PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcos Hammi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hammi
vs
Zhirkov

175 cm
20
130 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

180 cm
27
141 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcos Hammi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Leandro Rodrigues and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhirkov sizes up Hammi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zhirkov swings for the body but Hammi moves out of range.
Zhirkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zhirkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hammi swivels and escapes.
Zhirkov staying out of range there.
Hammi connects with a jab.
Zhirkov needs to keep his hands up - Hammi had a free shot at his head there.
Zhirkov just misses with a punch to the body.
Hammi swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a right hand to the body.
Hammi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hammi thows a body shot but no joy.
Hammi walks into a left hand.
Zhirkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhirkov connects with the punch.
Hammi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zhirkov shoots in but Hammi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hammi misses with a combination
and Zhirkov counters with a left to the body.
Zhirkov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hammi.
Zhirkov throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hammi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hammi lands a two punch combo.
Hammi misses the shot to the body.
Zhirkov throws a hook but Hammi blocks it.
A slow jab from Zhirkov misses its intended target.
Hammi throws a series of punches but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Hammi avoids the head kick by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov misses with a straight right.
Zhirkov avoids the body shot from Hammi.
Hammi is looking to wear down Zhirkov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhirkov. Hammi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zhirkov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hammi at a distance.
Hammi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zhirkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Hammi.
Zhirkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hammi.
Zhirkov looks to land a left hand but Hammi moved out of range nicely.
Zhirkov throws a lazy right hand but Hammi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhirkov staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hammi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Marcos Hammi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhirkov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hammi.
A combination from Hammi does no damage.
Hammi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands with a nice combination. Hammi backs away looking to recover.
Zhirkov lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zhirkov. Zhirkov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zhirkov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zhirkov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hammi looks to throw the jab but Zhirkov is out of range.
Hammi really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hammi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hammi staying out of range there.
Zhirkov throws a hook but Hammi avoids it easily.
Hammi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hammi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hammi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zhirkov counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zhirkov looks to land a left hand but Hammi moved out of range nicely.
Zhirkov throws a hook but Hammi avoids it easily.

Zhirkov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hammi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hammi parries the strikes from Zhirkov easily there. Zhirkov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Hammi to escape.
Hammi is trying to control Zhirkov's posture but Zhirkov avoids it.
Zhirkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zhirkov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Hammi prevents Zhirkov from improving position.
Zhirkov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hammi down.
Hammi is working to avoid the ground and pound but Zhirkov connects with a decent elbow.
Zhirkov grinds an elbow into Hammi's temple.
Hammi wants to control but Zhirkov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammi is trying to buck Zhirkov off.
Zhirkov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Hammi is not content to let Zhirkov control the position.
Zhirkov cracks Hammi with a big elbow.
Hammi manages to get back to half guard.

Hammi manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Hammi fails to land with a series of punches.
Zhirkov lands a nice shot to the body.
Hammi is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhirkov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hammi.
Good exchange - Hammi coming out on top.
Hammi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhirkov throws out the jab.
Zhirkov throws a shot from downtown. Hammi moves away and avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zhirkov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Hammi to counter with a crisp jab.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hammi works the jab nicely.
Hammi throws a hook to the side of Zhirkov's head but Zhirkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hammi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zhirkov tries for a takedown but Hammi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Marcos Hammi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hammi looks to land a combination but Zhirkov avoids it well.
Hammi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hammi tries to bum rush Zhirkov with a series of wild strikes but Zhirkov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zhirkov lands with a shot to the body.
Zhirkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Hammi is just out of range.
Zhirkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhirkov misses the target.
Hammi ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zhirkov, as that shot connected.
Zhirkov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hammi's head.
Zhirkov misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammi misses with the combination.
Zhirkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hammi thuds his right hand into Zhirkov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hammi connects with a looping right hand.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.
Zhirkov loads up on a big right hand but Hammi slips the punch.
Zhirkov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hammi on the side of the head.
Hammi misses with a series of wild punches.
Hammi slips under a jab from Zhirkov.
Hammi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zhirkov throws a hook to the side of Hammi's head but Hammi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hammi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov thows a body shot but no joy.
Zhirkov swings for the body but Hammi moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Zhirkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zhirkov swings for the body but Hammi moves out of range.
Hammi with a nice cross.
A right-left combo lands from Hammi.
Zhirkov is breathing heavily.

Hammi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Zhirkov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zhirkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hammi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hammi throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zhirkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zhirkov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zhirkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zhirkov preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hammi blocks a jab.
The fighters circling - Zhirkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hammi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov misses with an uppercut.
Hammi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Zhirkov throws a hook but Hammi blocks it.
Nice shot lands for Hammi.
Hammi throws an overhand right that lands on Zhirkov's shoulder, as Zhirkov tries to avoid the shot.
Hammi misses with a looping right.
Hammi misses the shot to the body.
Zhirkov misses with a looping left.
Zhirkov misses the jab.
Hammi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhirkov.
Hammi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhirkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zhirkov looks to land a right hand but Hammi moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammi throws a combination that misses
and Zhirkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zhirkov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Hammi fails to land with a series of punches.
Zhirkov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hammi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zhirkov throws a big shot that misses.
Zhirkov connects with the punch.
A right-left combo lands from Hammi.
Hammi throws a shot to the body.
A big left from Zhirkov misses.
Hammi tries to move into range but Zhirkov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hammi swinging wildly here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hammi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hammi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhirkov defending well as Hammi loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Robert Zhirkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Zhirkov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hammi defending well as Zhirkov loads up on a big left hand.
Zhirkov throws out a loose jab but Hammi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hammi ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hammi counters with a one-two to the body.
Hammi throws a hook to the side of Zhirkov's head but Zhirkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhirkov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zhirkov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zhirkov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hammi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hammi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hammi sizes up Zhirkov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zhirkov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zhirkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hammi moves out of range as Zhirkov strikes.
Zhirkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hammi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zhirkov counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammi misses the shot to the body.
Hammi slips under a jab.
Zhirkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Hammi missing with a left hand there. Zhirkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zhirkov throws a jab when Hammi was well out of range.
Hammi digs a good body shot into Zhirkov's ribs.
Zhirkov misses with a hook. Hammi ducked under it nicely.
Hammi moves out of range of the strikes.
Zhirkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hammi.
Hammi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhirkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hammi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zhirkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hammi.

That's two 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.
Hammi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zhirkov counters with a nice body shot.
A combination from Hammi does no damage.
Zhirkov ducks under a wild hook from Hammi.
Hammi throws a combination that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a one-two to the body.
A jab from Hammi does it's job there.
Zhirkov throws a hook to the side of Hammi's head but Hammi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hammi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zhirkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zhirkov lands with a straight right. Hammi didn't see that one coming.
Zhirkov just misses with a punch to the body.
Zhirkov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hammi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zhirkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zhirkov looks to land a right hand but Hammi moved out of range.
Zhirkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hammi.
Hammi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zhirkov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hammi dodges the punch combination from Zhirkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Hammi as Zhirkov shoots in.
Marcos Hammi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Zhirkov.
Hammi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hammi misses with a few strikes there.
Zhirkov walks into a stiff left hand from Hammi.
Hammi just misses with a punch to the body.
Zhirkov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hammi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zhirkov throws a hook but Hammi blocks it.
Hammi digs a good hook to Zhirkov's body.
Hammi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Zhirkov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A slow jab from Hammi misses its intended target.
Zhirkov throws a body punch but Hammi moves out of range.
Hammi throws a series of punches but Zhirkov avoids them all with ease.
Zhirkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zhirkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hammi was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhirkov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhirkov misses the target.
Hammi throws a right and a left that Zhirkov avoids nicely.
Zhirkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hammi avoids it really well and circles away.
Robert Zhirkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marcos Hammi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhirkov lands an overhand right.
Zhirkov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zhirkov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hammi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hammi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hammi throws a body punch but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Hammi throws a nice looking combination but Zhirkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hammi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhirkov throws out the jab.
Hammi slips a straight right by Zhirkov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcos Hammi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zhirkov 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!