PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Joshua Jones (ranked 5866 p4p, 3609 weight class) and Dmitri Zaitsev (ranked 622 p4p, 448 weight class). On his way into the ring it seems that Joshua Jones has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Joshua Jones seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Jones
vs
Zaitsev

185 cm
26
220
5 - 4 - 0

192 cm
45
278
32 - 33 - 0

Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joshua Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 33 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dmitri Zaitsev!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jones forces Zaitsev back against the ropes and clinches.
Zaitsev lands a shoulder strike.
Jones blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jones is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

Jones breaks from the clinch.

Zaitsev has managed to clinch.
Jones looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Jones as Zaitsev tries to tie him up.
Jones wants to get back to striking at distance but Zaitsev won't allow it.
Zaitsev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zaitsev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zaitsev misses with a punch to the body.
Zaitsev tries a body shot but Jones blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaitsev lands a body punch in the clinch.
Jones looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zaitsev scores with a hook to the body.
Zaitsev struggles to land a body shot inside as Jones controls his hands.
Zaitsev has a couple of punches blocked by Jones.
Zaitsev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Zaitsev prevents Jones from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones tries to break the clinch but Zaitsev is controlling the position.
Jones tries to break free but Zaitsev pushes him back against the ropes.
Zaitsev lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Jones pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Zaitsev clinches.

Jones breaks from the clinch.

Jones moves into range and clinches up with Zaitsev.
Jones blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jones blocking some punches.
Zaitsev misses with a punch to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Zaitsev.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Jones has taken the fight to the clinch.
Zaitsev misses with a short punch on the inside.

Jones breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Zaitsev has closed the distance and engaged Jones in a clinch.
Jones is trying to break the clinch but Zaitsev has him pressed against the ropes.
Zaitsev has Jones pressed against the ropes, preventing Jones from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jones manages to break the clinch.

Zaitsev clinches.
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!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Zaitsev keeps control of Jones as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zaitsev prevents Jones from breaking the clinch.

Jones breaks the clinch.
Zaitsev closes the distance but Jones moves to the side
and Jones counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zaitsev tries to clinch
letting Jones counter with a right hand.

Zaitsev drives through and clinches with Jones against the ropes.
Zaitsev prevents Jones from breaking the clinch.

Jones escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zaitsev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zaitsev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Zaitsev moves into the clinch successfully.
Jones is looking to break free of the clinch but Zaitsev has double underhooks.
Jones tries to break free but Zaitsev pushes him back against the ropes.
Jones wants to get back to striking at distance but Zaitsev won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zaitsev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zaitsev is looking to clinch.
Zaitsev tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Jones manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Zaitsev tries to keep at a distance but Jones has taken the fight into the clinch.

Jones breaks the clinch.

Zaitsev closes the distance and clinches.
Zaitsev wants to stall.

Jones manages to break the clinch.

Jones closes the distance and clinches.
Jones blocking some punches.
Zaitsev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zaitsev scores with a shot to the side of Jones's head.
Jones wants to break free but Zaitsev has control.
Zaitsev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jones's efforts to push away.
A hook to the body from Zaitsev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones blocks an uppercut.
Zaitsev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zaitsev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Jones breaks from the clinch.

Jones moves into the clinch successfully.
A right handed body shot lands from Zaitsev.
Jones is breathing heavily.
Zaitsev lands an uppercut.
Jones wants to break free but Zaitsev has control.
Zaitsev stalling in the clinch.
Zaitsev avoiding damage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zaitsev.
Zaitsev working aggressively here.
Zaitsev can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitri Zaitsev dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zaitsev forces Jones back against the ropes and clinches.

Jones escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Jones closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Jones tries to circle away but Zaitsev has him pinned against the ropes.
Jones blocks a body shot from Zaitsev.
Zaitsev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jones has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zaitsev avoiding damage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zaitsev.
Zaitsev misses with a punch to the body.

Jones breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaitsev keeps the fight on the outside.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Zaitsev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Joshua Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Jones tries to keep at a distance but Zaitsev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zaitsev is trying to stall.
Zaitsev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitsev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Zaitsev cracks Jones with a nice body shot.
Jones has had enough of the clinch but Zaitsev keeps him there for the moment.
Jones wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jones blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jones blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jones is looking to break free of the clinch but Zaitsev has double underhooks.
Zaitsev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zaitsev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Zaitsev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zaitsev lands a hook that snaps the head of Jones backwards.
Zaitsev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zaitsev misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev pushes Jones back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zaitsev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zaitsev effectively controlling the action here.
Zaitsev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zaitsev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A frustrated look appears on Jones's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jones wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zaitsev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Jones is trying to force a seperation but Zaitsev has the dominant position.
Zaitsev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jones's efforts to push away.
Zaitsev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Zaitsev can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jones.
Zaitsev tries to stall but Jones uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Zaitsev misses with a punch on the inside.
Zaitsev presses Jones against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Jones blocks a body shot from Zaitsev.
Zaitsev stalling in the clinch but Jones improves position.
Zaitsev tries a body shot but Jones blocks it.
Zaitsev working aggressively here.
Jones blocking some punches.
Jones has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A right hook to the body lands for Zaitsev.
Dmitri Zaitsev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Jones pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Zaitsev moves into the clinch.
Zaitsev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Jones breaks from the clinch.

Zaitsev clinches with his opponent.
Zaitsev is stalling here.
Jones tries to break free but Zaitsev pushes him back against the ropes.
Jones looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones breaks the clinch.
Jones avoids the head kick by Zaitsev.
Joshua Jones is winning the standup battle so far.

Zaitsev moves into range and clinches up with Jones.
Jones is trying to break the clinch but Zaitsev has him pressed against the ropes.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Jones as Zaitsev tries to tie him up.
Zaitsev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Zaitsev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Zaitsev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Jones has had enough of the clinch but Zaitsev keeps him there for the moment.
Jones blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jones is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Jones blocking some punches.
Jones is trying to force a seperation but Zaitsev has the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitri Zaitsev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Zaitsev darts in and clinches Jones up against the ropes.
Jones blocking some punches.
Jones has had enough of the clinch but Zaitsev keeps him there for the moment.
Jones is looking to break free of the clinch but Zaitsev has double underhooks.
Jones tries to break free but Zaitsev pushes him back against the ropes.
Zaitsev keeps control of Jones as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zaitsev throws a head punch that misses.

Jones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zaitsev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Jones counters with a nice uppercut.
Zaitsev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jones moves away.
Jones tries to clinch up.
Zaitsev tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaitsev throws a chopping leg kick but Jones manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zaitsev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zaitsev is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Zaitsev has Jones up against the ropes in a clinch.
Jones is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones blocks an uppercut.
Zaitsev misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Zaitsev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zaitsev misses with a punch on the inside.
Jones wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zaitsev has him pressed against the ropes.

Jones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Jones has closed the distance and engaged Zaitsev in a clinch.

Jones manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zaitsev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zaitsev doesn't manage to clinch there - Jones circles away.

Zaitsev rushes Jones and presses him up against the ropes.
Jones is trying to break the clinch but Zaitsev has him pressed against the ropes.
Zaitsev stalling.
Jones working hard to break the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zaitsev.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dmitri Zaitsev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaitsev moves into the clinch successfully.

Jones breaks the clinch.

Zaitsev darts in and clinches Jones up against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Jones's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jones blocks a body shot from Zaitsev.
Zaitsev has Jones pressed against the ropes, preventing Jones from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zaitsev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jones's efforts to push away.
Jones is trying to force a seperation but Zaitsev has the dominant position.
Jones is trying to break free.
Jones wants to get back to striking at distance but Zaitsev won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones breaks the clinch.
Zaitsev tries to clinch there but Jones circles away.

Jones has Zaitsev up against the ropes in a clinch.

Jones pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch but Zaitsev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Jones gets tackled into the ropes by Zaitsev. Zaitsev maintains the clinch.
Jones wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Jones is trying to break the clinch but Zaitsev has him pressed against the ropes.
Jones can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jones wants to clinch up but Zaitsev keeps it at a distance.
Jones tries to clinch up.
Zaitsev is looking for the big counter here.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Zaitsev.
Jones avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zaitsev wants to clinch.

Zaitsev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jones, pushing him back against the ropes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zaitsev lands with a light punch inside.
Jones wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zaitsev has him pressed against the ropes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitri Zaitsev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zaitsev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitri Zaitsev!
A relieved looking Dmitri Zaitsev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.