PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seyran Zeynalabdinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gegard Mousasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Seyran Zeynalabdinov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Gegard Mousasi's chin.

Zeynalabdinov
vs
Mousasi

180 cm
21
216 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

192 cm
20
218 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Good gas tank

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Seyran Zeynalabdinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gegard Mousasi!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Seu Braga and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mousasi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zeynalabdinov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mousasi won't be happy with that.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Zeynalabdinov is looking to take a break and control but Mousasi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zeynalabdinov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Zeynalabdinov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Zeynalabdinov throws an elbow but Mousasi slips to the side and avoids it well.
Zeynalabdinov throws a strike aimed at the side of Mousasi's head but Mousasi avoids it well.
Mousasi sneaks back into half guard.
Mousasi has his hands clasped together around Zeynalabdinov's back. He's all about the action.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zeynalabdinov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zeynalabdinov is working for a submission of some sort.
Zeynalabdinov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mousasi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Mousasi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zeynalabdinov wants to free his trapped foot but Mousasi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mousasi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zeynalabdinov is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Mousasi reverses the position - he's now on top in Zeynalabdinov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mousasi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Zeynalabdinov looking for a guillotine here but Mousasi defends easily.
Zeynalabdinov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Mousasi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zeynalabdinov keeping moving, preventing Mousasi from controlling successfully.
Zeynalabdinov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mousasi.
Mousasi postures up in Zeynalabdinov's guard and throws a big left but Zeynalabdinov blocks it.
Mousasi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gegard Mousasi has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Mousasi shoots in for a takedown but Zeynalabdinov shows good takedown defense.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Zeynalabdinov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mousasi is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Zeynalabdinov to the mat. Zeynalabdinov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Zeynalabdinov keeping moving, preventing Mousasi from controlling successfully.
Zeynalabdinov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mousasi trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeynalabdinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zeynalabdinov keeping full guard, as Mousasi tries to pass.
Zeynalabdinov trying to keep a closed guard but Mousasi is proving a slippery customer.
Mousasi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zeynalabdinov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov keeping moving, preventing Mousasi from controlling successfully.
Mousasi postures up.
Mousasi trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeynalabdinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gegard Mousasi wasn't active enough on the ground.

Zeynalabdinov scores with a takedown into Mousasi's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mousasi wants to get back to his feet but Zeynalabdinov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zeynalabdinov looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mousasi can't keep his opponent in guard - Zeynalabdinov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seyran Zeynalabdinov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A head kick misses from Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov throws an off balance right hand

so Mousasi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Zeynalabdinov keeping full guard, as Mousasi tries to pass.
Mousasi stopping the sweep attempt from Zeynalabdinov.
Mousasi wants to control from the top but Zeynalabdinov keeps moving.
Mousasi wants to pass the guard but Zeynalabdinov is keeping the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Zeynalabdinov is looking for a triangle but Mousasi pushes his legs off easily.
Zeynalabdinov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mousasi trying to control but Zeynalabdinov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov pulls Mousasi in close to prevent any damage.
Zeynalabdinov keeping full guard, as Mousasi tries to pass.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A big left from Zeynalabdinov misses.
Mousasi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zeynalabdinov.
Seyran Zeynalabdinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Zeynalabdinov gets a clinch.
Mousasi stops a takedown attempt from Zeynalabdinov.
Mousasi goes for a takedown attempt but Zeynalabdinov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mousasi doesn't manage to clinch there - Zeynalabdinov circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zeynalabdinov takes the fight into the clinch.
Zeynalabdinov tries to score a body lock takedown but Mousasi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mousasi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Mousasi wants a takedown but no success here.
Seyran Zeynalabdinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gegard Mousasi.
Mousasi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zeynalabdinov's elbow.

Mousasi gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zeynalabdinov wants to improve his position but Mousasi is controlling well.
Mousasi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zeynalabdinov defending well though.
Mousasi works his foot free and advances to mount.
Zeynalabdinov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mousasi looking to control but Zeynalabdinov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Mousasi is looking to sweep but instead, Zeynalabdinov has passed into half guard.
Zeynalabdinov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mousasi tries to get to full guard but Zeynalabdinov has control of the leg.
Zeynalabdinov 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.
Ground and pound from Zeynalabdinov.
Mousasi is positioning himself well to prevent Zeynalabdinov advancing to mount.
Zeynalabdinov throwing shots but Mousasi is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zeynalabdinov misses with a head shot. Mousasi uses the momentum to regain guard.
Seyran Zeynalabdinov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zeynalabdinov tries to free his leg and advance position but Mousasi is retaining full guard.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control but Mousasi is working from the bottom.
Zeynalabdinov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mousasi is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zeynalabdinov with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Seyran Zeynalabdinov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mousasi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zeynalabdinov avoids it really well and circles away.

Zeynalabdinov closes the distance and pushes Mousasi back into the cage.

Zeynalabdinov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Zeynalabdinov throws and elbow that misses. Mousasi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zeynalabdinov's guard. Nice move by Mousasi!

Zeynalabdinov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zeynalabdinov controls Mousasi momentarily but Mousasi frees himself.
Mousasi wants to control from the top but Zeynalabdinov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mousasi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mousasi trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeynalabdinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

We're going to have a standup here because Seyran Zeynalabdinov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mousasi is defended easily by Zeynalabdinov.
Mousasi tries to clinch but Zeynalabdinov moves out of range.
Zeynalabdinov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mousasi pinned against the cage. Mousasi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mousasi fails with a takedown attempt.
Seyran Zeynalabdinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gegard Mousasi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
You can follow us on Twitter at...Ooooooh Mousasi got wobbled bad by a big combination! Zeynalabdinov presses forward with punches and knees until Mousasi stumbles to the ground! The ref watches Mousasi closely before deciding to step in and end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Seyran Zeynalabdinov!