps away. Ardonia gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ardonia misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ardonia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zarencev shoots for a takedown but Ardonia saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A punch combination from Ardonia misses.
Ardonia throws a hook but Zarencev avoids it easily.
Zarencev shoots in for a double leg but Ardonia sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zarencev shoots in looking for a takedown but Ardonia manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zarencev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

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.
Ardonia connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zarencev shoots in for a takedown but Ardonia shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zarencev fails with a takedown attempt.

Zarencev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Zarencev stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Zarencev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ardonia to the mat! Ardonia manages to get full guard.
Zarencev wants to control from the top but Ardonia keeps moving.
Ardonia knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zarencev on the ground.
Ardonia looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zarencev stands up from Ardonia's guard - Zarencev perhaps looking for a knockout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zarencev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Raymore Ardonia dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Artem Zarencev's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Good shot there by Ardonia.
Ardonia is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ardonia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zarencev doesn't manage to clinch there - Ardonia circles away.
Ardonia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zarencev's waist but Zarencev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ardonia off to one side.
Ardonia wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zarencev ducks under a wild hook from Ardonia.
Zarencev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ardonia avoids it really well and circles away.
Ardonia is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zarencev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zarencev shoots in but no luck this time.
Mirko Raymore Ardonia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artem Zarencev.
Ardonia fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ardonia will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarencev walks into a straight right hand from Ardonia.
Zarencev wants to clinch up but Ardonia keeps it at a distance.
Ardonia keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ardonia pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Zarencev back to the cage. Ardonia follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mirko Raymore Ardonia is winning the standup battle so far.

Zarencev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Zarencev has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Zarencev shoots for a double leg takedown but Ardonia sprawls well. He's pushed Zarencev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zarencev gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Zarencev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Zarencev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ardonia with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarencev is trying to control the action in half guard but Ardonia is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Zarencev there.
Zarencev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Zarencev decides to stand and escape the position.

Zarencev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ardonia is trying to defend but Zarencev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zarencev winds up and cracks Ardonia with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ardonia is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Zarencev is thwarting Ardonia's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zarencev stands up and beckons Ardonia to join him on the feet.
Zarencev tries to clinch but Ardonia is having none of it.
Zarencev shoots in but no luck this time.
Zarencev shoots for a takedown but Ardonia saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zarencev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ardonia shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Zarencev eats them both and turns towards Ardonia to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Zarencev moves in looking to clinch but Ardonia pushes him off.
Zarencev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ardonia's waist but Ardonia gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zarencev off to one side.
Ardonia dips to his left and cracks Zarencev with an uppercut!
Zarencev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ardonia stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ardonia wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zarencev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
No luck for Zarencev with that takedown attempt.
Ardonia swats away the attempt to clinch by Zarencev.
Zarencev looks for the body kick but Ardonia saw that one coming.
Ardonia fails to land with a series of punches.
Zarencev misses with a takedown attempt - Ardonia sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ardonia takes a swing at Zarencev's ribcage but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zarencev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ardonia pinned against the cage. Ardonia gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ardonia is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ardonia throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Artem Zarencev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Artem Zarencev's cut.
That's time! Ardonia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Zarencev slips a jab and a cross from Ardonia.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zarencev.

Zarencev drives through with a takedown into guard.

Zarencev stands up and waves to Ardonia to follow him.
Zarencev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zarencev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ardonia lands with a cross.

Zarencev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zarencev trying to control the action but Ardonia is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarencev working the ground and pound but Ardonia is defending the strikes.
Ardonia can't do much from the bottom here.
Ardonia tries to buck Zarencev off but Zarencev is having none of it.
Zarencev in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Zarencev decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ardonia to his feet.
Zarencev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zarencev wants it to stay on the feet.

Zarencev has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Ardonia.
Zarencev lands a good knee to the midsection. Ardonia won't want to take too many of those.
Zarencev tries for a takedown but Ardonia manages to get underhooks.
Ardonia is struggling to control the position.
Ardonia prevents Zarencev from breaking the clinch.
Ardonia drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zarencev pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ardonia shoots in for a takedown but Zarencev shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mirko Raymore Ardonia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ardonia rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zarencev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ardonia misses with a double jab

and Zarencev counters with a single leg into guard. Ardonia didn't expect that.

Zarencev gets to his feet - Ardonia follows without any prompting.
Ardonia throws a body punch but Zarencev moves out of range.

Zarencev moves into range and clinches up with Ardonia.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarencev prevents the takedown attempt.
Ardonia on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zarencev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zarencev misses with an elbow over the top.
Zarencev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ardonia avoids it.

Ardonia breaks the clinch.
Ardonia keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ardonia scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Some wild striking there from Ardonia.
Zarencev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ardonia darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zarencev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ardonia stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarencev misses with a takedown attempt - Ardonia sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ardonia throws out a powerful jab.
Zarencev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Zarencev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Artem Zarencev has got the better of the ground game so far.

Zarencev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Zarencev tries for a kimura but Ardonia is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ardonia gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artem Zarencev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zarencev 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Zarencev!