PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Project Xyz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexi Zaitev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexi Zaitev will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Xyz
vs
Zaitev

195 cm
22
225 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
21
209 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light 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, Project Xyz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexi Zaitev!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paul Aken and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xyz lands with a straight right. Zaitev didn't see that one coming.
Xyz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

It looks like Alexi Zaitev has been cut.
Project Xyz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zaitev takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A head kick by Zaitev misses
and Zaitev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zaitev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zaitev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Xyz is able to avoid easily.
Zaitev throws a leg kick but Xyz sees it coming and moves out of range.
Xyz is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zaitev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
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!
Xyz ducks under a wild hook from Zaitev.
Zaitev misses with a right hand
and Xyz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zaitev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zaitev takes one to the chin there.
Zaitev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zaitev tries to clinch up.

Xyz shoots in and bounces Zaitev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Xyz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitev keeping full guard, as Xyz tries to pass.
Zaitev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Xyz trying to control but Zaitev is working from the bottom.
Xyz postures up in Zaitev's guard and throws a big left but Zaitev blocks it.
Xyz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zaitev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Xyz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zaitev is trying to keep Xyz in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xyz is looking to work some ground and pound but Zaitev has wrist control.
Zaitev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zaitev punching from the bottom.
Xyz throwing strikes from guard but Zaitev blocks nicely.
Xyz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've been hearing that Xyz has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Zaitev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Xyz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Xyz trying to control but Zaitev is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Xyz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Xyz throwing strikes from guard but Zaitev blocks nicely.
Zaitev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zaitev 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.
Xyz looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xyz throws a strike but Zaitev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Xyz wants to get back to his feet but Zaitev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zaitev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Xyz is looking to sweep but instead, Zaitev has passed into half guard.
Zaitev wants to take a breather but Xyz is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xyz is looking for a sweep. Zaitev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Xyz is trying to control but can't.
Xyz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Xyz is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Project Xyz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexi Zaitev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Zaitev takes one to the side of the head.
Xyz keeps the fight on the outside.
Zaitev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Xyz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zaitev.
Xyz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Xyz gets a double leg takedown into Zaitev's guard.
Zaitev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Xyz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zaitev's head.
Xyz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Xyz with a nice head shot there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xyz is looking to work some ground and pound but Zaitev has wrist control.
Xyz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Xyz preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xyz postures up in Zaitev's guard and throws a big left but Zaitev blocks it.
Xyz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Xyz working some strikes from top position.

Zaitev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zaitev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zaitev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Xyz is in close to Zaitev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Xyz with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xyz lands a couple of elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xyz throws a big right hand that misses.
Xyz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Xyz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Xyz stopping the sweep attempt from Zaitev.
Xyz advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xyz drops an elbow to the side of Zaitev's head.
Xyz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zaitev's head.
Xyz is keen to just control but Zaitev is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xyz frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Xyz lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Zaitev is rocked!

That has opened up Alexi Zaitev's cut even more.
Xyz softens up his opponent with a couple of shots there and then CRACK! One massive shot lands there and Zaitev is out cold! Xyz jumps to his feet and celebrates on the cage with the fans, who are, quite frankly, going absolutely mental!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Project Xyz!