PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Walter Crosby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akim Zinoviev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akim Zinoviev will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Crosby
vs
Zinoviev

188 cm
19
275 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

196 cm
18
280 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Walter Crosby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Akim Zinoviev!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crosby closes the distance and clinches.
Zinoviev looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Crosby keeps control of Zinoviev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Crosby manages to break the clinch.

Crosby gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zinoviev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Crosby has him pressed against the ropes.

Crosby has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zinoviev uses from the top position.
Zinoviev stops Crosby from standing up.
Crosby is trying to control the position but Zinoviev postures up.
Crosby throws a nice elbow from the bottom.

Crosby kicks Zinoviev off and gets to his feet.

Crosby clinches up against the ropes.

Crosby escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zinoviev throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zinoviev looks to clinch
and Crosby counters with a body kick.

Crosby forces Zinoviev back against the ropes and clinches.
Crosby prevents Zinoviev from breaking the clinch.
Zinoviev avoiding damage as Crosby throws knees to the body.

Crosby manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crosby changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zinoviev tries to avoid it but Crosby manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zinoviev to the ground. Zinoviev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Zinoviev clinches with his opponent.

Crosby breaks the clinch.
Crosby shoots in looking for a takedown. Zinoviev tries to sprawl out of it but Crosby keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Zinoviev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Crosby fails with an attempt to clinch.
Crosby changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zinoviev tries to avoid it but Crosby manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zinoviev to the ground. Zinoviev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Crosby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crosby avoids the head kick by Zinoviev.
Crosby is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zinoviev.
Zinoviev tries to clinch
and Crosby counters with a series of strikes. Zinoviev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Crosby loads up on a big right hand but Zinoviev slips the punch.

Crosby looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Zinoviev!
Crosby lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crosby controlling the pace for now.
Crosby seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Zinoviev for as long as he can get away with.
Zinoviev flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Zinoviev is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Zinoviev really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Crosby looking to control but Zinoviev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Crosby avoids the attempt from Zinoviev to control.
Crosby controlling from the full mount.
Crosby landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Crosby punishing his opponent with strikes.

Zinoviev is rocked!
Crosby lands a big elbow - Zinoviev is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Zinoviev is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Walter Crosby!