PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitri Zaitsev (ranked 2517 p4p, 2319 weight class) and Michael Brakeley (ranked 103 p4p, 93 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Zaitsev
vs
Brakeley

192 cm
40
278
27 - 21 - 0

201 cm
44
271
33 - 24 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dmitri Zaitsev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Brakeley!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brakeley throws a quick inside leg kick.
Brakeley clobbers Zaitsev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zaitsev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Brakeley counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Brakeley lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zaitsev backs up against the cage.

Zaitsev moves into range and clinches up with Brakeley.
Zaitsev lands a shoulder strike.
Brakeley lands a shoulder strike.
Brakeley misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zaitsev lands a hook that snaps the head of Brakeley backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zaitsev.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Zaitsev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Brakeley scores with a shoulder strike.
Zaitsev misses with some punches.
Zaitsev lands a body punch in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Brakeley.
Zaitsev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zaitsev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Brakeley's efforts to push away.
Zaitsev slowing the pace effectively.
Zaitsev misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitsev is looking to control Brakeley's arms but Brakeley gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zaitsev has his back to the cage.
Good body shot from Zaitsev.
Zaitsev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Brakeley looks winded!
Zaitsev scores with a shot to the side of Brakeley's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zaitsev.
Zaitsev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zaitsev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zaitsev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zaitsev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Zaitsev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Zaitsev scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Brakeley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zaitsev throws a jab but it's blocked by Brakeley.
Brakeley throws a hook but Zaitsev avoids it easily.
Zaitsev throws a right hand that Brakeley ducks under and follows up with a left that Brakeley also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Brakeley.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brakeley scores with a nice right hand.
Zaitsev jabs Brakeley to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zaitsev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Brakeley shapes to counter with a head kick.
Brakeley throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zaitsev on the side of the head.
Brakeley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaitsev.
Zaitsev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Michael Brakeley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zaitsev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Zaitsev feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Brakeley sprawling to the canvas! Brakeley rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Zaitsev finish him?!

It looks like Michael Brakeley has been cut.
Brakeley connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
No luck for Zaitsev with that takedown attempt.
Zaitsev lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zaitsev thuds his right hand into Brakeley's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zaitsev scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zaitsev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zaitsev stalling.
Brakeley is trying to stall.

Brakeley breaks the clinch.
Brakeley takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Brakeley looks to throw the jab but Zaitsev is out of range.
Zaitsev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Brakeley misses with a right hand
and Zaitsev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Brakeley throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zaitsev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A cross from Brakeley lands.
Zaitsev slips under a jab from Brakeley.
A little feinted left hand from Zaitsev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zaitsev misses the jab.
A punch lands to the side of Brakeley 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Zaitsev ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Zaitsev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A slow jab from Brakeley misses its intended target.
Brakeley takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Zaitsev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Zaitsev leaning against his opponent.
Zaitsev seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Zaitsev tries to throw a body punch but Brakeley avoids it by throwing Zaitsev back against the cage.
Zaitsev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Brakeley lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zaitsev backwards.
Zaitsev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Still in the clinch, Zaitsev scores with a nice short uppercut.
Brakeley throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Brakeley misses with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zaitsev.
Zaitsev is struggling to control the position.
Zaitsev is stalling here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitri Zaitsev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Brakeley's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zaitsev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Brakeley throws a chopping leg kick but Zaitsev manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zaitsev checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zaitsev looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

Zaitsev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Brakeley sprawls well initially but Zaitsev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Brakeley won't allow Zaitsev to pass to mount.
Zaitsev is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Zaitsev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Brakeley working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaitsev tries to free his leg and advance position but Brakeley is retaining full guard.
Brakeley can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zaitsev controls the pace.
Zaitsev is looking to work some ground and pound but Brakeley has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitsev trying to control but Brakeley is working from the bottom.
Brakeley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zaitsev.
Zaitsev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zaitsev postures up and lands a big shot to Brakeley's brow.
Zaitsev with a nice head shot there.
Zaitsev prevents Brakeley from getting back to his feet.
Zaitsev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Brakeley controls Zaitsev momentarily but Zaitsev frees himself.
Zaitsev trying to control but Brakeley is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zaitsev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zaitsev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Zaitsev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Brakeley can do to turn this around?
Brakeley is looking to stand up but Zaitsev isn't so interested in that idea.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zaitsev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zaitsev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zaitsev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Brakeley is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zaitsev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev is looking to work some ground and pound but Brakeley has wrist control.
Zaitsev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Brakeley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zaitsev.
Brakeley is trying to control the position but Zaitsev postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Zaitsev walks into a stiff left hand from Brakeley.
Brakeley throws an overhand right that lands on Zaitsev's shoulder, as Zaitsev tries to avoid the shot.
Zaitsev lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Brakeley throws a head kick but Zaitsev moves out of range.
Zaitsev moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Brakeley swings for the body but Zaitsev moves out of range.
A nice leg kick from Zaitsev, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zaitsev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Brakeley is breathing heavily.
Zaitsev avoids the body shot from Brakeley.
Dmitri Zaitsev is winning the standup battle so far.
Zaitsev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Brakeley has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Brakeley throws a head kick but Zaitsev moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev cracks Brakeley with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaitsev. Brakeley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaitsev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Brakeley slips under a jab.
Zaitsev lands with a nice body kick.
Zaitsev lands with a thumping leg kick.

Zaitsev sends Brakeley crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Zaitsev is motioning to the referee to let Brakeley up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Brakeley is rocked!
Zaitsev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Brakeley is still on wobbly legs! Can Zaitsev finish him?
Brakeley glances at the clock... BAM! Zaitsev nails him with a big right hand! A momentary lapse in concentration sends Brakeley crashing to the mat! The referee steps in and this one is over! Damn, Brakeley is out of it, he thinks the ref is his opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Dmitri Zaitsev!
A victorious Dmitri Zaitsev thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.