PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Slim Goodbody (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Goodbody has chosen Slim Goodbody theme as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Zhirkov
vs
Goodbody

180 cm
29
141 lbs
12 - 10 - 1

178 cm
24
146 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Global Nutritional ACME (Q157) 90% ROR on Laundry

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 12 - 10 - 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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Slim Goodbody!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goodbody misses with a hook
and Goodbody takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Goodbody lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Goodbody slips under a jab.
Zhirkov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zhirkov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Good exchange - Goodbody coming out on top.
Zhirkov misses with the body kick
and Goodbody counters with a good low kick that Zhirkov was not able to check.
Zhirkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Goodbody misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zhirkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zhirkov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Zhirkov lands a jab to the head.
Goodbody drops his hands momentarily and Zhirkov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Goodbody swings widly with a right hand
and Zhirkov counters with a series of strikes. Goodbody will be more careful next time no doubt.
Zhirkov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Goodbody counters with a straight right hand.
Goodbody throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Goodbody scores with a jab. Zhirkov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice defenses there by Zhirkov.
Goodbody fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zhirkov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zhirkov throws a lazy right hand but Goodbody sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Goodbody thuds his right hand into Zhirkov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zhirkov with a nice cross.
Goodbody takes one to the chin there.
Zhirkov misses with an uppercut. Goodbody saw that one coming.
Zhirkov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Goodbody.
A swing and a miss from Goodbody.
A lazy left from Goodbody finds it's target.
Goodbody tries to clinch there but Zhirkov circles away.
Goodbody misses with a low kick.
Goodbody looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhirkov is just out of range.
Goodbody lands with a shot to the body.
Goodbody swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zhirkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zhirkov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zhirkov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Goodbody throws a nice outside leg kick.
Goodbody looks for the body kick but Zhirkov saw that one coming.
Goodbody connects with a solid leg kick.
Zhirkov misses with an uppercut
and Goodbody counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Goodbody tenderised Zhirkov's leg. Zhirkov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zhirkov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Goodbody bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Goodbody misses with a hook.
Goodbody fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zhirkov misses with a takedown attempt - Goodbody sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zhirkov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Goodbody will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zhirkov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Goodbody punishes Zhirkov's body with a nice straight punch.
Goodbody wants to clinch.
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.
Goodbody attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zhirkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zhirkov scores with a decent looking hook.

Goodbody gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zhirkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Goodbody uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Goodbody blocks an uppercut.
Goodbody lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Good body shot from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zhirkov managing to block the knees to the body from Goodbody.
Goodbody creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Goodbody misses with an elbow over the top.
Goodbody using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Zhirkov fails to land.
Goodbody manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Zhirkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Goodbody throws an elbow that misses.
Zhirkov lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Zhirkov - that landed with a thud.
Zhirkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Goodbody lands an elbow just above Zhirkov 's eye.
Goodbody throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A hook to the body from Goodbody.
Zhirkov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zhirkov avoiding damage as Goodbody throws knees to the body.
Goodbody lands a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zhirkov.
Zhirkov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zhirkov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Goodbody lands an elbow just above Zhirkov 's eye.
Goodbody lands an elbow inside that Zhirkov shrugs off.
Goodbody misses with a knee strike.
Goodbody throws an elbow that misses.
Zhirkov throws a head punch that misses.
Goodbody with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Goodbody looks gassed!
Zhirkov throws a punch but it's blocked by Goodbody.
Zhirkov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Goodbody gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Zhirkov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Goodbody tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zhirkov avoids it.
Goodbody landing knees to the head.
Goodbody misses with a knee strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knees to the body from Goodbody.
Goodbody tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zhirkov managing to block the knees to the body from Goodbody.
Zhirkov blocks an elbow strike from Goodbody.
Goodbody lands a knee to the head.
Zhirkov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Slim Goodbody will probably get the nod.
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.

Zhirkov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Zhirkov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Goodbody misses with a right hand
and Zhirkov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Goodbody thinking.
Goodbody throws a shot to the body.
Zhirkov keeps Goodbody at a distance using the push kick.
Zhirkov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zhirkov lands a really nice looking cross but Goodbody seems unphased.
Zhirkov misses with a hook. Goodbody ducked under it nicely.
Zhirkov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Goodbody walks into a stiff left hand from Zhirkov.
A decent looking cross lands there for Zhirkov.
Goodbody looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Zhirkov lands with an uppercut that bounces Goodbody off the cage and back into rage.
Goodbody uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zhirkov.
Goodbody ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhirkov moves away.
Zhirkov throws a one two combo.

Goodbody is rocked!
Goodbody is breathing heavily.
Zhirkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Goodbody takes one to the side of the head.
Goodbody is still on wobbly legs! Can Zhirkov finish him?
Goodbody gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Robert Zhirkov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov scores with the left hand. Goodbody knows he should have avoided that one.
Zhirkov tries for a takedown but Goodbody sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Goodbody ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.

Zhirkov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Goodbody avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov is trying to control. Goodbody wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Goodbody seems to have recovered his senses.
Zhirkov is nestled in close to Goodbody, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zhirkov lands strikes from half guard.

Zhirkov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Goodbody is just riding it out for now. Zhirkov eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goodbody wants to control but Zhirkov is keeping busy.
Zhirkov is looking to take a break and control but Goodbody is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zhirkov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Goodbody is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Goodbody is defending against the submission attempts here by Zhirkov.
Goodbody has hold of Zhirkov's hands but Zhirkov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Goodbody is trying to get back to full guard.
Zhirkov drops an elbow to the side of Goodbody's head.
Goodbody keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zhirkov is just content to waste time from the top position. Goodbody takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Zhirkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Goodbody looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhirkov throwing strikes from guard but Goodbody blocks nicely.
Goodbody working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zhirkov.
Goodbody utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Goodbody trying to keep a closed guard but Zhirkov is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zhirkov cracks Goodbody with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zhirkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Goodbody sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice body punch from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov missing with a left hand there. Goodbody was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jab by Zhirkov.
Goodbody throws an overhand right that lands on Zhirkov's shoulder, as Zhirkov tries to avoid the shot.
Goodbody takes a jab right on the kisser.

Zhirkov gets tackled into the cage by Goodbody. Goodbody maintains the clinch.
Zhirkov managing to block the knees to the body from Goodbody.
Goodbody trying to land knees to the body.
Goodbody landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Zhirkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zhirkov misses with the head strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zhirkov blocks the elbow strike.
Goodbody pushes off an throws an elbow but Zhirkov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Goodbody throws a head punch that misses.
Goodbody tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Goodbody drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zhirkov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Goodbody tries to land knees in the clinch but Zhirkov avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Goodbody.
Goodbody takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Goodbody is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Goodbody blocks an uppercut.
Goodbody looking to throw knees to the head but Zhirkov is blocking nicely.
Goodbody looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Goodbody has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zhirkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zhirkov throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Goodbody.
Goodbody blocks an uppercut.
Goodbody using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zhirkov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zhirkov working aggressively here.
Zhirkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zhirkov blocks an elbow strike.
A short right from Zhirkov.
Goodbody landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A nice left hand lands by Zhirkov.
A body shot lands from Zhirkov.
Goodbody blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zhirkov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Goodbodys head.
Zhirkov just leaning against Goodbody, taking a breather.
Zhirkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zhirkov lands a nice shot to the body.
Zhirkov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Zhirkov.
Goodbody blocks an uppercut.
Zhirkov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Zhirkov lands a shoulder strike.
Zhirkov scores with a shot to the side of Goodbody's head.
Zhirkov dodges an elbow strike from Goodbody.
Goodbody with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zhirkov lands with a short shot to the head.
Goodbody letting Zhirkov take a breather here.
Zhirkov cracks Goodbody with a nice body shot.
Goodbody looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Zhirkov lands a nice uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zhirkov tries to break free but Goodbody pushes him back against the cage.
Goodbody blocking some punches.
Zhirkov gets through Goodbody's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Goodbody throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Goodbody tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zhirkov working aggressively here.

Zhirkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhirkov misses the target.
Goodbody misses with a left hand
enabling Zhirkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Goodbody throws a leg kick but Zhirkov moved away.
Goodbody throws a lazy uppercut
and Zhirkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zhirkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Goodbody sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Goodbody tries to land a leg kick but Zhirkov saw it coming and moves away.
Zhirkov cracks Goodbody with a right hand to the side of the head.
Goodbody throws a lazy uppercut
letting Zhirkov counter with a right hand.
Nice body kick from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the head.
Zhirkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Goodbody but Goodbody pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zhirkov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Slim Goodbody seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhirkov slips under a jab.
Goodbody throws a front kick aimed at Zhirkov's knee but Zhirkov avoids it well.
Goodbody swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zhirkov counters with a straight right hand.
Zhirkov digs a good hook to Goodbody's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov misses with a wild combination.
Goodbody drops his hands momentarily and Zhirkov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Goodbody misses with an uppercut

and Zhirkov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Goodbody won't be happy with that.
Goodbody avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Zhirkov.
Zhirkov takes a little break here. Goodbody wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Zhirkov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Goodbody sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Zhirkov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zhirkov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Zhirkov!