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). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Simons III
vs
Zhirkov

172 cm
32
143 lbs
24 - 16 - 1

180 cm
33
141 lbs
21 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q
Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q

Milwaukee's Best 160
- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -

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 24 - 16 - 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 21 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Zhirkov.
Nice takedown defense from Zhirkov. No joy for Simons III on that attempt.
Simons III misses with a series of wild punches.
Zhirkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Simons III.
Zhirkov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Simons III throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
An inside leg kick lands from Zhirkov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zhirkov. That's going to slow Simons III down.
Zhirkov is looking to slow Simons III down with leg kicks.
Zhirkov misses with a double jab.
Zhirkov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Zhirkov scores with a hook.
Zhirkov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simons III moves out of range as Zhirkov throws a body kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zhirkov.
Simons III uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhirkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zhirkov lunges at Simons III with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Simons III's hand.
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Zhirkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zhirkov cracks the inside of Simons III's front leg.
Zhirkov slips a jab and a cross from Simons III.
Simons III is breathing heavily.
Zhirkov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zhirkov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Simons III if he has to take too many more of those.

Simons III clinches up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zhirkov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Zhirkov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zhirkov lands with a short shot to the head.
Zhirkov blocks a body shot from Simons III.
Zhirkov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zhirkov with a knee to the head.

It looks like John Simons III has been cut.
Zhirkov is looking to control Simons III's arms but Simons III gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zhirkov has his back to the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Zhirkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 has a couple of punches blocked by Simons III.
Zhirkov lands with a right to the head.
Zhirkov prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right from Zhirkov.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Zhirkov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Zhirkov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zhirkov with a knee to the head.
Zhirkov looking to throw knees to the head but Simons III is blocking nicely.
Zhirkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simons III blocks it with crossed arms.
Zhirkov lands with a left to the head.
Zhirkov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simons III blocks it with crossed arms.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but Zhirkov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Simons III tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A shot in the inside from Zhirkov.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zhirkov.
Simons III avoids the elbow strike from Zhirkov, against the cage.
Simons III is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Simons III decides to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Simons III working for a triangle but Zhirkov defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhirkov is stalling in the full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zhirkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zhirkov lands a couple of digs.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Simons III keeps moving.
Zhirkov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Simons III's head.
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Zhirkov from controlling successfully.
Zhirkov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zhirkov trying to control but Simons III is working from the bottom.

Simons III looking for a guillotine here but Zhirkov defends easily.
Zhirkov content to stall in guard here.
Simons III utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Simons III is looking for a triangle here but Zhirkov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Zhirkov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Simons III down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Simons III.
Simons III misses with a head kick.
Zhirkov scores with a jab.
Simons III avoids the head kick by Zhirkov.
Simons III dives in and grabs Zhirkov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zhirkov pushes down on Simons III's head and hops out.
Zhirkov throws a nice inside leg kick.

Simons III rushes Zhirkov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but Zhirkov has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zhirkov.
A right handed body shot lands from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov pushes Simons III back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zhirkov lands a knee to the head.
Zhirkov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Simons III takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zhirkov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zhirkov prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simons III manages to pull guard.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Simons III keeps moving.
Zhirkov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Simons III is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zhirkov is aware though and is defending well.
Simons III can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zhirkov controls the pace.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

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.

Simons III instigates a clinch.
Zhirkov wants to stall.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zhirkov to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Zhirkov won't allow it.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but Zhirkov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zhirkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zhirkov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zhirkov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Simons III backwards.
Zhirkov misses with a knee to the head.
Zhirkov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Simons III fails to pull guard.
Zhirkov gets through Simons III's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhirkov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zhirkov lands a nice uppercut.
Zhirkov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zhirkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zhirkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Simons III blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zhirkov has Simons III pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zhirkov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The referee calls for Zhirkov to work.
Simons III drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zhirkov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but Zhirkov has him pressed against the cage.
Zhirkov presses Simons III against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Zhirkov stalling the fight.
Zhirkov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Simons III tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A nice left hand lands by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Simons III jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zhirkov walks away with a smile on his face. Simons III gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Simons III takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov controlling the action here for a moment.
Zhirkov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simons III.
A short right from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but Zhirkov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov looking to throw knees to the head but Simons III is blocking nicely.
Zhirkov avoiding damage as Simons III throws knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zhirkov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Simons III's brow.
Simons III fails to pull guard.
Zhirkov'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.
Zhirkov is looking to control Simons III's arms but Simons III gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zhirkov has his back to the cage.
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 cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zhirkov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zhirkov is looking to land body kicks.
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 takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Zhirkov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Simons III slips a jab and a cross from Zhirkov.
Simons III has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Zhirkov.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Zhirkov shows good takedown defense.
Simons III takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Zhirkov connects with an inside leg kick.
Zhirkov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Simons III.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhirkov thows a body kick. Simons III tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simons III fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhirkov manages to avoid it.
Simons III showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zhirkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zhirkov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Robert Zhirkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A left lands for Zhirkov.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zhirkov.
Simons III tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zhirkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zhirkov scores with a sloppy right hand. Simons III should have avoided that one.
Zhirkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Simons III throws a right hand that Zhirkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zhirkov also avoids with ease.
Zhirkov connects with a high kick.
John Simons III is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simons III shoots for a takedown but Zhirkov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zhirkov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Both fighters circling a little - Zhirkov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Simons III is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.

Simons III is rocked!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Simons III crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zhirkov - the referee stops the clock and Simons III gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zhirkov. Simons III manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zhirkov thows a body kick. Simons III tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Zhirkov misses with a double jab.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zhirkov throws a series of punches but Simons III moves out of range.
Simons III takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Simons III on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zhirkov.
Zhirkov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Simons III misses with a body shot.
Good shot there by Zhirkov.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zhirkov, right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zhirkov. Zhirkov obviously looking to wear him down.
Zhirkov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Simons III is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Zhirkov scores with a push kick.
Simons III has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zhirkov.
Simons III looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice uppercut there from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov cracks the inside of Simons III's front leg.
Zhirkov lunges at Simons III with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Simons III's hand.
Simons III steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Zhirkov. That one must have hurt.
John Simons III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhirkov scores with a nice body kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Zhirkov. Simons III shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov cracks the inside of Simons III's front leg.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simons III has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Zhirkov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zhirkov. That's going to slow Simons III down.
Zhirkov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Robert Zhirkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zhirkov lands a body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zhirkov.

Simons III fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zhirkov, pushing him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands a nice uppercut.
Zhirkov taking a breather.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Zhirkov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhirkov gets through Simons III's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zhirkov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zhirkov to keep the fight standing.
Zhirkov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

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 Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Zhirkov!
A very excited looking Robert Zhirkov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.