PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zartan Zatarain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pierre Bienvenueve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zatarain kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Nine Inch Nails - Hurt. The crowd seem to be enjoying Bienvenueve's choice of entrance music: Bahama Mama. Boney M. Pierre Bienvenueve has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zatarain
vs
Bienvenueve

178 cm
23
184 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

182 cm
30
178 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

BALCO UNIFORM
Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zartan Zatarain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pierre Bienvenueve!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zatarain tries to clinch but Bienvenueve is having none of it.
Bienvenueve misses with an uppercut.
Zatarain looks to land a left hand but Bienvenueve moved out of range nicely.
Bienvenueve ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bienvenueve lands a jab.
Zatarain circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zatarain scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bienvenueve throws a sloppy head kick and Zatarain moves out of range easily.
Zatarain blocks a jab.
A head kick misses from Bienvenueve.
Zatarain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zatarain throws a hook but Bienvenueve avoids it easily.
Zatarain throws a looping overhand right but Bienvenueve ducks down to avoid it.
Pierre Bienvenueve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bienvenueve throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bienvenueve throws a hook but Zatarain avoids it easily.
Bienvenueve misses with a hook.
Zatarain shoots in looking for a takedown but Bienvenueve manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zatarain's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zatarain is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zatarain.
An elbow from Zatarain crashes against the mat.
Bienvenueve sneaks back into half guard.
Zatarain lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zatarain throwing shots but Bienvenueve is blocking nicely.
Bienvenueve tries to roll over but Zatarain keeps him under control.
Zatarain not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zatarain is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bienvenueve is looking to improve his position.
Zatarain winds up and cracks Bienvenueve with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bienvenueve wants to get back to full guard.
Bienvenueve is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Zatarain missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zatarain lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bienvenueve manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bienvenueve will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Zatarain scoring with some ground and pound.
Zatarain throws a big elbow that misses.
Zatarain is looking to work some ground and pound but Bienvenueve has wrist control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bienvenueve is trying to keep Zatarain in close.
Zatarain keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bienvenueve's head.
Zatarain trying to control the position from guard on top but Bienvenueve is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bienvenueve looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bienvenueve preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bienvenueve looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zatarain keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bienvenueve's head.
Zatarain postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bienvenueve has momentary wrist control but Zatarain slips an elbow through the middle.
Zatarain trying to control the position from guard on top but Bienvenueve is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zatarain working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zatarain has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Zatarain lands a couple of digs.
Zatarain postures up in Bienvenueve's guard and throws a big left but Bienvenueve blocks it.
Zatarain throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bienvenueve throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Zatarain working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zatarain connects with a couple of short punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zatarain connects with a couple of short punches.
Zatarain connects with a couple of short punches.
Bienvenueve striking off his back, scoring a few points.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zatarain is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bienvenueve throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Bienvenueve wants to sweep here but Zatarain controlling him for the moment.

Bienvenueve throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zatarain throwing strikes but missing.
Zatarain lands a couple of digs.
Zatarain is in close to Bienvenueve's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zatarain postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zatarain landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zatarain stopping the sweep attempt from Bienvenueve.
Zatarain trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zatarain throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bienvenueve scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bienvenueve throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zatarain missing with a left hand there. Bienvenueve was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bienvenueve uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zatarain.
Bienvenueve stuffs the takedown.
Bienvenueve throws an off balance right hand

and Zatarain counters by moving into the clinch.
Zatarain drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zatarain is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bienvenueve pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zartan Zatarain. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Zatarain gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Bienvenueve is pressing down on Zatarain's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zartan Zatarain overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bienvenueve looking for a sweep. Not yet Bienvenueve, not yet.
Zatarain lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bienvenueve throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bienvenueve is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zatarain preventing the sweep.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zatarain's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bienvenueve looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Zatarain got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bienvenueve has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Zatarain has managed to get both his arms back between Bienvenueve's legs - danger averted.
Zatarain makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bienvenueve tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zatarain with a flurry of punches that miss.

Bienvenueve working for a triangle but Zatarain defends it easily.
Bienvenueve is breathing heavily.
Bienvenueve keeping moving, preventing Zatarain from controlling successfully.
Zatarain keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bienvenueve's head.
Zatarain trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zatarain accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zatarain is working Bienvenueve over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bienvenueve working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zatarain.
Bienvenueve bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zatarain's guard.
Bienvenueve throws a big elbow that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bienvenueve throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bienvenueve prevents Zatarain from getting back to his feet.
Zatarain preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zatarain utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zatarain not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bienvenueve loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bienvenueve preventing the sweep.
Bienvenueve throwing strikes from guard but Zatarain blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bienvenueve postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bienvenueve throwing strikes from guard but Zatarain blocks nicely.
Bienvenueve in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zatarain utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bienvenueve working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zatarain preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bienvenueve throwing strikes but missing.
Bienvenueve throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zatarain is pulling down on Bienvenueve's head. It's preventing any offense from Bienvenueve, at least for the moment.
Bienvenueve throws a big right hand that misses.
Bienvenueve loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zatarain wants to stand up but Bienvenueve is controlling him.
Bienvenueve throwing strikes from guard but Zatarain blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bienvenueve is looking to work some ground and pound but Zatarain has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pierre Bienvenueve will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zatarain takes a swing at Bienvenueve's ribcage but misses.
Bienvenueve moves in looking to clinch but Zatarain pushes him off.
Bienvenueve misses with an uppercut. Zatarain saw that one coming.
Zatarain throws out a powerful jab.
Bienvenueve tries to clinch up but Zatarain circles away and keeps his distance.

Bienvenueve clinches up against the cage.
Zatarain tries to pull guard but Bienvenueve holds him up against the cage and eventually Zatarain drops back down to his feet.
Zatarain working aggressively here.
Bienvenueve is trying to break the clinch but Zatarain has him pressed against the cage.
Bienvenueve tries to break the clinch but Zatarain is controlling the position.
Bienvenueve is trying to break free.
Bienvenueve working hard to break the clinch.
Zatarain drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bienvenueve pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bienvenueve tries to clinch but Zatarain is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bienvenueve swinging wildly here.
Bienvenueve tries to clinch there but Zatarain circles away.
Bienvenueve moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zatarain shoots for a double leg takedown but Bienvenueve sprawls well. He's pushed Zatarain'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 Zartan Zatarain. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bienvenueve pushes Zatarain up against the cage in a clinch.
Bienvenueve wants to break free but Zatarain has control.
Zatarain working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zatarain creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Zatarain.
Zatarain is looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice elbow from Zatarain.
Bienvenueve is looking to break free of the clinch but Zatarain has double underhooks.
Zatarain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bienvenueve backwards.
Bienvenueve prevents a takedown attempt there.
Bienvenueve blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bienvenueve works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zatarain 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.
Bienvenueve loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bienvenueve chips away with some ground and pound.
Bienvenueve throws a strike but Zatarain rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Zatarain with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bienvenueve working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zatarain.
Zatarain throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zatarain trying to control the position from guard on top but Bienvenueve is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bienvenueve wants to sweep here but Zatarain controlling him for the moment.
Zatarain stands up over Bienvenueve, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zatarain trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zatarain won't allow Bienvenueve to sweep him here.

Bienvenueve working for a triangle but Zatarain defends it easily.
Zatarain stays in close to Bienvenueve's body and controls the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zatarain's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bienvenueve is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Zatarain is looking to control Bienvenueve's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zatarain avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bienvenueve throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Zatarain to regain full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bienvenueve stopping the sweep attempt from Zatarain.
Bienvenueve throws a big elbow that misses.
Zatarain is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Bienvenueve with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zatarain working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bienvenueve accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pierre Bienvenueve.
I think Bienvenueve has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 29:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Pierre Bienvenueve!