PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hank Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladmir Zharov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hall
vs
Zharov

185 cm
20
197 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite 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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hank Hall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vladmir Zharov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hall moves into the clinch successfully.
A right hook to the body lands for Hall.
Zharov lands an elbow that stopped Hall in his tracks for a moment.
A short uppercut from Hall.
Hall can't break the clinch.
Zharov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hall is looking to break free of the clinch but Zharov has double underhooks.
Zharov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Zharov stalling.
Hall stops a takedown attempt from Zharov.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zharov.
Hall is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zharov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zharov prevents the takedown attempt.
Zharov digs a right hand underneath Hall's ribcage. Hall let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Zharov is trying to drag Hall to the mat but Hall just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A right hand to the body from Hall.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zharov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Zharov lands a damaging elbow.
Zharov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nice elbow from Zharov.

It looks like Hank Hall has been cut.
Hall lands a damaging elbow.
Hall takes an elbow to the temple.
A bit of stalling here from Zharov.

Zharov breaks the clinch.
Hall shoots in looking for a takedown. Zharov tries to sprawl out of it but Hall keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zharov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hall is breathing heavily.

Zharov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zharov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zharov keeps control of Hall as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hall is trying to break free.
Hall is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Zharov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zharov moves in looking to clinch but Hall pushes him off.
Zharov avoids the body shot from Hall.
Zharov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hall throws out the jab.
Zharov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hall swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Hall closes the distance and clinches.
Hall unloads a knee to the mid-section. Zharov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Zharov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hall backwards.
Zharov gets through Hall's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zharov wants a takedown but no success here.
Hank Hall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladmir Zharov.

Zharov breaks the clinch.
Zharov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hall comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Zharov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zharov.

Hall moves into the clinch successfully.

Hall breaks the clinch.
Hall throws a right hand that Zharov ducks under and follows up with a left that Zharov also avoids with ease.
Hall jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hall misses with a double jab.

Zharov closes the distance and clinches.
Hall lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Zharov or not.
Hall has had enough of the clinch but Zharov keeps him there for the moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zharov managing to block the knees to the body from Hall.
Hall missing with knees to the body.
Hall lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zharov.
Hall lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zharov.
Hall works on Zharov's body with a couple of short punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hall works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hall.
A short right from Hall.
Hall lands a body shot.
Zharov looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zharov blocks the elbow strike.
Hall cracks Zharov with a nice body shot.

Hall breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hall jabs at Zharov's body.
Hall misses with a few strikes there.
Hall swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hall wants to clinch up but Zharov keeps it at a distance.
Hall throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zharov avoids the head kick by Hall.
Hall lands the left hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zharov.
Nice uppercut there from Hall.
Hall keeps the fight on the outside.
Hall is looking to slow Zharov down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

It looks like Vladmir Zharov has been cut.
Hall works Zharov's body with a nice hook.
Hall looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hall throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hall is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hall connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hall jabs at Zharov's body.
Hall throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zharov's waist but Zharov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hall off to one side.
Hall throws a chopping leg kick but Zharov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hall slips a jab from Zharov.
A combination from Hall does no damage.
Hall feints and then cracks Zharov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zharov down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Hall dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hall tests Zharov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hall scores with a decent looking hook.
Zharov drops his hands momentarily and Hall takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zharov wants to clinch up but Hall keeps it at a distance.
Hall misses with a series of wild punches.
Zharov blocks the body kick.
Zharov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hall tries to bum rush Zharov with a series of wild strikes but Zharov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hall thuds a left hand into Zharov's body.
Hall misses with a few strikes there.
Zharov misses with a series of wild punches.
Zharov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Zharov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hall, as that shot connected.
Hall falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zharov counters with a series of strikes. Hall will be more careful next time no doubt.

Hall clinches.

Hall breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hall misses with a two punch combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zharov.
Hall scores with a one two! Zharov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hank Hall is winning the standup battle so far.
Hall lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Zharov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hall lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

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!
Hall lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zharov backs up against the cage.
Hall throws a lazy body kick

and Zharov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zharov.
Hall misses with a knee to the head.
Hall has Zharov pressed against the cage.
Zharov swings wildly with an uppercut but Hall uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zharov missing with knees to the body.
Zharov tries to land knees in the clinch but Hall avoids the damage to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Hall.
Hall keeps control of Zharov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zharov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zharov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Hall.
Hall tries to score a body lock takedown but Zharov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zharov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hall lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zharov backwards.
Hall lands a body punch.
Hall landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Hall breaks the clinch.
Hank Hall is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hall goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Zharov keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zharov.
Zharov has his takedown stuffed

and Hall counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zharov won't be happy with that.
Hank Hall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladmir Zharov.
Zharov is looking to reverse the position.
Hall in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Hall connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Zharov some visible discomfort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zharov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hall wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hall controlling from side mount.
Hall working the ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zharov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hall wants to get back to full guard.
Zharov wants to free his trapped foot but Hall is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hall is trying to stand up here but Zharov is controlling him well.
Hall works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hall wants to get back to his feet but Zharov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hall preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zharov postures up in Hall's guard and throws a big left but Hall blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zharov wants to control from the top but Hall keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Hall rushes Zharov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Hall dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Zharov shoots for a double leg takedown but Hall sprawls well. He's pushed Zharov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zharov dodges the punch combination from Hall.
Hall changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hall scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Zharov shoots in for a double leg but Hall sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Hall moves into the clinch successfully.
Hank Hall has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hall is leaning against Zharov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Hall breaks the clinch.

Hall gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Hall manages to break the clinch.
Hank Hall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hall scores with a takedown into Zharov's guard.
Zharov 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.
Hall knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zharov on the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall with a nice head shot there.
Hall stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zharov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hall is working hard here to advance position.

Hall decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Hall scores with a body shot.

Hall clinches.
Zharov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zharov avoiding damage as Hall throws knees to the body.
Hall wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hall lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zharov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hall pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hank Hall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladmir Zharov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall lands a nice uppercut.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hall.
Hall changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zharov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zharov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hall swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zharov misses with the combination.
Hall scores with a shot to the body.
Hall throws a head kick but Zharov moves out of range.
Hall throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hall tries to land a front kick but Zharov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A left and a right from Hall both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall looks for the body kick but Zharov saw that one coming.

Zharov clinches.
Hall content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zharov has a couple of punches blocked by Hall.
Zharov lands with a light punch inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Zharov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zharov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A body shot lands from Hall.

Zharov wants the takedown. Hall is fighting it off but Zharov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hall's guard against the cage.
Zharov is looking to work some ground and pound but Hall has wrist control.
Hall looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zharov is one step ahead there.
Hall is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zharov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Zharov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Hall kicks off Zharov and gets to his feet.
Zharov wants to clinch

and Hall counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Zharov!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hall tries to control but Zharov wriggling away.
Vladmir Zharov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zharov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zharov throwing hammer fists to the chest of Hall. What's that going to do exactly?
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hall controlling his opponent.
Hall trying to control but he's not successful this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hank Hall showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hall 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hank Hall!