PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gottlieb Hiebknecht (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zoran Jolevi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hiebknecht
vs
Jolevi

170 cm
26
160 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

167 cm
26
160 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Alcatraz Apparel
Atlantis

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Gottlieb Hiebknecht!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zoran Jolevi!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hiebknecht throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hiebknecht throws a one two combo.

Jolevi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hiebknecht to the ground. Jolevi is now in Hiebknecht's guard.
Jolevi trying to control the position from guard on top but Hiebknecht is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jolevi stopping the sweep attempt from Hiebknecht.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiebknecht keeping moving, preventing Jolevi from controlling successfully.
Jolevi slips nicely into half guard.
Hiebknecht is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hiebknecht trying to get back to full guard but Jolevi takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jolevi sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Jolevi takes Hiebknecht's back.
Hiebknecht rolls, trying to escape but Jolevi keeps control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hiebknecht defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Jolevi's arms.
Hiebknecht knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jolevi on the ground.

Hiebknecht is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Hiebknecht can't escape the position.

Hiebknecht defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Well, with Jolevi on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Hiebknecht is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Hiebknecht breaks Jolevi's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jolevi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hiebknecht stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jolevi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jolevi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Jolevi is controlling the pace.
Hiebknecht is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jolevi wants to work for an arm triangle but Hiebknecht is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Jolevi works his way into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jolevi just content to control the position.
Jolevi trying to control the action but Hiebknecht is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jolevi throws a body punch but Hiebknecht moves out of range.
Hiebknecht is looking to counter punch.
Hiebknecht seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Hiebknecht scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hiebknecht throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hiebknecht avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A big left from Hiebknecht misses.
Jolevi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jolevi slips a straight right by Hiebknecht.
Hiebknecht lands a nice shot to the body.
Hiebknecht throws a shot to the body.
Jolevi tries to move into range but Hiebknecht moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Jolevi avoids the body shot from Hiebknecht.
Hiebknecht keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jolevi.
Hiebknecht blocks a jab.
Jolevi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hiebknecht counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hiebknecht bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Jolevi's head.
Hiebknecht misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiebknecht ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jolevi moves away.

Jolevi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Jolevi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Jolevi tries for a kimura but Hiebknecht is defending well.

Jolevi goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hiebknecht rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Jolevi's guard! Nice work there by Hiebknecht!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jolevi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hiebknecht can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jolevi keeping full guard, as Hiebknecht tries to pass.

Jolevi looking for a guillotine here but Hiebknecht defends easily.
Jolevi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiebknecht is pressing down on Jolevi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Jolevi slips nicely into half guard.
Jolevi trying to control the pace.
Jolevi trying to pass the guard but Hiebknecht defending well.
Jolevi moves into full mount! Hiebknecht won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jolevi trying to control but Hiebknecht is having none of it.
Jolevi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hiebknecht haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hiebknecht is looking to improve his position but Jolevi isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jolevi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Gottlieb Hiebknecht is winning the standup battle so far.
Hiebknecht scores with a jab to the jaw.
Jolevi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gottlieb Hiebknecht is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hiebknecht scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Jolevi misses with a straight right.
Jolevi looks to score with a jab to the body but Hiebknecht is just out of range.
Hiebknecht was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hiebknecht swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Jolevi.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Jolevi.
Hiebknecht throwing a counter right hand but Jolevi manages to avoid it.
Jolevi connects with a jab.
Jolevi throws a lazy uppercut
and Hiebknecht cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jolevi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jolevi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hiebknecht scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiebknecht moves out of range of the strikes.
Hiebknecht lands with a nice body punch.
Hiebknecht connects with the punch.
Hiebknecht scores with a nice right hand.
Jolevi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hiebknecht bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Jolevi's head backwards.

Jolevi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hiebknecht did well to prevent Jolevi getting side control.
Hiebknecht wants to control but Jolevi is keeping busy.
Jolevi is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Jolevi passes to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Jolevi has hold of Hiebknecht's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Hiebknecht manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Jolevi is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hiebknecht has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Jolevi can't control as he wanted to and Hiebknecht manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jolevi frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Jolevi controlling the position easily from mount.
Jolevi tries to control but Hiebknecht wriggling away.
Hiebknecht is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Jolevi wants to take Hiebknecht's back but he can't do it this time.
Hiebknecht wants to hold on but Jolevi pushes him away.
Jolevi prevents Hiebknecht from getting the reversal.

Jolevi is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hiebknecht has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gottlieb Hiebknecht clearly takes 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.

Jolevi ducks right into an uppercut from Hiebknecht.
Hiebknecht throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Jolevi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jolevi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hiebknecht.
Jolevi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jolevi takes a swing at Hiebknecht's ribcage but misses.
A jab from Hiebknecht does it's job there.
Jolevi works Hiebknecht's body with a nice hook.
Hiebknecht throws an overhand right that lands on Jolevi's shoulder, as Jolevi tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiebknecht scores with a jab to the body.
Hiebknecht connects with a crisp jab.
Hiebknecht jabs at Jolevi's body.
Jolevi drops his hands momentarily and Hiebknecht takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hiebknecht avoids the body shot from Jolevi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Hiebknecht does no damage.
Hiebknecht connects with a jab.
Hiebknecht connects with a nice looking jab.
Jolevi misses with a looping right.
Hiebknecht throws the left hand but Jolevi avoids the punch easily.
Jolevi with the counter takedown but Hiebknecht avoids it easily.
Jolevi misses with a hook. Hiebknecht ducked under it nicely.
Jolevi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Jolevi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Jolevi moves into the clinch successfully.

Jolevi gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Hiebknecht wants to sweep here but Jolevi controlling him for the moment.

Hiebknecht is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jolevi is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jolevi stopping the sweep attempt from Hiebknecht.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jolevi controlling from the top position.
Jolevi wants to control from the top but Hiebknecht keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hiebknecht holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiebknecht moves into range and connects with a jab.
A jab from Hiebknecht finds it's way through Jolevi's defenses.
Jolevi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hiebknecht makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jolevi just misses with a punch to the body.
Jolevi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hiebknecht throws out the jab.

Jolevi closes the distance and pushes Hiebknecht back into the cage.
Jolevi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Jolevi tries a body shot but Hiebknecht blocks it.
Jolevi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jolevi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jolevi swings wildly with an uppercut but Hiebknecht uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hiebknecht misses with some punches.
Hiebknecht tries to work over Jolevi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiebknecht scores with a hook to the body.
Jolevi throws a head punch that misses.
Jolevi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hiebknecht tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hiebknecht blocks a body shot from Jolevi.
Hiebknecht taking a breather.
Hiebknecht misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hiebknecht tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jolevi's elbow.
Jolevi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, Jolevi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hiebknecht swings wildly with an uppercut but Jolevi uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jolevi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Jolevi misses with a punch on the inside.
Jolevi blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gottlieb Hiebknecht had his way with Zoran Jolevi in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jolevi lands with a good body shot.
Hiebknecht lands with a cross.
Jolevi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hiebknecht counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Jolevi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hiebknecht scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hiebknecht keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jolevi misses with an uppercut. Hiebknecht saw that one coming.
Jolevi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hiebknecht misses with a double jab.
Hiebknecht misses with a straight left.
Jolevi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hiebknecht throws out the jab.
Jolevi steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hiebknecht.
Hiebknecht feints a jab promting Jolevi to slip. Hiebknecht then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Jolevi slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hiebknecht misses with a wild body shot.
Hiebknecht has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hiebknecht there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gottlieb Hiebknecht seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jolevi misses with a shot to the body
and Jolevi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jolevi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hiebknecht counters with a straight right hand.
Hiebknecht connects with a single shot there.
Hiebknecht misses with a few strikes there.
Jolevi tries to counter by closing the distance.
Jolevi scores with a hook.
Hiebknecht jabs Jolevi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hiebknecht throws a body shot but no joy.
Jolevi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hiebknecht counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hiebknecht thuds his right hand into Jolevi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Jolevi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Hiebknecht lands with an uppercut that bounces Jolevi off the cage and back into range.
Donk. Hiebknecht catches Jolevi right on the button with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hiebknecht fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Jolevi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hiebknecht displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jolevi throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jolevi missing with a left hand there. Hiebknecht was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gottlieb Hiebknecht is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hiebknecht throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jolevi blocks a jab.

Jolevi has Hiebknecht up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hiebknecht.
Jolevi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jolevi blocking some punches.
Jolevi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hiebknecht tries to break the clinch but Jolevi is controlling the position.
Jolevi misses with a punch on the inside.
Jolevi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hiebknecht softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Jolevi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hiebknecht or not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jolevi gets through Hiebknecht's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Jolevi presses Hiebknecht against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Jolevi fails to land.
Hiebknecht doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short body shot lands from Jolevi as the two fighters clinch.

Jolevi lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hiebknecht is staying active underneath Jolevi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jolevi controlling the action here.

Jolevi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jolevi content to control rather than advance.
Jolevi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hiebknecht knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hiebknecht is looking to control Jolevi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hiebknecht avoid being mounted?
Zoran Jolevi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hiebknecht wants to improve his position but Jolevi is controlling well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gottlieb Hiebknecht showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hiebknecht 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 48:47
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 49:46
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gottlieb Hiebknecht!
Gottlieb Hiebknecht retains his lightweight title!
Our winner, Gottlieb Hiebknecht, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.