PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Gorden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gorden has chosen Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zhirkov
vs
Gorden

180 cm
24
135 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
142 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Final Strike Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ben Gorden!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gorden shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zhirkov as he avoids it easily.
Gorden walks into a straight right hand from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov scores with a jab. Gorden acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A jab from Gorden misses.
Gorden walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Gorden moves into the clinch.
Gorden misses with some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gorden just misses with a elbow thrown towards Zhirkov's brow.
Gorden tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zhirkov avoids it.
Zhirkov working hard to break the clinch.
Gorden lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Gorden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body punch from Gorden.
Zhirkov misses with a body shot

and Gorden counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Zhirkov!
Zhirkov is working to get back to half guard.
Zhirkov wants to hold on but Gorden pushes him away.
Gorden can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zhirkov is looking to escape.

Gorden working for a guillotine from mount but Zhirkov is in no mood to give up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov is working to get back to half guard.
Zhirkov tries to hold on but Gorden pushes him away.

Gorden working for a guillotine from mount but Zhirkov is in no mood to give up.
Zhirkov tries to lock up and control but Gorden gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhirkov is looking to get to half guard.
Zhirkov is working hard here to advance position.

Gorden is going olschool here, as he tries to force Zhirkov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Zhirkov shrugs it off.

Gorden has control of Zhirkov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Zhirkov regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gorden is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Zhirkov is surviving well by controlling Gorden's body position as best he can.
Zhirkov is trying to stand.
Zhirkov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
BOOM! Gorden connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gorden tries to control but Zhirkov wriggling away.
Zhirkov can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zhirkov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Gorden.
Zhirkov is working to get back to half guard.
Gorden is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zhirkov can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Zhirkov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zhirkov is squirming around, avoiding Gorden's attempts to control the action.
Zhirkov tries to hold on but Gorden pushes him away.

Gorden is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Zhirkov is surviving well by controlling Gorden's body position as best he can.
Gorden trying to control but he's not successful this time.

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.
Gorden lands a heavy elbow.
Zhirkov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Gorden has control of Zhirkov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Zhirkov regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Zhirkov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gorden throws some wild stikes that Zhirkov manages to avoid easily.
Zhirkov is trying to reverse the position but instead Gorden has taken his back - oops!
Zhirkov has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Gorden dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A swing and a miss from Zhirkov.
Gorden throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zhirkov's waist but Zhirkov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gorden off to one side.
Ben Gorden is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gorden.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov avoids the body shot from Gorden.
Zhirkov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gorden.
Robert Zhirkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Gorden.
A jab from Zhirkov finds it's way through Gorden's defenses.
Nice cross by Zhirkov.
Gorden connects with a solid leg kick.
Zhirkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zhirkov throws a series of punches but Gorden avoids them all with ease.
Zhirkov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhirkov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gorden throws out the jab.
Nice uppercut there from Zhirkov.
Gorden throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhirkov scores with a sloppy right hand. Gorden should have avoided that one.
Zhirkov misses with a straight right.
Gorden throws a head kick that misses.
Robert Zhirkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gorden takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zhirkov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gorden connects with a jab.
A cross from Zhirkov lands.
Gorden waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Zhirkov.
Gorden moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zhirkov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Zhirkov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gorden at a distance.
Gorden wants to clinch.
Gorden loads up on a big right hand but Zhirkov slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov throws a combination. Gorden tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Zhirkov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Danga de danga de dang - Gorden scores with a four punch combination!
Zhirkov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gorden swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zhirkov cracks Gorden with an open hand slap.
Gorden takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zhirkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhirkov scores with a nice right hand.
Zhirkov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gorden blocks a jab.
Zhirkov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zhirkov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zhirkov lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorden takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A shot to de liver by Gorden. Beautiful body shot.
Zhirkov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zhirkov throws a series of punches but Gorden moves out of range.
Gorden throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A jab lands there for Zhirkov.
Gorden misses with a hook.
Zhirkov's corner calls for a 1-2. Zhirkov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gorden throws a lazy right hand but Zhirkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gorden throws a predictable looking body shot
and Zhirkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zhirkov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A jab from Zhirkov misses.
Zhirkov looks to land a right hand but Gorden moved out of range.
Gorden shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zhirkov as he avoids it easily.
Zhirkov lands a nice shot to the body.
Gorden has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Gorden is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zhirkov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorden uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a series of punches but Gorden avoids them all with ease.
Gorden tries for a takedown but Zhirkov circles away easily
enabling Zhirkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Gorden is breathing heavily.
Zhirkov throws a combination. Gorden tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Gorden takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jab from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a jab when Gorden was well out of range.
Zhirkov lands a body shot.
Gorden is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Zhirkov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gorden momentarily.
Zhirkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zhirkov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gorden stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gorden misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gorden takes one to the chin there.
Gorden misses with a takedown attempt - Zhirkov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Zhirkov's corner calls for a 1-2. Zhirkov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gorden misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gorden looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Gorden closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Zhirkov is looking to improve his position.

Gorden is trying to work for a kimura but Zhirkov is defending well.
Zhirkov is looking to escape.
Zhirkov is trying to get back to full guard.
Zhirkov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gorden scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov trying to control but Gorden postures up.
Gorden takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gorden is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Zhirkov keeping control of the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zhirkov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zhirkov throws a series of strikes that have Gorden backpedaling.
Zhirkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zhirkov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Zhirkov scores with a jab. Gorden acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zhirkov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gorden misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gorden steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zhirkov.

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.
Zhirkov throws a looping overhand right but Gorden ducks down to avoid it.
Gorden looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zhirkov is fending him off so far but Gorden persists. Nope, Zhirkov circles away and we're back to standing.

Gorden looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gorden is looking to work some ground and pound but Zhirkov has wrist control.
Zhirkov keeping moving, preventing Gorden from controlling successfully.
Gorden is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zhirkov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gorden!
Zhirkov lands with some strikes.
Zhirkov cracks Gorden with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Zhirkov goes for an armbar but Gorden turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Gorden.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gorden drops back looking for a leg! Zhirkov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zhirkov manages to kick Gorden off! Gorden jumps back into Zhirkov's guard.
Zhirkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zhirkov wants to stand and escape but Gorden is having none of it.
Zhirkov wants to sweep but no luck.
Gorden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zhirkov is keeping the position for now.
Gorden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zhirkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zhirkov wants to sweep here but Gorden controlling him for the moment.
Zhirkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gorden misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Robert Zhirkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Gorden.
Zhirkov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zhirkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jab by Zhirkov.
Gorden takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Zhirkov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gorden rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zhirkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zhirkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gorden tries for a takedown but Zhirkov circles away easily
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gorden drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Zhirkov cracks Gorden with an open hand slap.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ben Gorden.
I think Gorden 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Gorden!