PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zoran Paunovic (ranked 1542 p4p, 1235 weight class) and Emil Marinov (ranked 197 p4p, 156 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Paunovic
vs
Marinov

186 cm
39
193
21 - 19 - 0

192 cm
36
195
29 - 18 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hardcore Alchemy
Conviction

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 21 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zoran Paunovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, Emil Marinov!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Alexandre Firmino and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paunovic throws an overhand right that lands on Marinov's shoulder, as Marinov tries to avoid the shot.
Marinov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Marinov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Paunovic. Marinov does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Paunovic misses the target.
Marinov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Marinov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Marinov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Paunovic, pushing him back against the cage.
Marinov slows down the pace here.
Marinov blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marinov has a couple of punches blocked by Paunovic.
Paunovic avoiding damage as Marinov throws knees to the body.
Marinov misses with some punches.
Paunovic blocking some punches.
Marinov misses with a punch on the inside.
Marinov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paunovic misses with a body punch.
Paunovic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Marinov backwards.
The referee calls for Marinov to work.
A nice left hand lands by Marinov.
A head punch on the inside from Paunovic fails to land.
Marinov effectively controlling the action here.
Marinov throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paunovic.
Marinov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paunovic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Marinov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Paunovic's elbow.
Paunovic wants to break free but Marinov has control.
Marinov misses with a punch to the body.
Marinov lands a nice uppercut.
Paunovic prevents a body shot from Marinov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marinov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paunovic has a couple of punches blocked by Marinov.
Paunovic lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Marinov.
Marinov blocking some punches.
Paunovic lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Marinov.
Still in the clinch, Marinov scores with a nice short uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marinov tries to work over Paunovic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Marinov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Marinov lands with a right to the head.
Paunovic digs a right hand underneath Marinov's ribcage. Marinov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Paunovic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Marinov has a couple of punches blocked by Paunovic.
A head punch on the inside from Marinov fails to land.
Paunovic scores with a shoulder strike.
Paunovic swings wildly with an uppercut but Marinov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marinov lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paunovic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Paunovic tries a body shot but Marinov blocks it.
Marinov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Paunovic tries a body shot but Marinov blocks it.
Paunovic can't break the clinch.
Marinov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Paunovic's elbow.
Paunovic managing to block the knees to the body from Marinov.
Marinov lands a shoulder strike.
Marinov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Marinov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Marinov fails to land.

Paunovic breaks from the clinch.
Marinov tries to clinch up.
Marinov misses with a double jab.
Paunovic misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinov tries to close the distance and clinch but Paunovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A counter left hand to the body from Paunovic misses its target.
Marinov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Marinov wants to land a leg kick but Paunovic is out of range.
Marinov tries to clinch up
and Paunovic counters with a nice uppercut.
Marinov misses with an uppercut
and Paunovic counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Paunovic pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Paunovic tries to keep at a distance but Marinov has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marinov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Paunovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paunovic misses with a punch on the inside.
Paunovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Marinov misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Emil Marinov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Marinov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Paunovic circles away quickly and effectively.
Paunovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Paunovic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marinov.
A slapping leg kick lands for Marinov.

Marinov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Paunovic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Paunovic misses with a punch to the body.
Paunovic prevents a body shot from Marinov.
Paunovic blocks a body shot from Marinov.
Paunovic lands a right hand.
Marinov stalling in the clinch but Paunovic improves position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marinov prevents a body shot from Paunovic.
Marinov tries a body shot but Paunovic blocks it.
Marinov misses with the head strike.
Marinov lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Paunovic.
Marinov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paunovic blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paunovic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Marinov backwards.

Paunovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paunovic throws a body kick that misses.
Marinov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Marinov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Paunovic. Paunovic obviously looking to wear him down.
Paunovic scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Paunovic. Marinov shrugs it off though.
Marinov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Paunovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Marinov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Marinov throws a right hand that misses
letting Paunovic counter with a right hand.
Paunovic throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Marinov walks into a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marinov fails with an attempt to clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Paunovic.
Marinov is looking to clinch.
Paunovic tried to counter with a leg kick but Marinov avoided it.
Nice defenses there by Paunovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Marinov, as that shot connected.
A low kick from Marinov misses
and Paunovic counters with a good, hard body kick but Marinov shrugs it off.
Marinov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Paunovic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Marinov throws a big shot that misses.
Marinov avoids a kick to the body.
Paunovic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Marinov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Paunovic fakes the leg kick and cracks Marinov in the body.
Paunovic bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Marinov's head.
The crowd cheers as Marinov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Paunovic doesn't seem phased though.

It looks like Zoran Paunovic has been cut.
Marinov moves to clinch but Paunovic breaks away
and Paunovic counters with a left to the body.
Paunovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Paunovic misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marinov throws the left hand but Paunovic avoids the punch easily.
Paunovic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Marinov.
Marinov tries to clinch but Paunovic moves away
and Paunovic counters with a good, hard body kick but Marinov shrugs it off.
Marinov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Marinov there as he acknowledges the shot.

Marinov drives through and clinches with Paunovic against the cage.
Emil Marinov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Paunovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marinov throws out a leg kick but Paunovic moves out of range and Marinov only half commits.
Marinov moves to clinch but Paunovic breaks away
and Paunovic counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Marinov doesn't manage to clinch there - Paunovic circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Marinov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Marinov lands a hook to the side of the head.

Paunovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marinov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Marinov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Paunovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paunovic lands a nice leg kick that just misses Marinov's sensitive parts.
Marinov looks to land a left hand but Paunovic moved out of range nicely.
Paunovic looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Marinov blocks a jab.
Marinov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Paunovic.
Marinov with a jab.
Marinov misses the body punch
and Paunovic counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marinov thows a leg kick but Paunovic checks it
and Paunovic counters with a left to the body.

Marinov clinches with his opponent.
Marinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Paunovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Marinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Paunovic manages to break the clinch.
Paunovic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marinov misses with a wild combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zoran Paunovic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zoran Paunovic's cut.
That's time! Paunovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Paunovic throws a wild body kick that Marinov sees coming a mile off.
Emil Marinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paunovic looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Paunovic bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Marinov tries to close the distance and clinch but Paunovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It appears Paunovic was looking to counter with a kick there.
Paunovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Paunovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A solid leg kick lands there for Marinov.
Marinov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paunovic is looking to counter with head kicks.
Paunovic throws a jab but it's blocked by Marinov.
A nice side step and Marinov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paunovic lets loose with a powerful body kick. Marinov will feel that in the morning.
Paunovic thuds a left hand into Marinov's body.
Marinov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Paunovic makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Paunovic 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.
Marinov misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paunovic misses the shot to the body.
Paunovic avoids the head kick by Marinov.
It looked like Paunovic was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Marinov.
Paunovic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Marinov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Marinov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Paunovic.
Paunovic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice shot lands for Paunovic.
Paunovic misses with a few strikes there.
Paunovic misses with a hook.
Marinov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Paunovic loads up on a big right hand but Marinov slips the punch.
Zoran Paunovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Paunovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marinov manages to avoid it.
Paunovic scores with a hook to the body. Marinov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Paunovic lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab by Marinov.
Marinov tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Paunovic tries to land a front kick but Marinov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Paunovic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Paunovic.
Paunovic throws a low kick but Marinov avoids it.
Paunovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Paunovic scores with a jab to the body.
Paunovic misses with an attempted mid kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Marinov! But no joy.
Paunovic throws a looping overhand right but Marinov ducks down to avoid it.
Marinov tries to clinch
and Paunovic counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Marinov closes the distance and clinches.
Marinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Paunovic is defending well for now.
Marinov scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marinov blocks a body shot from Paunovic.
A nice left hand lands by Marinov.
Paunovic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Paunovic - that landed with a thud.
Marinov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Paunovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paunovic throws the left hand but Marinov avoids the punch easily.

Marinov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Paunovic.
Paunovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paunovic tries to throw a body punch but Marinov avoids it by throwing Paunovic back against the cage.
Marinov blocks a body shot from Paunovic.
Paunovic blocks an uppercut.
Marinov misses with the head strike.
Marinov can't find room to land a body shot as Paunovic controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paunovic working aggressively here.
A short left from Marinov.
Nice body punch from Marinov - that landed with a thud.
Paunovic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Paunovic blocks a body shot from Marinov.
Marinov looking to throw knees to the head but Paunovic is blocking nicely.
Marinov tries a body shot but Paunovic blocks it.
Paunovic scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marinov swings wildly with an uppercut but Paunovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Paunovic works on Marinov's body with a couple of short punches.
Marinov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Paunovic backwards.

Paunovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paunovic wants to land a leg kick but Marinov is out of range.
Paunovic keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zoran Paunovic showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Paunovic 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zoran Paunovic!
Our winner, Zoran Paunovic, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.