PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dolph Ziggler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maciej Gajwer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ziggler's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Here to show the world. Maciej Gajwer will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ziggler
vs
Gajwer

183 cm
18
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
184 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dolph Ziggler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maciej Gajwer!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gajwer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ziggler's waist but Ziggler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gajwer off to one side.

Ziggler shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ziggler showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ziggler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ziggler controlling the pace.
Ziggler seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gajwer for as long as he can get away with.
Ziggler is thwarting Gajwer's attempts to control the position.
Gajwer is trying to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Gajwer shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ziggler tries to roll over but Gajwer keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziggler desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Ziggler is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gajwer's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gajwer's back!
Gajwer is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Ziggler scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Gajwer is looking for a way out.
Gajwer trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Ziggler controlling from the back.
Ziggler looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Ziggler biding his time, controlling Gajwer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gajwer trying to control but not successfully.

Dolph Ziggler has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ziggler throws a wild body kick that Gajwer sees coming a mile off.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gajwer enables Ziggler to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gajwer manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziggler controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gajwer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ziggler knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gajwer on the ground.
Ziggler slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Dolph Ziggler has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ziggler misses with an attempted mid kick.

Ziggler closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ziggler lands in his opponent's guard.
Ziggler has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ziggler lands a couple of digs.
Ziggler throws a big right hand that misses.
Ziggler with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziggler controlling from the top position.
Ziggler trying to control the position from guard on top but Gajwer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ziggler is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ziggler wants to control from the top but Gajwer keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Dolph Ziggler wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Gajwer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ziggler is fending him off so far but Gajwer persists. Nope, Ziggler circles away and we're back to standing.

Ziggler looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ziggler content to control rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dolph Ziggler dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ziggler scores with a takedown into Gajwer's guard.
Ziggler not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ziggler postures up in Gajwer's guard and throws a big left but Gajwer blocks it.
Ziggler trying to control but Gajwer is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dolph Ziggler.
Ziggler tries a head kick but it misses.
Gajwer shoots for a takedown but Ziggler saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ziggler throws a head kick that misses.
Gajwer avoids the body shot from Ziggler.
Ziggler misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gajwer wants to clinch.

Ziggler drives through with a takedown into Gajwer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Gajwer trying to control the position.
Ziggler wants to control from the top but Gajwer keeps moving.
Gajwer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ziggler manages to get himself to full guard.
Ziggler keeping moving, preventing Gajwer from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ziggler has his hands on Gajwer's head, controlling the position.
Ziggler wants to stand and escape but Gajwer is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gajwer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gajwer blocks a head kick by Ziggler.
Ziggler misses with a body kick.
Ziggler scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ziggler tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dolph Ziggler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ziggler throws a head kick that misses
and Gajwer counters with a nice body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gajwer is defended easily by Ziggler.
Dolph Ziggler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maciej Gajwer.

Ziggler shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gajwer's guard.
Gajwer trying to strike off his back.
Gajwer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ziggler is stalling in the full guard.
Ziggler wants to control from the top but Gajwer keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gajwer wants to stand but Ziggler is controlling the position.
Ziggler controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dolph Ziggler just wasn't active enough.
Gajwer moves out of range as Ziggler throws a body kick.
Gajwer has a takedown stuffed.

Ziggler drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ziggler in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gajwer on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Ziggler lands some shots froms side control.
Gajwer is trying to control Ziggler's posture but Ziggler avoids it.
Gajwer tries to buck Ziggler off but Ziggler is having none of it.
Gajwer seems a little lost for a moment, as Ziggler dominates the positioning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ziggler is working Gajwer over with some ground and pound from side control.
A lull in the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dolph Ziggler dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gajwer moves out of range as Ziggler throws a body kick.
Gajwer closes the distance and clinches up with Ziggler, looking for a takedown. Gajwer pushes Ziggler against the cage but Ziggler circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gajwer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gajwer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ziggler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gajwer looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gajwer wants to control but Ziggler postures up.
Ziggler is looking to take a break and control but Gajwer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gajwer is trying to escape the position but Ziggler is controlling the position.
Ziggler scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Gajwer to see if he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gajwer is looking to reverse the position.
Gajwer regains half guard, as Ziggler was trying to land strikes.
Ziggler controlling the pace.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dolph Ziggler wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Gajwer clinches with his opponent.
Ziggler struggles to land a body shot inside as Gajwer controls his hands.
Gajwer taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziggler trying to stall but Gajwer improves his position.
Gajwer blocks an elbow strike.
Ziggler is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gajwer to keep the fight standing.
Gajwer looking to slow down the pace here.
Gajwer creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ziggler gets underhooks to prevent Gajwer's takedown attempt.
Ziggler on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gajwer is looking to break free of the clinch but Ziggler has double underhooks.
Gajwer is looking to break free of the clinch but Ziggler has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziggler is pressed up against the cage. Gajwer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ziggler down to the mat. Ziggler avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dolph Ziggler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maciej Gajwer.
Ziggler throws a head kick that misses.
Maciej Gajwer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ziggler drives through with a takedown into Gajwer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ziggler is stalling in the full guard.
Ziggler's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Dolph Ziggler has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Ziggler closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gajwer did well to prevent Ziggler getting side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Ziggler there.
Ziggler is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Gajwer has hold of Ziggler's hands but Ziggler slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gajwer is trying to stand up here but Ziggler is controlling him well.
Dolph Ziggler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gajwer trying to control here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ziggler in particular looking to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ziggler has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Maciej Gajwer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Gajwer gets caught flat footed, as Ziggler shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dolph Ziggler showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ziggler, 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dolph Ziggler!
Dolph Ziggler spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.