PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Davidson (ranked 4932 p4p, 3422 weight class) and Dmitri Zaitsev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dmitri Zaitsev is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Davidson
vs
Zaitsev

178 cm
26
217
2 - 2 - 0

192 cm
46
278
35 - 35 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Paul Davidson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 35 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dmitri Zaitsev!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick lands for Zaitsev.

Zaitsev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Davidson, pushing him back against the cage.
Davidson goes for a takedown attempt but Zaitsev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Zaitsev forces Davidson back against the cage and clinches.
Davidson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zaitsev pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Zaitsev gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Zaitsev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Davidson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
It looks like Zaitsev might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaitsev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davidson is breathing heavily.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Davidson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zaitsev pinned against the cage. Zaitsev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Davidson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zaitsev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Davidson fails to land the takedown.

Zaitsev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Zaitsev manages to pull guard.
Zaitsev is pulling down on Davidson's head to control his posture.
Davidson has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Davidson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zaitsev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zaitsev trying to control the position here.
Zaitsev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Davidson's guard.

Zaitsev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev stands and throws Davidson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Davidson tries to escape but Zaitsev is in control.
Davidson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Davidson tries to get out of the position.
Zaitsev is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitri Zaitsev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Davidson with a poor takedown
and Zaitsev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Zaitsev has closed the distance and engaged Davidson in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Zaitsev - that landed with a thud.

Zaitsev is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Davidson can't fight it off and eventually Zaitsev manages to take the fight to the floor. Davidson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Davidson wants to get back to his feet but Zaitsev passes into half guard.
Dmitri Zaitsev has got the better of the ground game so far.

Zaitsev content to control rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitsev is continuing to stall.
Let's hope that Zaitsev has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

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

Zaitsev shoots in and gets a takedown into Davidson's guard.
Zaitsev controlling from the top position.
The adventures of Zaitsev the control monster continue. Boring.
Zaitsev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Zaitsev.

That's four 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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zaitsev rushes Davidson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zaitsev is leaning against Davidson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Zaitsev has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Davidson is trying to keep an underhook but Zaitsev manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Zaitsev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the 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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Davidson has his takedown stuffed
and Zaitsev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Zaitsev clinches up with Davidson and pushes him back against the cage.
Davidson is trying to break the clinch but Zaitsev has him pressed against the cage.
Zaitsev scores with a hook to the body.

Davidson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Zaitsev is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Davidson to the mat. Davidson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Zaitsev controlling from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davidson looking for a sweep. Not yet Davidson, not yet.
Zaitsev sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
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.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Zaitsev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Davidson!
Davidson is trying to escape the position but Zaitsev is controlling the position.
Davidson is trying to work for a sweep but Zaitsev has mounted him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitsev controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Zaitsev's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitri Zaitsev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zaitsev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck 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.