PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Martin Bryant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bryant comes to the cage accompanied by Killing in the name. Robert Zhirkov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Bryant
vs
Zhirkov

167 cm
22
140 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

180 cm
31
141 lbs
16 - 11 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Narcissus Unlimited Everything $4.00 (Re-Stocked))
Seven Sins™

Hellbent, Inc.™
[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q160 Recovery

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Martin Bryant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhirkov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bryant.
Bryant lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zhirkov misses with an uppercut. Bryant saw that one coming.
Bryant fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Bryant tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Bryant pushes Zhirkov up against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Bryant won't allow it.
Zhirkov lands a hook that snaps the head of Bryant backwards.
Bryant blocking some punches.
Bryant scores with a shoulder strike.
Bryant'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.
Bryant pushes Zhirkov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bryant lands with a short shot to the head.
Zhirkov tries to throw a body punch but Bryant avoids it by throwing Zhirkov back against the cage.
Zhirkov pushes Bryant back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bryant misses with a punch to the body.

Bryant has Zhirkov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Bryant pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Zhirkov tumbling to the mat - Bryant dives into Zhirkov's guard.
Zhirkov looking to control.
Bryant trying to control but Zhirkov is working from the bottom.
Zhirkov trying to control the position.
Zhirkov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bryant has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov gets back to half guard.
Bryant is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhirkov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zhirkov is looking for a sweep. Bryant is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bryant is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhirkov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bryant prevents Zhirkov from improving his position.
Bryant is keen to just control but Zhirkov is a slippery customer.

We're going to have a standup here because Martin Bryant wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Zhirkov throws a jab when Bryant was well out of range.
Bryant looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhirkov is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryant uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov swings for the body but Bryant moves out of range.
Bryant takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Zhirkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bryant throws out the jab.
Zhirkov cracks Bryant with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bryant uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov digs a good hook to Bryant's body.
Bryant misses with a head kick.
The fighters circling - Zhirkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bryant takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bryant looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhirkov is just out of range.
Horrible takedown by Bryant or perhaps it was just good defense by Zhirkov which made him look bad.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhirkov. Bryant does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Jab from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bryant can pounce on him.
Bryant uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhirkov.
Bryant moves away from the strike by Zhirkov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhirkov. Bryant does a little dance to reset his feet.
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!
Bryant misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zhirkov counters with a nice uppercut.
Zhirkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Bryant.
Zhirkov ducks right into an uppercut from Bryant.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bryant looks to land a body kick but Zhirkov moved away.
Zhirkov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bryant fails with the takedown.
Zhirkov swings for the body but Bryant moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Martin Bryant 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.

A leg kick checked by Zhirkov.
Bryant misses with a head kick.
Zhirkov ducks under a wild hook from Bryant.
Zhirkov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zhirkov looks to land a body kick but Bryant moved away.
Martin Bryant is winning the standup battle so far.
Bryant dodges the punch combination from Zhirkov.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhirkov. Bryant does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bryant uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bryant throws a leg kick which misses Zhirkov's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhirkov tries to avoid it.
Bryant takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zhirkov throws a hook to the side of Bryant's head but Bryant sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bryant motions for Zhirkov to come forward. Bryant throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant thows a body shot but no joy.
Bryant shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Zhirkov swings for the body but Bryant moves out of range.
Zhirkov throws a hook to the side of Bryant's head but Bryant sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhirkov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zhirkov throws a shot from downtown. Bryant moves away and avoids it.
Bryant misses with a straight left.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bryant misses with an uppercut. Zhirkov saw that one coming.
Bryant swings for the body but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Bryant pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zhirkov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bryant counters with a left to the body.
Zhirkov connects with a body shot.
Zhirkov lands a right hook to the body.
Zhirkov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryant shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zhirkov pinned against the cage. Zhirkov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zhirkov misses with a leg kick

and Bryant counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bryant.
A right handed body shot lands from Bryant.
Zhirkov throws a head punch that misses.
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!
Bryant lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zhirkov backwards.
Bryant blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zhirkov lands a left hand.
Bryant blocks an uppercut.
Zhirkov tries to work over Bryant's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zhirkov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bryant tries to work over Zhirkov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bryant misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bryant doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryant scores with a shoulder strike.
Bryant tries to work over Zhirkov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bryant can't find room to land a body shot as Zhirkov controls the action.
Bryant cracks Zhirkov with a nice body shot.
Zhirkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zhirkov misses with a punch to the body.
Zhirkov prevents a body shot from Bryant.
Zhirkov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zhirkov throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bryant.
Zhirkov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Zhirkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Bryant breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant tries a low kick but Zhirkov avoids it.
Zhirkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zhirkov throws a hook to the side of Bryant's head but Bryant sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bryant tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zhirkov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zhirkov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bryant staying out of range there.
Zhirkov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bryant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhirkov moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhirkov takes a swing at Bryant's ribcage but misses.
Bryant takes a swing at Zhirkov's ribcage but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bryant misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zhirkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bryant moves out of range as Zhirkov strikes.
Bryant swings for the body but Zhirkov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Robert Zhirkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bryant jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Zhirkov misses with a hook
and Bryant counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bryant moves out of range of the strikes.
Bryant misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhirkov.
Bryant ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Bryant tries to clinch but Zhirkov is having none of it.
Zhirkov throws a lazy right hand but Bryant sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bryant takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Zhirkov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Zhirkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice shot lands for Bryant.
Zhirkov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zhirkov misses with a kick to the body.
Bryant misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhirkov.
Martin Bryant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhirkov.
Bryant shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zhirkov pinned against the cage. Zhirkov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bryant pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zhirkov throws a hook but Bryant avoids it easily.
Zhirkov misses with a straight right.

Bryant has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short right from Bryant.
Bryant throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zhirkovs head.
A short left from Zhirkov.
Bryant can't find room to land a body shot as Zhirkov controls the action.
Zhirkov working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryant taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Zhirkov is trying to force a seperation but Bryant has the dominant position.
Bryant lands a nice uppercut.
Bryant tries to throw a body punch but Zhirkov avoids it by throwing Bryant back against the cage.
Zhirkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Bryant.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bryant tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zhirkov's elbow.
Zhirkov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zhirkov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A body shot lands from Bryant.
Zhirkov working aggressively here.

Zhirkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov throws a front kick aimed at Bryant's knee but Bryant avoids it well.
Zhirkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Zhirkov throws a looping overhand right but Bryant ducks down to avoid it.
That kick from Bryant tenderised Zhirkov's leg. Zhirkov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bryant, right into the meat.
Bryant ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Bryant misses with an attempted mid kick.
Good exchange - Zhirkov coming out on top.
Bryant takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zhirkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bryant looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhirkov is just out of range.
Zhirkov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bryant.
Zhirkov misses with a straight left.
Bryant looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zhirkov is fending him off so far but Bryant persists. Nope, Zhirkov circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bryant closes the distance and clinches.
Zhirkov is trying to maintain a safe position but Bryant gets an underhook and turns Zhirkov into the cage.
Bryant tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bryant tries to pull guard but Zhirkov won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Bryant. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zhirkov.
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!
Bryant tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Bryant jumps into guard, dragging Zhirkov to the mat.
Bryant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bryant is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhirkov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bryant bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zhirkov's guard.
Bryant wants to pass the guard but Zhirkov is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Bryant showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bryant 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martin Bryant!
As Martin Bryant got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Geez.. I know times are tough but seriously string bean how about you eat some food.. Or are you trying for the Mary-Kate Olsen look??'.