PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akiyo Nishiura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Zhirkov
vs
Nishiura

180 cm
30
141 lbs
14 - 11 - 1

172 cm
30
147 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Hellbent, Inc.™
Hell's Balls Recovery

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 14 - 11 - 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 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Akiyo Nishiura!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nishiura ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nishiura on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nishiura avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zhirkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nishiura.
Zhirkov misses with a hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nishiura.
Zhirkov misses with a kick to the body.
Nishiura ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nishiura.
Zhirkov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nishiura stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zhirkov.
Nishiura uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhirkov.
Nishiura tries to clinch but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Nishiura ducks under a wild hook from Zhirkov.
Nishiura throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nishiura will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Zhirkov loads up on a big right hand but Nishiura slips the punch.
Zhirkov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nishiura doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zhirkov thuds his right hand into Nishiura's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A head kick misses from Nishiura.
Zhirkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zhirkov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nishiura moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nishiura keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akiyo Nishiura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nishiura works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zhirkov scores with a decent looking hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Zhirkov misses.
Sloppy strikes from Nishiura. Those never looked like landing.
Nishiura has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nishiura there as he acknowledges the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zhirkov fails with a takedown attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nishiura darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zhirkov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nishiura takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zhirkov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Zhirkov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nishiura finds it's way round the side to connect with Zhirkov's head.
Zhirkov slips a jab from Nishiura.
Zhirkov misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Nishiura.
Zhirkov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zhirkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nishiura was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov missing with a left hand there. Nishiura was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nishiura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhirkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Nishiura.
Nishiura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhirkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice shot by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov loads up on a big right hand but Nishiura slips the punch.
Zhirkov throws a sloppy head kick and Nishiura moves out of range easily.

Nishiura gets a clinch.
Nishiura misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zhirkov.
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.
Nishiura takes a shot to the head.
Nishiura tries to land knees in the clinch but Zhirkov avoids the damage to the body.
Zhirkov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nishiura lands an elbow inside that Zhirkov shrugs off.
Nishiura stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Nishiura tries to land knees in the clinch but Zhirkov avoids the damage to the body.
Zhirkov dodges an elbow strike from Nishiura.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nishiura is trying to force a seperation but Zhirkov has the dominant position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nishiura just misses with a elbow thrown towards Zhirkov's brow.
Nishiura prevents the takedown attempt.
Nishiura tries to land a knee to the head but Zhirkov blocks with his arms.
Nishiura tries to land knees in the clinch but Zhirkov avoids the damage to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nishiura misses with a hook from the clinch.
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!
Nishiura landing knees to the head.
Nishiura lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zhirkov backwards.
Zhirkov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Robert Zhirkov 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.

Nishiura ducks right into an uppercut from Zhirkov.
Nishiura defending well as Zhirkov loads up on a big left hand.
Zhirkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nishiura.
Robert Zhirkov is winning the standup battle so far.
Zhirkov cracks the inside of Nishiura's front leg.
Zhirkov throws a hook to the side of Nishiura's head but Nishiura sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhirkov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Zhirkov throws a big shot that misses.
Donk. Zhirkov catches Nishiura right on the button with a cross.

Nishiura forces Zhirkov back against the cage and clinches.
Nishiura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zhirkov lands a left hand.
Nishiura using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zhirkov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zhirkov is looking to break free of the clinch but Nishiura has double underhooks.
Nishiura throws an elbow but it misses.
Nishiura blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nishiura tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zhirkov avoids it.
Nishiura is struggling to control the position.
Nishiura tries a knee to the head but Zhirkov blocks it.
Zhirkov managing to block the knees to the body from Nishiura.
Zhirkov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zhirkov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zhirkov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nishiura backwards.
Nishiura tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zhirkov avoids it.
Nishiura swings wildly with an uppercut but Zhirkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nishiura looking to throw knees to the head but Zhirkov is blocking nicely.
Nishiura misses with a knee strike.
Nishiura tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nishiura is breathing heavily.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov has a couple of punches blocked by Nishiura.
Zhirkov goes for a takedown attempt but Nishiura pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Zhirkov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nishiura's sensitive parts.
Nishiura misses the shot to the body.
Zhirkov clobbers Nishiura with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nishiura takes a swing at Zhirkov's ribcage but misses.
Nishiura throws a body punch but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Nishiura blocks a jab.
Zhirkov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
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!
Nishiura avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhirkov. Nishiura does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nishiura drops his hands momentarily and Zhirkov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nishiura slips under a jab.
Nishiura swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhirkov motions for Nishiura to come forward. Zhirkov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zhirkov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nishiura throws an overhand right that lands on Zhirkov's shoulder, as Zhirkov tries to avoid the shot.
Zhirkov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zhirkov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zhirkov throws a lazy uppercut
and Nishiura counters with a nice body shot.
Nishiura throws a big shot that misses.
Nishiura doesn't manage to clinch there - Zhirkov circles away.
A swing and a miss from Nishiura.
Nishiura throws a leg kick but Zhirkov checks it.
Nishiura throws a hook but Zhirkov avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 leg kick
and Zhirkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nishiura scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zhirkov scores with a jab. Nishiura acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nishiura doesn't manage to clinch there - Zhirkov circles away.
Zhirkov misses with a looping left.
Nishiura misses with a looping left.
Nishiura throws out a loose jab but Zhirkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Zhirkov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nishiura throws a hook but Zhirkov avoids it easily.
Zhirkov moves out of range as Nishiura throws a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Zhirkov looks to land a combination but Nishiura avoids it well.

Nishiura closes the distance and pushes Zhirkov back into the cage.

Zhirkov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Nishiura regains guard immediately.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nishiura is looking to stand up but Zhirkov isn't so interested in that idea.
Zhirkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nishiura utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zhirkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zhirkov wants to control from the top but Nishiura keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nishiura avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zhirkov throwing strikes from guard but Nishiura blocks nicely.
Zhirkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Nishiura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zhirkov works over Nishiura with some ground and pound from guard.
Zhirkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nishiura works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zhirkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Nishiura is retaining full guard.
Akiyo Nishiura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov is in close to Nishiura's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zhirkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nishiura working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov throws and elbow that misses. Nishiura uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zhirkov's guard. Nice move by Nishiura!
Nishiura takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zhirkov managing to control the position.
Zhirkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zhirkov wants to hit a switch here but Nishiura passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Zhirkov there!
Zhirkov tries to hold on but Nishiura pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Nishiura is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Zhirkov has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Nishiura stands up from mount. Strange move.
Zhirkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nishiura takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nishiura defending well as Zhirkov loads up on a big left hand.
Zhirkov misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov shoots for a double leg takedown but Nishiura sprawls well. He's pushed Zhirkov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A big left from Zhirkov misses.
Zhirkov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Robert Zhirkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zhirkov throws a hook to the side of Nishiura's head but Nishiura sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nishiura throws out a loose jab but Zhirkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nishiura tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Zhirkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nishiura displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhirkov throws out the jab.
Nishiura tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zhirkov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nishiura misses the jab.
Nishiura pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Akiyo Nishiura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhirkov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Zhirkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zhirkov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27

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