PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abdullah Zaire (ranked 649 p4p, 87 weight class) and Sergey Sklemin (ranked 399 p4p, 53 weight class). Abdullah Zaire has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zaire
vs
Sklemin

183 cm
32
186 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

187 cm
29
200 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

Aspire Clothing
Riner Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abdullah Zaire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Sklemin!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sklemin slips a straight right by Zaire.
Zaire walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sklemin staying out of range there.
Zaire scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A left and a right from Sklemin both land. Nice combination.
Sklemin wants to clinch up but Zaire keeps it at a distance.
A leg kick checked by Sklemin.
Sklemin tries to clinch but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sklemin blocks a leg kick.
Zaire connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zaire connects with a leg kick. Sklemin looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sklemin swinging wildly here.
Zaire throws a quick counter kick to the body but Sklemin avoids it.

Sklemin closes the distance and clinches.
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!
A nice left hand lands by Sklemin.
Zaire can't get the takedown.
A right hand to the body from Sklemin.
Sklemin gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zaire.
Sklemin lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sklemin backwards.
Sklemin has a couple of punches blocked by Zaire.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zaire.
Zaire throws a punch but it's blocked by Sklemin.
Zaire goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zaire.
Good body shot from Sklemin.
Sklemin misses with some punches.
Zaire wants to stall.
Sklemin blocks a body shot from Zaire.
Sklemin misses with a knee strike.

Zaire works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Sklemin trying to keep a closed guard but Zaire is proving a slippery customer.
Zaire is standing up over Sklemin. Sklemin looks to escape but Zaire dives into side control.
Sklemin is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Zaire has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sklemin struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaire landing strikes.

Zaire goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Sklemin rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Zaire's guard! Nice work there by Sklemin!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Zaire looking for a guillotine here but Sklemin defends easily.
Sklemin sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sklemin preventing the sweep.
Sklemin postures up.

Zaire working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sklemin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sklemin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zaire utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sklemin is looking to stand up but Zaire won't let him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaire is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Zaire has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sklemin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sklemin stands up from Zaire's guard - Sklemin perhaps looking for a knockout.
Zaire throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sklemin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sklemin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zaire.
Sklemin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaire.
Sklemin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zaire.
Sklemin checks a leg kick.
Zaire feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sklemin's calf.
Sklemin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sklemin cracks Zaire with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sklemin lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sklemin.
Sklemin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zaire.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sergey Sklemin will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sklemin, as that shot connected.
Zaire motions for Sklemin to come forward. Zaire throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zaire takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zaire throws a leg kick which misses Sklemin's front leg but catches the back leg as Sklemin tries to avoid it.
Zaire misses with a lunging right hand
and Sklemin counters with a nice uppercut.

Sklemin clinches up against the cage.
Zaire lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sklemin.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sklemin.
Zaire avoiding damage as Sklemin throws knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sklemin obliges.
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!
Zaire stalling in the clinch but Sklemin improves position.
Sklemin lands a nice uppercut.
Sklemin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sklemin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sklemin has a couple of punches blocked by Zaire.
Sklemin trying to land knees to the body.
Sklemin stalling in the clinch but Zaire improves position.
Sklemin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sklemin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire tries to throw a body punch but Sklemin avoids it by throwing Zaire back against the cage.
Zaire misses with the head strike.
Sklemin lands with a left to the head.
Sklemin lands a shoulder strike.
Zaire tries to throw a body punch but Sklemin avoids it by throwing Zaire back against the cage.
Sklemin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zaire digs a right hand underneath Sklemin's ribcage. Sklemin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Zaire tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sklemin smiles and moves away.
Zaire misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sergey Sklemin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sklemin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sklemin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sklemin throws an overhand right that lands on Zaire's shoulder, as Zaire tries to avoid the shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sklemin throws a big shot that misses.
Zaire keeps the fight on the outside.
Zaire looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sklemin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sklemin moves out of range as Zaire throws a body kick.
Sklemin swings widly with a right hand
and Zaire counters with a slapping leg kick.
Sklemin misses with a wild body shot.
Sklemin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zaire manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zaire swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sklemin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sergey Sklemin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zaire throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sklemin tries to bum rush Zaire with a series of wild strikes but Zaire uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zaire half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Zaire lands with a hook. Sklemin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zaire dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zaire closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sklemin circles away.
Sklemin on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Sklemin throws a right and a left that Zaire avoids nicely.
Zaire takes a swing at Sklemin's ribcage but misses.
Zaire throws a solid leg kick but Sklemin takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zaire.
Zaire throws a leg kick which misses Sklemin's front leg but catches the back leg as Sklemin tries to avoid it.
Sklemin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Zaire misses its target.
Sklemin scores with a nice right hand.
Zaire throws a nice outside leg kick.
A punch combination from Sklemin misses.
It looked like Zaire was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sklemin.
Zaire throws a nice inside leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Sklemin blocks the leg kick.
Sklemin lands with a hook. Zaire tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zaire bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaire darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zaire throws a leg kick but Sklemin checks it.
Sklemin might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sklemin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sklemin blocks a leg kick.
Zaire tries to land a front kick but Sklemin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zaire avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zaire was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zaire lands a nice hook to Sklemin's body. Sklemin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Zaire misses with a leg kick
and Sklemin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zaire tries to score with a low kick but Sklemin moves his leg out of the way.
Sklemin tries to clinch but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire throws a half hearted mid kick.
A little jabbing left from Sklemin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sklemin throws a hook but Zaire avoids it easily.
Zaire feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sklemin's calf.
Sklemin misses with a hook. Zaire ducked under it nicely.
Zaire avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good work by Sklemin as he checks the leg kick.
Sklemin moves out of range as Zaire strikes.
Sklemin wants to clinch up but Zaire keeps it at a distance.
Sklemin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zaire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zaire misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklemin throws a series of punches but Zaire avoids them all with ease.
Zaire appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sklemin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sklemin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zaire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sklemin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A punch combination from Sklemin misses.
Sklemin throws an overhand right that lands on Zaire's shoulder, as Zaire tries to avoid the shot.
Zaire blocks a jab.
Zaire thuds his right hand into Sklemin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zaire throws a body kick that misses.

Sklemin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zaire, pushing him back against the cage.
Zaire working aggressively here.
Zaire avoiding damage as Sklemin throws knees to the body.
Sklemin tries to work over Zaire's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Zaire.
Zaire dodges an elbow strike from Sklemin.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zaire tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A shot in the inside from Zaire.
Sklemin throws a punch but it's blocked by Zaire.
Sklemin misses with a punch on the inside.
Zaire misses with a shot to the kidneys.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sergey Sklemin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zaire scores with a nice right hand.
Zaire wants to slow Sklemin down by chopping away at his legs.

Zaire closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sklemin to the mat! Sklemin manages to get full guard.
Zaire engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sklemin is trying to keep Zaire in close.
Sklemin keeping moving, preventing Zaire from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire is stalling in the full guard.
Zaire trying to control but Sklemin is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sklemin's head.
Sklemin wants to stand but Zaire is controlling the position.
Zaire throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A left lands for Zaire.
Sklemin tries to clinch but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zaire ducks under a wild hook from Sklemin.
Sklemin looks to throw the jab but Zaire is out of range.
Sklemin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zaire was well out of range. Poor timing from Sklemin.
Zaire half committed to a counter leg kick.
Zaire ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sklemin moves away.
Abdullah Zaire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Zaire ducks under a wild hook from Sklemin.
Sklemin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sklemin checks the leg kick.
A little jabbing left from Sklemin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Zaire takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sklemin takes a swing at Zaire's ribcage but misses.
Zaire has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sklemin finds it's way round the side to connect with Zaire's head.
Sklemin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sklemin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sklemin misses with a hook.
Sklemin misses with a looping left.
Zaire on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zaire has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Zaire ducks under a wild hook from Sklemin.
Zaire bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sklemin throws an overhand right that lands on Zaire's shoulder, as Zaire tries to avoid the shot.
Sklemin doesn't manage to clinch there - Zaire circles away.
Sklemin is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice uppercut there from Zaire.
Sklemin scores with a punch to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sklemin is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sklemin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaire throwing a counter right hand but Sklemin manages to avoid it.
Sklemin moves out of range as Zaire strikes.
Sklemin wants to counter with a clinch but Zaire pushes him away.
Sklemin tries to clinch but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sklemin slips under a jab.
Sklemin looks to land a right hand but Zaire moved out of range.
Zaire misses with a body kick.
Sklemin is looking to clinch but Zaire is avoiding it.
Sklemin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zaire momentarily.
Zaire looks for the body kick but Sklemin saw that one coming.
Sklemin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zaire can pounce on him.
Sklemin feints a jab promting Zaire to slip. Sklemin then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Zaire slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Sergey Sklemin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nice defenses there by Zaire.
Sklemin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaire.
Zaire looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sklemin checks a leg kick nicely.
Zaire tries to land a front kick but Sklemin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaire wants to land a leg kick but Sklemin is out of range.

Zaire darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklemin is looking for a sweep. Zaire is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zaire sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Zaire seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sklemin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Zaire is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sklemin sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sergey Sklemin.
I've got Sklemin winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergey Sklemin!
Sergey Sklemin bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.