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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Renato Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Bring Da Ruckus. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 170 cm
35
142 lbs
25 - 13 - 0 |
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180 cm
35
141 lbs
26 - 14 - 1 |
Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine |
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ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Renato Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
26 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhirkov lands a head kick!
Zhirkov thows a body shot but no joy.
Zhirkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie throws a hook but Zhirkov avoids it easily.
Gracie takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Zhirkov shoots in but no luck this time.
Gracie scores with a nice body kick.
Gracie throws a low kick, looking for Zhirkov's leg but Zhirkov calmly moves out of range.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhirkov connects with a crisp jab.
Zhirkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gracie is fending him off so far but Zhirkov persists. Nope, Gracie circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie swings widly with a right hand
and Zhirkov counters with a straight right hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zhirkov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Zhirkov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gracie cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Renato Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Zhirkov.
Zhirkov misses with an uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Zhirkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zhirkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhirkov.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie misses with an uppercut. Zhirkov saw that one coming.
Zhirkov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie misses with a straight left.
Gracie swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Zhirkov lands the left hand.
Renato Gracie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Zhirkov ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie looks to land a left hand but Zhirkov moved out of range nicely.
Gracie misses the shot to the body.
Zhirkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zhirkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gracie throws out the jab.
Zhirkov gets a double leg takedown into Gracie's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhirkov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Zhirkov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Robert Zhirkov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A cross from Gracie lands.
Zhirkov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Zhirkov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zhirkov takes one to the chin there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zhirkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gracie throws a shot from downtown. Zhirkov moves away and avoids it.
Gracie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gracie misses with a kick to the body.
Zhirkov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhirkov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gracie connects with an inside leg kick.
Zhirkov feints and as Gracie raises his hands in defense, Zhirkov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie pulls Zhirkov in close to his closed guard and prevents Zhirkov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Zhirkov trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Gracie is pulling down on Zhirkov's head. It's preventing any offense from Zhirkov, at least for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Renato Gracie has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Zhirkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Zhirkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a hook but Gracie avoids it easily.
Zhirkov scores with a nice strike.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch but Zhirkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zhirkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gracie as he avoids it easily.
Zhirkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zhirkov connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Zhirkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov misses with a takedown
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Gracie connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zhirkov takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie throws a lazy right hand but Zhirkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gracie misses with a two punch combination.
Zhirkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gracie as he avoids it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gracie, right into the meat.
Gracie takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gracie connects with a jab.
Zhirkov lands with a nice combination. Gracie backs away looking to recover.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zhirkov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Gracie had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Gracie throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gracie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zhirkov checks a low kick from Gracie.
Zhirkov misses the jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhirkov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Gracie throws a poor cross that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gracie thinking.
Gracie misses with a jab, cross combination.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gracie slips a jab from Zhirkov.
A solid body kick from Gracie.
Zhirkov slips a straight right by Gracie.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zhirkov throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.
Zhirkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Zhirkov just misses with a punch to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhirkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhirkov shoots in and drives through. Gracie sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Zhirkov thows a body shot but no joy.
A low kick from Gracie is predictable there
and Zhirkov counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheers as Gracie lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zhirkov doesn't seem phased though.
Zhirkov takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zhirkov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zhirkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gracie is fending him off so far but Zhirkov persists. Nope, Gracie circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Horrible takedown by Zhirkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Gracie which made him look bad.
Gracie looks to land a combination but Zhirkov avoids it well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Gracie.
Zhirkov misses with a looping left.
Zhirkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Zhirkov throws a leg kick but Gracie checks it.
Gracie moves in looking to clinch but Zhirkov pushes him off.
Gracie swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gracie takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gracie feints and then cracks Zhirkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zhirkov down.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhirkov.
Gracie looks for the body kick but Zhirkov saw that one coming.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov jabs Gracie to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zhirkov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gracie manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Zhirkov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gracie is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Zhirkov, into his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhirkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Zhirkov blocks nicely.
Gracie postures up in Zhirkov's guard and throws a big left but Zhirkov blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zhirkov's head.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Zhirkov is retaining full guard.
Zhirkov wants to sweep but no luck.
Gracie throws an elbow that misses. Zhirkov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gracie's guard. Nice move by Zhirkov!
Gracie trying to keep a closed guard but Zhirkov is proving a slippery customer.
Gracie has his hands on Zhirkov's head, controlling the position.
Zhirkov with a nice head shot there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zhirkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie wants to stand but Zhirkov is controlling the position.
Zhirkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhirkov looking to sit in guard and control but Gracie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zhirkov controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.
Zhirkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
Gracie preventing the sweep.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zhirkov 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.
Gracie is working Zhirkov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zhirkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
Zhirkov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zhirkov is on top in guard.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gracie can't keep his opponent in guard - Zhirkov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Zhirkov is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zhirkov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov stops Gracie from getting back to his feet.
Zhirkov trying to pass the guard but Gracie defending well.
Zhirkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Zhirkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zhirkov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zhirkov trying to mount his opponent but Gracie defends it.
Zhirkov passes to full mount!
Gracie is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoids a series of strikes thrown by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gracie is squirming around, avoiding Zhirkov's attempts to control the action.
Zhirkov punishing his opponent with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhirkov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Zhirkov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Zhirkov misses with a head shot.
Gracie gets back to half guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Zhirkov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Zhirkov is keen to just control but Gracie is a slippery customer.
Gracie makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Zhirkov ducks down to avoid it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zhirkov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Robert Zhirkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Jab by Gracie.
Zhirkov throws a leg kick which misses Gracie's front leg but catches the back leg as Gracie tries to avoid it.
Gracie has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Zhirkov.
Gracie connects with a jab.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zhirkov.
Gracie throws a body punch but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Zhirkov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhirkov throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Gracie throws a hook but Zhirkov avoids it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Zhirkov misses its intended target.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zhirkov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gracie looks to throw the jab but Zhirkov is out of range.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhirkov throws out the jab.
Gracie is looking to chop away at Zhirkov's legs.
Zhirkov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zhirkov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhirkov cracks Gracie with an open hand slap.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with an inside leg kick.
Gracie throws the kick towards the body but Zhirkov avoids it.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zhirkov.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhirkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zhirkov.
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zhirkov circles away quickly and effectively.
Zhirkov scores with a jab. Gracie acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zhirkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gracie is fending him off so far but Zhirkov persists. Nope, Gracie circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands a nice shot that snaps Gracie's head back.
Gracie will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gracie misses with a body shot.
Gracie misses with an uppercut.
Gracie throws a right hand that Zhirkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zhirkov also avoids with ease.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zhirkov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Zhirkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gracie's waist but Gracie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zhirkov off to one side.
Gracie throws a nice looking combination but Zhirkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov defending well as Gracie loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Zhirkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Zhirkov.
Gracie lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zhirkov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zhirkov lands in his opponent's guard.
Gracie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zhirkov.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Zhirkov from controlling successfully.
Gracie controls Zhirkov momentarily but Zhirkov frees himself.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Zhirkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zhirkov won't allow Gracie to get back to his feet.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov distracts Gracie with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zhirkov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gracie has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Zhirkov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhirkov throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zhirkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gracie pinned against the cage. Gracie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Renato Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Zhirkov.
Gracie scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zhirkov doesn't seem bothered though.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands a head shot.
Gracie gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gracie lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Zhirkov!
Gracie breaks from Zhirkov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Zhirkov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount and Zhirkov is in trouble!
Gracie putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Zhirkov because Gracie loaded up on that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zhirkov is looking to escape.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov can't escape the position.
Gracie is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Gracie avoids the attempt from Zhirkov to control.
Zhirkov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Zhirkov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gracie cracks Zhirkov with a solid left hand.
Gracie is in close to Zhirkov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zhirkov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zhirkov is on top in guard.
Gracie managing to control the position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zhirkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zhirkov throwing strikes but missing.
Zhirkov controlling from the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zhirkov 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 Robert Zhirkov.
Well Zhirkov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Robert Zhirkov!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Robert Zhirkov!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Robert Zhirkov!
Robert Zhirkov wins by unanimous decision!
In his post fight interview, Robert Zhirkov started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
49% |
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