PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Pupkoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rayn Zetterberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Pupkoff could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rayn Zetterberg's chin.

Pupkoff
vs
Zetterberg

185 cm
25
225 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Pupkoff!
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, Rayn Zetterberg!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Pupkoff, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zetterberg wants to clinch up but Pupkoff keeps it at a distance.
Zetterberg takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Pupkoff fails to land the takedown.
Zetterberg throws a sloppy head kick and Pupkoff moves out of range easily.
Pupkoff fails with the takedown.
Pupkoff chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Pupkoff tries to clinch up but Zetterberg circles away and keeps his distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zetterberg has Pupkoff pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pupkoff manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pupkoff tries to pull guard but Zetterberg forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Pupkoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pupkoff tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zetterberg avoids it.

Zetterberg successfully pulls guard.
Zetterberg 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pupkoff postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pupkoff looking to sit in guard and control but Zetterberg gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zetterberg preventing the sweep.
Pupkoff can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zetterberg controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rayn Zetterberg.
Zetterberg shoots in for a takedown but Pupkoff shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pupkoff looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zetterberg is fending him off so far but Pupkoff persists. Nope, Zetterberg circles away and we're back to standing.
Pupkoff throws a low kick, looking for Zetterberg's leg but Zetterberg calmly moves out of range.
Pupkoff fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pupkoff will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Zetterberg looking to score a takedown here. Pupkoff is defending well but Zetterberg drives through and ends up in Pupkoff's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zetterberg in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pupkoff 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.
Zetterberg is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zetterberg's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rayn Zetterberg.
Pupkoff throws a quick inside leg kick.
Pupkoff misses with a low kick.
Pupkoff moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zetterberg looks winded!
Pupkoff throws a head kick that misses.
Pupkoff chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Pupkoff lands a jab.

Pupkoff dives in and scores a takedown into Zetterberg's guard.
Zetterberg should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pupkoff trying to control the position from guard on top but Zetterberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pupkoff with a flurry of punches that miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pupkoff has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zetterberg is proving hard to escape from.
Pupkoff postures up in Zetterberg's guard and throws a big left but Zetterberg blocks it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zetterberg can do anything to dispel that myth.
Pupkoff wants to stand but Zetterberg has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Pupkoff passes Zetterberg's left leg - he's now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pupkoff not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Pupkoff stands up from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Pupkoff 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.

Pupkoff gets the takedown into side control.
Zetterberg tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Pupkoff wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Pupkoff in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

It looks like Rayn Zetterberg has been cut.
Zetterberg tries to improve position but can't.
Pupkoff working the ground and pound from side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zetterberg avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Pupkoff.
Pupkoff misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Pupkoff misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Pupkoff trying to control the action but Zetterberg is working from the bottom.

Pupkoff stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zetterberg manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Pupkoff on his heels. He'll look to pass Pupkoff's guard now, I'm sure.
Ivan Pupkoff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zetterberg is breathing heavily.
Zetterberg passes Pupkoff's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Zetterberg stops Pupkoff from getting back to his feet.

Zetterberg decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Ivan Pupkoff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pupkoff connects with a high kick.

The cut above Rayn Zetterberg's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nice sprawl there from Zetterberg as Pupkoff shoots in.
Zetterberg takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Zetterberg defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pupkoff.

Pupkoff gets caught napping as Zetterberg dives in and scores a takedown. Pupkoff manages to retain guard.
Zetterberg trying to control but Pupkoff is working from the bottom.

Pupkoff is working an open guard so Zetterberg takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Pupkoff shoots for a double leg takedown but Zetterberg sprawls well. He's pushed Pupkoff'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 Ivan Pupkoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Zetterberg or perhaps it was just good defense by Pupkoff which made him look bad.
Zetterberg wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pupkoff.
Pupkoff throws a half hearted mid kick.
Zetterberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pupkoff.
Ivan Pupkoff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pupkoff misses with a takedown attempt - Zetterberg sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pupkoff tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zetterberg was well out of range. Poor timing from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zetterberg's sensitive parts.
Pupkoff shoots and misses
and Zetterberg counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pupkoff thinking.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Zetterberg has eaten all the pies!
Zetterberg shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pupkoff but Pupkoff pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zetterberg stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pupkoff.
Zetterberg wants to clinch.
Pupkoff will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pupkoff misses with an attempted mid kick.
Pupkoff doesn't manage to clinch there - Zetterberg circles away.
Pupkoff misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Pupkoff tries to sprawl but Zetterberg drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Pupkoff is trying to maintain the position but Zetterberg is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Pupkoff dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rayn Zetterberg's cut.
That's time! Pupkoff's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Pupkoff tries to close the distance and clinch but Zetterberg swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zetterberg looks to land a right hand but Pupkoff moved out of range.

Pupkoff gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Pupkoff throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Zetterberg lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zetterberg stays in close to Pupkoff's body and controls the position.
Zetterberg would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Zetterberg takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zetterberg is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Rayn Zetterberg hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Pupkoff closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zetterberg circles away.
Pupkoff throws a head kick but Zetterberg moves out of range.
Zetterberg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pupkoff paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Pupkoff clinches with his opponent.

Pupkoff manages to break the clinch.
Zetterberg looks to throw the jab but Pupkoff is out of range.
Pupkoff throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pupkoff. That's going to slow Zetterberg down.
Pupkoff throws a nice looking combination but Zetterberg bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zetterberg stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Pupkoff works Zetterberg's body with a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No joy there for Pupkoff, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pupkoff moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Pupkoff looks to land a combination but Zetterberg avoids it well.
Pupkoff scores with a jab to the body.
Zetterberg avoids the head kick by Pupkoff.
Horrible takedown by Pupkoff or perhaps it was just good defense by Zetterberg which made him look bad.
Zetterberg misses with a few strikes there.
Good work by Zetterberg as he checks the leg kick.
Ivan Pupkoff is winning the standup battle so far.
Pupkoff scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zetterberg gets a takedown into half guard.
Pupkoff tries to roll over but Zetterberg keeps him under control.

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

Zetterberg is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pupkoff is just riding it out for now. Zetterberg eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zetterberg prevents Pupkoff from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Pupkoff showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pupkoff, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Pupkoff!