PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Leonov (ranked 301 p4p, 1771 weight class) and Mike Ziskie (ranked 41 p4p, 248 weight class). Nikolay Leonov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Leonov
vs
Ziskie

180 cm
32
195
18 - 12 - 0

187 cm
32
200
21 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 18 - 12 - 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 21 - 14 - 1, fighting out of London, Mike Ziskie!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Daniel Bishop and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Leonov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ziskie.
Leonov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Leonov misses with a body shot.
Leonov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ziskie throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Leonov to counter with a crisp jab.
Leonov lands with a hook. Ziskie tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ziskie misses with a looping left.
Leonov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Leonov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mike Ziskie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ziskie takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Leonov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Leonov's corner calls for a 1-2. Leonov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ziskie swings widly with a right hand
and Leonov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ziskie takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Leonov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ziskie. That did some damage!
Leonov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ziskie takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ziskie tries to clinch there but Leonov circles away.
Leonov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Leonov throws a front kick aimed at Ziskie's knee but Ziskie avoids it well.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ziskie! But no joy.
Leonov misses with a two punch combination.
A little jabbing left from Ziskie on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Leonov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Leonov moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ziskie. That did some damage!
Leonov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Leonov is looking to slow Ziskie down with leg kicks.
Leonov scores with a nice strike.
A left lands for Leonov.
Leonov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A telegraphed right hand from Ziskie misses the target.
Leonov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ziskie in his tracks.
Ziskie misses with a hook. Leonov ducked under it nicely.
Ziskie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ziskie looks to throw the jab but Leonov is out of range.
Leonov throws a push kick but Ziskie slaps the foot to one side.
Leonov lands a jab-cross combination.
Ziskie throws a body shot but no joy.
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.
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 lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ziskie throws a hook but Leonov avoids it easily.
Ziskie misses with an uppercut. Leonov saw that one coming.
A big right from Ziskie misses.
Ziskie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Leonov.
Leonov with a hook.
Leonov clobbers Ziskie with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Leonov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ziskie looks to throw the jab but Leonov is out of range.
Ziskie throws a shot from downtown. Leonov moves away and avoids it.
Ziskie tries to clinch up but Leonov circles away and keeps his distance.
Leonov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Leonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ziskie throws out the jab.
Ziskie throws a lazy right hand but Leonov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ziskie tries to close the distance and clinch but Leonov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Leonov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ziskie! But no joy.
Leonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ziskie.
Ziskie swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ziskie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ziskie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leonov.
Ziskie misses with a looping right.
Ziskie throws a lazy uppercut
and Leonov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ziskie swings widly with a right hand
and Leonov counters with a straight right hand.
Ziskie missing with a left hand there. Leonov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Leonov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov scores with a nice head shot.
Leonov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Leonov connects with a leg kick.
Ziskie takes a kick to the side of the head.
Leonov lands a nice shot that snaps Ziskie's head back.
Leonov digs a good body shot into Ziskie's ribs.
Leonov punishes Ziskie's body with a nice straight punch.
Ziskie throws a poor cross that misses
and Leonov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ziskie's knee momentarily.
Ziskie throws a hook but Leonov avoids it easily.
Leonov ducks under a wild hook from Ziskie.
Ziskie throws a big shot that misses.
Ziskie misses the jab.
Leonov lands a nice hook to Ziskie's body. Ziskie takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonov with a jab.
Ziskie throws a looping overhand right but Leonov ducks down to avoid it.
Leonov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Leonov moves out of range as Ziskie strikes.
Leonov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Leonov throws a nice looking combination but Ziskie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Leonov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Leonov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ziskie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Leonov moves out of range of the strikes.
Ziskie's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ziskie misses with an uppercut
and Leonov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ziskie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A nice inside leg kick there by Leonov. That's going to slow Ziskie down.
Leonov scores with a one two! Ziskie had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Leonov lands with a right hand.
Leonov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ziskie has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ziskie loads up on a big right hand but Leonov slips the punch.
Ziskie misses with an uppercut
and Leonov counters with a nice uppercut.
Leonov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ziskie's head.
Leonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ziskie throws out the jab.
Ziskie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ziskie misses with an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leonov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Leonov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Leonov throws out a loose jab but Ziskie uses good head movement to avoid it.
It seemed like Ziskie was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Leonov lands a leg kick that knocks Ziskie off balance momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ziskie throws a big shot that misses.
Ziskie tries to clinch there but Leonov circles away.
Ziskie dodges the punch combination from Leonov.
Leonov lands a jab.
Leonov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ziskie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Leonov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Leonov stuns Ziskie with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziskie loads up on a big right hand but Leonov slips the punch.
Leonov misses with a head kick.
Leonov thuds his right hand into Ziskie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Leonov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Leonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ziskie throws out the jab.
Ziskie ducks under a wild hook from Leonov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziskie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leonov.
Ziskie misses with a right hand
and Leonov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Leonov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ziskie can do to turn this around?
Leonov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Leonov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Leonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ziskie throws out the jab.
Leonov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ziskie walks into a stiff left hand from Leonov.
Ziskie throws a jab but it's blocked by Leonov.
A good leg kick by Leonov.
Leonov lands a jab to the nose.
Leonov tries to bum rush Ziskie with a series of wild strikes but Ziskie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ziskie needs to keep his hands up - Leonov had a free shot at his head there.
Leonov misses with a straight left.
Ziskie throws the left hand but Leonov avoids the punch easily.
As Ziskie looks to move away, Leonov throws a big counter combo but Ziskie just gets out of the way.
Ziskie looks to land a left hand but Leonov moved out of range nicely.
Leonov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Leonov blocks a jab.
Leonov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ziskie misses with a looping left.
Nikolay Leonov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ziskie takes one on the button.
Ziskie misses with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Ziskie.
As Ziskie backs away, Leonov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Nice uppercut there from Leonov.
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 connects with a jab.
Ziskie throws an overhand right that lands on Leonov's shoulder, as Leonov tries to avoid the shot.
Leonov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
A nice leg kick from Leonov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ziskie misses with a straight right.
Leonov tries to score with a low kick but Ziskie moves his leg out of the way.
A jab from Ziskie does it's job there.
Ziskie misses with an uppercut.
Leonov misses with a double jab.
Ziskie gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Leonov.
Ziskie tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Leonov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Leonov. Leonov obviously looking to wear him down.
Ziskie takes a kick to the side of the head.
A swing and a miss from Ziskie.
Leonov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Leonov misses with a wild body shot.
Leonov scores with a hook to the body. Ziskie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Leonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ziskie.
Ziskie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ziskie takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ziskie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ziskie throws out a loose jab but Leonov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Leonov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ziskie throws out a counter right but Leonov avoids it with no problem.
Ziskie misses with a jab to the body
and Leonov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ziskie darts in trying to clinch
and Leonov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed right hand from Ziskie misses the target.
Ziskie tries to clinch there but Leonov circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Ziskie as he connects with a hook.
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!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ziskie crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Leonov - the referee stops the clock and Ziskie gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Leonov. Ziskie manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Leonov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ziskie throws a hook to the side of Leonov's head but Leonov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Leonov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ziskie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Leonov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Leonov duly obliges.
Nice cross by Leonov.
Ziskie scores with a decent looking hook.
A thudding body kick lands there by Leonov!
Leonov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ziskie.
Leonov misses the shot to the body.
Leonov scores with the left hand. Ziskie knows he should have avoided that one.
Leonov fakes the leg kick and cracks Ziskie in the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ziskie defending well as Leonov loads up on a big left hand.
Leonov slips under a jab.
Donk. Leonov catches Ziskie right on the button with a cross.
Leonov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ziskie rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Leonov to counter with a crisp jab.
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. This is the final round!

Leonov connects with a jab.
Ziskie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Leonov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Leonov.
Leonov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A big left from Ziskie misses.
Leonov is looking to counter with a body kick.
Ziskie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Leonov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ziskie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Leonov.
Leonov staying out of range there.
An attempted straight right counter from Leonov misses the target.
Leonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Ziskie needs to keep his hands up - Leonov had a free shot at his head there.
Ziskie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Ziskie might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Leonov has got the better of the exchanges.
Ziskie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ziskie ducks under a wild hook from Leonov.
Leonov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Leonov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ziskie loads up on a big right hand but Leonov slips the punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonov scores with a nice body kick.
Leonov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
Ziskie takes a swing at Leonov's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ziskie.
Nice defenses there by Leonov.
Leonov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A big left from Leonov misses.
Leonov slips under a jab.
Leonov ducks under a wild hook from Ziskie.
Leonov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ziskie misses with a looping right.
Leonov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Leonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ziskie blocks a head kick by Leonov.
Leonov defending well as Ziskie loads up on a big left hand.
Leonov lands a body shot.
Ziskie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Leonov finds it's way round the side to connect with Ziskie's head.
Ziskie throws an overhand right that lands on Leonov's shoulder, as Leonov tries to avoid the shot.
Ziskie throws a hook but Leonov blocks it.
A head kick misses from Leonov.
Leonov moves away from the strike by Ziskie.
Mike Ziskie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov looks to land a body kick but Ziskie moved away.
Leonov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ziskie at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ziskie walks forward, straight into a front kick from Leonov.
Leonov slips under a jab from Ziskie.
Leonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ziskie throws out the jab.
Leonov scores with a jab to the head.
Ziskie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ziskie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ziskie throws a lazy uppercut
and Leonov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Leonov throws a head kick that misses.
Ziskie throws out a counter right but Leonov avoids it with no problem.
Ziskie misses with a left hand
and Leonov counters with a low kick, right behind Ziskie 's knee.
Ziskie takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ziskie throws a looping overhand right but Leonov ducks down to avoid it.
Leonov lands a really nice looking cross but Ziskie seems unphased.
Leonov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Leonov lands with an overhand left.
Leonov connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Leonov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Ziskie misses.
Leonov is looking to counter punch.
Leonov staying out of range there.
Nikolay Leonov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ziskie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Leonov catches Ziskie with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A swing and a miss from Ziskie.
Ziskie misses with a right hand
letting Leonov counter with a right hand.
Ziskie looks to land a left hand but Leonov moved out of range nicely.
Leonov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ziskie's sensitive parts.
Leonov lands an overhand right.
Ziskie misses with a right hand
and Ziskie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ziskie blocks a head kick by Leonov.
Ziskie moves out of range as Leonov throws a body kick.
Leonov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Leonov - that will leave a mark!
Leonov ducks under a wild hook from Ziskie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Leonov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ziskie looks to land a left hand but Leonov moved out of range nicely.
Leonov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Leonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Leonov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Leonov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
Leonov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ziskie backs up against the cage.
Leonov blocks a jab.
Ziskie misses with a straight left.
Leonov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ziskie misses with a straight right.
An attempted straight right counter from Leonov misses the target.
Ziskie loads up on a big right hand but Leonov slips the punch.
Ziskie misses the jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leonov thuds his right hand into Ziskie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd cheers as Ziskie lands an impressive looking overhand right. Leonov doesn't seem phased though.
Ziskie throws a lazy right hand but Leonov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Leonov moves out of range as Ziskie strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Leonov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Leonov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Leonov!
A relieved looking Nikolay Leonov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.