PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Zakherenkoff (ranked 4828 p4p, 536 weight class) and Cai Mao (ranked 3486 p4p, 404 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Zakherenkoff
vs
Mao

210 cm
19
252 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

190 cm
20
250 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

IniTech Nutrition

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vladimir Zakherenkoff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Cai Mao!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mao falls off balance throwing a combination

and Zakherenkoff counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Mao!
Mao regains half guard, as Zakherenkoff was trying to land strikes.
Mao blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zakherenkoff.
Mao tries to get to full guard but Zakherenkoff has control of the leg.
Zakherenkoff wants to pass to mount but Mao is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zakherenkoff not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mao keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Zakherenkoff thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakherenkoff wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mao keeps working.
Zakherenkoff throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Mao to regain full guard.
Zakherenkoff controls from within his opponent's guard.
Zakherenkoff trying to control but Mao is working from the bottom.
Mao preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Zakherenkoff with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zakherenkoff trying to control but Mao is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Zakherenkoff misses with a looping right.
Mao throws a counter combo.
Zakherenkoff fails with an attempt to clinch.
A big left from Mao misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Zakherenkoff.
Cai Mao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zakherenkoff will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mao throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Zakherenkoff.

It looks like Vladimir Zakherenkoff has been cut.
Mao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mao digs a good hook to Zakherenkoff's body.
Zakherenkoff misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mao.
A head kick misses from Mao.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Mao misses the target.
Zakherenkoff misses with an uppercut.
Despite the aggression on Mao's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Zakherenkoff swinging wildly here.
Zakherenkoff shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mao sprawls well. Mao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zakherenkoff gets slowly back to his feet.
Mao with a jab.
Mao misses with a few strikes there.
Mao misses with a double jab.
A big left from Mao misses.
Zakherenkoff avoids the head kick by Mao.
Mao moves forwards but Zakherenkoff connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Zakherenkoff goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mao misses the shot to the body.

Zakherenkoff scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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!
Zakherenkoff is putting a hurting on Mao here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mao manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Zakherenkoff tries to roll over but Mao keeps him under control.

Zakherenkoff is defending against the submission attempts here by Mao.
Zakherenkoff tries to get to full guard but Mao has control of the leg.
Zakherenkoff is trying is best to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cai Mao will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Zakherenkoff's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Zakherenkoff looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mao unleashes a big counter combination but Zakherenkoff bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Mao misses with the combination.

Zakherenkoff changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mao looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Zakherenkoff throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Zakherenkoff creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Zakherenkoff is putting a hurting on Mao here, landing some big shots from side control.
Zakherenkoff scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Mao to see if he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zakherenkoff throws a strike aimed at the side of Mao's head but Mao avoids it well.
Mao takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Zakherenkoff is working Mao over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakherenkoff working the head and body with strikes.
Zakherenkoff scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Mao to see if he's OK.
Zakherenkoff trying to control the action but Mao is working from the bottom.
Zakherenkoff misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zakherenkoff lands a nice forearm strike.
Zakherenkoff looks up at the clock and then as Mao takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Zakherenkoff smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Vladimir Zakherenkoff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zakherenkoff wants to take a breather but Mao manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Zakherenkoff.
Mao is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakherenkoff regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mao stopping the sweep attempt from Zakherenkoff.
Mao being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mao wanted to stand there but Zakherenkoff had control of the position.
Zakherenkoff striking off his back but it's not causing Mao any problems.
Mao trying to control the position from guard on top but Zakherenkoff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zakherenkoff will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Mao postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mao showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zakherenkoff.
Zakherenkoff throws a shot from downtown. Mao moves away and avoids it.
Mao throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vladimir Zakherenkoff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

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.
Mao scores with a head kick. Zakherenkoff tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Zakherenkoff drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zakherenkoff cracks Mao with a big right hand but Mao just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Zakherenkoff is putting a hurting on Mao here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mao takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Mao managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Zakherenkoff.
Zakherenkoff will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zakherenkoff is putting a hurting on Mao here, landing some big shots from side control.
Zakherenkoff lands a nice forearm strike.
Mao is working to avoid the ground and pound but Zakherenkoff connects with a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Zakherenkoff dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Zakherenkoff's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zakherenkoff fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mao takes a swing at Zakherenkoff's ribcage but misses.
Mao takes a swing at Zakherenkoff's ribcage but misses.
A cross from Zakherenkoff lands.
Zakherenkoff fails with a takedown attempt.
Zakherenkoff takes a swing at Mao's ribcage but misses.
Despite the aggression on Mao's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Zakherenkoff throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zakherenkoff will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mao scores with a hook to the body. Zakherenkoff takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mao on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mao throws a head kick that misses
and Zakherenkoff connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zakherenkoff takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zakherenkoff misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zakherenkoff lands a jab-cross combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mao on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mao throws a predictable looking body shot
and Mao takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zakherenkoff looks to score with a jab to the body but Mao is just out of range.
Mao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zakherenkoff avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mao misses with a wild combination.
Good standup being displayed there by Zakherenkoff as he connects with a hook.
Zakherenkoff dips to his left and cracks Mao with an uppercut!
Zakherenkoff is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Mao throws a shot to the body.
Zakherenkoff misses with a wild body shot.
Zakherenkoff throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mao's waist but Mao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zakherenkoff off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Zakherenkoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zakherenkoff fails with the takedown
and Mao cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mao lands a big head kick that sends Zakherenkoff tumbling to the mat! Mao takes a step backwards and waves Zakherenkoff back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A punch combination from Zakherenkoff misses.
Cai Mao seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice sprawl there from Mao as Zakherenkoff shoots in.
Zakherenkoff takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zakherenkoff tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mao swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zakherenkoff swings away with a body shot that misses
and Mao comes in over the top with a devastating right hand! Zakherenkoff stumbles back against the cage, looking to regain his senses but Mao is on him like rabid pit bull! Zakherenkoff slumps to the ground under a storm of punches and this fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cai Mao!
In his post fight interview, Cai Mao started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.