PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Illianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giuseppe Zaluchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Illianenko's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Only God Can Judge Me. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Illianenko
vs
Zaluchi

195 cm
22
245 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

191 cm
23
265 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Illianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Giuseppe Zaluchi!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Illianenko lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Zaluchi jabs at Illianenko's body.
Illianenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Zaluchi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Illianenko swinging wildly here.
Zaluchi misses with a few strikes there.
Zaluchi tests Illianenko's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jab from Zaluchi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No joy there for Zaluchi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zaluchi throws a shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Zaluchi.
Zaluchi moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Ivan Illianenko has been cut.
Zaluchi jabs at Illianenko's body.
Zaluchi throws a right hand that Illianenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Illianenko also avoids with ease.
Illianenko looks to land a combination but Zaluchi avoids it well.
A right-left combo lands from Zaluchi.
Ivan Illianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Illianenko is breathing heavily.
Zaluchi misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaluchi misses with a series of wild punches.
Zaluchi lands with an overhand left.
Illianenko tries to bum rush Zaluchi with a series of wild strikes but Zaluchi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Illianenko falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zaluchi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zaluchi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Illianenko defending well as Zaluchi loads up on a big left hand.
Illianenko misses with an uppercut. Zaluchi saw that one coming.
Zaluchi lands with a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaluchi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Illianenko on the side of the head.
Zaluchi throws a lazy right hand but Illianenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Illianenko misses with a combination
and Zaluchi counters with a left to the body.
Zaluchi misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaluchi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zaluchi lands a nice shot that snaps Illianenko's head back.
Illianenko misses with a combination
and Zaluchi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Illianenko thinking.
Zaluchi punishes Illianenko's body with a nice straight punch.
Zaluchi misses with a wild combination.
Zaluchi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zaluchi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zaluchi throws a combination that misses

and Illianenko counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Illianenko tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Zaluchi managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Illianenko.
Zaluchi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaluchi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Illianenko.

Zaluchi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Illianenko pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zaluchi tries to roll over but Illianenko keeps him under control.

Zaluchi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Illianenko pulls his head out easily.
Illianenko wants to control but Zaluchi is keeping him busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Illianenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zaluchi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaluchi. Illianenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Zaluchi scores with a four punch combination!
Illianenko throws a nice looking combination but Zaluchi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Illianenko throws a combination that misses
and Zaluchi counters with a left and a right that stings Illianenko.
Zaluchi throws a series of punches but Illianenko moves out of range.
Illianenko falls off balance throwing a combination
and Illianenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Illianenko throws a combination that misses
and Zaluchi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaluchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Illianenko manages to avoid it.
Zaluchi swinging wildly here.
Giuseppe Zaluchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Illianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Illianenko falls off balance throwing a combination
and Illianenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zaluchi slips under a jab from Illianenko.
Illianenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Illianenko misses with the combination.
Zaluchi throws a series of punches but Illianenko avoids them all with ease.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Illianenko misses with a combination
enabling Zaluchi to counter with a crisp jab.
Illianenko throws a combination that misses
and Illianenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giuseppe Zaluchi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Illianenko's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Illianenko feints and as Zaluchi raises his hands in defense, Illianenko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Illianenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Illianenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Zaluchi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Illianenko is one step ahead there.
Illianenko looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Zaluchi looking for a guillotine here but Illianenko defends easily.
Illianenko postures up in Zaluchi's guard and throws a big left but Zaluchi blocks it.
Illianenko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Illianenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Zaluchi is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zaluchi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zaluchi keeping moving, preventing Illianenko from controlling successfully.

Zaluchi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Illianenko postures up in Zaluchi's guard and throws a big left but Zaluchi blocks it.
Illianenko trying to control but Zaluchi is working from the bottom.
Illianenko chips away with some ground and pound.
Illianenko is stalling in the full guard.

Zaluchi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Illianenko drops back looking for a leg! Zaluchi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zaluchi manages to kick Illianenko off! Illianenko jumps back into Zaluchi's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaluchi keeping moving, preventing Illianenko from controlling successfully.
Illianenko throws a big right hand that misses.

Zaluchi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Illianenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Illianenko trying to control but Zaluchi is working from the bottom.

Zaluchi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Illianenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zaluchi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zaluchi is breathing heavily.
Illianenko trying to control but Zaluchi is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaluchi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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

Zaluchi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Zaluchi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Illianenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Zaluchi has wrist control.

Zaluchi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Illianenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Illianenko controls from within his opponent's guard.
Illianenko lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Illianenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Illianenko drops back looking for a leg! Zaluchi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zaluchi manages to kick Illianenko off! Illianenko jumps back into Zaluchi's guard.
Illianenko trying to control but Zaluchi is working from the bottom.

Zaluchi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zaluchi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Illianenko.

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

Zaluchi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Illianenko trying to control but Zaluchi is working from the bottom.
Illianenko controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giuseppe Zaluchi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Illianenko's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Illianenko misses with a combination
and Zaluchi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Illianenko thinking.
Zaluchi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Illianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Illianenko lands with a right hand.
Illianenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Zaluchi throws out a powerful jab.
Illianenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Illianenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Illianenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zaluchi circles away quickly and effectively.
Illianenko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zaluchi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Illianenko closes the distance and pushes Zaluchi back into the ropes.

Illianenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Illianenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaluchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaluchi slips a jab and a cross from Illianenko.
Illianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zaluchi counters with a left to the body.
Giuseppe Zaluchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zaluchi misses with a double jab

and Illianenko counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zaluchi won't be happy with that.
Zaluchi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Illianenko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Zaluchi looking for submissions off his back.
Zaluchi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Illianenko.

Zaluchi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Illianenko trying to control from half guard but Zaluchi is working away.
Illianenko looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Giuseppe Zaluchi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaluchi trying to control from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Illianenko bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Illianenko working away.
Illianenko wants to control but Zaluchi is keeping him busy.
Zaluchi tries to buck Illianenko off but Illianenko is having none of it.
Illianenko happy to just control the position for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
You can see the frustration on Zaluchi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zaluchi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Illianenko trying to control the action but Zaluchi is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaluchi stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Illianenko misses with a combination
and Zaluchi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Illianenko thinking.
Illianenko digs a good hook to Zaluchi's body.
Illianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaluchi. Illianenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaluchi lands with an uppercut that bounces Illianenko off the ropes and back into rage.
Illianenko swinging wildly here.
Illianenko bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Illianenko misses with a combination
and Zaluchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Illianenko misses with a double jab
and Zaluchi counters with a left to the body.
Ivan Illianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zaluchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Illianenko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zaluchi misses with a wild body shot.
Ivan Illianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zaluchi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Illianenko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Zaluchi scores with a jab. Illianenko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Illianenko throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Zaluchi to counter with a crisp jab.
Illianenko throws a series of punches but Zaluchi avoids them all with ease.
Zaluchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Illianenko is just out of range.
Illianenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zaluchi circles away quickly and effectively.
Illianenko misses with a body punch
and Zaluchi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Illianenko thinking.
A combination from Illianenko does no damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Illianenko throws a series of punches but Zaluchi moves out of range.
Zaluchi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Illianenko at a distance.
Zaluchi misses with a series of wild punches.
Illianenko takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

And that's the end of the fight!
Giuseppe Zaluchi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zaluchi 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 26:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giuseppe Zaluchi!