PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mary Quitecontrary (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robert Zhirkov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Quitecontrary
vs
Zhirkov

150 cm
29
128 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

180 cm
32
141 lbs
18 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mary Quitecontrary!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhirkov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Quitecontrary keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zhirkov misses with the combination.
Quitecontrary ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Quitecontrary moves out of range of the leg kick from Zhirkov.
Quitecontrary scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Zhirkov misses with an uppercut.
Quitecontrary changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zhirkov tries to avoid it but Quitecontrary manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zhirkov to the ground. Zhirkov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zhirkov throws a series of punches but Quitecontrary moves out of range.
Quitecontrary throws a wild body kick that Zhirkov sees coming a mile off.
Zhirkov throws a lazy right hand but Quitecontrary sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhirkov thuds his right hand into Quitecontrary's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Quitecontrary thows a body shot but no joy.
Quitecontrary feints and then cracks Zhirkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zhirkov down.
Zhirkov throws a jab when Quitecontrary was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhirkov misses the target.

Zhirkov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Quitecontrary to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Zhirkov is adopting a defensive guard.
Zhirkov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Quitecontrary throws a big elbow that misses.
Zhirkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Zhirkov, not yet.
Zhirkov controls Quitecontrary momentarily but Quitecontrary frees himself.
Quitecontrary tries to free his leg and advance position but Zhirkov is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Quitecontrary is looking to work some ground and pound but Zhirkov has wrist control.
Zhirkov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Quitecontrary trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zhirkov has control of Quitecontrary's left arm, preventing Quitecontrary from doing any damage.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Robert Zhirkov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Quitecontrary walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zhirkov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Zhirkov jabs at Quitecontrary's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhirkov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Quitecontrary's head.
Quitecontrary shoots for a takedown but Zhirkov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Quitecontrary on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Zhirkov scores with a punch to the head.
Quitecontrary throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Quitecontrary misses with a head kick.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands with a hook. Quitecontrary tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zhirkov with a jab.
Quitecontrary takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Quitecontrary throws a right hand that Zhirkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zhirkov also avoids with ease.
Quitecontrary fails to land with a series of punches.
Zhirkov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zhirkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zhirkov lands an overhand right.
Zhirkov connects with a nice looking jab.
Quitecontrary digs a good hook to Zhirkov's body.
A cross from Zhirkov lands.
Zhirkov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Quitecontrary.
Zhirkov connects with a jab.
Quitecontrary misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov thows a body kick. Quitecontrary tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Quitecontrary thows a body shot but no joy.
Zhirkov throws a looping overhand right but Quitecontrary ducks down to avoid it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Quitecontrary throws a body punch but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Zhirkov misses the jab.
Zhirkov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zhirkov thows a body kick. Quitecontrary tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Zhirkov avoids a kick to the body.
Quitecontrary walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zhirkov.
Quitecontrary misses with a low kick as Zhirkov jumps back.
Quitecontrary is looking to wear down Zhirkov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Quitecontrary avoids the head kick by Zhirkov.
Quitecontrary walks into a jab.
Jab, jab by Zhirkov - just one landing.
Quitecontrary misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zhirkov throws a jab when Quitecontrary was well out of range.
Zhirkov delivers a nice body kick.
Mary Quitecontrary is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zhirkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zhirkov sizes up Quitecontrary with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Quitecontrary looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zhirkov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Zhirkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zhirkov misses with a hook
and Quitecontrary counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Quitecontrary moves out of range of the body kick.
Quitecontrary avoids the head kick by Zhirkov.
Quitecontrary misses with a wild body shot.
That kick from Zhirkov tenderised Quitecontrary's leg. Quitecontrary is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zhirkov misses with a body kick.
Zhirkov misses with a body shot.
Zhirkov throws a head kick that half lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Quitecontrary tries to score with a low kick but Zhirkov moves his leg out of the way.
Zhirkov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Quitecontrary. Quitecontrary circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Quitecontrary wants to slow Zhirkov down by chopping away at his legs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Quitecontrary.
Zhirkov throws a wild body kick that Quitecontrary sees coming a mile off.
Quitecontrary walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Zhirkov looks to land a combination but Quitecontrary avoids it well.
Zhirkov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Quitecontrary on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Zhirkov looks for the body kick but Quitecontrary saw that one coming.
Quitecontrary dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zhirkov. That did some damage!
Zhirkov pushes Quitecontrary away with a front kick.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zhirkov tries a low kick but Quitecontrary avoids it.
Zhirkov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Quitecontrary uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhirkov.
Quitecontrary keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Quitecontrary closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zhirkov did well to prevent Quitecontrary getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Quitecontrary is pressing down on Zhirkov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zhirkov is holding on for now.
Zhirkov controlling the position well.
Zhirkov moves into full guard.
Quitecontrary lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Quitecontrary being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov looking to control.
Quitecontrary is looking to advance position but Zhirkov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Zhirkov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Quitecontrary is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zhirkov wants to control the pace but Quitecontrary is squirming around nicely.
Zhirkov lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Quitecontrary is looking to improve his position but Zhirkov isn't that keen on the idea.
Quitecontrary is working hard here to advance position.
The referee warns Quitecontrary that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Zhirkov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Zhirkov wants to control the pace but Quitecontrary is squirming around nicely.
Zhirkov punishing his opponent with strikes.
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 controlling his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhirkov landing strikes from the mount.
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.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Quitecontrary on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Quitecontrary will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Quitecontrary goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Quitecontrary misses with a head kick.
Quitecontrary ducks right into an uppercut from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov thuds his right hand into Quitecontrary's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zhirkov is looking to slow Quitecontrary down with leg kicks.
Zhirkov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Quitecontrary takes one to the chin there.
Zhirkov misses with a low kick.
Quitecontrary throws a leg kick but Zhirkov checks it.
Donk. Zhirkov catches Quitecontrary right on the button with a cross.
Quitecontrary blocks a head kick by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Quitecontrary misses with a straight right.
Zhirkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Quitecontrary is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zhirkov misses with a looping right.
Zhirkov misses with a double jab.
Quitecontrary misses with a double jab.
Zhirkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Quitecontrary finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Zhirkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Quitecontrary throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zhirkov.
Quitecontrary throws a nice looking combination but Zhirkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zhirkov throws a head kick but Quitecontrary moves out of range.
Quitecontrary takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Zhirkov connects with a body shot.
Robert Zhirkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhirkov lands with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Quitecontrary takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zhirkov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Quitecontrary drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Quitecontrary pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No luck for Quitecontrary with that takedown attempt.
Quitecontrary looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Zhirkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Quitecontrary sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Quitecontrary ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov scores with a nice body kick.
Quitecontrary takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Zhirkov fakes the leg kick and cracks Quitecontrary in the body.
Quitecontrary on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mary Quitecontrary has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhirkov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Quitecontrary momentarily.
Zhirkov lands with a good body shot.
Quitecontrary slips a straight right by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zhirkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zhirkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zhirkov loads up on a big right hand but Quitecontrary slips the punch.
Jab from Zhirkov.
Quitecontrary takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Quitecontrary slips under a jab from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov misses with a hook. Quitecontrary ducked under it nicely.
Zhirkov throws the left hand but Quitecontrary avoids the punch easily.
Quitecontrary looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhirkov is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Quitecontrary takes a swing at Zhirkov's ribcage but misses.
Zhirkov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Zhirkov thows a body kick. Quitecontrary tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Robert Zhirkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.
Quitecontrary swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhirkov scores with a decent looking hook.
Zhirkov throws a front kick that sends Quitecontrary stumbling back into the cage.
Quitecontrary tries to work over Zhirkov's front leg with a kick but Zhirkov checks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Quitecontrary ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the head.
Good shot there by Zhirkov.
Quitecontrary throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Zhirkov!
A less than humble Robert Zhirkov misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.