PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Musan Zaintashara (ranked 886 p4p, 1454 weight class) and Joe Exotic (ranked 118 p4p, 200 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Zaintashara might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Art of War. Exotic comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I Saw a Tiger kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zaintashara
vs
Exotic

188 cm
20
185
6 - 0 - 0

181 cm
20
169
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Core Combat

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Musan Zaintashara!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joe Exotic!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Bruno Lombardi and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Exotic closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Exotic looks to score with a jab to the body but Zaintashara is just out of range.
Zaintashara pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Zaintashara closes the distance and pushes Exotic back into the cage.
Exotic throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zaintashara blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zaintashara blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Exotic tries to work over Zaintashara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zaintashara misses with a punch on the inside.
Exotic swings wildly with an uppercut but Zaintashara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Exotic can't find room to land a body shot as Zaintashara controls the action.
Exotic blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Exotic.
Exotic can't break the clinch.
Zaintashara misses with the head strike.
Zaintashara throws a punch but it's blocked by Exotic.
Exotic has a couple of punches blocked by Zaintashara.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Exotic.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zaintashara jumps guard and drags Exotic to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Zaintashara is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Exotic defends well.
Exotic is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Exotic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zaintashara has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Exotic has managed to get both his arms back between Zaintashara's legs - danger averted.

Zaintashara looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaintashara looking for subs off his back but Exotic has passed one foot through into half guard.

Zaintashara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Exotic trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaintashara moves into full guard.

Zaintashara is looking for a triangle here but Exotic uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Zaintashara tries to improve position but can't.

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.
Zaintashara is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Zaintashara actively working from the bottom here.
Exotic is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Musan Zaintashara will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Exotic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaintashara manages to avoid it.

Zaintashara instigates a clinch.
Exotic lands a left hand.
Exotic softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zaintashara swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Exotic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zaintashara has him pressed against the cage.

Exotic manages to break the clinch.
The fighters circling - Exotic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zaintashara throws a big counter combination but Exotic scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Zaintashara throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Exotic misses with a straight right.
Exotic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaintashara.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Exotic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaintashara.
Exotic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Exotic throws a right hand that misses
letting Zaintashara counter with a right hand.
Danga de danga de dang - Exotic scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Exotic throws a good cross that connects.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Exotic ducks under a wild hook from Zaintashara.
Zaintashara scores with a hook.
Zaintashara ducks under a wild hook from Exotic.
Exotic looks to score with a jab to the body but Zaintashara is just out of range.
Exotic looks to throw the jab but Zaintashara is out of range.
It looked like Zaintashara wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Zaintashara misses with a two punch combination.
Zaintashara throws a body shot but no joy.
Exotic throws out a counter right but Zaintashara avoids it with no problem.
Zaintashara avoids the body shot from Exotic.
Exotic lands a lovely overhand right.
Exotic looks to land a combination but Zaintashara avoids it well.
Exotic moves forwards but Zaintashara connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Zaintashara looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Exotic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zaintashara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaintashara avoids the body shot from Exotic.
Zaintashara is looking to counter the offense by Exotic and move into the clinch.
Zaintashara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Exotic misses with a hook. Zaintashara ducked under it nicely.
Exotic throws a right hand that misses
and Zaintashara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zaintashara steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Exotic.
Zaintashara comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Joe Exotic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zaintashara fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Exotic.
Exotic swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Zaintashara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zaintashara bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice body punch from Exotic.
Exotic swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zaintashara counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Exotic is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
A looping hook to the body misses from Exotic. Zaintashara does a little dance to reset his feet.
Exotic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zaintashara was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Exotic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zaintashara.
Zaintashara's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Exotic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zaintashara scrambles back to his feet.
Exotic takes a swing at Zaintashara's ribcage but misses.
Exotic lands a jab to Zaintashara's midsection.
Zaintashara lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Exotic looks to land a right hand but Zaintashara moved out of range.
Zaintashara tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A countering left hand to the body from Exotic misses.
Zaintashara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Exotic scores with a punch to the head.
Exotic throws an off balance right hand
letting Zaintashara counter with a right hand.
Good exchange - Exotic coming out on top.
Zaintashara blocks a jab.
Exotic fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice leg kick from Zaintashara, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zaintashara takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Exotic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaintashara.
Zaintashara gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Exotic.
Zaintashara throws a hook but Exotic avoids it easily.
Zaintashara misses with a lunging right hand
and Exotic counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Exotic lands with a good body shot.
Zaintashara just misses with a punch to the body.
Exotic lands a nice shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Zaintashara.
Zaintashara defending well as Exotic loads up on a big left hand.
Zaintashara lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Exotic, as that shot connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Exotic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zaintashara cracks Exotic with an open hand slap.
Joe Exotic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zaintashara uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Exotic.
A little feinted left hand from Zaintashara on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zaintashara misses with a low kick.
Exotic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zaintashara was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Exotic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zaintashara was well out of range. Poor timing from Exotic.
Zaintashara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zaintashara gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Exotic.
Exotic misses with a lunging right hand
and Exotic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Exotic throws out a loose jab but Zaintashara uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaintashara avoids the body shot from Exotic.
Exotic throws a shot from downtown. Zaintashara moves away and avoids it.
Exotic swings widly with a right hand
letting Zaintashara counter with a right hand.
Zaintashara throws a sloppy head kick and Exotic moves out of range easily.
Exotic swings widly with a right hand
and Zaintashara counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic lands a jab to the nose.

Zaintashara rushes Exotic and presses him up against the cage.
Zaintashara is trying to pull guard but Exotic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Exotic breaks the clinch.
Zaintashara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Exotic.
Zaintashara swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Zaintashara defending well as Exotic loads up on a big left hand.
Zaintashara tries to clinch but Exotic moves out of range.
Zaintashara's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Exotic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zaintashara scrambles back to his feet.
Exotic scores with a punch to the head.
Zaintashara slips a jab from Exotic.
Exotic's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zaintashara under the eye.
Exotic takes a swing at Zaintashara's ribcage but misses.
Exotic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zaintashara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Exotic misses with a hook
letting Zaintashara counter with a right hand.
Exotic looks to score with a jab to the body but Zaintashara is just out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Exotic works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Exotic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zaintashara counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zaintashara slips under a jab.
Zaintashara on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zaintashara ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zaintashara is looking to counter punch.
Exotic scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zaintashara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Exotic.
Exotic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zaintashara looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A big right from Zaintashara misses.
Exotic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zaintashara moves away.
Exotic just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromZaintashara.
Zaintashara fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Exotic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zaintashara.
Zaintashara takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Exotic listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Exotic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Exotic smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Exotic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Exotic misses with an uppercut. Zaintashara saw that one coming.
Zaintashara throwing a counter right hand but Exotic manages to avoid it.
Zaintashara takes one to the side of the head.
A slow jab from Exotic misses its intended target.
Zaintashara is looking for a counter combo.
Zaintashara is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A head kick by Zaintashara misses
and Exotic counters with a stiff right hand.

Zaintashara is rocked!
A big left from Exotic misses.
Exotic misses with a lunging right hand
and Zaintashara counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaintashara throws a sloppy head kick and Exotic moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaintashara takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A jab from Zaintashara misses.
Nice defenses there by Zaintashara.
Zaintashara seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Zaintashara looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Zaintashara misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Exotic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Exotic just misses with a punch to the body.
Zaintashara slips under a jab from Exotic.
Zaintashara slips under a jab from Exotic.
Zaintashara moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Exotic scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Exotic misses the shot to the body.
As Exotic tries to get set, Zaintashara tries to push him back and clinch up but Exotic manages to avoid the attempt.
Zaintashara throws a hook to the side of Exotic's head but Exotic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Exotic scores with a hook to the body. Zaintashara takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Exotic really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zaintashara drops his hands momentarily and Exotic takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zaintashara misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Exotic swings for the body but Zaintashara moves out of range.
Exotic lands a jab.
A swing and a miss from Zaintashara.
Zaintashara misses with a straight right.
Exotic misses with a hook
and Zaintashara counters with a thumping low kick.
A shot to the liver by Exotic. Beautiful body shot.
Exotic swings widly with a right hand
and Zaintashara counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaintashara scores with a nice strike.
Exotic jabs at Zaintashara's body.
Zaintashara moves in looking to clinch but Exotic pushes him off.
Zaintashara drops his hands momentarily and Exotic takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaintashara throws a lazy right hand but Exotic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zaintashara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Exotic.
Zaintashara steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Exotic.
Exotic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zaintashara.
Exotic sizes up Zaintashara with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Oh Zaintashara is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zaintashara avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A little feinted left hand from Zaintashara on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zaintashara seems to have got his legs back now.
A looping hook to the body misses from Exotic. Zaintashara does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaintashara takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Exotic looks to land a right hand but Zaintashara moved out of range.
Exotic misses with a hook
and Exotic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Exotic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Exotic misses with an uppercut.
Zaintashara looks to land a combination but Exotic avoids it well.
Exotic misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Exotic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Exotic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Exotic misses with an uppercut
and Zaintashara counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaintashara fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Good exchange - Exotic coming out on top.
Zaintashara moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Exotic looks to land a right hand but Zaintashara moved out of range.
Exotic throws a sloppy body shot
and Zaintashara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zaintashara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Exotic paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Exotic misses the shot to the body.
Exotic misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Exotic misses with a body punch
and Zaintashara counters with a stiff right hand.
Exotic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zaintashara getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Exotic checks a leg kick nicely.
Zaintashara throws a head kick that half lands.
Nice cross by Exotic.
Exotic throws an off balance right hand
and Zaintashara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zaintashara throws a lazy right hand but Exotic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zaintashara keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Exotic.
A counter left hand to the body from Zaintashara misses its target.
Zaintashara ducks under a wild hook from Exotic.
Exotic swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Zaintashara counters with a right hand to the body.
Exotic avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Exotic swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Zaintashara makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Exotic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaintashara is looking to counter punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaintashara loads up on a big right hand but Exotic slips the punch.
Exotic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zaintashara.
Zaintashara slips a jab from Exotic.
Exotic's corner calls for a 1-2. Exotic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zaintashara staying out of range there.
Zaintashara is looking to clinch but Exotic is avoiding it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Exotic. Zaintashara does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaintashara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Exotic manages to avoid it.
Exotic throws a shot from downtown. Zaintashara moves away and avoids it.
Zaintashara seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A big left from Exotic misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Joe Exotic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Zaintashara looks to land a left hand but Exotic moved out of range nicely.
Exotic looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zaintashara uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Exotic.
Exotic swings widly with a right hand
and Zaintashara counters with a stiff right hand.
Exotic throws a body shot but no joy.
Zaintashara scores with a jab to the head.
Zaintashara tries to clinch but Exotic is having none of it.
Exotic swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zaintashara counters with a nice uppercut.
Zaintashara takes a jab right on the kisser.
Exotic clobbers Zaintashara with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaintashara tries to clinch up but Exotic circles away and keeps his distance.
Zaintashara looks to land a left hand but Exotic moved out of range nicely.
Zaintashara throws a shot from downtown. Exotic moves away and avoids it.
Exotic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic misses with a body shot.
Exotic slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Exotic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zaintashara.
It looked like Zaintashara was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Exotic.
Zaintashara moves in looking to clinch but Exotic pushes him off.
Exotic lunges at Zaintashara with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zaintashara's hand.
Exotic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Exotic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zaintashara in his tracks.
Exotic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Zaintashara counters with a left and a right that stings Exotic.
Exotic slips a straight right by Zaintashara.
Exotic swats away the attempt to clinch by Zaintashara.
Exotic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Musan Zaintashara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaintashara connects with a solid leg kick.
Zaintashara lands a head kick. Exotic smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaintashara misses with an uppercut.
Zaintashara scores with a decent looking hook.
Zaintashara slips under a jab from Exotic.
Zaintashara moves out of range as Exotic strikes.
Zaintashara tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A slow jab from Zaintashara misses its intended target.
A swing and a miss from Exotic.
As Exotic tries to get set, Zaintashara tries to push him back and clinch up but Exotic manages to avoid the attempt.

Zaintashara rushes Exotic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Exotic blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Exotic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zaintashara misses with a punch on the inside.
Exotic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zaintashara throws a punch but it's blocked by Exotic.
Zaintashara pushes Exotic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Zaintashara pulls guard successfully.

Zaintashara throws his legs up looking for a submission but Exotic uses it to pass to side control.
Joe Exotic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zaintashara being controlled for a moment.
Zaintashara is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Exotic stalls from top position.
Zaintashara tries to improve position but can't.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Musan Zaintashara showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Exotic has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 48:48
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 48:48
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Musan Zaintashara retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!