PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joel Leone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasili Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joel Leone has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Leone
vs
Zhirkov

180 cm
25
160 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
165 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

Lion Fightwear
Sydney Fight Gear

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joel Leone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vasili Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Leone misses.
Zhirkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Leone tries to bum rush Zhirkov with a series of wild strikes but Zhirkov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Leone throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Leone cracks Zhirkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zhirkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Leone misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhirkov.
And Zhirkov tries to counter it with a takedown but Leone pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Zhirkov moves out of range as Leone strikes.
Zhirkov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Leone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Joel Leone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasili Zhirkov.
Zhirkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice sprawl there from Leone as Zhirkov shoots in.
Leone misses with a looping left.

Zhirkov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zhirkov lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zhirkov trying to move into half guard but instead Leone has managed to sweep!

Zhirkov wants to hit a switch here but Leone passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Zhirkov there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Zhirkov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Leone's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Leone's back!

Zhirkov has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Leone is in real trouble here. Zhirkov gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Leone is tapping out! Zhirkov wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Vasili Zhirkov!
Vasili Zhirkov tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.