PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Miller (ranked 2428 p4p, 2603 weight class) and Dmitri Zaitsev (ranked 93 p4p, 99 weight class). Miller's entrance music is Not Falling. A fine choice. Dmitri Zaitsev is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Miller
vs
Zaitsev

194 cm
35
283
15 - 12 - 1

192 cm
40
278
28 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 15 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Eddie Miller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dmitri Zaitsev!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zaitsev.
We've been hearing reports that Miller has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Miller slaps away a takedown attempt from Zaitsev, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Miller shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Miller was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Miller working away.
Zaitsev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Miller wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zaitsev is still trying to improve position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miller is looking to take a break and control but Zaitsev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Miller advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Miller has the hooks in. Zaitsev is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Miller patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Zaitsev is really stuck here.
Zaitsev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Good control from Miller.
Miller has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Miller working for the choke.
Zaitsev is really stuck here.

Miller working for a choke but Zaitsev is defending well.
Miller tries to get the hooks in deep but Zaitsev pushed the leg off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Zaitsev wants to get back to full guard.
Miller wants to pass the guard but Zaitsev is defending well.

Zaitsev looking for submissions off his back.
Zaitsev wants to get back to full guard.
Miller passes the guard and advances to mount!
Zaitsev manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller prevents Zaitsev from improving his position.
Zaitsev is pressing down on Miller's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zaitsev trying to control the position.
Zaitsev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zaitsev is on top in guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Miller is on top in guard.

Zaitsev 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Miller dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Miller stuffs the takedown.
Zaitsev shoots in and drives through. Miller sprawls well.
Miller defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zaitsev.
Eddie Miller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitri Zaitsev.
Zaitsev fails with the takedown.
Zaitsev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Miller closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Miller is trying to control the action in half guard but Zaitsev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Miller takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Zaitsev wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miller trying to pass the guard but Zaitsev defending well.
Zaitsev is not content to let Miller control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Miller works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitsev is trying to get back to half guard.
Miller passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Zaitsev!
Miller content just to control the position here.
Miller can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zaitsev is looking to escape.
Miller is really struggling to control Zaitsev but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Miller tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Zaitsev is desperately trying to improve his position but Miller has a good base and remains in mount.
Zaitsev tries to lock up and control but Miller gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Miller trying to control but Zaitsev is having none of it.
Zaitsev keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Miller can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zaitsev is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Miller seems to be working for a kimura but Zaitsev defends the submission attempt.
Miller is trying to control the action in half guard but Zaitsev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Eddie Miller overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zaitsev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zaitsev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Zaitsev working a defensive guard but Miller manages to pass into side control anyway.
Zaitsev looking for a sweep but Miller has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev wants to hold on but Miller pushes him away.
Miller prevents Zaitsev from getting the reversal.
Miller tries to control but Zaitsev wriggling away.
Miller prevents Zaitsev from getting the reversal.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Miller content just to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Miller dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Miller throws a leg kick which misses Zaitsev's front leg but catches the back leg as Zaitsev tries to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zaitsev.

Miller has managed to clinch.

Miller is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Zaitsev can't fight it off and eventually Miller manages to take the fight to the floor. Zaitsev looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Zaitsev wants to sweep here but Miller controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miller wants to control from the top but Zaitsev keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Zaitsev keeping moving, preventing Miller from controlling successfully.
Zaitsev wants to sweep but no luck.
Miller trying to control but Zaitsev is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Miller tries to sprawl but Zaitsev drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Zaitsev working Miller over with strikes.
Dmitri Zaitsev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller trying to hold on to Zaitsev's head to control him but Zaitsev postures up.
Zaitsev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Miller trying to control here.
Zaitsev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Miller controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Zaitsev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Miller tries to roll over but Zaitsev keeps him under control.
Miller trying to control but Zaitsev postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller is looking to improve his position.
Eddie Miller is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Miller blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zaitsev.

Zaitsev wants to work for an arm triangle but Miller is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Miller has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zaitsev is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zaitsev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Miller counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Miller.
Miller slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Zaitsev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Miller bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zaitsev's guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zaitsev looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Miller puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Zaitsev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddie Miller showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Miller has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie Miller!
During a confident post fight interview, Eddie Miller thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.