PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vlad Dracul (ranked 2058 p4p, 1973 weight class) and Aleksandr Zuev (ranked 277 p4p, 267 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Aleksandr Zuev was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Dracul
vs
Zuev

195 cm
30
215
12 - 9 - 1

201 cm
24
215
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Mythical Fighter

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Vlad Dracul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksandr Zuev!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Edson Gomes and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zuev slips a straight right by Dracul.
Dracul throws out a loose jab but Zuev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dracul lands a slapping body shot.
A shot to the liver by Dracul. Beautiful body shot.

Zuev has Dracul up against the ropes in a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Dracul has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dracul is trying to push Zuev away but Zuev has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

Zuev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zuev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Zuev tries to clinch but Dracul moves out of range.
Dracul is looking to counter the offense by Zuev and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dracul throws a right hand that Zuev ducks under and follows up with a left that Zuev also avoids with ease.
Zuev throws a sloppy head kick
and Zuev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zuev ducks under a wild hook from Dracul.
Dracul has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Canucks Combat Club in the buildup to the fight.
Zuev moves out of range of the strikes.
Zuev takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul throws a shot from downtown. Zuev moves away and avoids it.
Zuev lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Zuev.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Zuev.
Dracul throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zuev scores with a jab. Dracul acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zuev throws a shot from downtown. Dracul moves away and avoids it.
Dracul appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Zuev cracks Dracul with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Dracul throws a body shot but no joy.
Zuev turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dracul misses with a jab to the body
enabling Zuev to counter with a crisp jab.
Dracul gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dracul takes a swing at Zuev's ribcage but misses.
Dracul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zuev was well out of range. Poor timing from Dracul.
Zuev doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Zuev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dracul.
Zuev works over Dracul's head and body with a nice combination.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Zuev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dracul fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dracul throws a shot to the body.
A big right from Dracul misses.
Zuev tries to counter with a clinch but Dracul shakes him off and moves away.
Dracul misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zuev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dracul throws a jab but it's blocked by Zuev.
A little jabbing left from Zuev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A big right from Dracul misses.
Zuev looks for the body kick but Dracul saw that one coming.
Dracul was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Dracul swings widly with a right hand

and Zuev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zuev.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Zuev lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Vlad Dracul has been cut.
Dracul blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zuev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zuev prevents Dracul from breaking the clinch.

Dracul breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zuev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dracul.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuev connects with a crisp jab.
Dracul loads up on a big right hand but Zuev slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Zuev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dracul thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dracul scores with a nice head shot.
Dracul throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zuev gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Dracul.
A swing and a miss from Dracul.
Dracul looks to land a right hand but Zuev moved out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Zuev.
Dracul throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like Zuev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dracul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zuev.
A jab from Dracul misses.
A slow jab from Dracul misses its intended target.
Dracul scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

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!
Zuev lands a jab to Dracul's midsection.
Zuev throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Dracul defending well as Zuev loads up on a big left hand.
Dracul misses the jab.
Zuev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Dracul in his tracks.
Zuev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zuev throws a head kick that misses.
A jab from Zuev finds it's way through Dracul's defenses.
Dracul takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Zuev darts in and clinches Dracul up against the ropes.
Dracul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dracul working hard to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zuev lands with a short shot to the head.

Dracul breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zuev darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Dracul looks to land a right hand but Zuev moved out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Zuev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vlad Dracul's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dracul throws a big shot that misses.
Zuev thows a body kick. Dracul tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Zuev avoids the body shot from Dracul.
Zuev misses with an uppercut. Dracul saw that one coming.
Zuev throws a hook but Dracul blocks it.
Dracul takes a kick to the side of the head.
Zuev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Dracul throws a hook to the side of Zuev's head but Zuev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zuev lands with a slapping head kick.
A cross from Zuev lands.
Dracul throws a lazy right hand but Zuev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dracul lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zuev circles away quickly and effectively.
It seemed like Zuev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zuev tries to clinch but Dracul moves out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Dracul misses its target.
A lazy left from Zuev finds it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dracul rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zuev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dracul misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dracul throws out the jab.
Zuev wants to counter the offense by Dracul and move into the clinch position.
Zuev scores with a jab to the head.
Zuev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dracul takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A big left from Dracul misses.
Zuev moves out of range as Dracul strikes.
Zuev slips a straight right by Dracul.
Zuev misses with a straight left.
Dracul scores with a hook to the body. Zuev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zuev throws a head kick but Dracul moves out of range.
Dracul misses with a double jab.
Despite the aggression on Zuev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Dracul scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Vlad Dracul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dracul has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Dracul misses the shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dracul takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zuev avoids the body shot from Dracul.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dracul on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zuev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zuev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Dracul blocks a head kick by Zuev.
It looked like Dracul wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Zuev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dracul's head.
Zuev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Dracul counters with a stiff right hand.
Dracul takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Dracul scores with a hook.
Dracul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some wild striking there from Dracul.
A head kick misses from Zuev.
Dracul throwing a counter right hand but Zuev manages to avoid it.
Zuev throws a big shot that misses.
Zuev lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Zuev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuev lands a jab to the head.
Zuev lands with a hook. Dracul tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Dracul slips a jab from Zuev.
Zuev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dracul manages to avoid it.
Zuev scores with a body shot.
Dracul throws a body punch but Zuev moves out of range.
Dracul throws a poor cross that misses
and Zuev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dracul lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zuev scores with a jab to the body.
Dracul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zuev was well out of range. Poor timing from Dracul.
Zuev looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dracul scores with a nice head shot.
A jab from Zuev finds it's way through Dracul's defenses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zuev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Dracul looks to land a left hand but Zuev moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zuev.
Dracul misses with a right hand
and Zuev counters with a nice body shot.
Zuev looks for the body kick but Dracul saw that one coming.
Dracul lands an overhand right.
Nice cross by Dracul.
Zuev lands with a slapping head kick.
Aleksandr Zuev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zuev darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Danga de danga de dang - Zuev scores with a four punch combination!
Dracul looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Zuev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zuev slips a jab and a cross from Dracul.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dracul takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dracul takes a kick to the side of the head.
Zuev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dracul throws a sloppy body shot
and Zuev counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Dracul throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zuev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Zuev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vlad Dracul's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A jab from Dracul misses.
Zuev has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zuev there as he acknowledges the shot.
Dracul moves out of range of the body kick.
Jab by Zuev.
Zuev has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zuev there as he acknowledges the shot.
Dracul cracks Zuev with an open hand slap.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dracul. Zuev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dracul misses with a left hand
letting Zuev counter with a right hand.
Dracul gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zuev throws a lazy right hand but Dracul sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zuev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Dracul misses with an uppercut. Zuev saw that one coming.
Zuev thuds his right hand into Dracul's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zuev lets loose with a powerful body kick. Dracul will feel that in the morning.
Zuev lands with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zuev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zuev scores with a head kick. Dracul tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Dracul is rocked!
Dracul will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Dracul misses the shot to the body.
Oh Dracul is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A shot to the body from Dracul misses
enabling Zuev to counter with a crisp jab.
A shot to the body from Dracul misses
and Zuev counters with a nice uppercut.
Dracul walks into a jab.
Aleksandr Zuev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zuev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Dracul misses with a hook.
Zuev throws out a counter right but Dracul avoids it with no problem.
A jab from Zuev finds it's way through Dracul's defenses.
Dracul seems to have got his legs back now.
Dracul throws a right hand that Zuev ducks under and follows up with a left that Zuev also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zuev scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zuev works the jab nicely.
Zuev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Dracul misses the target.
Zuev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zuev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Zuev scores with a jab. Dracul acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Dracul throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zuev.
Zuev unleashes a big counter combination but Dracul bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Dracul misses with a hook.
Zuev scores with a head kick. Dracul tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Zuev cracks Dracul with a good jab.
Dracul throws a hook but Zuev blocks it.
Zuev throws a shot to the body.
Zuev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A jab from Zuev finds it's way through Dracul's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul just misses with a punch to the body.
Dracul has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Zuev finds it's way round the side to connect with Dracul's head.
Zuev connects with a single shot there.
Zuev tries to clinch but Dracul moves out of range.
Dracul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zuev.
Dracul misses with an uppercut.
Zuev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dracul under the eye.
Vlad Dracul has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dracul misses with a hook

and Zuev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zuev.
Zuev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zuev leaning against his opponent.
Dracul wants to break free but Zuev has control.
Dracul blocking some punches.

Dracul's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dracul misses the jab.
Zuev lands with an overhand left.
Zuev staying out of range there.
Zuev ducks under a wild hook from Dracul.
Zuev looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zuev moves out of range as Dracul strikes.
A jab lands there for Zuev.
Zuev tries a head kick but it misses.
Dracul throwing a counter right hand but Zuev manages to avoid it.
Zuev tries to close the distance and clinch but Dracul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dracul misses with a hook
and Zuev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zuev lands with a nice body punch.

Zuev instigates a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dracul lands with a short shot to the head.

Dracul breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dracul swings widly with a right hand
enabling Zuev to counter with a crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksandr Zuev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zuev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandr Zuev!
Aleksandr Zuev was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.