PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tre Tanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 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.

Tanks
vs
Zhirkov

170 cm
27
137 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

180 cm
26
139 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tre Tanks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Mauricio Rocha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhirkov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Zhirkov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tanks to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tanks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zhirkov keeping full guard, as Tanks tries to pass.
Zhirkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tanks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zhirkov is keeping the position for now.
Zhirkov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Tanks stopping the sweep attempt from Zhirkov.

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

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tanks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zhirkov stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov digs a good hook to Tanks's body.
Tanks takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tanks slips under a jab from Zhirkov.
Robert Zhirkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhirkov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

It looks like Tre Tanks has been cut.
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A left lands for Zhirkov.
Tanks moves out of range as Zhirkov strikes.
Tanks shoots for a double leg takedown but Zhirkov sprawls well. He's pushed Tanks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tre Tanks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A thudding body kick lands there by Zhirkov!
Tanks takes one to the chin there.
Zhirkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanks.

Tanks shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tanks showed some decent athleticism there.
Zhirkov gets back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Tanks won't allow Zhirkov to sweep him here.
Zhirkov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Zhirkov lands a nice shot to the head.
Zhirkov working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanks working to try and regain half guard.
Zhirkov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Zhirkov lands a heavy elbow.
Tanks is looking to get to half guard.
Tanks regains half guard.
Zhirkov drops an elbow to the side of Tanks's head.
Zhirkov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Zhirkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tanks defending well though.
Zhirkov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Zhirkov wants to work for an arm triangle but Tanks is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zhirkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zhirkov lands with a punch from half guard.
Tanks is looking to control Zhirkov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tanks avoid being mounted?
Zhirkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tanks defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tanks regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zhirkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tanks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tanks is breathing heavily.
Zhirkov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zhirkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tanks's head.
Zhirkov looking to sit in guard and control but Tanks gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Tanks lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zhirkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tanks is one step ahead there.
Zhirkov striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Zhirkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Zhirkov, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zhirkov works the jab nicely.
Tanks fails with the takedown.
Jab from Zhirkov.
Tanks closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zhirkov circles away.
Tanks misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tanks takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tanks is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Zhirkov throws the left hand but Tanks avoids the punch easily.
Horrible takedown by Tanks or perhaps it was just good defense by Zhirkov which made him look bad.
Zhirkov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tre Tanks's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tanks blocks a head kick by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a shot to the body.
Tanks fails to land the takedown.
Zhirkov loads up on a big right hand but Tanks slips the punch.
Tanks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Good standup being displayed there by Zhirkov as he connects with a hook.
Tanks takes one to the chin there.
Zhirkov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tanks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tanks slips a straight right by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov works the jab nicely.
Zhirkov throws a jab when Tanks was well out of range.
Tanks has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tanks there as he acknowledges the shot.
A jab from Zhirkov does it's job there.
Tanks shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zhirkov as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tanks defending well as Zhirkov loads up on a big left hand.
Tre Tanks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zhirkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zhirkov missing with a left hand there. Tanks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zhirkov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zhirkov cracks a nice hook into Tanks's ribs.
Tanks on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tanks shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tanks shoots in for a double leg but Zhirkov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tre Tanks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zhirkov cracks Tanks with an open hand slap.
Zhirkov cracks a nice hook into Tanks's ribs.
Tanks takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zhirkov cracks Tanks with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Zhirkov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Zhirkov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tanks. Tanks circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tanks looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Zhirkov throws a combination. Tanks tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Zhirkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tanks.
Tanks shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zhirkov pinned against the cage. Zhirkov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tanks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tanks takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhirkov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Zhirkov as he connects with a hook.
Zhirkov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tanks doesn't seem bothered though.
Zhirkov lands an overhand right.
Zhirkov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tanks takes one on the button.
Zhirkov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jab from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a crisp jab.
Zhirkov cracks Tanks with an open hand slap.
Zhirkov 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.
Zhirkov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Zhirkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zhirkov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tanks's hands.
Zhirkov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Zhirkov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Zhirkov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Zhirkov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Tanks looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Zhirkov connects with a body shot.
Zhirkov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tanks's hands.
Zhirkov thuds a left hand into Tanks's body.
Zhirkov thuds a left hand into Tanks's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov connects with a right hand. Tanks shakes it off.
Tanks gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov wants to land a leg kick but Tanks is out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zhirkov, as that shot connected.
A head kick misses from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A jab from Zhirkov finds it's way through Tanks's defenses.
Zhirkov throws a nice looking combination but Tanks bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tanks fails to land the takedown.
Zhirkov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tanks doesn't seem bothered though.
Zhirkov lands a slapping body shot.
Zhirkov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Zhirkov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tanks stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tanks on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Tanks drops his hands momentarily and Zhirkov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zhirkov cracks Tanks with a good jab.
Zhirkov lands with a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhirkov scores with the left hand. Tanks knows he should have avoided that one.
Zhirkov scores with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands a slapping body shot.
Zhirkov connects with a nice looking jab.
Zhirkov digs a good hook to Tanks's body.
Zhirkov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zhirkov clobbers Tanks with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zhirkov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tanks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tanks takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zhirkov throws a combination. Tanks tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Tanks takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice body punch from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands with a shot to the body.
Nice jab there from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov scores with a nice strike.
Tanks takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhirkov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Zhirkov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zhirkov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zhirkov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zhirkov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tre Tanks's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Zhirkov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tanks in his tracks.
Zhirkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tanks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tanks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zhirkov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tanks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zhirkov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tanks momentarily.
Tanks shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zhirkov as he jumps to the side.
Zhirkov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zhirkov scores with a nice right hand.
Zhirkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zhirkov scores with a jab.
Zhirkov clobbers Tanks with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zhirkov lands with an uppercut that bounces Tanks off the cage and back into rage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tanks.
Zhirkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhirkov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tanks is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zhirkov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tre Tanks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tanks takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A decent looking cross lands there for Zhirkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanks takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zhirkov thumps Tanks with a low kick.
Zhirkov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Tanks is rocked!
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the head.
Oh Tanks is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tanks moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tanks doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zhirkov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zhirkov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zhirkov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zhirkov works the jab nicely.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhirkov scores with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhirkov scores with a body shot.
Good exchange - Zhirkov coming out on top.
Zhirkov connects with a nice looking jab.
Zhirkov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tanks walks straight into a right hand from Zhirkov - that's dropped him! Zhirkov jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Tanks from any more punishment! Tanks complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Robert Zhirkov!