PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Isaak Chekhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cody Zeller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Chekhov
vs
Zeller

187 cm
20
241 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
20
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Isaak Chekhov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cody Zeller!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Zeller.
Zeller chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Chekhov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zeller to the ground. Chekhov is now in Zeller's guard.
Chekhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zeller manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chekhov manages to get himself to full guard.
Zeller trying to stand up but can't free himself from Chekhov's guard.
Chekhov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chekhov is on top in guard.
Zeller is trying to control the position but Chekhov postures up.
Chekhov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Chekhov won't allow Zeller to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov passes Zeller's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Chekhov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zeller is trying to get back to full guard.
Chekhov wants to take a breather but Zeller is having none of it.
Chekhov trying to mount his opponent but Zeller defends it.
Chekhov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Zeller wants to get back to full guard but Chekhov has mounted him!
Chekhov controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov wants to control the pace but Zeller is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chekhov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Zeller is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Chekhov working Zeller over with strikes here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chekhov prevents Zeller from getting the reversal.
Chekhov controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeller can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chekhov controlling his opponent.
Zeller is looking to get to half guard.
Zeller is squirming around, avoiding Chekhov's attempts to control the action.
Zeller tries to lock up and control but Chekhov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Chekhov controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chekhov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Zeller has worked his arm free - good work by Zeller!

Chekhov is trying to get an arm triangle but Zeller is defending well.

Chekhov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zeller is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zeller is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaak Chekhov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zeller throws a body punch but Chekhov moves out of range.
Zeller fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Chekhov on the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Zeller.

Chekhov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Chekhov taking a breather here.

Chekhov tries for a kimura but Zeller is defending well.
Zeller is looking to reverse the position.
Zeller is not content to let Chekhov control the position.
Chekhov just content to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov laying and praying for a moment but Zeller takes advantage and regains half guard.

Chekhov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chekhov is working for a submission of some sort.
Chekhov controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov is looking to take a break and control but Zeller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zeller works his way to full guard. Good work.
Chekhov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Chekhov'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.
Chekhov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Isaak Chekhov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zeller is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Chekhov pulls his head out easily.
Chekhov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Chekhov wants to take a breather but Zeller is having none of it.
Chekhov controlling the pace.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Chekhov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chekhov working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Zeller's thigh. Zeller counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Zeller lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Chekhov!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaak Chekhov dominated that second round.
That's time! Chekhov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Chekhov takes a swing at Zeller's ribcage but misses.
Zeller dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Chekhov. That did some damage!
Chekhov fails with a takedown attempt.
Chekhov connects with a jab.
Chekhov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Chekhov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Zeller looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Decent striking displayed by Zeller there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zeller. That's going to slow Chekhov down.
Zeller lands a jab.
Chekhov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zeller sprawls well. Zeller wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Chekhov gets slowly back to his feet.
Zeller throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov swings for the body but Zeller moves out of range.
Chekhov fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isaak Chekhov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zeller lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Chekhov slaps away a takedown attempt from Zeller, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Chekhov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zeller.
Zeller moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Chekhov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zeller sprawls well. Zeller wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Chekhov gets slowly back to his feet.
Cody Zeller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zeller cracks the inside of Chekhov's front leg.
Cody Zeller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeller moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Zeller's jab looks to have found its range, popping Chekhov under the eye.
Zeller with a jab.
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!
Chekhov throws a hook but Zeller avoids it easily.

Chekhov looking to score a takedown here. Zeller is defending well but Chekhov drives through and ends up in Zeller's guard.
Zeller wants to stand but Chekhov is controlling the position.
Zeller not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Chekhov wants to control from the top but Zeller keeps moving.
Chekhov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Zeller manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chekhov manages to get himself to full guard.
Chekhov controlling the position.
Chekhov has a closed guard, preventing Zeller from standing up.
Zeller looking to sit in guard and control but Chekhov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Chekhov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov wants to control from the top but Zeller keeps moving.
Chekhov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Zeller had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Chekhov defends it easily.
Chekhov slips nicely into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chekhov wants to pass to mount but Zeller is defending the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cody Zeller comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Chekhov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isaak Chekhov!