PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Mugabi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Silva Zoldyck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zoldyck comes into a darkened arena with his song building. You've Seen The Butcher by Deftones kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Mugabi
vs
Zoldyck

188 cm
21
210 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
205 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Unity Clothing
Arcticus University: London

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Mugabi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Silva Zoldyck!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Chad Campbell and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by Mugabi there.

It looks like Silva Zoldyck has been cut.
Mugabi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zoldyck under the eye.
Zoldyck misses with a hook. Mugabi ducked under it nicely.
And Mugabi counters with a quick kick to the body but Zoldyck blocks it.
The fighters circling - Zoldyck throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mugabi defending well as Zoldyck loads up on a big left hand.
A quick step to the side and Mugabi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mugabi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zoldyck.
Mugabi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zoldyck sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It seemed like Zoldyck was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mugabi throws a wild body kick that Zoldyck sees coming a mile off.
Mugabi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mugabi misses with a hook
and Zoldyck cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zoldyck connects with a nice looking jab.
Mugabi misses with an uppercut
and Zoldyck counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mugabi's knee momentarily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mugabi.
Zoldyck looks to score with a jab to the body but Mugabi is just out of range.
Mugabi misses with a looping left.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zoldyck checks a low kick from Mugabi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mugabi stuns Zoldyck with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mugabi tries to score with a low kick but Zoldyck moves his leg out of the way.
Zoldyck tries a quick counter leg kick but Mugabi is wise to it.
The fighters circling - Mugabi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mugabi moves out of range as Zoldyck strikes.
Mugabi throws the left hand but Zoldyck avoids the punch easily.
Mugabi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zoldyck's head backwards.
We've been informed that Zoldyck 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.
Zoldyck throws out a leg kick but Mugabi moves out of range and Zoldyck only half commits.
Mugabi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mugabi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zoldyck throws out a counter right but Mugabi avoids it with no problem.
A thudding body kick lands there by Zoldyck!
Zoldyck throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mugabi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mugabi lands a leg kick that knocks Zoldyck off balance momentarily.
A slow jab from Mugabi misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mugabi throws a body kick that misses
and Zoldyck counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mugabi's knee momentarily.
Zoldyck throws a hook but Mugabi avoids it easily.
Zoldyck tries to land a front kick but Mugabi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mugabi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zoldyck counters with a series of strikes. Mugabi will be more careful next time no doubt.
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!
Jab, jab by Mugabi - just one landing.
Mugabi looks to score with a jab to the body but Zoldyck is just out of range.
Mugabi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zoldyck.
Mugabi throws a nice outside leg kick.
A low kick from Mugabi misses
and Mugabi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like John Mugabi has been cut.
Zoldyck throws a series of punches but Mugabi moves out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zoldyck darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zoldyck fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mugabi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zoldyck manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoldyck throws a big shot that misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Mugabi misses its target.
Mugabi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Mugabi throws an off balance right hand
and Zoldyck counters with a leg kick.
Mugabi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zoldyck counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mugabi's knee momentarily.
Zoldyck fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mugabi manages to avoid it.
A shot to the body from Mugabi misses
and Zoldyck connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mugabi misses with a low kick.
Zoldyck lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zoldyck delivers a nice body kick.
Zoldyck changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A left lands for Zoldyck.
Mugabi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mugabi. Zoldyck does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mugabi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zoldyck looks to land a left hand but Mugabi moved out of range nicely.
Zoldyck comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zoldyck scores with a nice head shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Mugabi blocks the leg kick.
Mugabi moves out of range as Zoldyck strikes.
Zoldyck throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mugabi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zoldyck thows a leg kick but Mugabi checks it
and Mugabi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zoldyck thinking.
Zoldyck throws a right hand that misses
and Mugabi counters with a straight right hand.
Mugabi misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Silva Zoldyck will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zoldyck slips under a jab.
Zoldyck connects with a solid leg kick.
Silva Zoldyck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mugabi's corner calls for a 1-2. Mugabi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zoldyck throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mugabi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zoldyck throws a lazy right hand but Mugabi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zoldyck blocks a jab.
Zoldyck throws a body kick that misses.
Zoldyck connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A swing and a miss from Zoldyck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zoldyck takes a swing at Mugabi's ribcage but misses.
Mugabi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Zoldyck just manages to avoid it.
Zoldyck throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mugabi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Zoldyck scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Zoldyck throws a lazy right hand but Mugabi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mugabi jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoldyck avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mugabi takes one to the side of the head.
Mugabi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zoldyck scores with a shot to the body.
Zoldyck misses with a hook. Mugabi ducked under it nicely.
Mugabi throws a body kick that misses.
Zoldyck fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mugabi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zoldyck scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mugabi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zoldyck counters with a nice body shot.
Zoldyck throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mugabi lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Mugabi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zoldyck connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mugabi scrambles back to his feet.
Mugabi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zoldyck misses with a looping left.
Mugabi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zoldyck connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mugabi throws a wild body kick that Zoldyck sees coming a mile off.
Zoldyck now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Zoldyck blocks a low kick nicely.
Silva Zoldyck seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mugabi.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mugabi.
The fighters circling - Mugabi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mugabi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zoldyck.
Zoldyck just misses with a punch to the body.
A quick step to the side and Mugabi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mugabi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zoldyck takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zoldyck, right into the meat.
Mugabi with a nice cross.
Mugabi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zoldyck's calf.
Zoldyck digs a good body shot into Mugabi's ribs.
Nice body kick there by Mugabi.
Zoldyck waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mugabi.
A big left from Mugabi misses.
Zoldyck was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Mugabi misses with a double jab
and Zoldyck connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mugabi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zoldyck misses with a low kick.
Mugabi throws a hook to the side of Zoldyck's head but Zoldyck sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little jabbing left from Zoldyck on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Zoldyck.
Zoldyck works Mugabi's body with a nice hook.
Mugabi throws a lazy uppercut
and Zoldyck counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zoldyck 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.
Zoldyck moves away from the strike by Mugabi.
Zoldyck avoids the body shot from Mugabi.
Mugabi scores with a kick to the midsection.
Mugabi throws a leg kick that misses.
Zoldyck lands a right hook to the body.
Zoldyck throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Mugabi counter with a right hand.

That has opened up Silva Zoldyck's cut even more.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zoldyck. That's going to slow Mugabi down.
Mugabi throws a body punch but Zoldyck moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silva Zoldyck showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A combination from Zoldyck does no damage.
Zoldyck takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zoldyck throws a counter combo.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Zoldyck in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Mugabi scores with a sloppy right hand. Zoldyck should have avoided that one.
Zoldyck throws the left hand but Mugabi avoids the punch easily.
Zoldyck lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mugabi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zoldyck.
Zoldyck connects with a right hand. Mugabi shakes it off.
Zoldyck thows a leg kick but Mugabi checks it
and Mugabi counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zoldyck checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zoldyck looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zoldyck misses with a lunging right hand
and Mugabi counters with a nice uppercut.
Zoldyck swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zoldyck lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoldyck checks a low kick from Mugabi.
Mugabi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mugabi looks to score with a jab to the body but Zoldyck is just out of range.
A swing and a miss from Zoldyck.
Mugabi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mugabi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mugabi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zoldyck was well out of range. Poor timing from Mugabi.
Zoldyck throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
As Zoldyck backs away, Mugabi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Mugabi avoids the head kick by Zoldyck.
Zoldyck takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zoldyck moves away from the strike by Mugabi.
Mugabi misses with a straight right.
It seemed like Zoldyck was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mugabi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Zoldyck blocks the leg kick.
Jab from Mugabi.
A swing and a miss from Zoldyck.
Mugabi tries to score with a low kick but Zoldyck moves his leg out of the way.
Mugabi throws a combination that misses
and Zoldyck counters with a straight right hand.
Mugabi takes a swing at Zoldyck's ribcage but misses.
Jab, jab by Mugabi - just one landing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zoldyck connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mugabi slips a jab from Zoldyck.
Zoldyck is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mugabi.
Mugabi misses with a hook.
Mugabi's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Mugabi duly obliges.

The cut above Silva Zoldyck's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoldyck misses with a wild body shot.
Zoldyck swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zoldyck missing with a left hand there. Mugabi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mugabi throws a big counter combination but Zoldyck scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Zoldyck looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mugabi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Mugabi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zoldyck.
Mugabi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Zoldyck misses with a lunging right hand
and Mugabi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mugabi misses with a low kick.
Zoldyck keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Zoldyck.
Zoldyck lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Zoldyck swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mugabi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A low kick from Mugabi is predictable there
and Zoldyck counters with a low kick, right behind Mugabi 's knee.
Zoldyck throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zoldyck slips a jab and a cross from Mugabi.
Zoldyck ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mugabi moves away.
Zoldyck slips a straight right by Mugabi.
Zoldyck looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zoldyck throws a hook but Mugabi blocks it.
Mugabi walks into a left hand.
Zoldyck misses with a looping left.
Zoldyck bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mugabi's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mugabi misses with a body punch
and Zoldyck counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
John Mugabi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zoldyck misses with a hook. Mugabi ducked under it nicely.

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 John Mugabi.
Well Zoldyck has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Silva Zoldyck!
After the big win, Silva Zoldyck made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Arcticus University: London and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.