PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nikita Zelensky (ranked 5257 p4p, 6022 weight class) and Aaron Wolfendale (ranked 355 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zelensky
vs
Wolfendale

188 cm
19
146
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
18
151
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nikita Zelensky!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aaron Wolfendale!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Zelensky looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wolfendale avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wolfendale keeps the fight on the outside.
Wolfendale circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wolfendale shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zelensky pinned against the cage. Zelensky gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A head kick misses from Zelensky.
Wolfendale shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zelensky defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zelensky misses with a head kick.
Zelensky throws a leg kick that is checked

and Wolfendale counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Wolfendale.
Zelensky working a defensive guard here.

Wolfendale drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Wolfendale jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zelensky is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zelensky looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wolfendale is one step ahead there.
Zelensky really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Wolfendale drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Wolfendale jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wolfendale is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Wolfendale thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's two 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.

Wolfendale is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Zelensky is looking to sweep but instead, Wolfendale has passed into half guard.

Wolfendale is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zelensky sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wolfendale is looking for a kimura but Zelensky is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wolfendale to get the leverage.

Wolfendale seems to be looking for submissions.
Zelensky is pressing down on Wolfendale's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zelensky is breathing heavily.

Wolfendale drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Zelensky dives on top into guard.

Wolfendale throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Zelensky escapes and throws Wolfendale's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Zelensky is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Wolfendale has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zelensky wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wolfendale keeps working.
Wolfendale is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Zelensky off and has taken his back!

Wolfendale patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Zelensky wants to control his opponent's hands but Wolfendale gets his hands free.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zelensky fending off the submission attempt from Wolfendale.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Wolfendale is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Zelensky knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Zelensky for a finish.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Wolfendale dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wolfendale.
As Wolfendale looks to move away, Zelensky throws a big counter combo but Wolfendale just gets out of the way.
Wolfendale moves forwards but Zelensky connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Zelensky tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zelensky tries to close the distance and clinch but Wolfendale swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wolfendale misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zelensky wants to clinch.
Wolfendale has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zelensky pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wolfendale shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zelensky pinned against the cage. Zelensky gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nikita Zelensky has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Wolfendale.
Wolfendale looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zelensky is fending him off so far but Wolfendale persists. Nope, Zelensky circles away and we're back to standing.
Zelensky feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zelensky throws a head kick that misses.
Nikita Zelensky is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Wolfendale shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Wolfendale showed some decent athleticism there.
Zelensky is trying to control but Wolfendale passes into side control!

Wolfendale decides to stand back up.
Wolfendale circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wolfendale fails with a takedown attempt.
Zelensky fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wolfendale shoots in but no luck this time.
Zelensky seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolfendale tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zelensky swivels and escapes.
Wolfendale drops his hands momentarily and Zelensky takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wolfendale.
Zelensky looks to score with a jab to the body but Wolfendale is just out of range.
Zelensky tries a head kick but it misses.
Wolfendale shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zelensky defends it nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zelensky tries to bum rush Wolfendale with a series of wild strikes but Wolfendale uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wolfendale shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zelensky as he avoids it easily.

Wolfendale manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Zelensky on his heels. He'll look to pass Zelensky's guard now, I'm sure.
Zelensky looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Wolfendale thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wolfendale thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Wolfendale is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Wolfendale decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Wolfendale shoots in and gets a takedown into Zelensky's guard.
Wolfendale is standing up over Zelensky. Zelensky looks to escape but Wolfendale dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wolfendale tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Wolfendale has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Wolfendale tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Wolfendale is trying to get an arm triangle but Zelensky is defending well.

Wolfendale working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nikita Zelensky will probably get the nod.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zelensky throws a head kick that misses.
Wolfendale shoots in and drives through. Zelensky sprawls well.
Zelensky stuffs the takedown.
Zelensky throws a series of punches but Wolfendale moves out of range.
Zelensky tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wolfendale paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wolfendale avoids the head kick by Zelensky.
Zelensky looks to clinch

and Wolfendale counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Wolfendale is looking for a kimura but Zelensky is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wolfendale to get the leverage.
Zelensky pushes Wolfendale off looking to stand but Wolfendale dives back in and keeps control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zelensky is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Wolfendale is trying to work for a kimura but Zelensky is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wolfendale is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Wolfendale is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zelensky doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Wolfendale.

Wolfendale is looking for a kimura but Zelensky is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wolfendale to get the leverage.
Aaron Wolfendale has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Wolfendale is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zelensky sees it coming and defends easily.

Wolfendale is working for a submission of some sort.

Wolfendale in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Zelensky tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Wolfendale!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Aaron Wolfendale!
Aaron Wolfendale thanked the fans post fight for their support.