PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Zakarova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jussi Murikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zakarova comes to the cage accompanied by Song of the Volga Boatmen. Murikka has chosen Rock'n'Rolla as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Zakarova
vs
Murikka

175 cm
25
165 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
164 lbs
18 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Milwaukee's Best 160 - $99
Milwaukee's Best 160 - $99

Nordic Nutrition (160 Recovery $99)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikhail Zakarova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jussi Murikka!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murikka misses with a shot to the body
and Zakarova counters with a nice uppercut.
Murikka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zakarova connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Murikka's hands.
Murikka smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Murikka walks into a jab.
Murikka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murikka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zakarova was well out of range. Poor timing from Murikka.
Murikka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zakarova checks the leg kick nicely there.
A head kick by Murikka misses
and Zakarova counters with a left and a right that stings Murikka.
Zakarova lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Zakarova lands with a slapping head kick.
Murikka walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Murikka drops his hands momentarily and Zakarova takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murikka misses with a lunging right hand
and Zakarova counters with a leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Zakarova.
Murikka throws a lazy head kick
and Zakarova counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Murikka is looking to clinch.
Murikka shoots in looking for a takedown but Zakarova manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murikka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Murikka tries to clinch but Zakarova moves out of range.
Zakarova feints and then cracks Murikka's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Murikka down.
Zakarova uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Murikka.
Murikka throws a looping overhand right but Zakarova ducks down to avoid it.
Mikhail Zakarova is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murikka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Good leg kick by Murikka there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zakarova walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Murikka checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Jussi Murikka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murikka slips a straight right by Zakarova.
Zakarova scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Murikka connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A good leg kick by Murikka.
Zakarova tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Murikka. Zakarova shrugs it off though.
Murikka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zakarova can pounce on him.
Zakarova scores with a head kick. Murikka tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Murikka throws a head kick that misses
and Zakarova counters with a head kick. That will keep Murikka thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zakarova misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Murikka lands a leg kick that knocks Zakarova off balance momentarily.
Murikka misses with a right hand
and Zakarova counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zakarova blocks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murikka throws a lazy right hand but Zakarova sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A head kick misses from Murikka.
Zakarova lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Murikka misses with the combination.
Zakarova throws a low kick but Murikka avoids it.
Zakarova throws a right and a left that both miss.
Murikka takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Zakarova throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Murikka's head.
A leg kick checked by Murikka.
Zakarova ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murikka moves away.
Murikka tries to clinch up
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova swinging wildly here.
Murikka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Murikka shoots in for a double leg but Zakarova sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Zakarova gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Murikka wants to pass the guard but Zakarova is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Murikka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Zakarova dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Murikka fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zakarova checks it well.
Zakarova tries to land a body kick
and Murikka makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Murikka throws a shot from downtown. Zakarova moves away and avoids it.
Zakarova displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Murikka.
Murikka throws a series of punches but Zakarova avoids them all with ease.
Murikka misses with a leg kick
and Zakarova makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zakarova tries to bum rush Murikka with a series of wild strikes but Murikka uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Murikka tries to clinch but Zakarova is having none of it.
Murikka throws a sloppy head kick
and Zakarova counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Murikka throws a leg kick that misses.
Zakarova blocks a head kick by Murikka.
Zakarova attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakarova throws a left and a right that both miss
and Murikka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murikka throws a lazy head kick
and Zakarova counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Mikhail Zakarova is winning the standup battle so far.
Murikka throws a sloppy head kick and Zakarova moves out of range easily.
Zakarova throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zakarova connects with a leg kick. Murikka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Murikka throws a leg kick
and Zakarova counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Murikka throws a leg kick that is checked
and Zakarova counters with a nice uppercut.
Zakarova throws a head kick but Murikka moves out of range.
Murikka throws a hook but Zakarova avoids it easily.
Murikka swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Murikka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zakarova dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Murikka. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova swats away the attempt to clinch by Murikka.
Zakarova misses with a low kick.
Zakarova cracks Murikka with a good jab.
Zakarova misses with a series of wild punches.
Zakarova displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Murikka.
Zakarova loads up on a big right hand but Murikka slips the punch.
Zakarova jabs Murikka right on the nose. Murikka blinks but takes it well.
Zakarova connects with a body shot that sends Murikka's belly button to the back.
Murikka cracks Zakarova with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A low kick from Murikka misses
and Zakarova counters with a good, hard body kick but Murikka shrugs it off.
Mikhail Zakarova is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murikka has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Zakarova finds it's way round the side to connect with Murikka's head.
Murikka throws a sloppy head kick
and Zakarova counters with a left to the body.
Zakarova lands a lovely overhand right.
Zakarova throws a right hand that Murikka ducks under and follows up with a left that Murikka also avoids with ease.
Murikka closes the distance but Zakarova moves to the side
and Zakarova finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Murikka is breathing heavily.
Murikka tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Zakarova connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murikka throws a leg kick that is checked
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Murikka connects with a leg kick. Zakarova looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Murikka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zakarova sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mikhail Zakarova has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jussi Murikka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murikka throws a leg kick
and Zakarova counters with a big head kick but Murikka shrugs it off.
Zakarova cracks Murikka with a good jab.
Zakarova connects with an inside leg kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Murikka throws a sloppy head kick and Zakarova moves out of range easily.

Zakarova shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Zakarova showed some decent athleticism there.
Murikka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zakarova wants to take a breather but Murikka is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murikka is looking to get back to full guard here but Zakarova has managed to pass to side control instead.
Zakarova controlling from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Zakarova dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Murikka misses with a head kick.
Zakarova lands the left hand.
Murikka finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Murikka throws a leg kick that is checked
and Zakarova makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Murikka misses with a leg kick
and Zakarova counters with an inside leg kick.
Zakarova misses with a left hand
and Murikka makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A low kick from Murikka is predictable there
and Zakarova counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zakarova throws a combination that misses
and Murikka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A low kick from Zakarova is predictable there
and Murikka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Murikka avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murikka misses with a left hand
and Zakarova cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zakarova throws a leg kick
and Murikka makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Murikka misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zakarova counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Murikka thinking.
Murikka has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Murikka wants to clinch but Zakarova slips to the side
and Zakarova counters with a slapping leg kick.
Zakarova misses with the combination.
Zakarova fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Murikka.
Murikka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zakarova moves out of range of the strikes.
Zakarova circles away from the clinch attempt
and Zakarova counters with a low kick, right behind Murikka 's knee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Some wild striking there from Zakarova.
A jab from Zakarova finds it's way through Murikka's defenses.
A head kick by Murikka misses
and Zakarova counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zakarova scores with a jab to the jaw.
Decent striking displayed by Zakarova there.
Murikka looks to score with a jab to the body but Zakarova is just out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Zakarova misses the target.
Murikka tries to land a body kick
and Zakarova cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Murikka closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova is looking for a sweep.
Zakarova tries to escape but Murikka is in control.
Zakarova trying to remain calm as Murikka controls from the top position.
Murikka wants to take a breather but Zakarova manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Murikka.
Murikka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zakarova keeping moving, preventing Murikka from controlling successfully.
Jussi Murikka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zakarova wants to stand but Murikka is controlling the position.

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.
Murikka is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Murikka is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zakarova tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murikka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zakarova keeping moving, preventing Murikka from controlling successfully.
Zakarova manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Murikka is looking to improve his position but Zakarova isn't that keen on the idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mikhail Zakarova.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zakarova, 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight for Mikhail Zakarova!
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Mikhail Zakarova!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Mikhail Zakarova!

Mikhail Zakarova wins by unanimous decision!