PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff McDaniel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McDaniel is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Prodigy: Warrior's Dance. The key to victory for Robert Zhirkov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Zhirkov
vs
McDaniel

180 cm
22
135 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeff McDaniel!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhirkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zhirkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zhirkov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
McDaniel takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zhirkov looks to land a combination. McDaniel sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
McDaniel sizes up Zhirkov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zhirkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zhirkov wants to clinch up but McDaniel keeps it at a distance.
Zhirkov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zhirkov is breathing heavily.
Zhirkov stuffs the takedown.

Zhirkov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Zhirkov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zhirkov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McDaniel controls the pace.

McDaniel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
McDaniel seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhirkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDaniel scoring with some ground and pound.
McDaniel pushing down on Zhirkov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McDaniel stalling.
McDaniel prevents Zhirkov from improving his position.
McDaniel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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. McDaniel connects with a nice short shot to Zhirkov's temple.
Zhirkov is trying to get back to full guard.
McDaniel is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhirkov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McDaniel prevents Zhirkov from improving his position.
McDaniel wants to take a breather but Zhirkov is having none of it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McDaniel tries a head kick but it misses.
Zhirkov throws a series of punches but McDaniel moves out of range.

McDaniel instigates a clinch.

McDaniel pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDaniel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zhirkov is controlling him.
McDaniel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McDaniel lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Zhirkov!
Zhirkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

McDaniel is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Zhirkov is surviving well by controlling McDaniel's body position as best he can.
Zhirkov is looking to get to half guard.
Zhirkov regains half guard.
Zhirkov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Zhirkov.

McDaniel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zhirkov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDaniel looks like he's trying to stand up.

Zhirkov seems to be working for a kimura but McDaniel defends the submission attempt.
Zhirkov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
McDaniel tries to get to full guard but Zhirkov has control of the leg.
McDaniel is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McDaniel is in trouble now - Zhirkov has advanced to mount!
McDaniel is desperately trying to improve his position but Zhirkov has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDaniel sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
McDaniel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McDaniel.
McDaniel looking to control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McDaniel 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McDaniel is on top in guard.
McDaniel trying to control but Zhirkov is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDaniel passes Zhirkov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McDaniel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McDaniel trying to control the action but Zhirkov is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff McDaniel dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A swing and a miss from McDaniel.
Zhirkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McDaniel.
McDaniel tries to clinch but Zhirkov is having none of it.

Zhirkov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zhirkov lands in his opponent's guard.
Robert Zhirkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McDaniel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McDaniel wants to stand and escape but Zhirkov is having none of it.

McDaniel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zhirkov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zhirkov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zhirkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McDaniel is keeping the position for now.
McDaniel looking for a sweep. Not yet McDaniel, not yet.
McDaniel really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zhirkov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zhirkov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McDaniel manages to get back to half guard.

Zhirkov wants to work for an arm triangle but McDaniel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zhirkov is working for a kimura but McDaniel is defending it quite comfortably.

Zhirkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McDaniel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zhirkov.
McDaniel trying to get back to full guard but Zhirkov takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Zhirkov punishing his opponent with strikes.

McDaniel is rocked!

It looks like Jeff McDaniel has been cut.

McDaniel has left one of his arms exposed and Zhirkov doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. McDaniel screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Robert Zhirkov!