PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Folami Zuberi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jurij Vitalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zuberi comes to the cage accompanied by Mickey Factz - Rocker. Folami Zuberi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zuberi
vs
Vitalenko

193 cm
28
240 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

190 cm
23
240 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
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 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Folami Zuberi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jurij Vitalenko!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vitalenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zuberi misses with a few strikes there.
Zuberi staying out of range there.
Vitalenko blocks a jab.
Vitalenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Zuberi counters with a series of strikes. Vitalenko will be more careful next time no doubt.
Zuberi shoots in for a double leg but Vitalenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuberi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Zuberi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vitalenko but Vitalenko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zuberi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zuberi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Vitalenko's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vitalenko blocks a leg kick.
Zuberi throws a nice looking combination but Vitalenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Crunch! Zuberi slams his shin into Vitalenko's torso.
A combination from Zuberi does no damage.
Zuberi misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Folami Zuberi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zuberi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Vitalenko's head.
Vitalenko slaps away a takedown attempt from Zuberi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Vitalenko misses with an uppercut. Zuberi saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Vitalenko misses.
Vitalenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zuberi.
Zuberi misses with a lunging right hand
and Vitalenko counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Vitalenko misses with a body punch

and Zuberi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Vitalenko won't be happy with that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Folami Zuberi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Vitalenko misses with a wild body shot.
Vitalenko swings widly with a right hand

so Zuberi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vitalenko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zuberi trying to control but Vitalenko is working from the bottom.
Vitalenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zuberi.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zuberi has gone for a leg lock! Vitalenko slips out almost immediately though and dives into Zuberi's guard.

Zuberi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vitalenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vitalenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zuberi wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zuberi has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Vitalenko has passed into side control.
Vitalenko wants to stand but Zuberi is controlling his arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi tries to buck Vitalenko off but Vitalenko is having none of it.
Vitalenko wants to stand but Zuberi is controlling his arm.
Zuberi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Vitalenko trying to mount his opponent but Zuberi defends it.
Zuberi wants to improve his position but Vitalenko is controlling well.

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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Zuberi actively working from the bottom here.
Vitalenko wants to free his trapped foot but Zuberi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zuberi is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Folami Zuberi dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A low kick from Vitalenko is predictable there
and Vitalenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vitalenko looks to land a right hand but Zuberi moved out of range.
Vitalenko throws a hook to the side of Zuberi's head but Zuberi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vitalenko falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zuberi counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuberi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vitalenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Folami Zuberi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vitalenko throws a combination that misses
and Zuberi counters with a thumping low kick.
Vitalenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Horrible takedown by Zuberi or perhaps it was just good defense by Vitalenko which made him look bad.

That's two 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.
Vitalenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Zuberi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zuberi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A nice combination there by Vitalenko.

It looks like Folami Zuberi has been cut.
Zuberi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vitalenko's waist but Vitalenko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zuberi off to one side.
Vitalenko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vitalenko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zuberi counters with a series of strikes. Vitalenko will be more careful next time no doubt.
Vitalenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zuberi counters with a two punch combo.
Zuberi throws a sloppy head kick
and Vitalenko counters with a left to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A swing and a miss from Vitalenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vitalenko moves out of range of the body kick.
Jurij Vitalenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zuberi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Folami Zuberi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zuberi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vitalenko.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jurij Vitalenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zuberi 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 George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Folami Zuberi!