PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Artur Banas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maksim Zotov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zotov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Мы расправи. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Banas
vs
Zotov

176 cm
22
140 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

160 cm
27
137 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Zentrope Fighting Universe

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Artur Banas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maksim Zotov!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banas works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Maksim Zotov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zotov throws a shot from downtown. Banas moves away and avoids it.
Zotov ducks right into an uppercut from Banas.
Banas connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Banas takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zotov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zotov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zotov throws a wild body kick that Banas sees coming a mile off.
A low kick from Zotov misses
and Banas counters with a straight right hand.
Zotov throws a leg kick but Banas moved away.
Zotov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Banas's calf.
Zotov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zotov misses with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Zotov.

Banas fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zotov sprawls well initially but Banas persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banas is taking a breather. Zotov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Banas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Zotov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Banas is working away from the top position though.
Zotov taking some punishment here, with Banas in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banas moves nicely into side control.
Banas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Banas fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Banas lands some shots froms side control.
Zotov is looking to reverse the position.
Banas just content to control the position.
Banas in side control lands a decent elbow.
Zotov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Banas just content to control the position.
Banas is looking to take a break and control but Zotov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zotov is looking for a sweep.
Banas controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banas trying to control the position but Zotov is working away.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Artur Banas wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A swing and a miss from Zotov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Zotov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Zotov throws a sloppy head kick and Banas moves out of range easily.

Banas has managed to clinch.
Zotov throws a head punch that misses.
Banas lands a shoulder strike.
Zotov can't find room to land a body shot as Banas controls the action.
A right handed body shot lands from Banas.
Come on Zotov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Banas creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Banas lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zotov backwards.

Banas manages to break the clinch.
Banas fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zotov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Banas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zotov moves away.
Banas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banas checks the leg kick.
Zotov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Banas's sensitive parts.
Zotov throws a wild body kick that Banas sees coming a mile off.
Zotov throws a head kick but Banas moves out of range.
Banas has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zotov.
Zotov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Banas moves into range and connects with a jab.
Banas wants to slow Zotov down by chopping away at his legs.
Zotov blocks a jab.
Nice shot by Banas.
Zotov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Banas throws out the jab.
Banas throws a body punch but Zotov moves out of range.
Zotov misses with a leg kick.
Zotov staying out of range there.
Banas connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zotov's hands.
A low kick from Zotov is predictable there

and Banas counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Zotov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zotov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Banas lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zotov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Banas avoids it.
Zotov tries to break free but Banas pushes him back against the cage.
Banas lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zotov throws a head punch that misses.

Banas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zotov is looking to clinch.
Banas throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zotov throws a push kick but Banas slaps the foot to one side.
Banas throws a right and a left that Zotov avoids nicely.
Zotov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zotov ducks under a wild hook from Banas.
Banas is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Zotov gets tackled into the cage by Banas. Banas maintains the clinch.
Zotov tries to throw a body punch but Banas avoids it by throwing Zotov back against the cage.
Banas lands a right hand.
A right hand to the body from Banas.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banas lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zotov misses with a punch on the inside.
Banas lands with a short shot to the head.

Banas tightens his grip and picks Zotov up, before dumping him to the ground. Zotov manages to land in guard.
Zotov being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Banas 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.

Zotov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Banas throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Banas blocks a head kick by Zotov.
Zotov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Zotov motions for Banas to come forward. Zotov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zotov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Banas connects with a body shot that sends Zotov's belly button to the back.
Artur Banas is winning the standup battle so far.
Banas with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Banas is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nice uppercut lands for Banas. That snapped Zotov's head back.
Banas moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Nice body kick there by Zotov.
Zotov throws a chopping leg kick but Banas manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Banas tests Zotov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Banas connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zotov tries to score with a low kick but Banas moves his leg out of the way.
Banas lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zotov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A low kick from Zotov misses

and Banas counters by moving into the clinch.
Banas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zotov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Banas lands a right hand.
Still in the clinch, Banas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Banas lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Banas.
Banas is pushing Zotov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Zotov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zotov misses with some punches.
Banas blocking some punches.
Zotov misses with a knee strike.
Zotov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Banas lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zotov backwards.

Banas breaks the clinch.
Banas scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Banas takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Banas blocks the low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Banas connects with a jab.
Banas lands a jab.
Banas lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Banas jabs at Zotov's body.

Banas drives through and clinches with Zotov against the cage.
Banas throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Banas lands with a light punch inside.
Banas prevents a body shot from Zotov.
Banas lands a body punch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Zotov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Banas's elbow.
Banas pushes Zotov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Banas as the two fighters clinch.
Zotov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Banas lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Banas.
The referee is keeping an eye on Banas - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banas pushes Zotov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Banas lands a nice elbow.
A short right from Banas on the inside.
Banas lands a shot to the body.
Banas lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zotov.
Banas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zotov can do to turn this around?

Banas gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zotov's head.
Zotov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Banas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Banas with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Banas advances to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banas keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Banas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zotov is just riding it out for now. Banas eventually gives up the hold.
Banas lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Banas there.
Banas lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Banas perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Zotov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Banas takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Banas 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.
Zotov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Banas.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Banas in particular looking to stall.
Zotov is looking to control Banas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zotov avoid being mounted?
Banas seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Banas dominated that second 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Zotov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Zotov scores with a body shot.
Banas moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Zotov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Banas. That did some damage!
Banas misses with a low kick.
Zotov throws a front kick aimed at Banas's knee but Banas avoids it well.
Zotov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zotov moves out of range of the leg kick from Banas.
Banas misses with a wild body shot.
Banas moves out of range of the body kick from Zotov.
Zotov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Banas throws a body punch but Zotov moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Zotov.
Decent striking displayed by Banas there.
Zotov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Zotov thumps Banas with a low kick.
Zotov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banas connects with a crisp jab.
Banas misses with a body kick.
Zotov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Banas is able to avoid easily.
Banas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Banas throws a right hand that Zotov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zotov also avoids with ease.
Zotov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zotov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Zotov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zotov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big right from Banas misses.
Zotov lands with a kick to the temple. Banas shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Maksim Zotov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Banas lands a lovely overhand right.
Zotov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zotov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Banas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Banas.
Banas connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circle momentarily. Banas darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zotov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Zotov is predictable there

and Banas counters by moving into the clinch.
Banas lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Banas is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Banas lands with a right to the head.
Banas works on Zotov's body with a couple of short punches.
Banas lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Banas working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Banas has Zotov pressed against the cage.
Banas scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Banas breaks the clinch.
Banas looks to land a right hand but Zotov moved out of range.
Banas moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Banas listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Zotov tries to land a leg kick but Banas saw it coming and moves away.
Zotov fakes the leg kick and cracks Banas in the body.
Banas lands a nice looking body shot.
A big left from Banas misses.
Banas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zotov. Zotov obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banas works the jab nicely.
Zotov misses with a body kick.
Banas is looking to chop away at Zotov's legs.
Banas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zotov misses with a leg kick
and Banas counters with a low kick, right behind Zotov 's knee.
Banas moves out of range of the body kick.
Banas jabs Zotov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Banas sizes up Zotov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Maksim Zotov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A thudding body kick lands there by Banas!
Good exchange - Zotov coming out on top.
An inside leg kick lands from Banas.
Banas connects with an inside leg kick.
Banas thuds his right hand into Zotov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zotov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Banas.
Banas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Banas. That snapped Zotov's head back.
Zotov throws a leg kick which misses Banas's front leg but catches the back leg as Banas tries to avoid it.
Zotov thumps Banas with a low kick.

That's four 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!
Banas thumps Zotov with a low kick.
Banas moves out of range of the body kick from Zotov.
Zotov drops his hands momentarily and Banas takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zotov misses with a body kick.
Banas cracks Zotov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zotov throws a head kick but Banas moves out of range.
Zotov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zotov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Banas is out of range and Zotov settles back down.
Banas connects with a jab.

Banas rushes Zotov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zotov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Banas lands a left hand.
Banas lands a shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banas lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zotov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zotov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zotov misses with a knee to the head.
Artur Banas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Banas lands with a light punch inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artur Banas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Banas has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artur Banas!
Artur Banas tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.