PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luka Modric (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Modric
vs
Zhirkov

180 cm
30
186 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

180 cm
40
141 lbs
32 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Luka Modric!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Modric chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zhirkov can pounce on him.
Modric throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zhirkov lands with a hook. Modric tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Modric lunges at Zhirkov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zhirkov's hand.
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Zhirkov thuds a left hand into Modric's body.
Zhirkov jabs at Modric's body.

Zhirkov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Modric is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Modric is refusing to be controlled, as Zhirkov sits in half guard.

Modric actively working from the bottom here.
Modric is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov is taking a breather. Modric 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.
Modric wants to get back to full guard.
Zhirkov throwing shots but Modric is blocking nicely.
Modric keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zhirkov controlling the action here.
Zhirkov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Modric wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Modric knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Zhirkov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Modric keeps working.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Modric throws a jab when Zhirkov was well out of range.
Zhirkov moves out of range of the body kick.
Modric lands a glancing blow to the side of Zhirkov's head.
Nice body kick there by Zhirkov.
Modric swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhirkov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Modric lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
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!
Modric lands a glancing blow to the side of Zhirkov's head.

Zhirkov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zhirkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Modric's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Modric is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Modric works his way to full guard. Good work.
Zhirkov with a nice head shot there.
Zhirkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zhirkov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Modric avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Modric keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Modric controlling Zhirkov's posture.
Modric working a defensive guard here.
Modric avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhirkov throwing strikes but missing.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Zhirkov won't allow Modric to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zhirkov throws a jab when Modric was well out of range.
Modric throws a body punch but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Modric throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Zhirkov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov pushes Modric away with a front kick.
Modric tests Zhirkov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zhirkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Modric.
Modric uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhirkov.
Modric scores with a nice head shot.
Modric misses with a leg kick.
Modric takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Zhirkov lands with a good body shot.
Modric stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov moves away from the strike by Modric.
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!
That kick from Zhirkov tenderised Modric's leg. Modric is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zhirkov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Modric just misses with a punch to the body.
Modric steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Modric fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhirkov manages to avoid it.
Modric jabs Zhirkov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Modric throws a hook to the side of Zhirkov's head but Zhirkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhirkov lands a jab to Modric's midsection.
Modric misses with a leg kick
and Zhirkov counters with a low kick, right behind Modric 's knee.
Nice defenses there by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Modric.
Modric throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A good leg kick by Modric.
Modric tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhirkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Modric.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhirkov. Modric does a little dance to reset his feet.
Modric scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Zhirkov slips a jab from Modric.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Modric momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Modric walks into a left hand.
Modric lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zhirkov looks for the body kick but Modric saw that one coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Modric. Zhirkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Modric throws a jab but it's blocked by Zhirkov.
Modric has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Modric there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zhirkov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Modric stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Modric throws a series of punches but Zhirkov avoids them all with ease.
Zhirkov lands a high kick!
Zhirkov misses with a leg kick
letting Modric counter with a right hand.
Zhirkov lands with a nice body punch.
Modric scores with a jab. Zhirkov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Modric uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhirkov.
Some wild striking there from Zhirkov.
Modric throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhirkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Modric. Those never looked like landing.
Zhirkov lands with an overhand left.
Zhirkov ducks right into an uppercut from Modric.
Zhirkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Modric looks to land a left hand but Zhirkov moved out of range nicely.
Modric punishes Zhirkov's body with a nice straight punch.
Zhirkov lunges at Modric with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Modric's hand.
Modric throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhirkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Modric misses with a hook. Zhirkov ducked under it nicely.
Modric throws a right hand that misses
and Zhirkov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zhirkov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A big left from Zhirkov misses.
Zhirkov throws the left hand but Modric avoids the punch easily.
Zhirkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zhirkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Modric as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Modric fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zhirkov is out of range.
Zhirkov tries for a takedown but Modric sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Luka Modric is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhirkov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Crunch! Modric slams his shin into Zhirkov's torso.
Modric throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zhirkov on the side of the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Modric. That's going to slow Zhirkov down.
Zhirkov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Modric displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zhirkov.
Luka Modric has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Zhirkov.
Modric throws a good cross that connects.

Zhirkov is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhirkov ducks under a wild hook from Modric.
Zhirkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Modric lands a jab to Zhirkov's midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Modric dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Modric just misses with a punch to the body.
Zhirkov moves out of range as Modric strikes.
Zhirkov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Modric lands with a thumping leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Modric.
Zhirkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Modric lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zhirkov lands with a nice combination. Modric backs away looking to recover.
Nice uppercut lands for Modric. That snapped Zhirkov's head back.
Zhirkov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Modric finds it's way round the side to connect with Zhirkov's head.
Zhirkov is still on wobbly legs! Can Modric finish him?
Modric lands a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Modric throws a head kick that misses
and Zhirkov counters with an outside leg kick.
Modric throws a shot from downtown. Zhirkov moves away and avoids it.
Zhirkov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Modric's head.
Zhirkov misses with a head kick.
Zhirkov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Modric fails to land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Modric. Those never looked like landing.
Luka Modric is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Modric just misses with a punch to the body.
Modric pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Modric stalks Zhirkov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zhirkov's face. Zhirkov staggers backwards, shaken.
Zhirkov is looking to land body kicks.
Modric gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Zhirkov counters with an outside leg kick.
Modric loads up on a big right hand but Zhirkov slips the punch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Modric checks a leg kick.
Modric throws a head kick that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zhirkov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zhirkov seems to have recovered his senses.
Zhirkov shoots for a takedown but Modric saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Modric lands a head shot.
Modric misses with a hook. Zhirkov ducked under it nicely.
Zhirkov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Modric fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhirkov manages to avoid it.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov blocks a jab.
A combination from Zhirkov does no damage.
Modric pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zhirkov is out of range and Modric settles back down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crunch! Zhirkov slams his shin into Modric's torso.
Modric misses with a two punch combination.
Modric cracks Zhirkov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Modric throws a leg kick
and Zhirkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Modric swinging wildly here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Modric, as that shot connected.
Zhirkov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Modric at a distance.
Zhirkov connects with a body shot that sends Modric's belly button to the back.
Zhirkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhirkov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhirkov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Modric. Modric circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov tries to land a front kick but Modric steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Modric takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zhirkov throws out a powerful jab.
Zhirkov blocks the body kick.
Modric throws a sloppy head kick and Zhirkov moves out of range easily.
Modric swinging wildly here.
A shot to the body from Zhirkov misses
and Modric counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zhirkov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Zhirkov tries to bum rush Modric with a series of wild strikes but Modric uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Modric lands a head shot.
Zhirkov throws a push kick but Modric slaps the foot to one side.
Zhirkov clobbers Modric with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Modric throws a right hand that Zhirkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zhirkov also avoids with ease.
Zhirkov thows a body shot but no joy.
Modric moves out of range of the body kick from Zhirkov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov moves away from the strike by Modric.
Zhirkov keeps Modric at a distance using the push kick.
Zhirkov lands a right hook to the body.
Zhirkov defending well as Modric loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Decent striking displayed by Modric there.
Modric jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Modric throws a leg kick but Zhirkov checks it.
Zhirkov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zhirkov throws a big shot that misses.
Modric takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zhirkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Zhirkov.
Modric misses with a double jab.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zhirkov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zhirkov lands a body shot.

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 Luka Modric.
I think Modric has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luka Modric!