PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Ivan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boris Zukov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ivan
vs
Zukov

210 cm
18
299 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
24
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Ivan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Boris Zukov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zukov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ivan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zukov shoots in but no luck this time.
Zukov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ivan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zukov somewhat.
Ivan Ivan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boris Zukov.
Zukov checks a leg kick.
Ivan stuffs the takedown attempt from Zukov. Zukov gets slowly back to his feet.
Ivan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zukov pinned against the cage. Zukov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ivan throws a leg kick but Zukov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Zukov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ivan circles away.
Ivan fails with a takedown attempt.
Ivan is looking to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ivan.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zukov is defended easily by Ivan.
Zukov looks for a takedown but Ivan sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zukov fails to land the takedown.
Zukov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zukov looks gassed!
Zukov has a takedown stuffed.
Ivan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ivan stuffs the takedown attempt from Zukov. Zukov gets slowly back to his feet.
Zukov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Ivan takes the fight into the clinch.
Ivan is trying to pull guard but Zukov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ivan fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivan has Zukov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zukov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ivan has had enough of the clinch but Zukov keeps him there for the moment.
Zukov tries for a takedown but Ivan manages to get underhooks.
Zukov prevents the takedown attempt.
Ivan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ivan is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Ivan has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zukov uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ivan looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Zukov has picked Ivan up and slammed him! Ivan can't keep hold of the triangle and Zukov manages to pass to side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ivan wants to get back to his feet but Zukov drags him back down.
Zukov takes a little break here. Ivan wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Ivan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zukov is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Ivan will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Ivan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Zukov decides to stand back up. Zukov steps back and let's Ivan get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Ivan.
Ivan stuffs the takedown attempt from Zukov. Zukov gets slowly back to his feet.
Zukov dives in and grabs Ivan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ivan pushes down on Zukov's head and hops out.
Ivan has a takedown stuffed.
Zukov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ivan.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zukov shoots in for a takedown but Ivan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Zukov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ivan's half guard.
Ivan wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Boris Zukov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zukov looking to score a takedown here. Ivan is defending well but Zukov drives through and ends up in Ivan's guard.
Ivan 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.
Zukov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Boris Zukov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Zukov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zukov shoots in looking for a takedown. Ivan tries to sprawl out of it but Zukov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ivan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ivan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ivan wants it to stay on the feet.
Ivan Ivan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boris Zukov.
Ivan misses with a takedown attempt - Zukov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zukov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zukov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ivan is fending him off so far but Zukov persists. Nope, Ivan circles away and we're back to standing.
Zukov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zukov.

Ivan clinches up with Zukov and pushes him back against the cage.
Ivan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zukov smiles and moves away.
Ivan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zukov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ivan throws a head kick but Zukov moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zukov.
Ivan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zukov circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivan misses with a few strikes there.
Zukov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zukov looks for a takedown but Ivan sprawls well.
Boris Zukov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown by Zukov or perhaps it was just good defense by Ivan which made him look bad.
Ivan dives in and grabs Zukov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zukov pushes down on Ivan's head and hops out.
Zukov stuffs the takedown attempt from Ivan. Ivan gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zukov.
Zukov shoots in for a takedown but Ivan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zukov fails to land the takedown.
Ivan throws a right hand that Zukov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zukov also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Ivan. No joy for Zukov on that attempt.
Zukov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ivan swivels and escapes.

Ivan gets the takedown into side control.
Ivan wants to stand but Zukov has his arm trapped.
Zukov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ivan is controlling him well.
Zukov prevents Ivan from improving position.
Ivan trying to control the action but Zukov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ivan tries to stand but Zukov controls the position and pulls Ivan into his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ivan trying to control but Zukov is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ivan Ivan will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Zukov shoots in for a double leg but Ivan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zukov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Horrible takedown by Ivan or perhaps it was just good defense by Zukov which made him look bad.
Zukov shoots for a takedown but Ivan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ivan Ivan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boris Zukov.
Zukov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ivan but Ivan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ivan is looking to clinch.
Zukov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ivan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zukov somewhat.
Zukov fails with a takedown attempt.
Ivan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zukov as he jumps to the side.
Zukov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zukov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ivan shoots in but Zukov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zukov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ivan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivan thows a body shot but no joy.
Zukov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ivan as he jumps to the side.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ivan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ivan shoots in but no luck this time.
Ivan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zukov shoots in but no luck this time.
Ivan moves in looking to clinch but Zukov pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zukov.
Ivan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ivan Ivan is winning the standup battle so far.
Zukov shoots in looking for a takedown. Ivan tries to sprawl out of it but Zukov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ivan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zukov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zukov misses with a takedown
and Ivan counters with a series of strikes. Zukov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Zukov dives in and grabs Ivan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ivan pushes down on Zukov's head and hops out.
Ivan misses with a takedown attempt - Zukov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zukov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice sprawl there from Ivan as Zukov shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Zukov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ivan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Ivan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
A lull in the action here as Zukov stalls from top position.
Ivan tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zukov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zukov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zukov.
Ivan jabs at Zukov's body.
Zukov shoots in and drives through. Ivan sprawls well.
Zukov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ivan sprawls well. Ivan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zukov gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ivan looks for a takedown but Zukov sprawls well.

Zukov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ivan's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boris Zukov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zukov 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Boris Zukov!