PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kristijan Zirdum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luca Donati (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Donati is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Voodoo & Serano - Blood is pumping. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Zirdum
vs
Donati

180 cm
24
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
20
228 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kristijan Zirdum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Luca Donati!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Glass and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zirdum fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Donati tries to clinch but Zirdum is having none of it.
Zirdum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Zirdum's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Donati fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Donati fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kristijan Zirdum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donati tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zirdum was well out of range. Poor timing from Donati.

Zirdum forces Donati back against the cage and clinches.

Zirdum ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zirdum no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Zirdum not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Donati forces his way into half guard.

Donati is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donati thows a huge punch but Zirdum dodges it nicely.
Zirdum might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Still in half guard, Donati seems content to control.
Donati wants to take a breather but Zirdum is having none of it.
Donati prevents Zirdum from improving his position.
Donati is keen to just control but Zirdum is a slippery customer.
Zirdum blocking the ground and pound attempt from Donati.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zirdum controlling the position well.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Luca Donati wasn't active enough on the ground.
Donati shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zirdum but Zirdum pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zirdum takes a shot to the body in his stride.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zirdum just leaning against Donati, taking a breather.
Zirdum tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Donati gets control of Zirdum's arms and successfully pulls guard. Donati will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Donati wants to sweep here but Zirdum controlling him for the moment.
Donati keeping moving, preventing Zirdum from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zirdum is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Donati trying to strike off his back.
Donati throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Donati keeping moving, preventing Zirdum from controlling successfully.

Kristijan Zirdum has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Donati throws a nice looking combination but Zirdum bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Donati gets tackled into the cage by Zirdum. Zirdum maintains the clinch.
Zirdum is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Donati has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zirdum uses from the top position.

Zirdum gets to his feet - Donati follows without any prompting.

Zirdum forces Donati back against the cage and clinches.
Donati is trying to break the clinch but Zirdum has him pressed against the cage.

Zirdum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zirdum lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Donati blocks a head kick by Zirdum.

Zirdum changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Donati looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Donati looks winded!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Donati is being controlled here.
Zirdum could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zirdum laying and praying for a moment but Donati takes advantage and regains half guard.
Donati makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Donati.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kristijan Zirdum will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Donati with a poor takedown

and Zirdum holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Zirdum stops a takedown attempt from Donati.
Zirdum is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Donati is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zirdum to keep the fight standing.
Kristijan Zirdum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luca Donati.
Donati has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zirdum trying to control the position but instead, Donati has worked for underhooks and has pushed Zirdum into the cage.
Donati jumps guard but Zirdum stands there with Donati around his waist. Donati gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zirdum is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Donati gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Zirdum is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Donati pushes off an throws an elbow but Zirdum leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zirdum prevents a takedown attempt there.
Zirdum looking for a takedown.

Zirdum breaks the clinch.
Zirdum throws a head kick that half lands.

Zirdum closes the distance and pushes Donati back into the cage.
Donati wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zirdum has him pressed against the cage.
Donati misses with an elbow over the top.
Donati has Zirdum pushed against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zirdum.

Zirdum manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zirdum throws a series of strikes that have Donati backpedaling.
Donati shoots in looking for a takedown but Zirdum manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Donati's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Donati is breathing heavily.

Zirdum moves into the clinch successfully.
Zirdum is trying to pull guard but Donati turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
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!
Donati tries to pull guard but Zirdum forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Donati tries to score a body lock takedown but Zirdum shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zirdum prevents a body shot from Donati.

Zirdum decides to pull guard.
Donati tries to free his leg and advance position but Zirdum is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zirdum controls Donati momentarily but Donati frees himself.
Zirdum keeping moving, preventing Donati from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zirdum is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Donati is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zirdum pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Zirdum tries to score a body lock takedown but Donati shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Donati is trying to stall.

Zirdum pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Zirdum pushes Donati up against the cage in a clinch.

Zirdum drags the fight down to the ground.
Donati is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zirdum is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Donati wants to pass the guard but Zirdum is keeping the position.

Donati stands and steps away. Zirdum gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Zirdum pushes Donati up against the cage in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zirdum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Left hook, right uppercut from Donati.

Zirdum clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristijan Zirdum dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Donati shoots in for a takedown but Zirdum shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Zirdum moves into the clinch successfully.
Donati throws a knee to the head but misses.
Donati looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Donati wants to take the fight to the mat but Zirdum manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Donati throws a head punch that misses.
Zirdum tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zirdum tries to pull guard but Donati won't allow it.
Donati jumps guard but Zirdum stands there with Donati around his waist. Donati gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kristijan Zirdum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luca Donati.

Zirdum manages to break the clinch.
Donati takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Donati has a takedown stuffed.
Zirdum throws a right and a left that Donati avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donati fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Donati avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kristijan Zirdum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Zirdum shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zirdum decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Zirdum gets a clinch.
Zirdum is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Zirdum fails to pull guard.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zirdum.
Kristijan Zirdum has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Zirdum's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zirdum clinches.
Donati takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zirdum stalling in the clinch but Donati improves position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Donati tries to pull guard but Zirdum won't allow it.
Donati tries to pull guard but Zirdum forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zirdum is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zirdum has Donati pushed against the cage.
Donati is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Zirdum is keeping busy.
Zirdum trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zirdum manages to break the clinch.
Donati avoids the head kick by Zirdum.
Horrible takedown by Donati or perhaps it was just good defense by Zirdum which made him look bad.
Zirdum connects with a leg kick. Donati looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Zirdum gets a clinch.

Zirdum breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Donati shoots in and drives through. Zirdum sprawls well.

Zirdum shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Zirdum was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Donati is looking to improve his position but Zirdum isn't that keen on the idea.
Donati swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zirdum lands a nice shot to the head.
Zirdum connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Zirdum sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kristijan Zirdum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zirdum has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kristijan Zirdum showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zirdum 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kristijan Zirdum!
Kristijan Zirdum thanked the fans post fight for their support.