PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Zwart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Rykov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Alexey Rykov was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Zwart
vs
Rykov

200 cm
28
271 lbs
13 - 3 - 1

200 cm
31
272 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Matt Zwart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexey Rykov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rykov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zwart throws a sloppy head kick and Rykov moves out of range easily.
Zwart lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rykov's sensitive parts.
Rykov throws a shot from downtown. Zwart moves away and avoids it.
Zwart staying out of range there.
Zwart lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zwart is looking to chop away at Rykov's legs.
A big right from Rykov misses.

Zwart darts in and clinches Rykov up against the cage.

Rykov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zwart swings for the body but Rykov moves out of range.
Zwart is looking to clinch.
Zwart throws a looping overhand right but Rykov ducks down to avoid it.
Zwart doesn't manage to clinch there - Rykov circles away.
Zwart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rykov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Zwart moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zwart.
A short body shot lands from Rykov as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zwart misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zwart with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rykov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Zwart is keeping busy.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rykov.
Zwart trying to land knees to the body.
Zwart takes a shot to the head.
Rykov throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Rykov.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Rykov working aggressively here.
Zwart tries to throw a body punch but Rykov avoids it by throwing Zwart back against the cage.
Zwart using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rykov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rykov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rykov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Zwart blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zwart is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rykov is defending well for now.
A knee to the head by Zwart.

It looks like Alexey Rykov has been cut.
Zwart looking to throw knees to the head but Rykov is blocking nicely.
Zwart scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zwart unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rykov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rykov.
Rykov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rykov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zwart with a knee to the head.
Rykov tries to throw a body punch but Zwart avoids it by throwing Rykov back against the cage.
Zwart lands a knee to the head.
Rykov tries to work over Zwart's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zwart looking to throw knees to the head but Rykov is blocking nicely.
Rykov can't find room to land a body shot as Zwart controls the action.
Rykov working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rykov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zwart looking to throw knees to the head but Rykov is blocking nicely.
Rykov swings wildly with an uppercut but Zwart uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zwart blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zwart lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rykov backwards.
Rykov misses with some punches.
Zwart prevents Rykov from breaking the clinch.
Zwart struggles to land a body shot inside as Rykov controls his hands.
Zwart tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rykov misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rykov.
Rykov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rykov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rykov misses with some punches.
Rykov working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Zwart.

Rykov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Rykov misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zwart tries a body shot but Rykov blocks it.
Rykov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rykov managing to block the knees to the body from Zwart.
Zwart tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rykov avoids it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rykov.
Zwart lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rykov scores with a shot to the side of Zwart's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zwart landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Zwart with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rykov tries to circle away but Zwart has him pinned against the cage.
Rykov is looking to break free of the clinch but Zwart has double underhooks.
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 Matt Zwart will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexey Rykov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zwart moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rykov scores with a jab.

Rykov takes the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rykov.
Zwart misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rykov.
Zwart throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zwart with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That has opened up Alexey Rykov's cut even more.

Rykov breaks the clinch.
Zwart slips a jab from Rykov.
A head kick misses from Zwart.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Zwart.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zwart tries to clinch but Rykov moves out of range.
Zwart tries to clinch up.
Zwart tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Rykov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zwart throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Zwart connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rykov clinches up with Zwart and pushes him back against the cage.
Matt Zwart has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zwart tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rykov lands a hook that snaps the head of Zwart backwards.
Rykov lands with a light punch inside.
Zwart using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zwart landing knees to the head.
Zwart tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rykov misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rykov.
Zwart lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zwart throws a knee to the head but misses.
Still in the clinch, Rykov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zwart tries a knee to the head but Rykov blocks it.
Rykov tries to break free but Zwart pushes him back against the cage.
Rykov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rykov misses with the head strike.
Rykov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rykov avoiding damage as Zwart throws knees to the body.
Zwart is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Zwart throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rykov blocks it with crossed arms.
Rykov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zwart backwards.
Rykov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rykov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Zwart connects with a knee to the head.
Zwart looking to throw knees to the head but Rykov is blocking nicely.
Zwart throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rykov misses with some punches.
Zwart misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rykov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Rykov on the inside.
Rykov has a couple of punches blocked by Zwart.
Zwart blocks an uppercut.
Zwart blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zwart looking to throw knees to the head but Rykov is blocking nicely.
Zwart misses with a knee strike.
Zwart throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rykov working aggressively here.
Zwart tries to land knees in the clinch but Rykov avoids the damage to the body.
Rykov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zwart's elbow.
Zwart lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

The cut above Alexey Rykov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Rykov lands an uppercut.
Zwart lands an uppercut.
Zwart goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rykov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rykov tries to throw a body punch but Zwart avoids it by throwing Rykov back against the cage.
Rykov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rykov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Rykov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zwart wants to clinch.
Zwart tries to clinch there but Rykov circles away.
Rykov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zwart throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rykov blocks a head kick by Zwart.
Zwart misses with a body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zwart walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rykov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rykov takes a swing at Zwart's ribcage but misses.
Rykov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matt Zwart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rykov swings for the body but Zwart moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Matt Zwart will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexey Rykov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zwart fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rykov.
Zwart slips a straight right by Rykov.
Zwart moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rykov swings away with a body shot that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Zwart moves out of range of the strikes.
Zwart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rykov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zwart pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rykov throws a jab when Zwart was well out of range.

Rykov takes the fight into the clinch.
Rykov wants to break free but Zwart has control.
Zwart looking to throw knees to the head but Rykov is blocking nicely.
Rykov is trying to force a seperation but Zwart has the dominant position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zwart blocks an uppercut.
Rykov throws a head punch that misses.
Zwart looking to throw knees to the head but Rykov is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zwart misses with a knee to the head.
Zwart with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rykov misses with the head strike.
Zwart tries a knee to the head but Rykov blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zwart.

Rykov breaks from the clinch.
Zwart thuds his shin into the meat of Rykov's side.
Rykov misses with a looping right.

Rykov gets a clinch.
Rykov is looking to break free of the clinch but Zwart has double underhooks.
Rykov has a couple of punches blocked by Zwart.

Rykov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zwart bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zwart lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Matt Zwart is winning the standup battle so far.
Rykov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zwart wants to slow Rykov down by chopping away at his legs.
Alexey Rykov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matt Zwart is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zwart moves in looking to clinch but Rykov pushes him off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rykov throws a sloppy head kick
and Zwart counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Zwart tries to close the distance and clinch but Rykov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rykov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zwart swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Rykov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zwart scores with a nice body kick.
Rykov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zwart sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rykov misses with a lunging right hand
and Zwart counters with a thumping low kick.
Zwart throws a head kick that Rykov semi-blocks.
Zwart moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Rykov misses the target.
Rykov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rykov throws an off balance right hand
and Zwart counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Zwart fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rykov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zwart. Zwart obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rykov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zwart.
Zwart throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zwart fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zwart wants to clinch.
Rykov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zwart feints and then cracks Rykov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rykov down.
Zwart chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rykov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rykov misses with a right hand
and Zwart counters with a left to the body.
Zwart scores with a push kick.
Zwart lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rykov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zwart moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Zwart has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rykov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rykov tries to throw a body punch but Zwart avoids it by throwing Rykov back against the cage.
Rykov misses with a punch to the body.
Rykov tries a body shot but Zwart blocks it.
Zwart blocks an uppercut.
Rykov misses with the head strike.
Zwart tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rykov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zwart lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Alexey Rykov's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Rykov lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zwart.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Zwart showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zwart, 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Zwart!
Matt Zwart managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Balco Boys - Hilo, into his post fight interview.