PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Ziskie (ranked 411 p4p, 549 weight class) and Nikolay Leonov (ranked 56 p4p, 82 weight class). Mike Ziskie could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nikolay Leonov's chin.

Ziskie
vs
Leonov

187 cm
28
186
17 - 6 - 1

180 cm
28
195
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 17 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Mike Ziskie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Leonov!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ziskie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Ziskie closes the distance and clinches.
Ziskie fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Leonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ziskie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Leonov throws an overhand right that lands on Ziskie's shoulder, as Ziskie tries to avoid the shot.
Ziskie changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Leonov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ziskies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ziskie moves out of range of the body kick from Leonov.
Ziskie takes one to the side of the head.

Ziskie closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Leonov did well to prevent Ziskie getting side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ziskie wants to free his trapped foot but Leonov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Leonov wants to improve his position but Ziskie is controlling well.
Leonov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ziskie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ziskie is pressing down on Leonov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Leonov is holding on for now.
Leonov trying to hold on to Ziskie's head to control him but Ziskie postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ziskie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Leonov is just riding it out for now. Ziskie eventually gives up the hold.
Ziskie trying to control from half guard but Leonov is working away.

Ziskie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Leonov defends it well.
Ziskie stops Leonov from getting back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Leonov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ziskie is looking to advance position but Leonov won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Leonov is trying to stand.
Ziskie is controlling the pace.
Ziskie is trying to control. Leonov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ziskie prevents Leonov from standing back up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Leonov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Leonov.
Leonov told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Ziskie won't allow Leonov to get back to his feet.
Leonov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ziskie controls the pace.
Ziskie preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ziskie misses with a takedown attempt - Leonov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Ziskie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie defending well as Leonov loads up on a big left hand.
Ziskie is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Leonov connects with a solid leg kick.
Leonov throws a leg kick

and Ziskie counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Leonov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Ziskie dives into side control.
The referee asks Ziskie politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Ziskie prefers to stall for the moment though.
Leonov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ziskie asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Ziskie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Leonov, who protects the arm well.

Ziskie stands up and beckons Leonov to his feet.

Ziskie takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leonov manages to break the clinch.
Leonov throws a head kick but Ziskie moves out of range.
Leonov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ziskie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leonov as he avoids it easily.
Ziskie shoots in looking for a takedown but Leonov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ziskie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Leonov slaps away a takedown attempt from Ziskie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Leonov scores with a shot to the body.

Ziskie has Leonov up against the cage in a clinch.
Ziskie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Leonov walks away with a smile on his face. Ziskie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Leonov throws a lazy right hand but Ziskie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice leg kick from Leonov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice takedown defense from Leonov. No joy for Ziskie on that attempt.
Leonov scores with a jab.
Ziskie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Leonov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ziskie scrambles back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Leonov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ziskie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Leonov.
Ziskie fails with a takedown attempt.
Leonov scores with a decent looking hook.
Ziskie moves in looking to clinch but Leonov pushes him off.
Leonov throws a hook but Ziskie avoids it easily.
Leonov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Leonov stuffs the takedown attempt from Ziskie. Ziskie gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Ziskie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ziskie shoots in for a takedown but Leonov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziskie walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ziskie walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Leonov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ziskie.
Left hook, right uppercut from Leonov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ziskie goes for a double leg but Leonov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Leonov continues to drive forward.

Ziskie decides to pull guard.

Ziskie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziskie has a closed guard, preventing Leonov from standing up.

Leonov stands and steps away. Ziskie gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Leonov looks to throw the jab but Ziskie is out of range.
Leonov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ziskie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Leonov swivels and escapes.
Leonov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Leonov throws a low kick but Ziskie moves out of range easily.
Leonov slaps away a takedown attempt from Ziskie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nikolay Leonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Leonov tests Ziskie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ziskie tries to clinch up but Leonov circles away and keeps his distance.
Leonov throws a leg kick but Ziskie moved away.
Leonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ziskie.
Ziskie attempts a counter takedown but Leonov avoids it well and moves away.
Leonov throws a one two combo.
Leonov throws a body shot but no joy.
Ziskie throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leonov's waist but Leonov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ziskie off to one side.
Leonov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Leonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leonov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Leonov lands a really nice looking cross but Ziskie seems unphased.
Nikolay Leonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
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!
Leonov stuffs the takedown.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Leonov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ziskie has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ziskie and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ziskie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Leonov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ziskie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Leonov throws a right and a left that Ziskie avoids nicely.
Ziskie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Ziskie darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mike Ziskie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ziskie is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are battling for position here. Leonov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie wants to pass the guard but Leonov is keeping the position.
Leonov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Leonov can't keep his opponent in guard - Ziskie advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ziskie wants to free his trapped foot but Leonov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ziskie prevents Leonov from improving his position.
Leonov works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Leonov keeping full guard, as Ziskie tries to pass.
Ziskie preventing the sweep.
Ziskie controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Leonov has his feet on Ziskie's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Ziskie takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Leonov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ziskie looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ziskie shoots in for a double leg but Leonov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Leonov with a nice cross.
Leonov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ziskie checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nice uppercut there from Leonov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Leonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Leonov throws a lazy right hand but Ziskie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ziskie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leonov.
Ziskie tries to counter by clinching up but Leonov breaks away and moves out of range.
Leonov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Leonov connects with a leg kick.
Ziskie shoots in but Leonov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Leonov stuffs the takedown.
Leonov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ziskie is out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Leonov.
Ziskie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Leonov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Leonov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Leonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Ziskie moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziskie takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Leonov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Leonov.
Leonov throws a leg kick but Ziskie sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Leonov tries to bum rush Ziskie with a series of wild strikes but Ziskie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Leonov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ziskie.
Leonov throws a sloppy head kick and Ziskie moves out of range easily.
Ziskie is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov misses with a straight right.
Ziskie shoots in looking for a takedown. Leonov tries to sprawl out of it but Ziskie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leonov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Ziskie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leonov thuds a left hand into Ziskie's body.
Leonov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ziskie circles away quickly and effectively.
Leonov connects with a high kick.

Ziskie darts in and clinches Leonov up against the cage.
Ziskie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leonov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Leonov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ziskie is keeping busy.
Ziskie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Leonov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ziskie dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ziskie jumps guard but Leonov stands there with Ziskie around his waist. Ziskie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leonov just stands there and leans against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Leonov.

Leonov breaks the clinch.

Ziskie decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Leonov manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Ziskie keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Leonov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ziskie has him pressed against the cage.
Ziskie has Leonov pressed against the cage, preventing Leonov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ziskie keeps control of Leonov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Leonov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ziskie is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ziskie doesn't manage to clinch there - Leonov circles away.
Leonov lands the left hand.
Ziskie fails with a takedown attempt.

Ziskie shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Leonov napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Leonov throws Ziskie to one side and escapes!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nikolay Leonov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ziskie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ziskie fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leonov cracks Ziskie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Leonov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ziskie wants to clinch but Leonov slips to the side
and Leonov counters with a straight right hand.
Leonov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Leonov.
Leonov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ziskie.
Leonov catches Ziskie with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ziskie wants to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ziskie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov lands a leg kick that knocks Ziskie off balance momentarily.
A swing and a miss from Leonov.
Ziskie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ziskie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leonov as he avoids it easily.
Ziskie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice leg kick lands there from Leonov.
Leonov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ziskie fails with a takedown attempt.
Ziskie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ziskie misses with a looping left.
Leonov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ziskie.
Mike Ziskie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters circling - Leonov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Leonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Leonov 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Leonov!
Nikolay Leonov decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.