PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alberto Contador (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Zharkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrei Zharkov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Alberto Contador's chin.

Contador
vs
Zharkov

185 cm
20
181 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

183 cm
21
182 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alberto Contador!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Andrei Zharkov!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, John Kavanagh and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zharkov slips a jab from Contador.
Contador lands a slapping body shot.
Contador throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zharkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zharkov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zharkov moves away from the strike by Contador.
Contador scores with a head kick.
Zharkov shoots in for a takedown but Contador shows good takedown defense.
Contador connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zharkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Contador avoids it really well and circles away.
Contador defending well as Zharkov loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Contador throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zharkov fails with the takedown
and Contador connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Alberto Contador has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Zharkov.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Zharkov.
Contador avoids the body shot from Zharkov.
Zharkov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Contador can pounce on him.
Contador misses with a straight left.

Zharkov gets the takedown into side control.

Zharkov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Contador has escaped the position, nice work there.
Zharkov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zharkov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Contador knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Contador is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Zharkov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Contador knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zharkov on the ground.

Zharkov swings around for an armbar but Contador sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Zharkov's guard.
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.

Zharkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zharkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Zharkov holds on and takes a little breather.
Contador sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Zharkov is looking for a triangle but Contador pushes his legs off easily.

Zharkov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zharkov looking to control.
Zharkov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Contador wants to control from the top but Zharkov keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zharkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alberto Contador will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zharkov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Contador throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zharkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Contador.
Contador misses with a double jab.
Zharkov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Contador takes a swing at Zharkov's ribcage but misses.
Contador misses with a double jab.
Zharkov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zharkov throws a hook but Contador avoids it easily.
Zharkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Contador.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Contador fails to land with a series of punches.
Alberto Contador is winning the standup battle so far.
Contador scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Contador is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zharkov can do to turn this around?

Zharkov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zharkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Contador doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zharkov.
Zharkov thows a huge punch but Contador dodges it nicely.

Zharkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Andrei Zharkov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Zharkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Contador has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Zharkov is looking for a kimura here.
Zharkov is trying to control. Contador wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Zharkov is trying to work for a kimura but Contador is defending well.
Zharkov trying to control from Contador's half guard. Contador has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zharkov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Contador is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Contador has escaped and now he's on top!

Contador trying to control but Zharkov is working from the bottom.

Zharkov working for a triangle but Contador defends it easily.

Zharkov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Contador postures up.
Zharkov wants to hit a switch here but Contador passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Zharkov there!
Zharkov is trying to escape the mount.
Zharkov felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zharkov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
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 Alberto Contador will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Good standup being displayed there by Contador as he connects with a hook.
A jab from Zharkov misses.
Contador pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Contador needs to keep his hands up - Zharkov had a free shot at his head there.
Contador looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Contador misses with a body punch
and Zharkov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Zharkov misses with a looping right.
Contador throws a big shot that misses.
A nice side step and Zharkov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Contador misses.
Contador lands a jab to Zharkov's midsection.
Contador misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Contador throws a right hand that Zharkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zharkov also avoids with ease.
Contador chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Contador throws a looping overhand right but Zharkov ducks down to avoid it.
Zharkov throws an overhand right that lands on Contador's shoulder, as Contador tries to avoid the shot.
Zharkov throws a big shot that misses.
Contador misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Contador motions for Zharkov to come forward. Contador throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zharkov looks to land a left hand but Contador moved out of range nicely.
Contador is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Zharkov.
Zharkov stuns Contador with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zharkov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov cracks Contador with an open hand slap.
Zharkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Contador missing with a left hand there. Zharkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Alberto Contador is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zharkov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zharkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zharkov connects with a body shot that sends Contador's belly button to the back.
Zharkov swings for the body but Contador moves out of range.
A big right from Zharkov misses.
Zharkov cracks a nice hook into Contador's ribs.
Zharkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Contador moves away.
A little feinted left hand from Contador on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A punch combination from Contador misses.
Contador throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nice shot by Zharkov.
Contador connects with a leg kick. Zharkov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zharkov lands with an overhand left.
Contador misses with an uppercut
and Zharkov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zharkov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Contador.
Contador thows a left - swing and a miss!
Contador just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Zharkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zharkov lands with a hook. Contador tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zharkov ducks under a wild hook from Contador.
Contador's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zharkov under the eye.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zharkov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Contador defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zharkov.
Alberto Contador has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Zharkov.
Contador catches Zharkov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Contador - that will leave a mark!
Andrei Zharkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alberto Contador is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Contador.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alberto Contador.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Contador, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alberto Contador!
Post fight, Alberto Contador stared into the camera and said 'Good fight, neither of us can take a punch, so that was fun.'.