PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rogers Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maksim Zotov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nelson comes to the cage accompanied by Never Let It Die. Zotov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Мы расправи kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nelson
vs
Zotov

171 cm
26
144 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

160 cm
30
137 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rogers Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maksim Zotov!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by Zotov. That's going to slow Nelson down.
Nelson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zotov circles away quickly and effectively.
Nelson throws an overhand right that lands on Zotov's shoulder, as Zotov tries to avoid the shot.
Nelson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Some bone on bone action there as Nelson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Zotov fails with the takedown
and Nelson counters with a three punch combo that has Zotov backing up. Zotov nods at Nelson to acknowledge the strikes.
Zotov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Zotov throws a leg kick which misses Nelson's front leg but catches the back leg as Nelson tries to avoid it.
Nelson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nelson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zotov moves away from the strike by Nelson.
Zotov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Zotov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nelson throws a looping overhand right but Zotov ducks down to avoid it.
Zotov thumps Nelson with a low kick.
Nelson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nelson avoids a kick to the body.
Nelson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zotov. Zotov obviously looking to wear him down.
Nelson missing with a left hand there. Zotov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zotov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zotov connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson looks to throw the jab but Zotov is out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zotov, right into the meat.
Nelson throws a hook but Zotov blocks it.
Nelson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A lazy left from Nelson finds it's target.
Zotov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A slow jab from Nelson misses its intended target.
Zotov misses with a low kick as Nelson jumps back.
Nelson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nelson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zotov.
A combination from Nelson does no damage.
Zotov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zotov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nelson's sensitive parts.
Nelson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zotov.
Zotov is looking to land body kicks.
Nelson throws the left hand but Zotov avoids the punch easily.
Nelson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nelson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nelson throws a hook but Zotov blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nelson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zotov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nelson blocks a low kick nicely.
Zotov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zotov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Zotov shoots in looking for a takedown. Nelson tries to sprawl out of it but Zotov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nelson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rogers Nelson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zotov scoring well with a low kick there.
Nelson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nelson punishes Zotov's body with a nice straight punch.
Nelson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Zotov misses with a double jab.
A leg kick checked by Nelson.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zotov.
Zotov shoots in but no luck this time.
Rogers Nelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maksim Zotov.
Zotov throws a wild body kick that Nelson sees coming a mile off.
Nelson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zotov's hands.
Zotov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nelson throws a series of punches but Zotov avoids them all with ease.
Nelson misses with an uppercut.
Nelson throws a shot from downtown. Zotov moves away and avoids it.
Nelson misses with an uppercut. Zotov saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zotov ducks right into an uppercut from Nelson.
Zotov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Zotov lands a nice looking body kick.
Zotov moves away from the strike by Nelson.
Nelson throws out a loose jab but Zotov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zotov.
Zotov misses with a head kick.
Nelson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zotov circles away quickly and effectively.
Nelson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zotov.
Nelson throws a right and a left that Zotov avoids nicely.
Nelson is breathing heavily.
Zotov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nelson sprawls well. Nelson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zotov gets slowly back to his feet.
Nelson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zotov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nelson's calf.
Zotov wants to clinch up but Nelson keeps it at a distance.
Zotov cracks Nelson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A jab from Nelson misses.
Zotov feints and then cracks Nelson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nelson down.
Maksim Zotov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zotov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nelson is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zotov misses with a two punch combination.
Nelson misses with a body shot.
Nelson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zotov can pounce on him.
Zotov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nelson's sensitive parts.
Zotov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Zotov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nelson. That did some damage!
Nelson lands a jab to the nose.
Nelson misses with a straight right.
Nelson throws out a loose jab but Zotov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nelson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zotov on the side of the head.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nelson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zotov - the referee stops the clock and Nelson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zotov. Nelson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nelson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nelson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Nelson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zotov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nelson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zotov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zotov throws a body kick that misses.
Zotov is looking to score with low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Maksim Zotov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zotov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A solid body kick from Zotov.
Nelson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zotov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nelson.
Zotov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nelson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zotov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nelson.
Nelson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zotov.
Nelson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Zotov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nelson keeps the fight on the outside.
Maksim Zotov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zotov throws a sloppy head kick and Nelson moves out of range easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nelson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zotov - the referee stops the clock and Nelson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zotov. Nelson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zotov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A jab from Nelson misses.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Zotov.
Zotov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nelson's calf.
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!
Zotov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nelson takes a swing at Zotov's ribcage but misses.
Zotov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Zotov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zotov scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zotov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zotov connects with a leg kick. Nelson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zotov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nelson backs up against the cage.
Nelson moves out of range of the body kick.
Zotov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nelson misses with the combination.
Zotov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zotov throws a wild body kick that Nelson sees coming a mile off.
Nelson throws a shot from downtown. Zotov moves away and avoids it.
Nelson blocks a head kick by Zotov.
Zotov thumps Nelson with a low kick.
Zotov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nelson's sensitive parts.
Zotov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nelson takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zotov.
Rogers Nelson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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!
Zotov scoring well with a low kick there.
Zotov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nelson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zotov.
Zotov lands with a slapping head kick.
Nelson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zotov was well out of range. Poor timing from Nelson.
Zotov cracks the inside of Nelson's front leg.
Zotov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zotov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nelson looks to throw the jab but Zotov is out of range.
Zotov moves away from the strike by Nelson.
Nelson throws a series of punches but Zotov avoids them all with ease.
Nice jab there from Zotov.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zotov.
Nelson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nelson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zotov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nelson. That did some damage!
Nelson checks a leg kick.
Zotov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zotov scoring well with a low kick there.
A big right from Nelson misses.
Nelson looks to score with a jab to the body but Zotov is just out of range.
Zotov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nelson.
Zotov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Zotov connects with an inside leg kick.
Zotov throws out a leg kick but Nelson moves out of range and Zotov only half commits.
Nelson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zotov punishes Nelson's body with a nice straight punch.
Zotov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zotov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nelson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Zotov. That one must have hurt.
Nelson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Zotov connects with a nice looking jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zotov.
Nelson thows a body shot but no joy.
Nelson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zotov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Zotov throws a nice head kick!
Zotov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nelson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zotov lands with a thumping leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zotov.
Zotov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Good leg kick by Zotov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A lazy left from Zotov finds it's target.
Zotov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nelson swinging wildly here.
A slow jab from Nelson misses its intended target.
Zotov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A chopping leg kick lands by Zotov.
Nelson misses with a straight right.
Zotov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Nelson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maksim Zotov 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!

A head kick misses from Zotov.
Zotov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zotov.
Nelson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nelson misses with a body shot.
Zotov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nelson misses with a right hand
and Zotov counters with a thumping low kick.
Nelson misses with a looping right.
Nelson thuds a left hand into Zotov's body.
Zotov lands a high kick!
Nelson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Zotov pushes Nelson away with a front kick.
Nelson misses with a double jab.
Zotov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zotov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nelson checks it well.
Zotov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Zotov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zotov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nelson is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nelson looking for a sweep. Not yet Nelson, not yet.
Nelson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Zotov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zotov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nelson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zotov on the ground.
Zotov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nelson is keeping the position for now.
Nelson looking for a sweep. Not yet Nelson, not yet.
Zotov forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nelson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nelson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zotov's guard.
Nelson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nelson lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zotov working a defensive guard here.

Zotov has his foot on Nelson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nelson works his way back into a safe position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nelson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zotov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zotov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nelson.
Nelson throwing strikes but missing.
Zotov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Nelson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nelson tries to get out of the position.
Nelson is looking to improve his position but Zotov isn't that keen on the idea.
Zotov seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Nelson is holding on tight.
Nelson is working to get back to half guard.
Zotov looking to control but Nelson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nelson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zotov is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Zotov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Maksim Zotov!
After the fight, Maksim Zotov was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.