PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Piotr Rasputin (ranked 1215 p4p, 1350 weight class) and Shaka Zulu (ranked 55 p4p, 61 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rasputin
vs
Zulu

200 cm
23
280
5 - 2 - 0

200 cm
22
299
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Brooklyn Apothecary
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Piotr Rasputin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shaka Zulu!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zulu shoots in looking for a takedown but Rasputin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zulu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rasputin thumps Zulu with a low kick.

Zulu darts in and clinches Rasputin up against the cage.
Rasputin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rasputin lands an elbow that stopped Zulu in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Shaka Zulu has been cut.
Zulu tries to score a body lock takedown but Rasputin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zulu is working for takedown but Rasputin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Piotr Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shaka Zulu.
Zulu fails to pull guard.

Zulu jumps into guard, dragging Rasputin to the mat.
Zulu pulls Rasputin in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zulu looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Rasputin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasputin trying to control from half guard but Zulu is working away.
Zulu tries to get to full guard but Rasputin has control of the leg.
Rasputin thows a huge punch but Zulu dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zulu is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rasputin throwing shots but Zulu is blocking nicely.
Rasputin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Zulu is staying active underneath Rasputin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zulu trying to control here.
Rasputin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rasputin is nestled in close to Zulu, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rasputin drops an elbow to the side of Zulu's head.
Zulu is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulu is staying active underneath Rasputin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zulu punching from the bottom.
Rasputin controlling the action here.
Zulu gets back to full guard.
Rasputin controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zulu has control of Rasputin's left arm, preventing Rasputin from doing any damage.
Zulu is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zulu manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rasputin manages to get himself to full guard.

Rasputin wants to sweep but no luck.
Zulu wants to control from the top but Rasputin keeps moving.
Rasputin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zulu keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rasputin's head.
Zulu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zulu is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Zulu chips away with some ground and pound.
Rasputin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Zulu is trying to keep Rasputin in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zulu pulls Rasputin in close to his closed guard and prevents Rasputin from doing any damage or advancing position.

Rasputin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zulu has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rasputin has managed to get both his arms back between Zulu's legs - danger averted.
Rasputin trying to control but Zulu is working from the bottom.
Zulu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zulu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zulu has his hands on Rasputin's head, controlling the position.
Rasputin trying to control but Zulu is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rasputin is in close to Zulu's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Rasputin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shaka Zulu's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zulu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zulu is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've been told by Rasputin's head coaches at The Forge that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Rasputin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rasputin looks to land a body kick but Zulu moved away.
Piotr Rasputin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rasputin moves in looking to clinch but Zulu pushes him off.

Rasputin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zulu drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rasputin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rasputin tries to clinch up.
Rasputin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zulu circles away quickly and effectively.
Zulu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rasputin tries to score with a low kick but Zulu moves his leg out of the way.
Zulu feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zulu moves in looking to clinch but Rasputin pushes him off.
Rasputin wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasputin stuffs the takedown.

Zulu moves into the clinch.
Rasputin misses with a knee strike.
Rasputin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zulu.

Zulu has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Rasputin clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Rasputin wants to escape the position.
Rasputin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zulu can do to turn this around?
Rasputin covers up after that shot from Zulu.

Zulu is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Rasputin covering up well under a series of strikes from Zulu.

Rasputin defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rasputin trying to control the position from guard on top but Zulu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zulu working a defensive guard here.
Piotr Rasputin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zulu seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rasputin won't allow Zulu to sweep him here.
Rasputin works over Zulu with some ground and pound from guard.
Zulu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zulu bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rasputin's guard.

Zulu looking to pass the guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Zulu working his ground and pound in the gym.
Rasputin has momentary wrist control but Zulu slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin wants to stand but Zulu is controlling the position.
Zulu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rasputin trying to control the position here.
Zulu throws a big right hand that misses.
Zulu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zulu wants to pass the guard but Rasputin is keeping the position.
Zulu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rasputin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zulu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rasputin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zulu is one step ahead there.
Rasputin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zulu passes Rasputin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zulu scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rasputin wants to get back to full guard but Zulu has passed into side control.
Zulu landing a few strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zulu is putting a hurting on Rasputin here, landing some big shots from side control.
Check out the look on Zulu's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rasputin regains half guard, as Zulu was trying to land strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaka Zulu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shaka Zulu's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zulu shoots in looking for a takedown but Rasputin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zulu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rasputin moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Zulu connects with a jab.

Zulu drives through and clinches with Rasputin against the cage.
Rasputin missing with knees to the body.
Zulu avoiding damage as Rasputin throws knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Rasputin.
Rasputin is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rasputin gets underhooks to prevent Zulu's takedown attempt.
Piotr Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shaka Zulu.
Rasputin connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zulu's face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasputin unloads a knee to the mid-section. Zulu lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Rasputin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rasputin gets underhooks to prevent Zulu's takedown attempt.
Zulu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zulu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rasputin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Zulu takes an elbow to the temple.

That has opened up Shaka Zulu's cut even more.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rasputin lands a knee to the head.

The cut above Shaka Zulu's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasputin dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Zulu changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rasputin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rasputin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zulu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zulu misses with a takedown
and Rasputin counters with a series of strikes. Zulu will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rasputin tries to clinch up but Zulu circles away and keeps his distance.
Zulu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rasputin.
Zulu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zulu goes for a double leg but Rasputin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rasputin continues to drive forward.
Zulu jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rasputin tries to clinch there but Zulu circles away.
Zulu is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Rasputin digs a good hook to Zulu's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zulu gets tackled into the cage by Rasputin. Rasputin maintains the clinch.
Rasputin is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rasputin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rasputin is trying to stall.
Rasputin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Rasputin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rasputin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zulu avoids it.
Zulu goes for a takedown attempt but Rasputin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Piotr Rasputin is winning the standup battle so far.
Zulu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rasputin is fending him off so far but Zulu persists. Nope, Rasputin circles away and we're back to standing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rasputin moves in looking to clinch but Zulu pushes him off.
Zulu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rasputin is out of range and Zulu settles back down.

Rasputin clinches with his opponent.
Zulu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rasputin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin lands a knee to the body.
Rasputin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Zulu in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rasputin lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rasputin misses with a knee to the head.
Rasputin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zulu.
Zulu is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rasputin is defending well.
Rasputin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zulu is defending well for now.
Rasputin gets underhooks to prevent Zulu's takedown attempt.
Piotr Rasputin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rasputin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zulu.
A knee to the head by Rasputin.
Rasputin is pressed up against the cage. Zulu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rasputin down to the mat. Rasputin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rasputin misses with a kick to the body
and Rasputin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rasputin lands a nice hook to Zulu's body. Zulu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zulu darts in looking for a takedown but Rasputin gets double underhooks and turns Zulu into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Rasputin rushes Zulu and presses him up against the cage.
Zulu tries to pull guard but Rasputin holds him up against the cage and eventually Zulu drops back down to his feet.
Rasputin using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rasputin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zulu blocks it with crossed arms.
Rasputin tries to land knees in the clinch but Zulu avoids the damage to the body.
Rasputin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stalling in the clinch from Rasputin.
Rasputin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zulu is defending well for now.
Rasputin stops a takedown attempt from Zulu.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rasputin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Zulu's brow.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Zulu is looking to take this one to the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Piotr Rasputin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rasputin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piotr Rasputin!