PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Glad Tihata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zed Zelonka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zed Zelonka 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!

Tihata
vs
Zelonka

180 cm
26
208 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

188 cm
24
222 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Murder Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Glad Tihata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zed Zelonka!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zelonka takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Zed Zelonka has been cut.
Zed Zelonka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tihata throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tihata tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Zelonka scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Zelonka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tihata does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tihata is trying to get back to full guard.

Tihata looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zelonka is looking to take a break and control but Tihata is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Tihata looking for submissions off his back.

Zelonka is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Tihata actively working from the bottom here.

Zelonka wants to work for an arm triangle but Tihata is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tihata displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zelonka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tihata lands with a kick to the ribs.
Zelonka looks gassed!

Tihata throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zelonka was covering up waiting for the punch and Tihata finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tihata throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zelonka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tihata content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Zelonka working for a triangle but Tihata defends it easily.
Zelonka keeping moving, preventing Tihata from controlling successfully.
Tihata working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tihata landing with the ground and pound.

Zelonka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tihata defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tihata thows a big elbow that misses.
Tihata lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tihata scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tihata postures up and lands a big shot to Zelonka's brow.
Tihata is looking to work some ground and pound but Zelonka has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tihata passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tihata scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Zelonka to see if he's OK.

Tihata working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tihata scoring with punches and elbows.
Zelonka is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tihata taking a breather here.

Tihata tries for a kimura but Zelonka is defending well.

Tihata goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Zelonka has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tihata but great work by Zelonka.

Zelonka is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tihata knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Zelonka trying to control the action but Tihata is working from the bottom.
Tihata manages to work his way to half guard, despite Zelonka's best efforts.

Tihata has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Zelonka. Oh but Tihata has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Zelonka goes limp - he's gone! Tihata jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Glad Tihata!