PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lerba Schmeizel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach Didion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Schmeizel comes to the cage accompanied by Zorba the Greek. Lerba Schmeizel has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Schmeizel
vs
Didion

184 cm
25
162 lbs
9 - 7 - 1

170 cm
20
161 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ultimate Fighting Gear
HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158-Q155

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Lerba Schmeizel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zach Didion!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Dmitry Maklakov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Schmeizel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Didion looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Didion tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Schmeizel wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Schmeizel working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Didion gets back to half guard.
Schmeizel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Didion defending well though.
Didion tries to get to full guard but Schmeizel has control of the leg.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Schmeizel thows a huge punch but Didion dodges it nicely.
Didion is looking to improve his position.
Schmeizel thows a huge punch but Didion dodges it nicely.

Didion manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Schmeizel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Didion.

Schmeizel rushes Didion and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Schmeizel missing with knees to the body.

Didion escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Didion swings for the body but Schmeizel moves out of range.
Didion 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Didion throws out a powerful jab.
Schmeizel is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Didion tries to bum rush Schmeizel with a series of wild strikes but Schmeizel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Didion misses with an uppercut.
Schmeizel misses with a head kick.
Zach Didion is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Didion.
Didion keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Didion turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Schmeizel scores with a head kick. Didion tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Schmeizel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Didion looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schmeizel controlling from side mount.
Didion wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel tries to score with some ground and pound. Didion controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Didion manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Schmeizel will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Schmeizel thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Didion wants to get back to full guard.
Schmeizel trying to mount his opponent but Didion defends it.
Schmeizel passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Didion!
Didion is in all sorts of trouble here.
Didion is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Didion sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Schmeizel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Didion keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel wants to free his trapped foot but Didion is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Didion wants to improve his position but Schmeizel is controlling well.
Schmeizel wants to pass to mount but Didion is defending the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Schmeizel is taking a breather. Didion says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Didion moves into full guard.
Schmeizel trying to control the position from guard on top but Didion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Didion working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel wants to pass the guard but Didion is keeping the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Schmeizel slips a jab and a cross from Didion.
Schmeizel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schmeizel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice combination there by Didion.
Didion looks to land a combination but Schmeizel avoids it well.
Didion pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Didion ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Schmeizel moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Schmeizel fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lerba Schmeizel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schmeizel throws a head kick that half lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zach Didion will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Schmeizel throws a head kick that misses.
Nice sprawl there from Didion as Schmeizel shoots in.
Didion throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Schmeizel throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Didion.
Didion misses with a head kick.
Didion smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Schmeizel moves in looking to clinch but Didion pushes him off.
Didion throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Schmeizel holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Schmeizel manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel slips under a jab from Didion.
Didion tries a head kick but it misses.
Didion fails to land with a series of punches.
Didion swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Schmeizel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Didion throws out the jab.
Didion throws a nice looking combination but Schmeizel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmeizel is looking to clinch but Didion is avoiding it.
Schmeizel lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Schmeizel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Didion.
Didion takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Didion sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Didion moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Didion swats away the attempt to clinch by Schmeizel.
Didion circles away from the clinch attempt.
Didion avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Schmeizel dives in and scores a takedown into Didion's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Didion keeping moving, preventing Schmeizel from controlling successfully.
Schmeizel looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel postures up.
Didion preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Didion has his hands on Schmeizel's head, controlling the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Didion wants to sweep but no luck.
Schmeizel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Schmeizel has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Didion has Schmeizel pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zach Didion.
Schmeizel feints and then cracks Didion's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Didion down.
Didion throws a jab but it's blocked by Schmeizel.
Schmeizel tries to move into range but Didion moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Didion misses with a double jab.
Didion throws a hook to the side of Schmeizel's head but Schmeizel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Didion on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Schmeizel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Schmeizel fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Didion looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Didion takes one to the chin there.
Schmeizel fails with a takedown attempt.
Schmeizel fakes the leg kick and cracks Didion in the body.
Didion walks into a straight right hand from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Schmeizel moves in looking to clinch but Didion pushes him off.

Schmeizel moves into the clinch.
Didion blocks an elbow strike.
Didion takes an elbow to the forehead.
Didion is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Schmeizel scores a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Schmeizel dodges an elbow strike from Didion.
Schmeizel prevents Didion from breaking the clinch.
Didion pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Schmeizel landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Schmeizel tries a knee to the head but Didion blocks it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Schmeizel just misses with a elbow thrown towards Didion's brow.
Didion wants to stall.
Didion tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Schmeizel's elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Didion tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Schmeizel is struggling to control the position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Schmeizel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lerba Schmeizel dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A head kick misses from Schmeizel.
A telegraphed right hand from Didion misses the target.
Schmeizel throws a low kick but it's checked well by Didion.
Schmeizel doesn't manage to clinch there - Didion circles away.

Schmeizel clinches up with Didion and pushes him back against the cage.
Didion tries to circle away but Schmeizel has him pinned against the cage.
Schmeizel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Schmeizel scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Zach Didion has been cut.
Schmeizel lands an elbow that stopped Didion in his tracks for a moment.
Didion throws a head punch that misses.
Schmeizel blocks an uppercut.
Didion pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Didion misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Schmeizel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Schmeizel.
Didion digs a right hand underneath Schmeizel's ribcage. Schmeizel let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmeizel blocking some punches.
Schmeizel is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Schmeizel stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Schmeizel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Didion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Schmeizel is trying to maintain a safe position but Didion gets an underhook and turns Schmeizel into the cage.
Didion throws a head punch that misses.
Didion creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Schmeizel's defenses.
Schmeizel misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Didion.
Didion lands with a short shot to the head.
Schmeizel is stalling here.
Didion pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Schmeizel blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Didion tries to break the clinch but Schmeizel is controlling the position.
Didion is trying to break free.
Didion is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Didion working hard to break the clinch.
Schmeizel tries a knee to the head but Didion blocks it.

Didion's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Schmeizel slips under a jab from Didion.
Schmeizel misses with a takedown attempt - Didion sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Didion throws a poor cross that misses
and Schmeizel counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A leg kick checked by Schmeizel.
Didion fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Schmeizel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Didion misses with a looping left.

Schmeizel clinches with his opponent.
Schmeizel connects with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel stalling in the clinch but Didion improves position.
Schmeizel misses with an elbow over the top.
Didion throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Schmeizel blocking some punches.
Schmeizel stalling.
Didion takes an elbow to the temple.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Didion just misses with a elbow thrown towards Schmeizel's brow.
Schmeizel has Didion pushed against the cage.
Schmeizel tries to work over Didion's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Didion throws an elbow but it misses.
Didion tries to work over Schmeizel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Schmeizel lands an elbow just above Didion 's eye.
A nice left hand lands by Didion.
Lerba Schmeizel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Schmeizel looking to throw knees to the head but Didion is blocking nicely.
Didion pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Didion wants to get back to striking at distance but Schmeizel won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Schmeizel takes an elbow to the temple.
Schmeizel wants to stall.
Schmeizel avoids the elbow strike from Didion, against the cage.
Schmeizel blocking some punches.
Didion swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Schmeizel.
Didion is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Schmeizel is defending well for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Schmeizel lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Didion putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Schmeizel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Schmeizel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Didion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schmeizel pressing his opponent against the cage.
Didion misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lerba Schmeizel.
Well Schmeizel has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!