PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Zharkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Showtime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Showtime comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Old Toms Hut kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rick Showtime acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Zharkov
vs
Showtime

183 cm
27
182 lbs
12 - 7 - 1

170 cm
34
180 lbs
11 - 28 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 12 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Andrei Zharkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 28 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rick Showtime!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zharkov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zharkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Showtime.
A combination from Zharkov does no damage.
Zharkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Zharkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Showtime is just out of range.
Rick Showtime seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Showtime fails to land with a series of punches.
Showtime throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zharkov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Showtime throws a right hand that Zharkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zharkov also avoids with ease.
Zharkov is looking to counter with a body kick.
Zharkov lands a slapping body shot.
Zharkov misses the shot to the body.
A low kick from Showtime misses
and Zharkov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Zharkov scoring well with a low kick there.
Zharkov lands with a cross.
A combination from Showtime does no damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zharkov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Showtime lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zharkov lands a body shot.
Zharkov is looking to wear down Showtime with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Showtime is defended easily by Zharkov.

Zharkov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zharkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Showtime is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Showtime working a defensive guard here.
Zharkov throws an elbow that misses. Showtime uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zharkov's guard. Nice move by Showtime!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Showtime engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
It looks like Showtime might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov pulls Showtime in close to his closed guard and prevents Showtime from doing any damage or advancing position.
Zharkov working a defensive guard here.
Showtime won't allow Zharkov to sweep him here.
Showtime stays in close to Zharkov's body and controls the position.

Zharkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zharkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Showtime trying to control but Zharkov is working from the bottom.

Showtime avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Showtime trying to control but Zharkov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zharkov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zharkov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Showtime throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Zharkov wants to sweep here but Showtime controlling him for the moment.
Zharkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Showtime's guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Showtime is keeping the position for now.
Zharkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zharkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Showtime works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zharkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Showtime's head.
Zharkov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zharkov postures up in Showtime's guard and throws a big left but Showtime blocks it.
Zharkov working some strikes from top position.
Zharkov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Showtime trying to control the position.
Zharkov throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zharkov throws a big shot that misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Showtime.
Showtime throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zharkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zharkov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zharkov lands a nice looking body shot.

Showtime drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Showtime avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Zharkov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zharkov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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!
Showtime is in trouble now - Zharkov has advanced to mount!
Zharkov dominating with strikes here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zharkov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Zharkov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Showtime is rocked!
Zharkov looking to finish here with some ground and pound. He lands one big shot that has Showtime covering up... and two more big strikes land, forcing the referee to step in and put and end to proceedings! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Andrei Zharkov!