PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ilander Runner (ranked 25471 p4p, 25451 weight class) and Zakhar Zhitkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zakhar Zhitkov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Runner
vs
Zhitkov

185 cm
18
185
0 - 5 - 0

182 cm
18
175
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ilander Runner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zakhar Zhitkov!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, David Hoff and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runner throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zhitkov.
Runner misses with the combination.
Runner thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zhitkov throws a counter combo.
Zhitkov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Runner is looking for a counter combo.
Runner takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Runner dodges the punch combination from Zhitkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhitkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Runner throws a series of punches but Zhitkov avoids them all with ease.
Zhitkov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Zhitkov takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zhitkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zhitkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Runner manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Runner tries a head kick but it misses.
Zhitkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Runner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zhitkov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Runner throws a series of punches but Zhitkov moves out of range.
Ilander Runner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhitkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Runner as he avoids it easily.

Zhitkov gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Zhitkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Runner definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Runner misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runner misses with a head kick.

Zhitkov gets a clinch.

Runner manages to pull guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Runner has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Zhitkov is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Runner throws a knee to the head but misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Zhitkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Runner does no damage.
Zhitkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Runner was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Zhitkov tries to clinch up.
Runner seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhitkov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Runner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It looked like Runner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Runner misses with a few strikes there.
Zhitkov moves in looking to clinch but Runner pushes him off.
Zhitkov misses with a two punch combination.
Runner missing with a left hand there. Zhitkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A little jabbing left from Zhitkov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Zhitkov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Runner in his tracks.
Runner swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zhitkov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zhitkov tries to close the distance and clinch but Runner swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Runner is looking for a counter combo.
Zhitkov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Runner looks to land a body kick but Zhitkov moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhitkov lands a jab to the head.
Zhitkov tries for a takedown but Runner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As Zhitkov looks to move away, Runner throws a big counter combo but Zhitkov just gets out of the way.
Runner misses with a double jab.
Runner misses with a wild combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhitkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
An attempted straight right counter from Runner misses the target.
Ilander Runner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zakhar Zhitkov.
Zhitkov is looking to clinch.
Runner takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Runner looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A leg kick checked by Zhitkov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ilander Runner will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A punch combination from Runner misses.

Zhitkov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Runner landing knees to the head.
Runner lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Zhitkov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Zhitkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runner walks into a jab.
Runner walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Zhitkov wants to clinch up but Runner keeps it at a distance.

Zhitkov has Runner up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhitkov stalling the fight.
Zhitkov is trying to force a seperation but Runner has the dominant position.
Runner with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zhitkov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Runner throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zhitkov blocks it with crossed arms.
Runner will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Zhitkov up against the cage.
Zhitkov blocks an uppercut.
Runner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Zhitkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zhitkov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runner ducks right into an uppercut from Zhitkov.
Zakhar Zhitkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhitkov scores with a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zhitkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zhitkov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Zhitkov tries to clinch up but Runner circles away and keeps his distance.
Runner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zhitkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zakhar Zhitkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zhitkov lands with an overhand left.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhitkov dodges the punch combination from Runner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runner circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zhitkov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zhitkov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Runner connects with a leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Zhitkov as he connects with a hook.
Zhitkov tries to clinch up.
Runner went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Zhitkov wants to clinch
and Runner counters with a two punch combo.
Zhitkov is looking to clinch.
Zhitkov cracks Runner with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Zhitkov connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhitkov tries to close the distance and clinch but Runner swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Runner misses with a double jab
and Zhitkov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhitkov tries to clinch there but Runner circles away.
Runner misses with a straight right.
Zhitkov looks to land a combination. Runner sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zhitkov throws a series of strikes that have Runner backpedaling.
Runner walks into a jab.

Runner is rocked!
Zhitkov swinging wildly here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zakhar Zhitkov 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. This is the final round!

Zhitkov lands with a hook. Runner tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Runner throws a series of punches but Zhitkov avoids them all with ease.
Zhitkov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Runner. Runner circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zhitkov wants to clinch.
Runner went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhitkov wants to clinch.
Zhitkov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Runner's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runner moves out of range of the body kick from Zhitkov.
Zhitkov wants to land a leg kick but Runner is out of range.
Runner moves forwards but Zhitkov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Runner walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A punch lands to the side of Runner 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Zhitkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zhitkov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zhitkov moves in looking to clinch but Runner pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhitkov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Runner throws a series of punches but Zhitkov moves out of range.
Zhitkov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Runner moves forwards but Zhitkov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Zhitkov takes the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Runner.
Runner tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zhitkov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Zhitkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Zhitkov breaks the clinch.
Runner is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zhitkov.
Runner looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Runner drops his hands momentarily and Zhitkov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Zhitkov closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhitkov is looking to break free of the clinch but Runner has double underhooks.
A knee to the head by Runner.
Runner misses with a punch on the inside.
Runner misses with a knee strike.
Zhitkov is trying to push Runner away but Runner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zhitkov blocking some punches.
Zhitkov has Runner pressed against the cage.
Zhitkov working hard to break the clinch.

Zhitkov breaks from the clinch.
Zhitkov lands with a hook. Runner tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Runner tries to bum rush Zhitkov with a series of wild strikes but Zhitkov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zhitkov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Runner back to the cage. Zhitkov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zhitkov moves into the clinch successfully.
Zhitkov is trying to break the clinch but Runner is controlling him.
Zhitkov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Zhitkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Runner tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Runner tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A frustrated look appears on Zhitkov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zhitkov wants to break free but Runner has control.
Runner looking to throw knees to the head but Zhitkov is blocking nicely.
Zhitkov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Runner misses with a knee strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Runner throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zhitkov is trying to break the clinch but Runner has him pressed against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zakhar Zhitkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zhitkov 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zakhar Zhitkov!