PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rico Cole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Givi Zurabovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Cole
vs
Zurabovich

182 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

173 cm
20
165 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Rico Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Givi Zurabovich!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Donald Grub and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zurabovich blocks a head kick by Cole.
Cole jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cole fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zurabovich looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zurabovich takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Cole definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Zurabovich avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zurabovich misses with a looping left.
As Zurabovich looks to move away, Cole throws a big counter combo but Zurabovich just gets out of the way.
Cole tries to bum rush Zurabovich with a series of wild strikes but Zurabovich uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cole lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zurabovich's coach down at Tycoon Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Zurabovich's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Zurabovich gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cole looks to land a body kick but Zurabovich moved away.
Zurabovich feints a counter leg kick.
Cole misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zurabovich tries a head kick but it misses.
Cole throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zurabovich on the side of the head.
A big right from Zurabovich misses.
Zurabovich gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cole goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
It seemed like Zurabovich was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cole throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zurabovich unleashes a big counter combination but Cole bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Cole scores with a hook.
Cole looks for the body kick but Zurabovich saw that one coming.
Nice straight punches there by Cole. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cole.
Cole misses with a body shot.
A nice side step and Zurabovich releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Cole throws a series of punches but Zurabovich moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cole. That's going to slow Zurabovich down.
Cole scores with a push kick.
Cole throws a series of strikes that have Zurabovich backpedaling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cole scoring well with a low kick there.
Cole walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zurabovich checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cole scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cole scores with a jab to the body.
Cole throws a series of punches but Zurabovich moves out of range.
Cole showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zurabovich.
A little feinted left hand from Cole on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cole lands a lovely overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zurabovich moves out of range of the leg kick from Cole.
Cole backing away here, and Zurabovich unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Cole misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zurabovich appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Zurabovich blocks a head kick by Cole.
Zurabovich appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Rico Cole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cole scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Zurabovich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zurabovich showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cole.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zurabovich! But no joy.
A shot to the liver by Zurabovich. Beautiful body shot.
Cole lands a slapping body shot.
Cole throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cole is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole lands a two punch combo.
Some wild striking there from Cole.
Zurabovich throws a counter combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cole buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Cole looks for the body kick but Zurabovich saw that one coming.
Zurabovich swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cole throws a hook but Zurabovich avoids it easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Zurabovich.
Zurabovich gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cole connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cole connects with a solid leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cole lands with an uppercut that bounces Zurabovich off the cage and back into range.
Sloppy strikes from Cole. Those never looked like landing.
Cole throws a low kick but Zurabovich avoids it.
Zurabovich is looking for the big counter here.
Cole lands the left hand.
Cole scores with a jab to the jaw.
Cole is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zurabovich can do to turn this around?
Cole lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zurabovich takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cole misses with a body kick.
Zurabovich is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole lands a head shot.
Cole stalks Zurabovich and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zurabovich's face. Zurabovich staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cole will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zurabovich lands with a good body shot.
Cole throws a body shot but no joy.
Zurabovich unleashes a big counter combination but Cole bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Zurabovich walks into a jab.
Cole misses the shot to the body.
Cole throws a right hand that Zurabovich ducks under and follows up with a left that Zurabovich also avoids with ease.
Cole misses with a leg kick.
Cole lands a jab-cross combination.
A right-left combo lands from Zurabovich.
Cole displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cole connects with a nice looking jab.
Cole misses with a double jab
and Cole takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zurabovich takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zurabovich takes one to the side of the head.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cole 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 Zurabovich has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zurabovich and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Zurabovich tries to move into range but Cole moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Zurabovich doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cole misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zurabovich.
Cole cracks the inside of Zurabovich's front leg.
Cole lands a nice shot to the body.
Cole changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cole lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole misses with a body shot.
Cole throws a lazy body kick
and Zurabovich makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cole moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zurabovich connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cole. Cole circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Givi Zurabovich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cole fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zurabovich looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cole wants to slow Zurabovich down by chopping away at his legs.
As Cole backs off Zurabovich throws a huge counter combo but Cole manages to avoid it all.
Cole misses with a body shot.
Cole lands a body shot.
Zurabovich keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cole getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Cole attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
It seemed like Zurabovich was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Cole lands a head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cole getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Cole throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zurabovich avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zurabovich now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
An inside leg kick from Cole misses.
Zurabovich avoids the head kick by Cole.
Zurabovich lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Zurabovich slips a straight right by Cole.
Zurabovich is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Cole scores with a jab. Zurabovich acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Cole scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Cole dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cole throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cole looks to score with a jab to the body but Zurabovich is just out of range.
Cole tests Zurabovich's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zurabovich ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cole moves away.
Cole throws a body shot but no joy.
Cole throws a nice looking combination but Zurabovich bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zurabovich swings for the body but Cole moves out of range.
Rico Cole is winning the standup battle so far.
Cole misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cole lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zurabovich circles away quickly and effectively.
Cole lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cole tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zurabovich was well out of range. Poor timing from Cole.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zurabovich checks a low kick from Cole.
Cole lands a nice looking kick to the body. Zurabovich takes a step back to recover.
Cole swings away with a leg kick that misses.
As Cole backs off Zurabovich throws a huge counter combo but Cole manages to avoid it all.
Cole lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Cole looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cole looks to land a body kick but Zurabovich moved away.
Cole throws a low kick but Zurabovich avoids it.
Zurabovich looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zurabovich uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cole.
Zurabovich closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cole jabs Zurabovich to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole scoring well with a low kick there.
Zurabovich throws a body shot but no joy.
Cole throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zurabovich now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Zurabovich throws a shot from downtown. Cole moves away and avoids it.
Cole goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cole misses with a wild body shot.
Zurabovich let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Cole fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cole bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zurabovich's head.
Cole jabs Zurabovich right on the nose. Zurabovich blinks but takes it well.
Cole lands with a straight right. Zurabovich didn't see that one coming.
Cole connects with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole misses with a double jab.
Zurabovich tries a quick counter leg kick but Cole is wise to it.
Zurabovich throws a combination that misses
and Cole counters with a big head kick but Zurabovich shrugs it off.
Zurabovich takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zurabovich's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cole goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A leg kick checked by Zurabovich.
Cole stalks Zurabovich and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zurabovich's face. Zurabovich staggers backwards, shaken.
Zurabovich slips under a jab from Cole.
Cole throws a push kick but Zurabovich slaps the foot to one side.
Zurabovich looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cole scores with a hook.
Zurabovich moves forwards but Cole connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Zurabovich walks into a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zurabovich swinging wildly here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cole misses with a head kick.
Cole throws an overhand right that lands on Zurabovich's shoulder, as Zurabovich tries to avoid the shot.
Cole tried to score with a low kick but Zurabovich checks it.
Zurabovich misses with a jab, cross combination.
A left lands for Cole.
Cole scores with a leg kick.
Rico Cole is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zurabovich keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cole.
Givi Zurabovich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A decent looking cross lands there for Cole.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rico Cole showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cole 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:26
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:26
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rico Cole!