PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Victor Sherkov (ranked 4291 p4p, 2954 weight class) and Nikita Zutis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sherkov has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Nikita Zutis was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Sherkov
vs
Zutis

198 cm
23
265
3 - 1 - 0

220 cm
25
280
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Victor Sherkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nikita Zutis!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Bruno Lombardi and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zutis scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sherkov is breathing heavily.
Zutis stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zutis is trying to work for a kimura but Sherkov is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zutis is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zutis missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zutis tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sherkov.
Sherkov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zutis perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Zutis is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Zutis takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Zutis is trying to work for a kimura but Sherkov is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zutis is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sherkov is just riding it out for now. Zutis eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zutis looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zutis looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Zutis might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sherkov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Zutis pushes Sherkov up against the cage in a clinch.

Zutis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zutis throws a head kick that Sherkov semi-blocks.
Zutis scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sherkov in his tracks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zutis is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sherkov's half guard.

Zutis postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Sherkov to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikita Zutis dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zutis drives through and clinches with Sherkov against the cage.
Zutis is struggling to control the position.

Zutis lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Zutis is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Sherkov manages to get to full guard.
Zutis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zutis has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zutis looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sherkov has a closed guard, preventing Zutis from standing up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zutis stands up from Sherkov's guard - Zutis perhaps looking for a knockout.

Zutis shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Zutis was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Zutis takes a little break here. Sherkov wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Zutis stands up and beckons Sherkov to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zutis scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Zutis lands a head kick. Sherkov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Zutis throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sherkov was covering up waiting for the punch and Zutis finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Zutis makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zutis postures up and lands a big shot to Sherkov's brow.
Zutis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Zutis stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Zutis plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Zutis darts in looking for a takedown but Sherkov gets double underhooks and turns Zutis into the cage.
Sherkov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Zutis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zutis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zutis is defended easily by Sherkov.
Victor Sherkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikita Zutis.

Zutis drives through and clinches with Sherkov against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Zutis has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Sherkov regains guard immediately.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikita Zutis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Zutis gets a takedown into half guard.

Zutis is working for a kimura but Sherkov is defending it quite comfortably.
Zutis has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zutis sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Zutis looking to secure an arm triangle but Sherkov defends it well.
Sherkov is bucking up trying to escape but Zutis cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zutis controlling his opponent.
Zutis landing punches.
Zutis controlling the pace for now.
Zutis lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sherkov hang on?

Zutis working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Zutis landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zutis lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Zutis landing shots from mount.

Sherkov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Zutis.
Sherkov is trying to escape the mount.
Zutis controlling from mount.
Let's hope that Zutis has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sherkov is looking to get to half guard.
Zutis landing strikes from the mount.
Zutis with good strikes from the mount here!
Zutis controlling from the full mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zutis lands a couple of good shots and Sherkov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikita Zutis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zutis has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 25:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 25:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikita Zutis!