PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vasili Zaitsev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Veikko Ilmarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Zaitsev
vs
Ilmarinen

187 cm
24
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

203 cm
25
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vasili Zaitsev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Veikko Ilmarinen!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaitsev shoots and misses
letting Ilmarinen counter with a right hand.
Ilmarinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
As Ilmarinen tries to get set, Zaitsev tries to push him back and clinch up but Ilmarinen manages to avoid the attempt.
Zaitsev misses with a head kick.
Nice takedown defense from Zaitsev. No joy for Ilmarinen on that attempt.
Ilmarinen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zaitsev's sensitive parts.
Ilmarinen throws a nice looking combination but Zaitsev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zaitsev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ilmarinen tries to avoid it but Zaitsev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ilmarinen to the ground. Ilmarinen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zaitsev shoots in looking for a takedown but Ilmarinen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zaitsev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vasili Zaitsev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zaitsev keeps the fight on the outside.
Ilmarinen is looking to land body kicks.
Zaitsev is looking to clinch but Ilmarinen is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaitsev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ilmarinen as he jumps to the side.
Ilmarinen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zaitsev doesn't manage to clinch there - Ilmarinen circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zaitsev but Zaitsev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ilmarinen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zaitsev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ilmarinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ilmarinen misses with a series of wild punches.
Ilmarinen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zaitsev under the eye.

Zaitsev gets a clinch.

Zaitsev pulls guard successfully.
Zaitsev controlling Ilmarinen's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ilmarinen wants to stand but Zaitsev is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ilmarinen's guard.

Ilmarinen is looking to stand up but Zaitsev isn't so interested in that idea.
Ilmarinen keeping moving, preventing Zaitsev from controlling successfully.
Zaitsev throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zaitsev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
No luck for Zaitsev with that takedown attempt.
Ilmarinen moves in looking to clinch but Zaitsev pushes him off.
Zaitsev half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ilmarinen misses with a double jab

and Zaitsev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Zaitsev working hard to break the clinch.

Ilmarinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice sprawl there from Ilmarinen as Zaitsev shoots in.
Zaitsev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ilmarinen tries to avoid it but Zaitsev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ilmarinen to the ground. Ilmarinen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ilmarinen keeps the fight on the outside.

Oooooh!!! Ilmarinen has knocked Zaitsev down with a huge combo! Ilmarinen steps away and waves a wobbly Zaitsev back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zaitsev closes the distance and clinches up with Ilmarinen, looking for a takedown. Zaitsev pushes Ilmarinen against the cage but Ilmarinen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zaitsev is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen tries to clinch up but Zaitsev circles away and keeps his distance.

Ilmarinen cracks Zaitsev with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Ilmarinen has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Zaitsev to stand back up!

Zaitsev is rocked!
Ilmarinen lands with a good body shot.
Oh Zaitsev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Ilmarinen clinches with his opponent.
Nice elbow from Ilmarinen.

Ilmarinen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ilmarinen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Ilmarinen pushes Zaitsev off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Ilmarinen shakes his hands by his side, trying to relax. Zaitsev takes his eyes off the ball for a moment - Ilmarinen sees the opportunity and cracks him with a massive hook! Zaitsev bends double and collapses on top of himself - he's out! The crowd are going absolutely nuts! Wow, what a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Veikko Ilmarinen!