PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexi Zaitev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buster Blighton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the ring it seems that Alexi Zaitev has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Alexi Zaitev seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Zaitev
vs
Blighton

183 cm
20
209 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

195 cm
28
220 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexi Zaitev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Buster Blighton!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paulsen Ambrosius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blighton tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Zaitev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zaitev is looking to slow Blighton down with leg kicks.

Zaitev forces Blighton back against the ropes and clinches.
Zaitev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Blighton is defending well for now.
Blighton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zaitev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Blighton is defending well for now.
Zaitev connects with a knee to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Zaitev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Zaitev tries to land knees in the clinch but Blighton avoids the damage to the body.
Blighton looking to slow down the pace here.
Zaitev tries to land a knee to the head but Blighton blocks with his arms.
Zaitev pressing his opponent against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blighton is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zaitev is defending well for now.
A knee to the head by Zaitev.
Zaitev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Blighton looking to stall.
Blighton changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zaitev fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zaitev lands with a shot to the body.
Zaitev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blighton.
Blighton tries to clinch but Zaitev moves out of range.
Blighton stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zaitev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Zaitev misses.

Blighton pushes Zaitev up against the ropes in a clinch.
Zaitev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zaitev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Blighton.
Zaitev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Blighton tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zaitev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Blighton wants to take the fight to the mat but Zaitev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Alexi Zaitev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buster Blighton.
Zaitev working Blighton over with knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaitev working Blighton over with knees to the body.
Zaitev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zaitev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Blighton is trying to pull guard but Zaitev turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitev scores a nice knee to the body.
Zaitev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Blighton blocks it with crossed arms.
Blighton takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zaitev lands a good knee to the midsection. Blighton won't want to take too many of those.
Blighton looks winded!
Blighton is leaning against Zaitev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Zaitev trying to land knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Zaitev.
Zaitev landing knees to the body.
Zaitev working Blighton over with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaitev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Zaitev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Blighton up against the ropes.
Zaitev putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Blighton in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Zaitev lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaitev landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Zaitev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Blighton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Blighton is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Zaitev obliges.
Zaitev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Zaitev putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Blighton in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Zaitev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zaitev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Blighton avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Blighton takes a knee to the side of the body.
Zaitev lands a knee to the head.
Zaitev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Blighton blocks it with crossed arms.
Zaitev scores a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zaitev tries a head kick but it misses.
Blighton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zaitev tries to score with a low kick but Blighton moves his leg out of the way.
Nice shot lands for Zaitev.
Blighton has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zaitev.
Zaitev fakes the leg kick and cracks Blighton in the body.
Blighton throws a front kick that sends Zaitev stumbling back into the ropes.
Blighton misses with a hook.
Zaitev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zaitev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Blighton in his tracks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zaitev connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Zaitev clinches up against the ropes.
Alexi Zaitev has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitev tries to land knees in the clinch but Blighton avoids the damage to the body.
Zaitev lands a nice knee to the body.
Zaitev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Blighton up against the ropes.
Zaitev tries a knee to the head but Blighton blocks it.
Blighton managing to block the knees to the body from Zaitev.

Blighton successfully pulls guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Zaitev wants to control from the top but Blighton keeps moving.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Blighton trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaitev looking to sit in guard and control but Blighton gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zaitev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zaitev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blighton can do to turn this around?
Zaitev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zaitev has control of Blighton's left arm, preventing Blighton from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alexi Zaitev.
Zaitev lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blighton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zaitev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Blighton somewhat.
An inside leg kick from Zaitev misses.
Zaitev throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Alexi Zaitev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zaitev connects with a leg kick. Blighton looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Blighton throws a sloppy head kick
and Zaitev makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Blighton really felt that one!
Zaitev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Blighton has time to react.
Zaitev looks to score with a jab to the body but Blighton is just out of range.
Alexi Zaitev is winning the standup battle so far.

Zaitev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Blighton fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Alexi Zaitev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buster Blighton.
Zaitev trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blighton avoiding damage as Zaitev throws knees to the body.
Zaitev putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Blighton in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Blighton is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaitev crunches a lovely knee into Blighton's ribcage.
Zaitev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Blighton avoids it.
Blighton working hard to break the clinch.
Zaitev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Blighton avoids it.
Zaitev lands a nice knee to the body.
Zaitev lands a good knee to the midsection. Blighton won't want to take too many of those.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Zaitev obliges.
Zaitev lands a good knee to the midsection. Blighton won't want to take too many of those.
Zaitev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zaitev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Blighton's face.
Zaitev landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Blighton trying to control the position but instead, Zaitev has worked for underhooks and has pushed Blighton into the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexi Zaitev dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zaitev lands a body shot.
Zaitev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zaitev throws a leg kick which misses Blighton's front leg but catches the back leg as Blighton tries to avoid it.
Zaitev jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Zaitev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Zaitev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Zaitev is struggling to control the position.
Zaitev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Blighton blocks it with crossed arms.
Zaitev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zaitev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blighton fails to pull guard.

Blighton breaks the clinch.
Blighton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Blighton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zaitev scores with a sloppy right hand. Blighton should have avoided that one.

Zaitev forces Blighton back against the ropes and clinches.
Zaitev lands a good knee to the midsection. Blighton won't want to take too many of those.
Blighton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaitev trying to land knees to the body.
Zaitev trying to land knees to the body.
Zaitev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Blighton lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Blighton jumps guard but Zaitev turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Alexi Zaitev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buster Blighton.
Zaitev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaitev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Blighton avoids it.
Zaitev lands a knee to the head.
Alexi Zaitev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blighton takes a knee right on the jaw!
Blighton avoiding damage as Zaitev throws knees to the body.
Zaitev is struggling to control the position.
Blighton blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Blighton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaitev just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Zaitev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Blighton takes a knee right on the jaw!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Zaitev as Blighton tries to tie him up.
Blighton looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitev misses with a knee strike.
Zaitev unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Zaitev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Blighton lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Zaitev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Zaitev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Zaitev landing knees to the head.
Blighton managing to block the knees to the body from Zaitev.
Zaitev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Blighton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zaitev tries a knee to the head but Blighton blocks it.
Blighton stalling in the clinch but Zaitev improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaitev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Zaitev misses with a knee strike.
Blighton wants to get back to striking at distance but Zaitev won't allow it.
Blighton managing to block the knees to the body from Zaitev.
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!
Zaitev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Blighton lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Zaitev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Blighton is defending well for now.
Zaitev landing knees to the body.
Zaitev crunches a lovely knee into Blighton's ribcage.
Zaitev missing with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zaitev tries to land knees in the clinch but Blighton avoids the damage to the body.
Buster Blighton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zaitev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Blighton gets through Zaitev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexi Zaitev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zaitev 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexi Zaitev!