PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Konstantin Stepanov (ranked 566 p4p, 1146 weight class) and Gorgon Zola (ranked 20 p4p, 37 weight class). Zola is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by For Heavy Metal we will die!. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Stepanov
vs
Zola

195 cm
28
270
9 - 7 - 0

193 cm
41
267
20 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Konstantin Stepanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gorgon Zola!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zola throws a hook but Stepanov avoids it easily.
Stepanov cracks Zola with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sloppy strikes from Stepanov. Those never looked like landing.
Stepanov misses with a hook.
Zola tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stepanov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zola moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zola scores with a jab to the jaw.
The fighters circling - Zola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zola connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stepanov misses with a hook. Zola ducked under it nicely.
Zola tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stepanov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stepanov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A big left from Zola misses.
Zola takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stepanov slips a jab from Zola.
Stepanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanov slips a jab from Zola.
Zola walks into a straight right hand from Stepanov.
Stepanov avoids the head kick by Zola.
Zola misses with a hook
and Stepanov counters with a straight right hand.
Zola swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A telegraphed right hand from Zola misses the target.
Stepanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Zola counter with a right hand.
A big left from Stepanov misses.
Zola looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Stepanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zola sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stepanov somewhat.
Zola throws a shot from downtown. Stepanov moves away and avoids it.
Stepanov scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zola is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stepanov is looking for a counter combo.

Stepanov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zola manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
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!
Zola has his hands on Stepanov's head, controlling the position.
Stepanov won't allow Zola to get back to his feet.
Stepanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zola is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Stepanov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stepanov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Zola trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Zola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zola scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Zola throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gorgon Zola is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stepanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Konstantin Stepanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zola, as that shot connected.
Stepanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zola counters with a left to the body.
Stepanov throws a right and a left that Zola avoids nicely.
Zola misses with a hook. Stepanov ducked under it nicely.
Zola slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stepanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Zola counters with a stiff right hand.
Zola moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stepanov closes the distance and clinches up with Zola, looking for a takedown. Stepanov pushes Zola against the cage but Zola circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zola is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Stepanov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov slips a jab from Zola.
Stepanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Stepanov gets tackled into the cage by Zola. Zola maintains the clinch.
Zola scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Stalling in the clinch from Zola.
Stepanov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zola after a bit of a struggle.
Stepanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zola pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stepanov scores with a shot to the side of Zola's head.
Zola gets through Stepanov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Zola.
Stepanov can't get the takedown.
Stepanov wants a takedown.
Stepanov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zola avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stepanov wants a takedown but no success here.
Stepanov stalling.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gorgon Zola dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zola lands a nice hook to Stepanov's body. Stepanov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A slow jab from Stepanov misses its intended target.
Zola tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zola throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice defenses there by Zola.
Stepanov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zola avoids it really well and circles away.
Zola tries to counter by closing the distance.
Stepanov tries to bum rush Zola with a series of wild strikes but Zola uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zola looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stepanov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanov misses with a lunging right hand
and Zola counters with a lovely straight right hand!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Zola enables Stepanov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Zola manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Zola pulls Stepanov in close to his closed guard and prevents Stepanov from doing any damage or advancing position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stepanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola has Stepanov pulled in close to control his posture.
Stepanov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stepanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stepanov trying to control but Zola is working from the bottom.
Stepanov stays in close to Zola's body and controls the position.
Zola is looking to stand up but Stepanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Stepanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zola is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Stepanov stopping the sweep attempt from Zola.
Stepanov distracts Zola with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zola pulls Stepanov in close to his closed guard and prevents Stepanov from doing any damage or advancing position.

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.
Stepanov chips away with some ground and pound.
Stepanov postures up in Zola's guard and throws a big left but Zola blocks it.
Zola is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Stepanov wants to control from the top but Zola keeps moving.
Stepanov throwing strikes from guard but Zola blocks nicely.

Zola uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Zola throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Stepanov counter with a right hand.
Zola jabs Stepanov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Stepanov misses with a wild body shot.
Zola looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zola wants to clinch.
Stepanov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stepanov counters with a stiff right hand.
Gorgon Zola seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zola with a nice calf kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Zola misses the target.
Stepanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stepanov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Zola misses with a low kick.
Zola lands a nice looking body shot.
Zola looks to land a body kick but Stepanov moved away.
Zola swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stepanov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Zola fails in his attempt to clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Stepanov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zola has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zola throws a shot to the body.
Zola walks into a left hand.
Stepanov blocks a jab.
Stepanov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zola misses with a hook. Stepanov ducked under it nicely.
Zola slips a straight right by Stepanov.
Zola wants to counter the offense by Stepanov and move into the clinch position.
Stepanov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The fighters circling - Zola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zola stuffs the takedown attempt from Stepanov. Stepanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Stepanov throws a hook but Zola avoids it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stepanov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zola.
Stepanov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Zola throws a jab when Stepanov was well out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Stepanov misses the target.
Decent striking displayed by Zola there.
Zola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stepanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Zola.
Zola connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stepanov. Stepanov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gorgon Zola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Stepanov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Stepanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Zola looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zola scores with a jab. Stepanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Stepanov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zola throws a looping overhand right but Stepanov ducks down to avoid it.
Stepanov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zola slips a jab from Stepanov.
Stepanov misses with a double jab.
Zola goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zola scores with a jab to the body.
Zola throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like Stepanov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola misses with a hook.
Stepanov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stepanov throws a poor cross that misses
and Zola counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zola keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zola scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zola throws a right hand that misses

and Stepanov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zola's guard.
Stepanov postures up in Zola's guard and throws a big left but Zola blocks it.
Zola looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stepanov is in close to Zola's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Zola manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stepanov misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Zola misses.
A jab lands there for Zola.
Nice uppercut lands for Zola. That snapped Stepanov's head back.
Stepanov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Zola throws the left hand but Stepanov avoids the punch easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Stepanov misses the target.
Zola throws a looping overhand right but Stepanov ducks down to avoid it.
Stepanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stepanov throws a lazy right hand but Zola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zola scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice sprawl there from Zola as Stepanov shoots in.
Zola looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Konstantin Stepanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zola dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zola throws a hook to the side of Stepanov's head but Stepanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stepanov dodges the punch combination from Zola.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola throws a half hearted mid kick.
Konstantin Stepanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zola steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stepanov.
A jab from Stepanov misses.
Zola looks to score with a jab to the body but Stepanov is just out of range.
Stepanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Zola moves in looking to clinch but Stepanov pushes him off.
Zola lands with a right hand.
Stepanov looks to land a left hand but Zola moved out of range nicely.
Stepanov missing with a left hand there. Zola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stepanov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stepanov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gorgon Zola is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zola listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Stepanov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stepanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zola fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A left lands for Zola.
Stepanov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zola is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stepanov cracks Zola with an open hand slap.
Stepanov misses with a looping right.
Stepanov moves out of range as Zola strikes.
Stepanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stepanov misses with a hook
enabling Zola to counter with a crisp jab.
Zola misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stepanov blocks a jab.
Stepanov throws an overhand right that lands on Zola's shoulder, as Zola tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gorgon Zola comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zola 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gorgon Zola!
Gorgon Zola decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.