PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Henry Zoetro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Henry Zoetro has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Zoetro
vs
Smirnov

178 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

167 cm
25
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Experienced

Untouchable Fight Gear

Untouchable Fight Gear
Untouchable Fight Gear

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Henry Zoetro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Patrick Alders and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zoetro throws a wild body kick that Smirnov sees coming a mile off.
Smirnov throws a series of punches but Zoetro moves out of range.
Zoetro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zoetro lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Smirnov backs up against the cage.

It looks like Ruslan Smirnov has been cut.

Zoetro darts in and clinches Smirnov up against the cage.

Smirnov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zoetro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zoetro.
Zoetro tries for a takedown but Smirnov circles away easily

and Smirnov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zoetro is looking to stand up but Smirnov isn't so interested in that idea.
Smirnov trying to control the position from guard on top but Zoetro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smirnov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov throwing strikes but missing.
Zoetro is looking to stand up but Smirnov isn't so interested in that idea.

Ruslan Smirnov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Smirnov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Smirnov trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Smirnov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Zoetro is trying to stand back up but Smirnov is controlling him
Smirnov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ruslan Smirnov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Zoetro tries to clinch but Smirnov moves out of range.

Zoetro closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zoetro lands in his opponent's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Smirnov holds on and takes a little breather.
Smirnov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Zoetro!
Smirnov controlling from the full mount.
Smirnov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zoetro tries to buck Smirnov off but he can't manage it.
Smirnov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Zoetro blocking the ground and pound.
Zoetro is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smirnov lands a big shot there that rocks Zoetro but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Smirnov unloads with some shots from mount but Zoetro bucks and avoids them well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Smirnov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Smirnov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zoetro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smirnov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zoetro won't be happy with that.
Smirnov controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zoetro is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Ruslan Smirnov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smirnov throwing strikes but Zoetro manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Zoetro throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The ground and pound from Zoetro seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Smirnov can't do much from the bottom here.
Smirnov is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Zoetro is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smirnov can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoetro controlling the position easily from mount.
Smirnov tries to control the position but Zoetro now has his back.

Smirnov is trying to get to his feet but he's left his neck exposed and Zoetro manages to sink in a rear naked choke! Great counter grappling by Zoetro!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Henry Zoetro!
Henry Zoetro took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Technique MMA for their support in the buildup to the fight.