PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Leonov (ranked 917 p4p, 1300 weight class) and Mike Ziskie (ranked 134 p4p, 193 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Leonov
vs
Ziskie

180 cm
29
195
13 - 10 - 0

187 cm
29
186
19 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
KOMBAT KLOTHING

Urban Fighter
KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Leonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Mike Ziskie!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonov throws a nice head kick!
Ziskie defending well as Leonov loads up on a big left hand.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ziskie! But no joy.
Leonov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Leonov slips under a jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A looping hook to the body misses from Ziskie. Leonov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leonov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Leonov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ziskie throws a body shot but no joy.
Ziskie takes one to the side of the head.
Ziskie gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Leonov.
Leonov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A clash of legs there as Ziskie blocks the low kick.
Leonov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ziskie.
Some bone on bone action there as Ziskie checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Leonov moves away from the strike by Ziskie.
Ziskie chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Leonov can pounce on him.
Leonov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ziskie chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Leonov can pounce on him.
Ziskie takes one to the chin there.
Leonov misses with an uppercut. Ziskie saw that one coming.
A nice leg kick from Leonov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Leonov connects with a right hand. Ziskie shakes it off.
A good leg kick by Leonov.
Ziskie throws out a loose jab but Leonov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Leonov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ziskie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov keeps the fight on the outside.
Leonov tests Ziskie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Leonov blocks a jab.
Leonov throws a chopping leg kick but Ziskie manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ziskie checks a leg kick.
Leonov defending well as Ziskie loads up on a big left hand.
Leonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leonov defending well as Ziskie loads up on a big left hand.
Leonov looks for the body kick but Ziskie saw that one coming.
Leonov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ziskie.
Leonov throws out a leg kick but Ziskie moves out of range and Leonov only half commits.
Leonov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leonov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Leonov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Leonov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A low kick lands for Leonov.
Leonov scoring well with a low kick there.
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 misses with a hook. Leonov ducked under it nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leonov scores with a leg kick.
It looks like Leonov has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Ziskie throws a hook but Leonov blocks it.
Ziskie misses with a hook. Leonov ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov moves away from the strike by Ziskie.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Leonov. Ziskie shrugs it off though.
Leonov misses with a low kick as Ziskie jumps back.
Leonov lands with a nice body punch.
Ziskie might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A jab from Leonov does it's job there.
Ziskie misses with a hook
and Leonov counters with a slapping leg kick.
Leonov connects with a solid leg kick.
Leonov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ziskie takes a swing at Leonov's ribcage but misses.
Leonov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ziskie's sensitive parts.
Leonov throws a leg kick but Ziskie checks it.
Leonov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

Leonov gets tackled into the cage by Ziskie. Ziskie maintains the clinch.
Ziskie misses with the head strike.

Leonov breaks from the clinch.
Ziskie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Leonov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
Ziskie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ziskie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Leonov.
Leonov slips a straight right by Ziskie.
Ziskie is looking to clinch but Leonov is avoiding it.
Ziskie throws a hook but Leonov blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Leonov.
Leonov cracks Ziskie with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ziskie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leonov manages to avoid it.
Leonov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ziskie looks to land a left hand but Leonov moved out of range nicely.
Mike Ziskie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A bone on bone clash there as Ziskie blocks the leg kick.
Ziskie throws a lazy right hand but Leonov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Leonov misses with a head kick.
Leonov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
Leonov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Leonov connects with a high kick.
Leonov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ziskie.
A leg kick checked by Ziskie.

Ziskie gets a clinch.

Leonov breaks the clinch.
Leonov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ziskie misses with a hook. Leonov ducked under it nicely.
Leonov with the inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonov throws a leg kick but Ziskie sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ziskie throws out a counter right but Leonov avoids it with no problem.
Ziskie throws a body punch but Leonov moves out of range.
Leonov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ziskie's head.
Ziskie rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Leonov counters with a big head kick but Ziskie shrugs it off.
Leonov tests Ziskie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ziskie's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Leonov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Leonov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Leonov cracks Ziskie with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Leonov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ziskie misses the jab.
Ziskie is looking to clinch but Leonov is avoiding it.
Leonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ziskie.
Leonov cracks Ziskie with a right hand to the side of the head.
Leonov tests Ziskie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Leonov throws a body kick that misses.
Ziskie appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Leonov throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A clash of legs there as Ziskie blocks the low kick.
Leonov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - Ziskie throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Leonov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ziskie slips a jab and a cross from Leonov.
Ziskie takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Leonov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ziskie avoids the head kick by Leonov.
Leonov throws a chopping leg kick but Ziskie manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Leonov misses with a looping right.
Leonov thows a body kick. Ziskie tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Ziskie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Leonov moves out of range as Ziskie strikes.
Leonov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ziskie looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Leonov is looking to land body kicks.
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 misses with a body shot.
Leonov throws a solid leg kick but Ziskie takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Leonov.
Ziskie throws a big shot that misses.
Ziskie gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Leonov.
Leonov throws a head kick but Ziskie moves out of range.
Leonov thumps Ziskie with a low kick.
Ziskie misses with a looping right.
Donk. Leonov catches Ziskie right on the button with a cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ziskie misses with a straight left.
Leonov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ziskie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Leonov lands a jab to the nose.
A slow jab from Ziskie misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leonov is looking to chop away at Ziskie's legs.
A head kick misses from Leonov.
Leonov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ziskie.
Leonov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Leonov blocks a jab.
Leonov throws a low kick but Ziskie moves out of range easily.

Ziskie clinches up with Leonov and pushes him back against the cage.
Ziskie working aggressively here.
Ziskie throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Ziskie fails to land.

Leonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Leonov misses with a straight left.
A countering left hand to the body from Ziskie misses.
Leonov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ziskie.
A slow jab from Ziskie misses its intended target.
Ziskie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Leonov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ziskie misses with a looping left.
A head kick misses from Leonov.
A slapping leg kick lands for Leonov.
Ziskie throws a body punch but Leonov moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie throws an overhand right that lands on Leonov's shoulder, as Leonov tries to avoid the shot.
Ziskie tries to move into range but Leonov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
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 ducks under a wild hook from Ziskie.
A chopping leg kick lands by Leonov.
Ziskie dodges the punch combination from Leonov.
A little jabbing left from Ziskie on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Leonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Leonov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ziskie tries to clinch up.
Ziskie ducks right into an uppercut from Leonov.
Leonov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ziskie is out of range.
Leonov connects with an inside leg kick.
Ziskie takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Leonov lands a high kick!
Ziskie misses with a looping right.
Ziskie looks to land a left hand but Leonov moved out of range nicely.
Ziskie takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ziskie takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ziskie takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ziskie throws a hook to the side of Leonov's head but Leonov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Leonov.
Leonov throws a body kick that misses.
Nikolay Leonov is winning the standup battle so far.
A swing and a miss from Ziskie.
Leonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ziskie.
A big right from Ziskie misses.
Ziskie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Leonov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Leonov looks to land a body kick but Ziskie moved away.
Leonov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
Ziskie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ziskie throws out a counter right but Leonov avoids it with no problem.
Ziskie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ziskie has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Leonov defending well as Ziskie loads up on a big left hand.
A head kick misses from Leonov.
Ziskie throws a looping overhand right but Leonov ducks down to avoid it.
Leonov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Leonov lands a high kick!
Leonov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ziskie can do to turn this around?
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ziskie checks a leg kick.
Ziskie is looking to clinch but Leonov is avoiding it.
It looked like Leonov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ziskie.
Leonov throws a head kick that misses.
Ziskie misses with a right hand
and Leonov counters with a stiff right hand.

Leonov gets tackled into the cage by Ziskie. Ziskie maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Leonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Leonov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ziskie tries to clinch but Leonov moves out of range.
Leonov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Leonov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ziskie.
Leonov slips a jab from Ziskie.
Leonov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ziskie misses with a hook.
Leonov lands with an overhand left.
Leonov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ziskie momentarily.
Leonov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ziskie moves out of range of the leg kick from Leonov.
Ziskie misses with an uppercut
and Leonov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Leonov gets tackled into the cage by Ziskie. Ziskie maintains the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Ziskie fails to land.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leonov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ziskie misses with some punches.
Leonov blocking some punches.
Leonov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ziskie backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Leonov dominated that second 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ziskie just misses with a punch to the body.
Leonov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ziskie tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Leonov tries to land a leg kick but Ziskie saw it coming and moves away.
Leonov with the inside leg kick.
Ziskie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Leonov throws a quick counter kick to the body but Ziskie avoids it.
Leonov cracks Ziskie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Leonov cracks Ziskie with a good jab.
Leonov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
Leonov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Leonov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Leonov throws a series of punches but Ziskie moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov motions for Ziskie to come forward. Leonov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Leonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ziskie throws out the jab.
Ziskie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ziskie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Leonov.
Leonov lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
A head kick misses from Leonov.
Nice defenses there by Leonov.
Leonov throws a low kick but Ziskie moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Leonov defending well as Ziskie loads up on a big left hand.
Ziskie throws a hook but Leonov blocks it.
Leonov slips under a jab from Ziskie.
Leonov throws a series of punches but Ziskie moves out of range.
Ziskie checks a low kick from Leonov.
Ziskie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Ziskie misses.
Ziskie misses with a straight left.
A big right from Ziskie misses.
Leonov connects with a crisp jab.
Leonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big left from Leonov misses.
A little jabbing left from Ziskie on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Leonov defending well as Ziskie loads up on a big left hand.
Leonov throws out a loose jab but Ziskie uses good head movement to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ziskie! But no joy.
Leonov misses with a leg kick.
Ziskie throws a good cross that connects.
Ziskie misses with a straight left.
Ziskie throws a lazy uppercut
and Leonov counters with a leg kick.
Leonov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ziskie.
Mike Ziskie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ziskie ducks under a wild hook from Leonov.
A head kick misses from Leonov.
Ziskie throws a looping overhand right but Leonov ducks down to avoid it.
Leonov staying out of range there.
Ziskie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Leonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ziskie throws out the jab.
Leonov moves out of range as Ziskie strikes.
Ziskie looks to throw the jab but Leonov is out of range.
Ziskie looks to throw the jab but Leonov is out of range.
Leonov ducks under a wild hook from Ziskie.
Leonov tries a low kick but Ziskie avoids it.
Leonov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Leonov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Leonov throws a shot from downtown. Ziskie moves away and avoids it.
Leonov lands a nice hook to Ziskie's body. Ziskie takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Leonov scores with a leg kick.
Ziskie misses with a straight right.

Ziskie gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ziskie swings wildly with an uppercut but Leonov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leonov breaks the clinch.
Nikolay Leonov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Leonov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Leonov throws the kick towards the body but Ziskie avoids it.
Ziskie throws a body shot but no joy.
Ziskie misses with a hook. Leonov ducked under it nicely.
Ziskie misses with a looping right.
Leonov thumps Ziskie with a low kick.
Leonov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Leonov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ziskie has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Leonov moves out of range of the strikes.
Leonov lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ziskie misses with a hook
and Leonov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
An inside leg kick lands from Leonov.
Leonov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Leonov connects with a leg kick.
Ziskie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Leonov.
Leonov lands with a straight right. Ziskie didn't see that one coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A shot to the liver by Leonov. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov cracks Ziskie with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ziskie checks a leg kick.
Leonov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Leonov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ziskie on the side of the head.
Leonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leonov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Leonov as he connects with a hook.
Ziskie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ziskie looks to land a left hand but Leonov moved out of range nicely.
Leonov slips a jab from Ziskie.
Leonov moves out of range as Ziskie strikes.
Leonov slips a straight right by Ziskie.
A thudding body kick lands there by Leonov!
Ziskie throws a looping overhand right but Leonov ducks down to avoid it.
Leonov slips a jab from Ziskie.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Leonov, as that shot connected.
Leonov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ziskie has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Leonov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Leonov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Leonov slips a straight right by Ziskie.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Leonov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Leonov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Leonov!
After winning the bout, Nikolay Leonov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.