PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nickey Spillane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksey Zulughanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Spillane
vs
Zulughanov

190 cm
21
240 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

193 cm
21
251 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nickey Spillane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aleksey Zulughanov!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Edson Gomes and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spillane scores with a decent looking hook.
A jab from Zulughanov misses.
Spillane moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Spillane scores with a three punch combo!
Spillane blocks a jab.
Zulughanov misses with a body kick.
We've been informed that Zulughanov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Jab by Zulughanov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zulughanov drops his hands momentarily and Spillane takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Spillane looks to land a combination. Zulughanov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spillane is defended easily by Zulughanov.
Spillane moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Spillane listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Spillane takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice defenses there by Spillane.
Spillane scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A swing and a miss from Zulughanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spillane looks to land a right hand but Zulughanov moved out of range.
Zulughanov throws a head kick that Spillane semi-blocks.
Spillane throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zulughanov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Spillane throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zulughanov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Spillane jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spillane shoots in for a double leg but Zulughanov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zulughanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A slow jab from Spillane misses its intended target.
Spillane fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zulughanov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zulughanov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Spillane connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Spillane is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Spillane stuns Zulughanov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spillane lunges at Zulughanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zulughanov's hand.
Spillane throws a shot from downtown. Zulughanov moves away and avoids it.
Zulughanov staying out of range there.
Spillane moves out of range as Zulughanov strikes.
Aleksey Zulughanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spillane misses with an uppercut. Zulughanov saw that one coming.
Zulughanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spillane looks to land a right hand but Zulughanov moved out of range.
Spillane lands a right hook to the body.
Zulughanov dodges the punch combination from Spillane.
Zulughanov works the jab nicely.
Spillane shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Zulughanov eats them both and turns towards Spillane to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The fighters circling - Spillane throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zulughanov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Spillane misses with an uppercut. Zulughanov saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spillane clinches.
Spillane doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zulughanov is trying to break the clinch but Spillane is controlling him.
Spillane is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zulughanov to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nickey Spillane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zulughanov working hard to break the clinch.
Zulughanov is trying to break the clinch but Spillane is controlling him.
Spillane lands a body punch.
Zulughanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Spillane has him pressed against the cage.
Zulughanov taking a breather.
Spillane lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Spillane has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zulughanov uses from the top position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Zulughanov sitting in guard here, content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spillane looking for a sweep. Not yet Spillane, not yet.
Zulughanov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zulughanov postures up.
Zulughanov won't allow Spillane to sweep him here.

Spillane escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zulughanov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spillane pulls Zulughanov in close to prevent any damage.
Zulughanov controlling from the top position.
Zulughanov is looking to stand up but Spillane won't let him.
Zulughanov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Spillane's guard.
Zulughanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Spillane. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Spillane makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Spillane.

Zulughanov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Spillane is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nickey Spillane dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zulughanov throws a head kick that misses.
Nickey Spillane is winning the standup battle so far.
Zulughanov looks to land a left hand but Spillane moved out of range nicely.
Zulughanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Spillane counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Spillane.
Spillane tries to free his leg and advance position but Zulughanov is retaining full guard.
Zulughanov keeping moving, preventing Spillane from controlling successfully.
Zulughanov pulls Spillane in close to his closed guard and prevents Spillane from doing any damage or advancing position.
Let's hope that Zulughanov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Nickey Spillane wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Spillane takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Zulughanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice takedown defense from Zulughanov. No joy for Spillane on that attempt.
Good leg kick by Zulughanov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zulughanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zulughanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spillane throws out the jab.

Spillane shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Spillane was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Spillane scoring with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Zulughanov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spillane lands some shots froms side control.
Spillane lands a few punches from side control.
Zulughanov is looking for a sweep.
Spillane tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Spillane landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Zulughanov trying his best to control but Spillane has mounted him.
Zulughanov is squirming around, avoiding Spillane's attempts to control the action.
Zulughanov wants to hold on but Spillane pushes him away.
Spillane working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Spillane scoring with strikes but Zulughanov is staying in there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zulughanov tries to hold on but Spillane pushes him away.
Spillane 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.
Spillane looking to control but Zulughanov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zulughanov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zulughanov tries to hold on but Spillane pushes him away.
Spillane with shots to the head and body - Zulughanov looks very uncomfortable down there.
Zulughanov wants to control but Spillane is having none of it.
Spillane lands a nice shot to the head.
Spillane landing strikes, looking to finish!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zulughanov taking shots to the head.
Zulughanov working to try and regain half guard.
Zulughanov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spillane pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Zulughanov is squirming around, avoiding Spillane's attempts to control the action.
Spillane lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Zulughanov hang on?
Spillane trying to control but Zulughanov is having none of it.
Spillane lands a big shot there that rocks Zulughanov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Spillane avoids the attempt from Zulughanov to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zulughanov is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nickey Spillane dominated that second round.
That's time! Spillane's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zulughanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Spillane comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Spillane dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Spillane is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zulughanov can do to turn this around?
The fighters circling - Zulughanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zulughanov looks to land a left hand but Spillane moved out of range nicely.
Spillane lands with a straight right. Zulughanov didn't see that one coming.
Zulughanov throws a lazy right hand but Spillane sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Spillane thows a body shot but no joy.
Zulughanov staying out of range there.
Spillane misses with a jab, cross combination.
Spillane blocks a jab.
Zulughanov throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Spillane counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spillane takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nickey Spillane overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spillane scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zulughanov moves into full guard.
Zulughanov is adopting a defensive guard.
Spillane not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Zulughanov keeping full guard, as Spillane tries to pass.
Zulughanov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Spillane passes Zulughanov's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulughanov trying to control here.
Zulughanov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spillane wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zulughanov keeps working.
Zulughanov is holding on to half guard well.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Aleksey Zulughanov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zulughanov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Spillane displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zulughanov throws out the jab.
Zulughanov defending well as Spillane loads up on a big left hand.
Spillane misses with a body kick.
Spillane throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Spillane slips a straight right by Zulughanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spillane takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Spillane tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
An inside leg kick lands from Spillane.
A telegraphed right hand from Spillane misses the target.
Nickey Spillane is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zulughanov motions for Spillane to come forward. Zulughanov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Spillane is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Zulughanov's half guard.
Spillane passes to full mount!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spillane landing strikes from the mount and Zulughanov is in trouble!
Zulughanov tries to reverse the position but Spillane maintains control.
Spillane controlling the position easily from mount.
Zulughanov working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spillane avoids the attempt from Zulughanov to control.
Spillane prevents Zulughanov from getting the reversal.
Spillane avoids the attempt from Zulughanov to control.
Zulughanov is looking to improve his position but Spillane isn't that keen on the idea.
Spillane pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Spillane looking to control and managing it successfully.
Aleksey Zulughanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spillane lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nickey Spillane showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Spillane 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nickey Spillane!
Our winner, Nickey Spillane, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.