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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!
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| 172 cm
31
143 lbs
23 - 14 - 1 |
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180 cm
32
141 lbs
17 - 13 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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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
23 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simons III.
Zhirkov throws a leg kick which misses Simons III's front leg but catches the back leg as Simons III tries to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Zhirkov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zhirkov lands a head kick!
Simons III has his takedown stuffed
and Zhirkov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A head kick misses from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Simons III misses with a takedown
and Zhirkov counters with an inside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zhirkov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Simons III misses with a takedown attempt
and Zhirkov counters with a leg kick.
Simons III misses with a takedown attempt
and Zhirkov counters with a nice body kick.
Simons III is breathing heavily.
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!
Zhirkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zhirkov.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Simons III has time to react.
Zhirkov looks for the body kick but Simons III saw that one coming.
Zhirkov feints and then cracks Simons III's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Simons III down.
Simons III closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zhirkov circles away.
Simons III with a poor takedown
and Zhirkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Simons III drives through and clinches with Zhirkov against the cage.
Simons III blocking some punches.
Simons III tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Simons III misses with an elbow over the top.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but Zhirkov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zhirkov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Simons III is keeping busy.
Zhirkov is struggling to control the position.
Simons III jumps guard but Zhirkov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov has Simons III pressed against the cage.
Simons III wants the takedown. Zhirkov is fighting it off but Simons III persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Zhirkov's guard against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Zhirkov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Zhirkov controlling the pace.
Zhirkov working over Simons III with some ground and pound. Simons III looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Zhirkov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Simons III looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Zhirkov pushes past his half guard into mount!
Zhirkov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Zhirkov landing strikes, looking to finish!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhirkov controlling from the full mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III is working to get back to half guard.
Zhirkov controlling the position easily from mount.
Simons III is trying desperately to improve position.
Zhirkov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Zhirkov controlling the position easily from mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov cracks Simons III with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Simons III is trying to escape the mount.
Simons III is squirming around, avoiding Zhirkov's attempts to control the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Simons III trying to move into half guard but instead Zhirkov has managed to sweep!
Simons III has an active guard here but Zhirkov has managed to pass into half guard.
Zhirkov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Zhirkov controlling from mount.
Zhirkov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Simons III hang on?
Zhirkov jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Simons III manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Simons III is trying to improve his position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III is working hard here to advance position.
Simons III is being controlled here.
Simons III tries to improve position but can't.
Zhirkov landing a few strikes.
The referee asks Zhirkov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Zhirkov prefers to stall for the moment though.
Zhirkov is working Simons III over with some ground and pound from side control.
Simons III tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Zhirkov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Zhirkov wants to control the pace but Simons III is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhirkov raining down hammerfists from mount.
Simons III is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Zhirkov controlling from mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhirkov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Zhirkov wants to control the pace but Simons III is squirming around nicely.
Zhirkov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Zhirkov controlling the pace for now.
Zhirkov prevents Simons III from getting the reversal.
Zhirkov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Simons III keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov tries to control but Simons III wriggling away.
Simons III tries to reverse the position but Zhirkov maintains control.
Zhirkov controlling his opponent.
Zhirkov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Simons III can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Zhirkov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov breaks from Simons III's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Simons III is in all sorts of trouble here.
Zhirkov trying to control but Simons III is having none of it.
Simons III bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhirkov trying to control the position here.
Zhirkov 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 can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Simons III controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Robert Zhirkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Simons III shoots in looking for a takedown but Zhirkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simons III's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Simons III is defended easily by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands a leg kick that knocks Simons III off balance momentarily.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Zhirkov shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simons III shoots and misses
and Zhirkov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Simons III with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zhirkov counters with a slapping leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zhirkov.
Zhirkov pushes Simons III away with a front kick.
Zhirkov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zhirkov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Zhirkov - that will leave a mark!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands a head kick!
Zhirkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Simons III moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zhirkov connects with a high kick.
Simons III takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zhirkov swings for the body but Simons III moves out of range.
Zhirkov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Simons III closes the distance and clinches.
Simons III will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Zhirkov fails to land.
Simons III tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Still in the clinch, Zhirkov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Simons III tries to land knees in the clinch but Zhirkov avoids the damage to the body.
Simons III blocking some punches.
Zhirkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Simons III has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhirkov scores with a shot to the side of Simons III's head.
Zhirkov lands a shoulder strike.
Zhirkov gets underhooks to prevent Simons III's takedown attempt.
Zhirkov is trying to maintain a safe position but Simons III gets an underhook and turns Zhirkov into the cage.
Simons III blocks the elbow strike.
Zhirkov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zhirkov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zhirkov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Zhirkov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Simons III tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zhirkov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zhirkov to keep the fight standing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Simons III is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zhirkov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Zhirkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zhirkov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Simons III backwards.
Simons III tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zhirkov throws a punch but it's blocked by Simons III.
A right hand to the body from Zhirkov.
Simons III tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zhirkov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Zhirkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Simons III has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zhirkov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Zhirkov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Simons III looking to stall.
John Simons III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhirkov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zhirkov is trying to stall.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov gets through Simons III's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands with a light punch inside.
Simons III takes a shot to the head.
Robert Zhirkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Simons III misses with a hook to the ribs.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Zhirkov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zhirkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Simons III uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhirkov is pressed up against the cage. Simons III has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zhirkov down to the mat. Zhirkov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Zhirkov lands a jab to Simons III's midsection.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zhirkov counters with a leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhirkov closes the distance and pushes Simons III back into the cage.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zhirkov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Zhirkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zhirkov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Zhirkov!
Robert Zhirkov spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
83% |
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