PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eli Bathory (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Zedowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bathory comes into the arena with Kid Unknown - Nightmare blaring out of the sound system. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Bathory
vs
Zedowski

190 cm
26
192 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

182 cm
25
190 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Murder Inc.

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eli Bathory!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Steven Zedowski!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bathory fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bathory throws a hook but Zedowski blocks it.
Zedowski throws a one two combo.

It looks like Eli Bathory has been cut.
Bathory lands a nice shot to the body.
Zedowski misses with a double jab.

Bathory scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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.
Zedowski is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Bathory throws an elbow but Zedowski slips to the side and avoids it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bathory grinds an elbow into Zedowski's temple.
Zedowski parries the strikes from Bathory easily there. Bathory is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Zedowski to escape.
Bathory lands a few punches from side control.
Bathory scores with punches from side control.
Bathory throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Bathory scoring with punches from side control.
Zedowski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Zedowski is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Zedowski struggling a bit here.
Zedowski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bathory missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zedowski on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zedowski is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Bathory lands strikes from half guard.

Zedowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bathory 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.

Zedowski looking for submissions off his back.
Bathory is nestled in close to Zedowski, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zedowski is looking to control Bathory's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zedowski avoid being mounted?
Zedowski moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bathory lands a couple of elbows.
Bathory lands a couple of elbows.
Zedowski throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Bathory works over Zedowski with some ground and pound from guard.
Bathory postures up in Zedowski's guard and throws a big left but Zedowski blocks it.
Bathory keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zedowski's head.
Bathory has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Zedowski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bathory gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Zedowski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bathory gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zedowski looks gassed!
Zedowski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bathory chips away with some ground and pound.
Bathory throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zedowski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bathory scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bathory cracks Zedowski with a solid left hand.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bathory's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zedowski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bathory.
Zedowski keeping moving, preventing Bathory from controlling successfully.
Zedowski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bathory's guard.

Zedowski drops back looking for a leg! Bathory is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bathory manages to kick Zedowski off! Zedowski jumps back into Bathory's guard.
Bathory bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zedowski's guard.
Bathory works over Zedowski with some ground and pound from guard.
Bathory stopping the sweep attempt from Zedowski.
Bathory postures up and lands a big shot to Zedowski's brow.
Zedowski has momentary wrist control but Bathory slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bathory accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Bathory got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zedowski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bathory has managed to get both his arms back between Zedowski's legs - danger averted.
Bathory working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zedowski's head.
Zedowski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bathory connects with a couple of short punches.
Zedowski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Zedowski working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bathory doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bathory manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bathory scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zedowski can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bathory controls the pace.
Bathory won't allow Zedowski to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Bathory dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eli Bathory's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bathory shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zedowski sprawls well. Zedowski wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bathory gets slowly back to his feet.
Bathory has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bathory shoots in for a double leg but Zedowski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zedowski slaps away a takedown attempt from Bathory, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eli Bathory. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Zedowski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bathory throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Bathory.
A shot to the liver by Zedowski. Beautiful body shot.

Zedowski fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bathory sprawls well initially but Zedowski persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bathory trying to hold on to Zedowski's head to control him but Zedowski postures up.
Zedowski frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Zedowski goes for an armbar but Bathory turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Bathory.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zedowski lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bathory!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zedowski looking for a guillotine from mount but Bathory is having none of it.
Bathory working to try and regain half guard.
Zedowski with the ground and pound from mount.

Zedowski looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Zedowski wants to control the pace but Bathory is squirming around nicely.
A nice elbow there by Zedowski.

Zedowski looking for a guillotine from mount but Bathory is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bathory is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bathory bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Bathory scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bathory scoring with some ground and pound.

Zedowski has an active guard here but Bathory has managed to pass into half guard.
Bathory uses his free foot to push down on Zedowski's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Zedowski.
Zedowski is trying to escape the mount.
Bathory punishing his opponent with strikes.
Bathory lands a big shot there that rocks Zedowski but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bathory can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zedowski is looking to escape.
A nice elbow there by Bathory.
Zedowski tries to hold on but Bathory postures up.
Bathory working the ground and pound effectively.
Zedowski manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Bathory is nestled in close to Zedowski, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zedowski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Zedowski.
Bathory working some strikes from top position.

Zedowski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bathory defends it easily.
Bathory trying to control the position from guard on top but Zedowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eli Bathory overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bathory cracks Zedowski with a solid left hand.
Bathory working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zedowski's head.

Zedowski looking for a guillotine here but Bathory defends easily.
Bathory is looking to work some ground and pound but Zedowski has wrist control.
Bathory postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bathory with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bathory throws a big right hand that misses.
Bathory throwing strikes from guard but Zedowski blocks nicely.

Zedowski fails with the takedown.

Bathory looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Bathory winds up and cracks Zedowski with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bathory scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bathory connects with a nice short shot to Zedowski's temple.
Zedowski gets full guard.

Zedowski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bathory postures up and lands a big shot to Zedowski's brow.
Zedowski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bathory distracts Zedowski with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bathory works over Zedowski with some ground and pound from guard.

Zedowski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bathory scoring with some ground and pound.
Zedowski wants to sweep here but Bathory controlling him for the moment.
Bathory wants to pass the guard but Zedowski is keeping the position.
Bathory is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bathory scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bathory wants to control from the top but Zedowski keeps moving.

Zedowski has his foot on Bathory's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bathory works his way back into a safe position though.
Bathory chips away with some ground and pound.
Bathory works over Zedowski with some ground and pound from guard.
Bathory stopping the sweep attempt from Zedowski.

Zedowski has his foot on Bathory's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bathory works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zedowski has momentary wrist control but Bathory slips an elbow through the middle.
Bathory stands and throws Zedowski's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bathory wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zedowski keeps working.
Zedowski takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Bathory scores with punches from side control.
Zedowski is trying to get back to half guard.
Zedowski is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Zedowski tries to improve position but can't.
Bathory scoring with punches and elbows.
Bathory cracks Zedowski with a big right hand but Zedowski just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Bathory trying to control the position but Zedowski is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zedowski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bathory lands a few punches from side control.
Zedowski can't do much from the bottom here.
Zedowski gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bathory is nestled in close to Zedowski, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bathory working over Zedowski with some ground and pound. Zedowski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Zedowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bathory landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zedowski wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bathory trying to pass the guard but Zedowski defending well.
Zedowski moves into full guard.
Bathory cracks Zedowski with a solid left hand.
Zedowski wants to sweep here but Bathory controlling him for the moment.

Zedowski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bathory's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bathory working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bathory is working Zedowski over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bathory working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zedowski's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eli Bathory showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bathory has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eli Bathory!