PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dai Zexi (ranked 322 p4p, 49 weight class) and Anatoly Gorbachenko (ranked 301 p4p, 43 weight class). Zexi comes to the cage accompanied by BRADIO-Flyers. Dai Zexi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zexi
vs
Gorbachenko

175 cm
23
220 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

186 cm
25
184 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sportivité

Groove Gear

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dai Zexi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anatoly Gorbachenko!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Bruno Lombardi and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zexi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gorbachenko looks to throw the jab but Zexi is out of range.
Gorbachenko misses the shot to the body.
A low kick from Gorbachenko misses

and Zexi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gorbachenko's guard.
Gorbachenko pulls Zexi in close to prevent any damage.
Zexi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zexi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zexi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gorbachenko is trying to keep Zexi in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zexi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gorbachenko's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorbachenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Gorbachenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zexi is looking to work some ground and pound but Gorbachenko has wrist control.
Gorbachenko pulls Zexi in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbachenko controls Zexi momentarily but Zexi frees himself.
Zexi postures up and lands a big shot to Gorbachenko's brow.
Zexi 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.
Zexi throwing strikes from guard but Gorbachenko blocks nicely.
Gorbachenko wants to get back to his feet but Zexi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zexi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Zexi wants to control from the top but Gorbachenko keeps moving.
Zexi pushes down on Gorbachenko's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Zexi throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Gorbachenko to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachenko keeping moving, preventing Zexi from controlling successfully.
Gorbachenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zexi looking to sit in guard and control but Gorbachenko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gorbachenko is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Zexi 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.
Zexi keeping moving, preventing Gorbachenko from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zexi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Zexi controls Gorbachenko momentarily but Gorbachenko frees himself.
Zexi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gorbachenko manages to get himself to full guard.

Gorbachenko wants to sweep here but Zexi controlling him for the moment.
Gorbachenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zexi.
Gorbachenko is adopting a defensive guard.
Zexi looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gorbachenko is controlling Zexi's posture.
Gorbachenko is looking to sweep but instead, Zexi has passed into half guard.
Zexi throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Gorbachenko to regain full guard.
Zexi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gorbachenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zexi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gorbachenko working a defensive guard here.
Gorbachenko keeping moving, preventing Zexi from controlling successfully.
Gorbachenko wants to get back to his feet but Zexi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dai Zexi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A lazy left from Gorbachenko finds it's target.
Zexi shoots in and drives through. Gorbachenko sprawls well.
Zexi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nice jab there from Gorbachenko.
Zexi looks to land a right hand but Gorbachenko moved out of range.
Gorbachenko clobbers Zexi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Gorbachenko leaves Zexi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zexi looks to land a right hand but Gorbachenko moved out of range.
Gorbachenko misses with a body shot.
Zexi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gorbachenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorbachenko scores with a nice head shot.
Gorbachenko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zexi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gorbachenko swivels and escapes.
Zexi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dai Zexi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zexi shoots in for a double leg but Gorbachenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gorbachenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Zexi.
Anatoly Gorbachenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbachenko with a jab.
Gorbachenko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gorbachenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gorbachenko thuds his shin into the meat of Zexi's side.
Gorbachenko's corner calls for a 1-2. Gorbachenko obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gorbachenko wants to clinch.
Zexi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gorbachenko sprawls well. Gorbachenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zexi gets slowly back to his feet.
Zexi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zexi throws a jab but it's blocked by Gorbachenko.
Zexi lands a jab to the head.
Zexi misses with a hook to the body
and Gorbachenko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachenko jabs Zexi right on the nose. Zexi blinks but takes it well.
Gorbachenko tests Zexi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zexi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gorbachenko circles away.
Gorbachenko works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zexi sizes up Gorbachenko with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zexi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gorbachenko has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Zexi walks into a jab.
Gorbachenko lands a jab to Zexi's midsection.
Gorbachenko tries to clinch but Zexi moves out of range.
Gorbachenko wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Gorbachenko punishes Zexi's body with a nice straight punch.
Gorbachenko lands a slapping body shot.
Gorbachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gorbachenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gorbachenko scores with a hook.
Anatoly Gorbachenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gorbachenko scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zexi throws a lazy right hand but Gorbachenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gorbachenko is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachenko ducks under a wild hook from Zexi.
Zexi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gorbachenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A slow jab from Zexi misses its intended target.
Zexi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gorbachenko scores with a sloppy right hand. Zexi should have avoided that one.
Gorbachenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zexi.
Zexi misses with a wild body shot.
Zexi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gorbachenko slips a straight right by Zexi.
Gorbachenko's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zexi under the eye.
Gorbachenko scores with a shot to the body.
Gorbachenko tries to clinch but Zexi moves out of range.
Gorbachenko is looking to score with low kicks.
Gorbachenko moves into range and connects with a jab.
A shot to the liver by Zexi. Beautiful body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gorbachenko connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zexi's hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachenko throws out a powerful jab.
Gorbachenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gorbachenko connects with a body shot that sends Zexi's belly button to the back.
Gorbachenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zexi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gorbachenko.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zexi.
Gorbachenko takes a swing at Zexi's ribcage but misses.
Gorbachenko throws a body punch but Zexi moves out of range.
Gorbachenko throws an off balance right hand
letting Zexi counter with a right hand.
Gorbachenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Zexi.
Zexi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zexi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zexi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gorbachenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zexi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gorbachenko getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gorbachenko tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoly Gorbachenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Zexi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Zexi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zexi misses with an uppercut
and Gorbachenko counters with a right hand to the body.
Zexi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gorbachenko swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gorbachenko takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gorbachenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zexi moves out of range as Gorbachenko strikes.
Gorbachenko throws an off balance right hand

and Zexi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gorbachenko won't be happy with that.
Gorbachenko is looking to reverse the position.
Gorbachenko can't do much from the bottom here.
Gorbachenko is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Zexi has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Zexi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Gorbachenko sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbachenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gorbachenko sneaks back into half guard.
Gorbachenko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gorbachenko tries to roll over but Zexi keeps him under control.
Zexi is stalling here. Gorbachenko is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Zexi seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Gorbachenko has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Gorbachenko stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Gorbachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zexi moves away.
Zexi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Zexi takes a swing at Gorbachenko's ribcage but misses.
Gorbachenko lands a nice looking body shot.
Gorbachenko is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zexi connects with a body shot that sends Gorbachenko's belly button to the back.
Gorbachenko misses the shot to the body.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Gorbachenko. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Zexi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Gorbachenko misses its intended target.
Gorbachenko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zexi is defended easily by Gorbachenko.
Zexi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gorbachenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gorbachenko connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zexi's hands.
Gorbachenko misses with a body shot.

Zexi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zexi is controlling him.
Gorbachenko has control of Zexi's left arm, preventing Zexi from doing any damage.
Zexi distracts Gorbachenko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gorbachenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Zexi trying to control but Gorbachenko is working from the bottom.
Gorbachenko pulls Zexi in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gorbachenko is continuing to stall.
The adventures of Gorbachenko the control monster continue. Boring.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Zexi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zexi slips under a jab.
Zexi is looking to counter punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gorbachenko. Zexi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gorbachenko misses with a wild body shot.
Zexi with a poor takedown
and Gorbachenko counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dai Zexi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zexi is defended easily by Gorbachenko.
Zexi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Zexi throws the left hand but Gorbachenko avoids the punch easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anatoly Gorbachenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gorbachenko 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anatoly Gorbachenko!
After winning the bout, Anatoly Gorbachenko thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.