PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Avery (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Zangief (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zangief has chosen Metallica - Some Kind Of Monster as his entrance music. Ivan Zangief has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Marcus Avery's chin.

Avery
vs
Zangief

198 cm
22
280 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

213 cm
22
280 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marcus Avery!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ivan Zangief!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Chad Campbell and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Avery connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Avery takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Avery closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zangief did well to prevent Avery getting side control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Zangief is looking for a sweep. Avery is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Avery winds up and cracks Zangief with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Avery is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Avery tries to pass to full mount but Zangief defends it.
Zangief is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Avery scores with a couple of nice shots.
Avery missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Zangief looking for submissions off his back.
Avery wants to free his trapped foot but Zangief is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Avery is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Zangief wants to control but Avery is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zangief is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Avery pulls his head out easily.

Avery is looking for a kimura but Zangief is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Avery to get the leverage.
Zangief trying to hold on to Avery's head to control him but Avery postures up.
Avery seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Avery is working for a kimura but Zangief is defending it quite comfortably.
Avery wants to control but Zangief is keeping him busy.
Zangief wants to improve his position but Avery is controlling well.
Avery perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zangief has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Avery is working away from the top position though.

Zangief looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zangief is looking to control Avery's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zangief avoid being mounted?
Avery thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zangief's head.

Zangief is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Avery pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zangief manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Avery engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Zangief not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Zangief looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avery works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Avery thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zangief's head.
Avery is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Avery prevents Zangief from improving his position.
Avery scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Zangief has hold of Avery's hands but Avery slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Avery is thwarting Zangief's attempts to control the position.
Zangief is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Avery is staying active.
Avery with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zangief looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
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!
Avery has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Avery tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Zangief bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Avery lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Zangief!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zangief is squirming around, avoiding Avery's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Avery dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zangief throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zangief uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Zangief swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Avery counters with a solid body kick.
Zangief throws an overhand right that lands on Avery's shoulder, as Avery tries to avoid the shot.
Avery tries to clinch but Zangief moves out of range.
Zangief is looking to land body kicks.
Zangief misses with a double jab.
Zangief misses with a hook. Avery ducked under it nicely.
Zangief misses with a kick to the body.

Avery closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Zangief's guard.
Zangief looking to control but Avery passes into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Avery wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zangief keeps working.

Zangief is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Avery pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zangief is trying to maintain the position but Avery is very close to passing his half guard.
Avery throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zangief is refusing to be controlled, as Avery sits in half guard.

Avery is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zangief has managed to free his arm - good work.
Avery prevents Zangief from improving his position.
Ground and pound from Avery.
Avery trying to control from half guard but Zangief is working away.
Zangief wants to control but Avery is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zangief wants to get back to full guard.
Zangief is looking to control Avery's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zangief avoid being mounted?
Avery is looking to advance position but Zangief won't allow it.

Zangief looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Avery working Zangief over with strikes.
Zangief manages to get to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zangief looking to hit a scissor sweep but Avery is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zangief is looking for a triangle here but Avery uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Marcus Avery overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zangief tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Avery wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Avery in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Zangief on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Avery is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Zangief's shoulder. That is not cool.
Zangief wants to control but Avery postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Avery landing a few strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zangief struggling a bit here.
Zangief seems a little lost for a moment, as Avery dominates the positioning.
Avery wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zangief keeps working.
Zangief is trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zangief wants to control but Avery postures up.
Avery working the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Avery dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zangief tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Avery was well out of range. Poor timing from Zangief.
Avery tries to land a leg kick but Zangief saw it coming and moves away.
Zangief looks for the body kick but Avery saw that one coming.
A punch lands to the side of Avery 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Avery lands with a good body shot.
Avery throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zangief.
Zangief jabs Avery right on the nose. Avery blinks but takes it well.
Avery avoids a kick to the body.
Avery walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ivan Zangief seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zangief fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Avery.
Avery throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Avery throws a nice looking combination but Zangief bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zangief throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Avery uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zangief.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Avery.
Zangief throws a hook but Avery avoids it easily.
Avery takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Avery tries to move into range but Zangief moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A slow jab from Zangief misses its intended target.
Zangief uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Avery.
A clash of legs there as Zangief blocks the low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Avery.
Zangief throws a shot from downtown. Avery moves away and avoids it.
Avery fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A jab lands there for Zangief.
Avery swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zangief counters with a nice uppercut.
Avery throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avery misses with a low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Avery wants to clinch up but Zangief keeps it at a distance.
Zangief swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Avery scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zangief takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A swing and a miss from Zangief.
Zangief moves out of range of the body kick.
Avery shoots in for a takedown but Zangief shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Avery moves out of range of the leg kick from Zangief.
Zangief rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Avery moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Avery misses with a low kick as Zangief jumps back.
Avery fakes the leg kick and cracks Zangief in the body.
Avery throws a head kick that misses.
Zangief lets loose with a powerful body kick. Avery will feel that in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avery throws a leg kick that misses.
Zangief blocks a leg kick.

Avery closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Avery working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Avery working away.

Avery is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zangief has escaped the position, nice work there.
Zangief can't do much from the bottom here.
Avery landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Avery looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zangief can't do much from the bottom here.
Avery wants to control for a moment but Zangief uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Zangief is looking to control Avery's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zangief avoid being mounted?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zangief wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Avery passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Marcus Avery did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Avery fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zangief is out of range.
Avery misses with a wild body shot.
Zangief throws out a powerful jab.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Avery - that will leave a mark!
Zangief throws a sloppy head kick and Avery moves out of range easily.
Marcus Avery is winning the standup battle so far.
Avery scores with a head kick. Zangief tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A jab from Zangief misses.
Avery moves out of range as Zangief throws a body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Avery throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Zangief darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Avery has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Avery shoots in but Zangief avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avery lands with a nice body punch.
Zangief is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Avery throws a leg kick that misses.
Jab, jab by Zangief - just one landing.
Zangief is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Avery blocks a head kick by Zangief.
Zangief throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zangief throws a body kick that misses.
Avery misses with a body shot.
Zangief throws a hook but Avery blocks it.
Avery is looking to wear down Zangief with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Avery throws a low kick, looking for Zangief's leg but Zangief calmly moves out of range.
Avery misses the jab.
Avery drops his hands momentarily and Zangief takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zangief looks for the body kick but Avery saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zangief scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Avery gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zangief swings wildly with an uppercut but Avery uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zangief is trying to break the clinch but Avery has him pressed against the cage.
Avery tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
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!
Avery misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zangief has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zangief.
Zangief tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Avery throws a punch but it's blocked by Zangief.
Zangief misses with some punches.
Avery missing with knees to the body.
Avery landing knees to the body.
Avery tries to stall but Zangief uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Zangief pushes Avery back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zangief takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zangief lands a damaging elbow.

Avery's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zangief throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Avery counters with an outside leg kick.
Avery lands a high kick!
Good exchange - Zangief coming out on top.
Zangief jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ivan Zangief is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zangief swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
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!
Avery throws a leg kick that misses.
Zangief pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Avery motions for Zangief to come forward. Avery throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zangief misses with a looping left.
Zangief will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zangief tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Avery has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Avery there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zangief blocks a low kick nicely.
Avery lands with a thumping leg kick.
Avery slips under a jab.
Avery wants to land a leg kick but Zangief is out of range.
Avery lets loose with a powerful body kick. Zangief will feel that in the morning.
Zangief lands a nice looking kick to the body. Avery takes a step back to recover.
Avery tries to clinch up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Avery moves out of range of the strikes.
Zangief stuns Avery with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Marcus Avery will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Avery fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from Avery misses.
Avery walks into a stiff left hand from Zangief.
Avery throws a solid leg kick but Zangief takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Avery.
A telegraphed right hand from Zangief misses the target.
Avery slips under a jab.
Avery throws a body punch but Zangief moves out of range.

Zangief gets caught napping as Avery dives in and scores a takedown. Zangief manages to retain guard.
Avery stopping the sweep attempt from Zangief.
Avery trying to control the position from guard on top but Zangief is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zangief has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Avery can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zangief has an active guard here but Avery has managed to pass into half guard.
Zangief is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Avery is keen to just control but Zangief is a slippery customer.
Avery with the ground and pound but Zangief uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Avery is in close to Zangief's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zangief lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Avery!
Avery tries to reverse the position but Zangief maintains control.
Ivan Zangief has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zangief is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Avery to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Avery shrugs it off.
Poor strikes thrown by Zangief there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Avery might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Avery sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Avery is refusing to be controlled, as Zangief sits in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Avery trying to control here.

Avery is defending against the submission attempts here by Zangief.
Zangief trying to control from half guard but Avery is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avery preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Avery moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Marcus Avery is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Avery is on top in guard.
Zangief keeping full guard, as Avery tries to pass.

Zangief working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Avery doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Avery manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Avery has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zangief is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Avery not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Avery is in close to Zangief's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Avery is stalling in the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zangief has his foot on Avery's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Avery works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Avery showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Avery 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Avery!
Marcus Avery retains his heavyweight title!
Marcus Avery 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.