PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mario Puzo (ranked 1430 p4p, 214 weight class) and Andrei Zharkov (ranked 1420 p4p, 210 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Puzo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Speak Softly Love. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Puzo
vs
Zharkov

185 cm
30
187 lbs
18 - 11 - 1

183 cm
32
182 lbs
18 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mario Puzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Andrei Zharkov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puzo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Puzo misses with a hook.
Zharkov misses with a hook.
Zharkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Puzo.
An inside leg kick from Puzo misses.
Puzo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zharkov avoids a kick to the body.
Zharkov throws a body punch but Puzo moves out of range.
Zharkov misses with a body kick.
Zharkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Puzo avoids the body shot from Zharkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puzo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Puzo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Puzo avoids the body shot from Zharkov.
Puzo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Puzo slips under a jab.
Puzo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zharkov shoots in for a takedown but Puzo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Puzo misses with a looping left.
Puzo stuns Zharkov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zharkov. Puzo does a little dance to reset his feet.
A counter left hand to the body from Puzo misses its target.
Zharkov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Puzo rather than just go for the knockout.
Zharkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zharkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mario Puzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Zharkov.
Zharkov misses with a two punch combination.
Zharkov misses with a double jab.
Puzo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zharkov moves out of range as Puzo strikes.
Puzo lunges at Zharkov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zharkov's hand.
Nice uppercut there from Zharkov.
Puzo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zharkov.
Zharkov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov misses with a body kick.
Puzo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Puzo with a hook.
Puzo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zharkov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Puzo misses with a right hand

and Zharkov counters with a shoot takedown. Puzo fights it but they end up in guard.
Zharkov throwing strikes from guard but Puzo blocks nicely.
Puzo is pulling down on Zharkov's head to control his posture.
Puzo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Puzo is pulling down on Zharkov's head to control his posture.
Zharkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zharkov is fighting to break Puzo's control of his arms but Puzo is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Zharkov stopping the sweep attempt from Puzo.
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.
Zharkov advances to half guard.
Zharkov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zharkov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Puzo keeps working.
Zharkov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Zharkov trying to mount his opponent but Puzo defends it.
Zharkov wants to take a breather but Puzo is having none of it.
Puzo wants to improve his position but Zharkov is controlling well.
Puzo is doing well to control the position and prevent Zharkov from advancing to side control.
Puzo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zharkov.

Zharkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Puzo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zharkov.
Zharkov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov is pressing down on Puzo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Puzo is holding on for now.
Puzo trying to control but Zharkov postures up.

Zharkov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Zharkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Puzo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zharkov.
Zharkov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nice strikes from Zharkov there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andrei Zharkov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zharkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Puzo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mario Puzo is winning the standup battle so far.
Puzo throws a jab when Zharkov was well out of range.
Puzo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zharkov.
Zharkov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zharkov 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.
Zharkov throws a right hand that misses
and Puzo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Danga de danga de dang - Zharkov scores with a four punch combination!
Puzo throws a body punch but Zharkov moves out of range.
Puzo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zharkov at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Puzo.
Zharkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zharkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zharkov ducks under a wild hook from Puzo.
Jab, jab by Puzo - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Puzo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Puzo clinches up with Zharkov and pushes him back against the cage.
Puzo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zharkov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Zharkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Puzo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zharkov lands a jab to Puzo's midsection.
Puzo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jab from Zharkov.
Puzo tries to clinch up.
Zharkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Zharkov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zharkov avoids the body shot from Puzo.
Zharkov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Zharkov misses with a jab to the body
and Puzo makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Zharkov really felt that one!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Puzo connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov lands a high kick!
Nice uppercut there from Puzo.
Zharkov misses with a low kick.
Puzo misses with a wild body shot.
Puzo swings for the body but Zharkov moves out of range.
Zharkov with a hook.
Puzo 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.
Zharkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Puzo as he avoids it easily.
Puzo scores with a body shot.
Zharkov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Puzo at a distance.
Zharkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Puzo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zharkov misses with a hook
and Puzo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Puzo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Puzo moves into the clinch successfully.
Puzo lands with a right to the head.

Puzo breaks from the clinch.
Zharkov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zharkov lands with a cross.
Zharkov misses the body punch
and Puzo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Puzo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Puzo avoids the body shot from Zharkov.
Puzo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zharkov's calf.
Puzo with a jab.
Andrei Zharkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Puzo, as that shot connected.
Puzo's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zharkov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Puzo scrambles back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Puzo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Zharkov looks to throw the jab but Puzo is out of range.
Puzo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov misses with a leg kick
and Puzo counters with a stiff right hand.
A shot to the body from Zharkov misses
and Puzo counters with a nice body kick.
Zharkov swings for the body but Puzo moves out of range.
Zharkov cracks Puzo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zharkov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Puzo ducks under a wild hook from Zharkov.
Zharkov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zharkov shoots and misses
and Puzo counters with a stiff right hand.
Mario Puzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Zharkov.
Puzo looks for the body kick but Zharkov saw that one coming.
Zharkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Puzo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Puzo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Puzo doesn't manage to clinch there - Zharkov circles away.
Puzo misses with a shot to the body
and Zharkov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Puzo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zharkov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mario Puzo will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Zharkov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Puzo takes a step back to recover.
Puzo avoids the body shot from Zharkov.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Zharkov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Puzo - the referee stops the clock and Zharkov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Puzo. Zharkov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zharkov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zharkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Puzo.
Zharkov throws a lazy body kick
and Puzo counters with a nice uppercut.
Puzo cracks a nice hook into Zharkov's ribs.
Puzo scores with the left hand. Zharkov knows he should have avoided that one.
Zharkov punishes Puzo's body with a nice straight punch.
Puzo scores with a jab to the head.
Puzo throws a big shot that misses.
Puzo jabs at Zharkov's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zharkov throws an overhand right that lands on Puzo's shoulder, as Puzo tries to avoid the shot.
Zharkov blocks a head kick by Puzo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zharkov shoots in for a takedown but Puzo shows good takedown defense.
Zharkov blocks a leg kick.
Zharkov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Puzo throws a lazy right hand but Zharkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Puzo misses with a body shot
and Puzo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Puzo misses with a hook.
A punch combination from Zharkov misses.
Zharkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Puzo throws out the jab.
Puzo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zharkov stalks Puzo and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Puzo's face. Puzo staggers backwards, shaken.
Puzo walks into a left hand.
Zharkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zharkov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zharkov with a poor takedown
and Zharkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zharkov cracks Puzo with a good jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zharkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Puzo.
Zharkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mario Puzo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Puzo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zharkov backs up against the cage.
Zharkov misses the jab.
Puzo tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Zharkov counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Zharkov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nice jab there from Puzo.
Puzo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Puzo tests Zharkov's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Puzo takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Puzo breaks the clinch.
Zharkov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Puzos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Jab by Puzo.
Puzo misses with a low kick.
Puzo misses with a leg kick
and Zharkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zharkov throws a shot to the body.
Zharkov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zharkov connects with the punch.

Zharkov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Puzo is trying to defend but Zharkov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zharkov working Puzo over with strikes.
Puzo taking some punishment here, with Zharkov in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zharkov is looking for a kimura but Puzo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zharkov to get the leverage.
Zharkov is keen to just control but Puzo is a slippery customer.
Zharkov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Puzo haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Puzo tries to kick Zharkov off but Zharkov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Puzo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Puzo.
Zharkov looking to sit in guard and control but Puzo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Puzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Zharkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zharkov is trying to control the position but Puzo postures up.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Zharkov being controlled here, momentarily.
Andrei Zharkov has got the better of the ground game so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andrei Zharkov.
I think Zharkov 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Andrei Zharkov!