PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jon Aragao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pawal Zagorskij (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Aragao
vs
Zagorskij

178 cm
18
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

172 cm
20
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jon Aragao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Pawal Zagorskij!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A right-left combo lands from Zagorskij.

Aragao manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Zagorskij on his heels. He'll look to pass Zagorskij's guard now, I'm sure.
Aragao wants to get up but he can't break Zagorskij's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Aragao stopping the sweep attempt from Zagorskij.
Aragao throwing strikes from guard but Zagorskij blocks nicely.
Zagorskij wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Aragao pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zagorskij is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aragao trying to control but Zagorskij is working from the bottom.
Aragao is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zagorskij keeping moving, preventing Aragao from controlling successfully.

Zagorskij working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aragao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aragao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Aragao swats away the attempt to clinch by Zagorskij.
Aragao seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Zagorskij slips a jab and a cross from Aragao.
Zagorskij looks to land a combination. Aragao sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zagorskij misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Zagorskij has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Zagorskij moves out of range as Aragao strikes.
Zagorskij takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Aragao throws a jab when Zagorskij was well out of range.
Zagorskij tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A punch combination from Zagorskij misses.
Zagorskij throws a sloppy head kick and Aragao moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aragao fails to land with a series of punches.
Zagorskij tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Danga de danga de dang - Zagorskij scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aragao tries to clinch but Zagorskij is having none of it.
Zagorskij feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Aragaos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zagorskij swinging wildly here.
Zagorskij jabs at Aragao's body.

Aragao shoots in and gets a takedown into Zagorskij's guard.

Zagorskij has his feet on Aragao's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Aragao is breathing heavily.

Zagorskij darts in and clinches Aragao up against the cage.
Zagorskij has Aragao pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Aragao manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aragao pulls Zagorskij into guard.
Zagorskij trying to control the position from guard on top but Aragao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zagorskij postures up in Aragao's guard and throws a big left but Aragao blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aragao looking to control.

Aragao is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zagorskij defends well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zagorskij with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aragao preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zagorskij chips away with some ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aragao is on top in guard.

Zagorskij has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Aragao throws a strike but Zagorskij rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zagorskij throws a big elbow that misses.
Zagorskij must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zagorskij showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Aragao working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pawal Zagorskij dominated that 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.

Zagorskij displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Zagorskij throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pawal Zagorskij seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zagorskij displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Jon Aragao has been cut.
Zagorskij has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Aragao looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Zagorskij has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Aragao is on him like a limpet, forcing Zagorskij back against the cage.
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!
Aragao misses with a short punch on the inside.

Aragao tightens his grip and picks Zagorskij up, before dumping him to the ground. Zagorskij manages to land in guard.
We've been hearing that Aragao has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Aragao is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zagorskij keeping moving, preventing Aragao from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zagorskij looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aragao trying to control the position from guard on top but Zagorskij is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zagorskij is trying to keep Aragao in close.
Aragao trying to control the position from guard on top but Zagorskij is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zagorskij is pulling down on Aragao's head to control his posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Aragao closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Zagorskij quickly recovers to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aragao missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zagorskij is looking to improve his position.
Aragao looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Zagorskij really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aragao. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zagorskij wants to control but Aragao is keeping busy.
Zagorskij has his hands clasped together around Aragao's back. He's all about the action.
Zagorskij is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zagorskij keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zagorskij is positioning himself well to prevent Aragao advancing to mount.
Aragao missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zagorskij shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Aragao eats them both and turns towards Zagorskij to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Aragao blocks a head kick by Zagorskij.
It looked like Aragao was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Aragao looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Zagorskij!

Zagorskij throws Aragao to one side and escapes!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zagorskij throws a combination. Aragao tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zagorskij fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aragao is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Zagorskij.

Zagorskij pushes Aragao up against the cage in a clinch.

Aragao is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Zagorskij can't fight it off and eventually Aragao manages to take the fight to the floor. Zagorskij looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aragao distracts Zagorskij with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Aragao trying to control but Zagorskij is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pawal Zagorskij showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jon Aragao's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A punch combination from Zagorskij misses.
A punch combination from Zagorskij misses.

Aragao changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zagorskij looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Aragao looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Aragao working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Zagorskij tries to bench press Aragao off him but Aragao keeps the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zagorskij manages to work his way to half guard, despite Aragao's best efforts.
Aragao sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zagorskij defending well though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aragao is keen to just control but Zagorskij is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aragao moves nicely into side control.
Aragao controls the position from side control.
Zagorskij tries to buck Aragao off but Aragao is having none of it.
Aragao misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Aragao working away.
Aragao tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zagorskij is trying to improve his position.
Zagorskij is not content to let Aragao control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Zagorskij misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Aragao wants to clinch up but Zagorskij keeps it at a distance.
Pawal Zagorskij seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Zagorskij takes the fight into the clinch.

Aragao has hold of one of Zagorskij's legs. Zagorskij is fighting the takedown attempt but Aragao gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Aragao trying to control but Zagorskij is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zagorskij looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aragao throws a big right hand that misses.
Aragao controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Zagorskij keeping moving, preventing Aragao from controlling successfully.
Aragao slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Aragao shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zagorskij's guard.

Zagorskij manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zagorskij throws a head kick that misses.
A shot to the liver by Zagorskij. Beautiful body shot.
Pawal Zagorskij is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zagorskij lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aragao at a distance.
Zagorskij looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zagorskij looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Aragao appears to be looking for a big counter.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zagorskij dodges the punch combination from Aragao.
Jon Aragao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zagorskij doesn't manage to clinch there - Aragao circles away.

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 Jon Aragao.
I think Zagorskij has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pawal Zagorskij!