PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Corey Bigs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bigs comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Danko Jones - Lovercall kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Corey Bigs enters the cage!

Zhirkov
vs
Bigs

180 cm
29
141 lbs
11 - 10 - 1

165 cm
29
143 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 11 - 10 - 1, 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 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Corey Bigs!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Mauricio Rocha and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhirkov thows a leg kick but Bigs checks it
and Bigs counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Bigs drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bigs throwing strikes from guard but Zhirkov blocks nicely.
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.
Bigs throwing strikes from guard but Zhirkov blocks nicely.
Zhirkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zhirkov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zhirkov wants to sweep but no luck.
Bigs scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bigs won't allow Zhirkov to sweep him here.
Bigs makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zhirkov looking to control.
Bigs preventing the sweep.
Bigs is looking to work some ground and pound but Zhirkov has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bigs trying to control the position from guard on top but Zhirkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bigs postures up in Zhirkov's guard and throws a big left but Zhirkov blocks it.
Bigs must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zhirkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bigs's guard.
Zhirkov postures up.
Zhirkov postures up and lands a big shot to Bigs's brow.
Zhirkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bigs avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bigs controlling Zhirkov's posture.
Zhirkov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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.

Bigs escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zhirkov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Bigs keeps moving.
Zhirkov is working Bigs over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Bigs keeps moving.
Bigs can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zhirkov controls the pace.
Zhirkov forces his way into half guard.
Zhirkov trying to pass the guard but Bigs defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov wants to control but Bigs is keeping him busy.
Zhirkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bigs defending well though.
Zhirkov slows the pace down in half guard.
Zhirkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bigs defending well though.

Zhirkov is looking for a kimura here.
Bigs trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bigs regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zhirkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bigs looking for a sweep. Not yet Bigs, not yet.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Bigs keeps moving.
Zhirkov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Zhirkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bigs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zhirkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bigs is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Corey Bigs 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.

Zhirkov scores with a jab to the head.
Zhirkov thows a leg kick but Bigs checks it
letting Bigs counter with a right hand.
Bigs 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 Bigs off to one side.
Zhirkov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bigs.
Bigs shoots and misses
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Robert Zhirkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Corey Bigs.
Zhirkov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Corey Bigs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhirkov misses with a body kick.
Bigs has his takedown stuffed
and Zhirkov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zhirkov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bigs momentarily.
Bigs misses with a takedown attempt
letting Zhirkov counter with a right hand.
Zhirkov scores with a nice strike.
Bigs fails with the takedown
and Zhirkov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bigs is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.
Bigs takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Jab by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Robert Zhirkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhirkov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.
Zhirkov throws the kick towards the body but Bigs avoids it.
An inside leg kick lands from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a crisp jab.
Zhirkov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zhirkov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Zhirkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Bigs.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Zhirkov!
Bigs misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Zhirkov counter with a right hand.
Zhirkov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Zhirkov sizes up Bigs with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bigs rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zhirkov counters with a head kick.
Zhirkov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhirkov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bigs looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bigs bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zhirkov, right into the meat.
Bigs ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Bigs takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bigs loads up on a big right hand but Zhirkov slips the punch.
A big left from Zhirkov misses.
Zhirkov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bigs in his tracks.
Bigs shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zhirkov connects with a jab.
Bigs has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zhirkov is looking to chop away at Bigs's legs.
Zhirkov scores with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bigs blocks a jab.
Bigs has his takedown stuffed
and Zhirkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zhirkov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Zhirkov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zhirkov misses the shot to the body.
Corey Bigs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bigs takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Decent striking displayed by Zhirkov there.
Bigs moves out of range of the strikes.

Bigs closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zhirkov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Zhirkov 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.
Zhirkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bigs is one step ahead there.
Zhirkov is looking to sweep but instead, Bigs has passed into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov tries to get to full guard but Bigs has control of the leg.
Zhirkov is pressing down on Bigs's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zhirkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bigs trying to control but Zhirkov is working from the bottom.
Zhirkov wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zhirkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bigs misses with a hook.
Bigs moves out of range as Zhirkov strikes.
Zhirkov misses the jab.
Bigs throws a combination that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bigs with a poor takedown
and Zhirkov counters with a solid body kick.
Bigs avoids the body shot from Zhirkov.
Bigs slips under a jab.
Zhirkov scores with a three punch combo!
Bigs with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zhirkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice straight punches there by Zhirkov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zhirkov.
Zhirkov catches Bigs with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Jab by Zhirkov.
Bigs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zhirkov throws out a loose jab but Bigs uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bigs misses with a combination
enabling Zhirkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Zhirkov connects with a solid leg kick.
Zhirkov throws a hook but Bigs blocks it.
Bigs misses with a body kick.
Robert Zhirkov is winning the standup battle so far.
Zhirkov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bigs tries for a takedown but Zhirkov circles away easily
and Zhirkov counters with a nice uppercut.
Robert Zhirkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Corey Bigs.
Bigs shoots and misses
and Zhirkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Bigs walks into a straight right hand from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands with an overhand left.
Zhirkov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bigs's sensitive parts.
Zhirkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bigs throws a nice looking combination but Zhirkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov misses with a two punch combination.
Bigs walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zhirkov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A left lands for Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands with a straight right. Bigs didn't see that one coming.
Zhirkov lands a nice looking body shot.
Zhirkov scores with a hook.
Zhirkov connects with a jab.
Zhirkov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bigs stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Zhirkov connects with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bigs is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bigs swings away with a body shot that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Bigs moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bigs drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bigs throws a combination that misses
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Zhirkov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bigs doesn't seem bothered though.
Bigs drops his hands momentarily and Zhirkov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zhirkov lands a jab.
Zhirkov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bigss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zhirkov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zhirkov lands a right hook to the body.
Nice body kick from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Zhirkov lands with a cross.
Bigs takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bigs avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bigs takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zhirkov lands a jab to Bigs's midsection.
Bigs takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhirkov misses with a kick to the body.
Zhirkov looks for the body kick but Bigs saw that one coming.
Bigs blocks a head kick by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a jab.
Bigs fails with the takedown
and Zhirkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bigs on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bigs gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bigs throws a lazy uppercut
and Zhirkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bigs moves out of range as Zhirkov strikes.
Zhirkov cracks a nice hook into Bigs's ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Zhirkov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zhirkov 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:27

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