PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jed Masilungan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Zakarova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Masilungan might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Dying Inside . Zakarova has chosen Song of the Volga Boatmen as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jed Masilungan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Masilungan
vs
Zakarova

178 cm
26
169 lbs
19 - 3 - 0

175 cm
26
167 lbs
17 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 - $49 SALE!!!!!!!!!
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jed Masilungan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikhail Zakarova!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masilungan throws a leg kick but Zakarova checks it.
Masilungan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zakarova throws a body punch but Masilungan moves out of range.
Masilungan throws a body punch but Zakarova moves out of range.
Masilungan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Masilungan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Masilungan misses with a hook to the body
and Zakarova counters with a big head kick but Masilungan shrugs it off.
Zakarova throws a front kick aimed at Masilungan's knee but Masilungan avoids it well.
Masilungan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zakarova.
Zakarova thows a body shot but no joy.
Zakarova looks to score with a jab to the body but Masilungan is just out of range.
Zakarova connects with an inside leg kick.
Zakarova misses with an uppercut. Masilungan saw that one coming.
Masilungan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zakarova lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Masilungan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Masilungan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Mikhail Zakarova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakarova digs a good hook to Masilungan's body.
Zakarova feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Masilungan's calf.
Masilungan slips a jab from Zakarova.
Zakarova throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A good leg kick by Masilungan.
Zakarova connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Masilungan momentarily.
A jab from Zakarova finds it's way through Masilungan's defenses.
Zakarova throws a leg kick but Masilungan sees it coming and moves out of range.
Masilungan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zakarova displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Masilungan throws out the jab.
Zakarova throws a leg kick which misses Masilungan's front leg but catches the back leg as Masilungan tries to avoid it.
Zakarova takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Masilungan tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova looks to land a combination but Masilungan avoids it well.
Zakarova lands a head shot.
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!
Zakarova swings widly with a right hand
and Masilungan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zakarova thinking.
Masilungan looks to land a right hand but Zakarova moved out of range.
Masilungan misses with a looping right.
Masilungan tries to clinch up but Zakarova circles away and keeps his distance.
Masilungan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zakarova.
Masilungan is looking to wear down Zakarova with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Zakarova throws a sloppy head kick
and Masilungan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Masilungan thows a body shot but no joy.
Masilungan keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Masilungan ducks under a wild hook from Zakarova.
Masilungan misses the shot to the body.
Masilungan ducks under a wild hook from Zakarova.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zakarova lands a slapping body shot.
Zakarova throws out a powerful jab.
Masilungan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Masilungan is looking to clinch.
Zakarova throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Masilungan makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zakarova throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Masilungan.
Masilungan thows a body shot but no joy.
Masilungan misses the jab.
Masilungan tries to clinch but Zakarova moves out of range.
Zakarova with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Masilungan gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zakarova.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan tried to score with a low kick but Zakarova checks it.
Zakarova moves out of range of the strikes.
Zakarova defending well as Masilungan loads up on a big left hand.
Mikhail Zakarova is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zakarova misses with a low kick.
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!
Zakarova misses with a low kick.
Masilungan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zakarova looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Masilungan darts in and clinches Zakarova up against the cage.

Zakarova's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zakarova uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Masilungan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zakarova misses with a hook. Masilungan ducked under it nicely.
Zakarova tries a head kick but it misses.
Masilungan tries to work over Zakarova's front leg with a kick but Zakarova checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Zakarova dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Masilungan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Masilungan throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Zakarova swings for the body but Masilungan moves out of range.
Masilungan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zakarova.
Zakarova clobbers Masilungan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Masilungan throws a body kick that misses.
Zakarova feints a jab promting Masilungan to slip. Zakarova then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Masilungan slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Masilungan avoids the body shot from Zakarova.
Zakarova misses with a low kick.
Zakarova scores with a spinning back kick!
Zakarova throws a sloppy head kick
and Masilungan counters with a thumping low kick.
Masilungan shoots in looking for a takedown but Zakarova manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Masilungan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakarova lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Masilungan fails with the takedown
and Zakarova counters with a low kick, right behind Masilungan 's knee.
Zakarova throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Masilungan checks a leg kick nicely.
Zakarova has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Masilungan.
Zakarova waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Masilungan.
Masilungan looks to land a left hand but Zakarova moved out of range nicely.
Zakarova dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Masilungan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Masilungan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zakarova scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova misses with a jab, cross combination.
Masilungan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zakarova but Zakarova pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jed Masilungan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A solid body kick from Zakarova.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Masilungan avoids the body shot from Zakarova.
An inside leg kick lands from Zakarova.
Masilungan throws a big shot that misses.
Masilungan misses with a body shot.
Zakarova smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Masilungan jabs Zakarova to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Masilungan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zakarova keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Masilungan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova scores with a hook.
Zakarova moves out of range of the body kick from Masilungan.
Zakarova goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zakarova connects with a leg kick. Masilungan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Masilungan tries to clinch but Zakarova is having none of it.
Zakarova throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zakarova's jab looks to have found its range, popping Masilungan under the eye.
Zakarova will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Masilungan takes a swing at Zakarova's ribcage but misses.
Masilungan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zakarova throws a body kick that misses.
A punch combination from Masilungan misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Masilungan. Zakarova does a little dance to reset his feet.
Masilungan slips under a jab from Zakarova.
Zakarova connects with a looping right hand.
Mikhail Zakarova seems to be getting the better of the standup.
An inside leg kick from Zakarova misses.
Zakarova connects with an inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zakarova scores with a nice body kick.
Masilungan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zakarova.
Zakarova misses with a head kick.
Masilungan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zakarova.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An inside leg kick from Masilungan misses.
Masilungan missing with a left hand there. Zakarova was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Masilungan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Zakarova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Masilungan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Masilungan takes a body punch but keeps moving.
An inside leg kick lands from Masilungan.
Zakarova lands a body shot.
Masilungan walks into a jab.
Zakarova lands a jab to the head.
Zakarova staying out of range there.
Masilungan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Masilungan blocks a low kick nicely.
Zakarova takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zakarova throws a combination. Masilungan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Zakarova!
Zakarova jabs at Masilungan's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakarova missing with a left hand there. Masilungan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Masilungan moves away from the strike by Zakarova.
Zakarova throws a solid leg kick but Masilungan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zakarova.
Zakarova throws a leg kick that is checked
and Masilungan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zakarova misses with a head kick.
Zakarova drops his hands momentarily and Masilungan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zakarova needs to keep his hands up - Masilungan had a free shot at his head there.
Masilungan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zakarova paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zakarova throws the left hand but Masilungan avoids the punch easily.
Zakarova throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Zakarova throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan shoots in but Zakarova avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Masilungan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zakarova.
Masilungan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zakarova waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Masilungan.
Masilungan doesn't manage to clinch there - Zakarova circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Masilungan. Zakarova does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zakarova throws a half hearted mid kick.
Zakarova scores with a shot to the body.
Zakarova lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zakarova looks to land a body kick but Masilungan moved away.
A low kick from Zakarova misses
and Masilungan makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Zakarova really felt that one!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zakarova lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A shot to the liver by Zakarova. Beautiful body shot.
Masilungan throws a body punch but Zakarova moves out of range.
Masilungan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Masilungan takes a swing at Zakarova's ribcage but misses.
Zakarova tries to work over Masilungan's front leg with a kick but Masilungan checks it.
Masilungan misses with a wild combination.
Zakarova looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Masilungan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zakarova.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan looks to score with a jab to the body but Zakarova is just out of range.
Zakarova scores with a jab.
Masilungan checks a leg kick.
Masilungan ducks under a wild hook from Zakarova.
Zakarova lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zakarova lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Masilungan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Zakarova throws a big shot that misses.
Zakarova throws an overhand right that lands on Masilungan's shoulder, as Masilungan tries to avoid the shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zakarova throws a leg kick but Masilungan sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Zakarova fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Masilungan manages to avoid it.
Masilungan slips a jab from Zakarova.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Zakarova really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Masilungan throws a head kick but Zakarova moves out of range.
Masilungan swings for the body but Zakarova moves out of range.
Masilungan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zakarova lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Masilungan misses with a body shot.
Zakarova lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zakarova thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Masilungan if he has to take too many more of those.
Zakarova pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zakarova cracks Masilungan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Zakarova throws a jab but it's blocked by Masilungan.
Zakarova throws out a loose jab but Masilungan uses good head movement to avoid it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakarova misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zakarova. Masilungan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zakarova swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Masilungan.
Zakarova keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zakarova throws a leg kick but Masilungan checks it.
A low kick from Zakarova is predictable there
and Masilungan counters with a good low kick that Zakarova was not able to check.
Zakarova feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Masilungans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zakarova fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Masilungan manages to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Zakarova.
Zakarova throws a body kick that misses.
Jab from Zakarova.
Zakarova swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Zakarova does no damage.
Masilungan misses with a few strikes there.
Masilungan misses the jab.
Zakarova throws a leg kick but Masilungan checks it.
Masilungan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zakarova defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Masilungan.
Zakarova fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Masilungan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Masilungan blocks a head kick by Zakarova.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masilungan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Masilungan slips under a jab.
Masilungan jabs at Zakarova's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan misses with a wild body shot.
Zakarova looks to land a right hand but Masilungan moved out of range.
Masilungan misses with a body shot.
A jab from Zakarova misses.
Masilungan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A head kick by Masilungan misses
and Zakarova counters with a head kick.
Zakarova slips a jab and a cross from Masilungan.
Sloppy strikes from Zakarova. Those never looked like landing.
Masilungan throws a body punch but Zakarova moves out of range.
Zakarova misses with a double jab
and Masilungan counters with a stiff right hand.
That kick from Zakarova tenderised Masilungan's leg. Masilungan is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zakarova connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A shot to the body from Zakarova misses
and Masilungan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zakarova misses with a body kick.
Zakarova lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zakarova takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Masilungan avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Zakarova is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Masilungan.
Masilungan throws out a powerful jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zakarova swats away the attempt to clinch by Masilungan.
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!
Masilungan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Zakarova dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zakarova throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Masilungan counters with a body kick that stops Zakarova in his tracks momentarily.
Zakarova thumps Masilungan with a low kick.
Masilungan lands with a nice body punch.
Masilungan misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zakarova counters with a nice body shot.
Masilungan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zakarova throws out the jab.
Zakarova is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Masilungan.
Zakarova uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Masilungan.
Zakarova throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Masilungan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Zakarova misses with a looping left.
Masilungan wants to clinch.
Zakarova explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Masilungan.
Zakarova thumps Masilungan with a low kick.
Masilungan keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Good leg kick by Zakarova there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
No joy there for Zakarova, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Masilungan misses with a combination
and Zakarova counters with an inside leg kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Masilungan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A jab lands there for Zakarova.
Zakarova lands with an uppercut that bounces Masilungan off the cage and back into rage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Zakarova misses.
Masilungan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zakarova connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Masilungan connects with a leg kick. Zakarova looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zakarova swats away the attempt to clinch by Masilungan.
Zakarova with a jab.
Masilungan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Zakarova lands a jab-cross combination.
Zakarova misses the shot to the body.
Masilungan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zakarova. Zakarova obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Zakarova does no damage.
Masilungan moves out of range as Zakarova strikes.
Zakarova misses with a hook. Masilungan ducked under it nicely.
Zakarova throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zakarova ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masilungan moves away.
Zakarova lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Masilungan circles away quickly and effectively.
A good leg kick by Zakarova.
Zakarova rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Masilungan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Masilungan.
Zakarova throws a predictable looking body shot
and Masilungan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zakarova on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Masilungan throws a sloppy head kick and Zakarova moves out of range easily.
Jed Masilungan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masilungan misses with a wild body shot.
Masilungan misses with a head kick.
Zakarova takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Masilungan cracks a nice hook into Zakarova's ribs.
Masilungan lands a nice looking body kick.
Masilungan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zakarova.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zakarova, right into the meat.
Masilungan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zakarova moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Zakarova scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Zakarova comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zakarova 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 45:50
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 45:50
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Zakarova!