PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Black Belt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Zalachenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Belt's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory. Zalachenko is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Torture Chamber. On his way into the ring it seems that Black Belt has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Black Belt seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Belt
vs
Zalachenko

225 cm
36
289 lbs
22 - 14 - 0

211 cm
29
270 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Dangerous knees
Very quick

World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Black Belt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Zalachenko!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Belt wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A swing and a miss from Zalachenko.
Nice shot by Zalachenko.
Belt lands a really nice looking cross but Zalachenko seems unphased.
Alexander Zalachenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belt uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zalachenko.
Belt throws a right hand that Zalachenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Zalachenko also avoids with ease.
Belt defending well as Zalachenko loads up on a big left hand.
Zalachenko misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zalachenko tries to clinch there but Belt circles away.
Belt really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Belt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zalachenko.
Belt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zalachenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zalachenko lands a jab.
Zalachenko looks to land a left hand but Belt moved out of range nicely.
Zalachenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Belt walks into a stiff left hand from Zalachenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Belt throws a right and a left that Zalachenko avoids nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Zalachenko.
Belt throws a shot from downtown. Zalachenko moves away and avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zalachenko. Belt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zalachenko throws a head kick but Belt moves out of range.
Belt scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Belt checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Zalachenko slips under a jab from Belt.
A big right from Zalachenko misses.
Zalachenko lands a glancing blow to the side of Belt's head.
Belt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zalachenko.
Zalachenko avoids the body shot from Belt.
Belt avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zalachenko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Belt's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalachenko cracks Belt with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A combination from Zalachenko does no damage.
Zalachenko throws a hook to the side of Belt's head but Belt sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zalachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Belt moves away.
Zalachenko lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jab from Zalachenko.
Belt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Belt takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zalachenko is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Belt had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Zalachenko throws the kick towards the body but Belt avoids it.
Zalachenko avoids the body shot from Belt.
Zalachenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Belt cracks a nice hook into Zalachenko's ribs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belt misses the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zalachenko. Belt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zalachenko goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Belt avoids the body shot from Zalachenko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Zalachenko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Belt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zalachenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Zalachenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zalachenko avoids the body shot from Belt.
Belt throws a right hand that Zalachenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Zalachenko also avoids with ease.
A jab from Zalachenko does it's job there.
Zalachenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Belt on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Zalachenko throws out a loose jab but Belt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belt slips under a jab from Zalachenko.
Zalachenko wants to slow Belt down by chopping away at his legs.
Zalachenko throws a head kick that misses
and Belt counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zalachenko.
Zalachenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zalachenko throws a half hearted mid kick.
Belt gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zalachenko.
A punch lands to the side of Belt 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belt takes one to the chin there.
Zalachenko takes one to the chin there.
Zalachenko lands a nice hook to Belt's body. Belt takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Belt drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Zalachenko swinging wildly here.
Nice shot by Belt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Belt uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zalachenko.
Belt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zalachenko lands with a good body shot.
A big left from Zalachenko misses.
Zalachenko misses with a hook
and Belt counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Belt on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Belt misses with a wild combination.
Belt moves out of range of the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belt slips under a jab.
Belt ducks under a wild hook from Zalachenko.
Belt digs a good body shot into Zalachenko's ribs.

Zalachenko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Belt, pushing him back against the ropes.
Zalachenko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zalachenko misses with a knee strike.
Zalachenko is trying to stall.
Zalachenko throws an elbow but it misses.
Zalachenko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Belt has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zalachenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Belt with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belt misses with a body punch.
Zalachenko misses with a knee strike.
Zalachenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Belt blocks it with crossed arms.
Belt crunches a lovely knee into Zalachenko's ribcage.
Zalachenko is breathing heavily.
Belt tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Zalachenko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Zalachenko throws a wild body kick that Belt sees coming a mile off.
Zalachenko fakes the leg kick and cracks Belt in the body.
Belt avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zalachenko misses with a body shot.
Belt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zalachenko.
Zalachenko throws a looping overhand right but Belt ducks down to avoid it.
Belt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zalachenko looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Belt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Belt connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zalachenko momentarily.
Zalachenko misses the jab.
Belt jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zalachenko punishes Belt's body with a nice straight punch.
Zalachenko loads up on a big right hand but Belt slips the punch.
Zalachenko throws the kick towards the body but Belt avoids it.
Zalachenko misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zalachenko scores with a leg kick.
Zalachenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Belt.
Zalachenko throws a right hand that Belt ducks under and follows up with a left that Belt also avoids with ease.
Zalachenko throws a head kick that half lands.
Belt is looking to wear down Zalachenko with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Zalachenko connects with a jab.
Belt scores with a hook to the body. Zalachenko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zalachenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Belt.
Belt looks to score with a jab to the body but Zalachenko is just out of range.
Zalachenko looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Belt misses with the combination.
Belt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zalachenko.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zalachenko lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Belt has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Belt and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Zalachenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Zalachenko. That snapped Belt's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalachenko scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Belt misses with a hook. Zalachenko ducked under it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Belt avoids the head kick by Zalachenko.
Zalachenko misses the shot to the body.
Belt fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zalachenko on the side of the head.
Zalachenko throws a head kick that misses.
Belt takes a swing at Zalachenko's ribcage but misses.
Belt ducks under a wild hook from Zalachenko.
Zalachenko looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice body kick from Zalachenko.
Belt moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Zalachenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Belt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belt throws a body punch but Zalachenko moves out of range.
A left and a right from Belt both land. Nice combination.
Zalachenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Belt is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Alexander Zalachenko just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Belt throws a combination. Zalachenko tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Belt throws a hook but Zalachenko avoids it easily.
Zalachenko scores with a decent looking hook.
Belt throws a looping overhand right but Zalachenko ducks down to avoid it.
Zalachenko lands with a slapping head kick.
Zalachenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Belt throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Alexander Zalachenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Belt just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick misses from Zalachenko.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zalachenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belt blocks the body kick.
Zalachenko looks to land a right hand but Belt moved out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zalachenko lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Belt has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Belt and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zalachenko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belt lands a right hook to the body.
Belt avoids a kick to the body.
Zalachenko throws a shot to the body.
Belt throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zalachenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Belt scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Belt uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zalachenko.
Zalachenko avoids the body shot from Belt.
Belt misses with a body shot.
A punch combination from Zalachenko misses.
Belt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zalachenko throws a hook but Belt avoids it easily.
Zalachenko lands the left hand.
Sloppy strikes from Belt. Those never looked like landing.
Zalachenko throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Belt connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zalachenko. Zalachenko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalachenko looks to land a body kick but Belt moved away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zalachenko lands with a straight right. Belt didn't see that one coming.
Zalachenko throws a head kick but Belt moves out of range.
Belt slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Zalachenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zalachenko goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zalachenko throws the left hand but Belt avoids the punch easily.
Jab, jab by Zalachenko - just one landing.
Belt staying out of range there.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zalachenko.
Zalachenko scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zalachenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zalachenko is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Zalachenko loads up on a big right hand but Belt slips the punch.
Belt takes one to the side of the head.
Belt checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Zalachenko dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zalachenko swings widly with a right hand
and Belt counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zalachenko thinking.
Zalachenko bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zalachenko works the jab nicely.
Zalachenko slips a jab from Belt.
Belt throws a series of strikes that have Zalachenko backpedaling.
Zalachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Belt moves away.
Zalachenko throws a head kick that misses.
Zalachenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Belt paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Belt scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zalachenko doesn't seem bothered though.
Zalachenko loads up on a big right hand but Belt slips the punch.
Zalachenko swings widly with a right hand
and Belt counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Belt on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Belt just misses with a punch to the body.
Belt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zalachenko.
Zalachenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zalachenko is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belt checks a leg kick nicely.
Zalachenko misses with a head kick.
Belt swings for the body but Zalachenko moves out of range.
Zalachenko missing with a left hand there. Belt was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Belt blocks a jab.
Zalachenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Zalachenko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Belt misses with a two punch combination.
Belt bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Belt takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A jab lands there for Zalachenko.
Belt takes a swing at Zalachenko's ribcage but misses.
Zalachenko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Belt on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Jab by Belt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalachenko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zalachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Belt moves away.
Belt fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zalachenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Belt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zalachenko throws a head kick that misses
and Belt counters with a nice body shot.
Belt misses with a few strikes there.
Belt just misses with a punch to the body.
Belt misses with a series of wild punches.
Zalachenko throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belt misses with a wild body shot.
Zalachenko swings for the body but Belt moves out of range.
Black Belt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zalachenko scores with the left hand. Belt knows he should have avoided that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Black Belt showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zalachenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Zalachenko!
After the fight, Alexander Zalachenko was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
In defeat, Black Belt stepped up to the mic, saying 'This was a disappointing loss but I will be back. I guarantee it.'.