PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rin Itoshiki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mariusz Zakrzewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Itoshiki might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Hito toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru (SZS Mod. Rap ver.). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Itoshiki
vs
Zakrzewski

195 cm
28
270 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

178 cm
29
183 lbs
22 - 22 - 3

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Experienced

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

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 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rin Itoshiki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 22 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mariusz Zakrzewski!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zakrzewski shoots in but Itoshiki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Itoshiki is breathing heavily.
Zakrzewski misses with a kick to the body.

Itoshiki instigates a clinch.
Zakrzewski with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Itoshiki is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zakrzewski is defending well for now.
A head punch on the inside from Zakrzewski fails to land.
Zakrzewski managing to block the knees to the body from Itoshiki.
Itoshiki managing to block the knees to the body from Zakrzewski.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Itoshiki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Zakrzewski's brow.
Zakrzewski doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Itoshiki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zakrzewski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Itoshiki missing with knees to the body.
Zakrzewski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zakrzewski pushes Itoshiki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itoshiki takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Rin Itoshiki has been cut.
Zakrzewski lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski is leaning against Itoshiki and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short left from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Itoshikis head.
Zakrzewski is working Itoshiki over against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski throws an elbow that misses.
Zakrzewski has Itoshiki pushed against the cage.
Zakrzewski lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zakrzewski lands a nice elbow.
Itoshiki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zakrzewski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zakrzewski scores a nice knee to the body.
Zakrzewski pushes Itoshiki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki trying to stall but Zakrzewski improves his position.
Still in the clinch, Zakrzewski scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zakrzewski lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zakrzewski lands an elbow inside that Itoshiki shrugs off.
Zakrzewski scores with a knee to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski lands a good knee to the midsection. Itoshiki won't want to take too many of those.
Zakrzewski lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zakrzewski landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Itoshiki blocks an elbow strike from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski managing to block the knees to the body from Itoshiki.
Itoshiki tries to land knees in the clinch but Zakrzewski avoids the damage to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Zakrzewski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zakrzewski misses with a knee to the head.
Zakrzewski pushes Itoshiki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short left from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski is looking to control Itoshiki's arms but Itoshiki gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zakrzewski has his back to the cage.
Zakrzewski pushes Itoshiki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Itoshiki taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Itoshiki wants to stall.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zakrzewski throws an elbow but misses.
Zakrzewski presses Itoshiki against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Itoshiki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski pushes Itoshiki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Itoshiki misses with an elbow over the top.
Itoshiki dodges an elbow strike from Zakrzewski.
A short right from Zakrzewski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki misses with an elbow strike.
Zakrzewski lands a nice uppercut.
Itoshiki tries to land knees in the clinch but Zakrzewski avoids the damage to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zakrzewski.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski lands an elbow inside that Itoshiki shrugs off.
Zakrzewski gets through Itoshiki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Zakrzewski.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Zakrzewski avoids the elbow strike from Itoshiki, against the cage.
Zakrzewski lands a damaging elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A short uppercut from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski lands with a right to the head.
Zakrzewski tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Itoshiki avoids it.

Itoshiki pulls Zakrzewski into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mariusz Zakrzewski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rin Itoshiki's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Itoshiki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zakrzewski looking to throw knees to the head but Itoshiki is blocking nicely.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zakrzewski pushes Itoshiki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Itoshiki tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zakrzewski lands a shoulder strike.
A shot in the inside from Zakrzewski.
A short right from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski taking a breather.
Zakrzewski lands a right hand.
Itoshiki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zakrzewski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zakrzewski lands a nice uppercut.
Zakrzewski throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zakrzewski scores with a shoulder strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakrzewski scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zakrzewski displaying some good clinch control by pressing Itoshiki up against the cage.
Mariusz Zakrzewski seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Itoshiki lands an elbow inside.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Zakrzewski. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Itoshiki dodges an elbow strike from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski scores with a shoulder strike.

Itoshiki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Itoshiki clinches with his opponent.
Zakrzewski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zakrzewski missing with knees to the body.
Itoshiki tries to land knees in the clinch but Zakrzewski avoids the damage to the body.
Zakrzewski missing with knees to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zakrzewski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zakrzewski tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Itoshiki lands an elbow just above Zakrzewski 's eye.
Itoshiki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Itoshiki takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zakrzewski wants to stall.
Itoshiki lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Itoshiki.
Itoshiki blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Itoshiki throws an elbow that misses.
Zakrzewski lands a damaging elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Itoshiki has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zakrzewski can't find room to land a body shot as Itoshiki controls the action.
Itoshiki lands a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zakrzewski on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zakrzewski working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Itoshiki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Itoshiki throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Zakrzewski blocks the elbow strike.
Itoshiki comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Itoshiki taking a breather.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Zakrzewski obliges.
Zakrzewski pushes Itoshiki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zakrzewski.
Itoshiki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski is looking to control Itoshiki's arms but Itoshiki gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zakrzewski has his back to the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Zakrzewski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Zakrzewski.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Itoshiki misses with a knee to the head.
Zakrzewski is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Zakrzewski lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Itoshiki backwards.
Zakrzewski lands with a left to the head.
Itoshiki makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Itoshiki is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Zakrzewski.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zakrzewski landing knees to the head.
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!
Zakrzewski lands a hook that snaps the head of Itoshiki backwards.
Zakrzewski throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mariusz Zakrzewski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rin Itoshiki'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. This is the final round!

Itoshiki forces Zakrzewski back against the cage and clinches.
Zakrzewski lands a good knee to the midsection. Itoshiki won't want to take too many of those.
Zakrzewski lands a shoulder strike.
Zakrzewski scores with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Itoshiki to work.
A hook to the body from Zakrzewski.
Itoshiki throws a knee to the head but misses.
A body shot lands from Zakrzewski.
A right hand to the body from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zakrzewski doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zakrzewski lands an elbow that stopped Itoshiki in his tracks for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Itoshiki tries to stall but Zakrzewski uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Zakrzewski creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Itoshiki's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakrzewski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Itoshiki taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Itoshiki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Itoshiki tries a head kick but it misses.
Rin Itoshiki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Itoshiki misses the shot to the body.
Zakrzewski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Itoshiki.

Zakrzewski forces Itoshiki back against the cage and clinches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Itoshiki tries to pull guard but Zakrzewski holds him up against the cage and eventually Itoshiki drops back down to his feet.
Zakrzewski throws an elbow but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zakrzewski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Itoshiki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski lands with a light punch inside.
Itoshiki pushes off an throws an elbow but Zakrzewski leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Itoshiki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zakrzewski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Itoshiki avoids the elbow strike from Zakrzewski, against the cage.
Zakrzewski lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Zakrzewski lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zakrzewski cracks Itoshiki with a nice body shot.
Zakrzewski trying to control the position but instead, Itoshiki has worked for underhooks and has pushed Zakrzewski into the cage.
Itoshiki tries to land knees in the clinch but Zakrzewski avoids the damage to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zakrzewski gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Zakrzewski lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zakrzewski blocks it with crossed arms.
Itoshiki with a knee to the head.
Zakrzewski lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zakrzewski is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Itoshiki is defending well for now.
Zakrzewski working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Itoshiki tries to land knees in the clinch but Zakrzewski avoids the damage to the body.
Zakrzewski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zakrzewski throws an elbow that misses.
Rin Itoshiki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zakrzewski lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Itoshiki blocks an elbow strike.
Zakrzewski softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Itoshiki looking to throw knees to the head but Zakrzewski is blocking nicely.
Itoshiki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zakrzewski avoids it.
Mariusz Zakrzewski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zakrzewski taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Itoshiki takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki misses with some punches.
Itoshiki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Zakrzewski struggles to land a body shot inside as Itoshiki controls his hands.
Itoshiki is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zakrzewski is defending well for now.
Itoshiki is looking to control Zakrzewski's arms but Zakrzewski gets an underhook and turns him. Now Itoshiki has his back to the cage.
Itoshiki avoids a wild elbow strike from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski is pushing Itoshiki up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
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!
Itoshiki leaning against his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Itoshiki tries to land a knee to the head but Zakrzewski blocks with his arms.
Zakrzewski lands a nice uppercut.
Zakrzewski is struggling to control the position.
Zakrzewski trying to land knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mariusz Zakrzewski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zakrzewski winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mariusz Zakrzewski!
Mariusz Zakrzewski looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'I WANT MY BELT BACK!!!'.