PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Zimmerman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Milovan Rakic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Zimmerman might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Bonecrusher- Neva Scared. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zimmerman
vs
Rakic

190 cm
27
215 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

189 cm
23
220 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Zimmerman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Milovan Rakic!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Andrew Berry and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakic avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Milovan Rakic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rakic stuns Zimmerman with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Zimmerman feints and as Rakic raises his hands in defense, Zimmerman changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rakic working a defensive guard here.
Zimmerman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zimmerman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zimmerman advances position into side control!
Zimmerman sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Rakic is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Zimmerman trying to control the action but Rakic is working from the bottom.
Zimmerman in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakic tries to bench press Zimmerman off him but Zimmerman keeps the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rakic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zimmerman.
Zimmerman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rakic.

Rakic moves into range and clinches up with Zimmerman.
Rakic tries a body shot but Zimmerman blocks it.

Rakic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rakic takes a swing at Zimmerman's ribcage but misses.

Rakic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zimmerman, pushing him back against the cage.
Zimmerman tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rakic just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zimmerman fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zimmerman tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rakic breaks from the clinch.
Rakic misses with a two punch combination.
Rakic punishes Zimmerman's body with a nice straight punch.
Zimmerman slips a straight right by Rakic.
Zimmerman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rakic.
Zimmerman stuns Rakic with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zimmerman thows a body shot but no joy.
Rakic throws a right and a left that Zimmerman avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakic scores with a shot to the body.
Zimmerman is breathing heavily.
Rakic throws a sloppy body shot
and Zimmerman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zimmerman moves out of range of the strikes.
Rakic misses the shot to the body.
Rakic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Horrible takedown by Zimmerman or perhaps it was just good defense by Rakic which made him look bad.
Zimmerman misses with a body shot.
Zimmerman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rakic misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zimmerman counters with a straight right hand.
Rakic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zimmerman counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zimmerman stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rakic swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Zimmerman counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rakic!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rakic is desperately trying to improve his position but Zimmerman has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zimmerman connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Zimmerman looking to ground and pound but Rakic is blocking nicely.
Rakic holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Zimmerman tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Zimmerman unloads with some shots from mount but Rakic bucks and avoids them well.
Rakic is working to get back to half guard.
The referee warns Rakic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zimmerman throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Milovan Rakic will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zimmerman uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rakic.
Zimmerman punishes Rakic's body with a nice straight punch.
Rakic misses with a hook to the body
and Zimmerman counters with a thumping low kick.
Rakic wants to clinch but Zimmerman slips to the side

and Zimmerman counters with a shoot takedown. Rakic fights it but they end up in guard.
Zimmerman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zimmerman has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Zimmerman drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rakic manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Zimmerman has Rakic in his guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rakic slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zimmerman is looking for a sweep.
Rakic content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Zimmerman tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rakic off and has taken his back!
Zimmerman throwing sloppy strikes.

Zimmerman is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Rakic defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Zimmerman softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Zimmerman is throwing strikes by Rakic counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, Rakic regains half guard.
Rakic is staying active underneath Zimmerman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman thows a huge punch but Rakic dodges it nicely.
Zimmerman is looking to advance position but Rakic won't allow it.

Zimmerman is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rakic is just riding it out for now. Zimmerman eventually gives up the hold.
Zimmerman wants to take a breather but Rakic is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rakic doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zimmerman.
Zimmerman not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rakic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Zimmerman counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Zimmerman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zimmerman looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rakic is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman working for a triangle but Rakic defends it easily.
Rakic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rakic is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zimmerman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rakic manages to get himself to full guard.
Zimmerman wants to pass the guard but Rakic is keeping the position.
Zimmerman throwing strikes from guard but Rakic blocks nicely.

Zimmerman is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rakic is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rakic has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zimmerman dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Zimmerman misses with a low kick.
Rakic misses with a body shot.
Rakic throws a left and a right that both miss

and Zimmerman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Zimmerman is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rakic sees it coming and defends easily.
Zimmerman wants to pass to mount but Rakic is defending the position.
Zimmerman throws a strike but Rakic avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Rakic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman throws a big right hand that misses.

Zimmerman postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rakic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Zimmerman, into his guard.
Rakic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zimmerman trying to control the position.
Rakic showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rakic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rakic must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zimmerman wants to sweep here but Rakic controlling him for the moment.
Rakic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rakic wants to control from the top but Zimmerman keeps moving.
Rakic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rakic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zimmerman's head backwards.
Rakic darts in trying to clinch

and Zimmerman counters with a single leg into guard. Rakic didn't expect that.
Zimmerman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rakic is keeping the position for now.
Zimmerman looking to sit in guard and control but Rakic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rakic controlling from the top position.
Robert Zimmerman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rakic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zimmerman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rakic has managed to get both his arms back between Zimmerman's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rakic trying to control the position from guard on top but Zimmerman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rakic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Zimmerman's guard.

Zimmerman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rakic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rakic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zimmerman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rakic is one step ahead there.
Rakic wants to control from the top but Zimmerman keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Zimmerman is looking for a triangle but Rakic pushes his legs off easily.

Zimmerman has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rakic is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Zimmerman.
Rakic wants to control but Zimmerman is keeping him busy.
Zimmerman is trying to improve his position.
Rakic landing a few strikes.
Rakic content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Rakic has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Zimmerman showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zimmerman has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Zimmerman!