PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dan Kolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Zambidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kolov comes into the arena with Limp Bizkit-Rollin blaring out of the sound system. Both these fighters had to take extra time to make weight as they missed the initial 185lb limit. Dan Kolov came in at 187.9 and Mike Zambidis came in at 186.9 but after the extra two hours, both guys managed to get within the one pound allowance. No doubt it will have affected them physically though, so let's see if that has an impact on the fight. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Kolov
vs
Zambidis

200 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dan Kolov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Zambidis!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kolov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zambidis lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zambidis lands a front kick.
Zambidis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kolov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zambidis but Zambidis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zambidis is looking to clinch but Kolov is avoiding it.
Zambidis closes the distance and clinches up with Kolov, looking for a takedown. Zambidis pushes Kolov against the ropes but Kolov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zambidis is defended easily by Kolov.
Dan Kolov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Zambidis.

Zambidis scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Zambidis looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kolov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zambidis is working away from the top position though.
Zambidis looks to land a strike but Kolov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kolov is on top in guard.
Kolov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Zambidis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kolov postures up in Zambidis's guard and throws a big left but Zambidis blocks it.
Kolov is stalling in the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dan Kolov.

Kolov has Zambidis up against the ropes in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kolov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zambidis is trying to pull guard but Kolov has him pressed against the ropes.

Zambidis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kolov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Horrible takedown by Kolov or perhaps it was just good defense by Zambidis which made him look bad.
Zambidis tries to clinch but Kolov moves away

and Kolov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kolov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zambidis pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kolov shoots and misses

and Zambidis counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kolov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kolov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Zambidis bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zambidis decides to stand back up.
Kolov tries to bum rush Zambidis with a series of wild strikes but Zambidis uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zambidis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kolov has Zambidis up against the ropes in a clinch.
Kolov misses with the head strike.

Zambidis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kolov doesn't manage to clinch there - Zambidis circles away.

Kolov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kolov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zambidis walks away with a smile on his face. Kolov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Zambidis throws a leg kick that misses.
Zambidis shoots in and drives through. Kolov sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kolov fails with a takedown attempt.
Kolov keeps the fight on the outside.
Zambidis throws a sloppy head kick and Kolov moves out of range easily.
Kolov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zambidis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kolov somewhat.
Kolov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zambidis.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice sprawl there from Kolov as Zambidis shoots in.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kolov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zambidis's waist but Zambidis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kolov off to one side.
Zambidis moves in looking to clinch but Kolov pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Zambidis dominated that round.
That's time! Kolov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zambidis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kolov's waist but Kolov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zambidis off to one side.
Kolov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zambidis dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Horrible takedown by Kolov or perhaps it was just good defense by Zambidis which made him look bad.
Kolov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zambidis swivels and escapes.
Crunch! Zambidis slams his shin into Kolov's torso.
Zambidis shoots in for a takedown but Kolov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kolov stuffs the takedown.
Dan Kolov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Zambidis.
Zambidis dodges the punch combination from Kolov.
Zambidis scores with a leg kick.
Kolov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambidis fails with a takedown attempt.
A big left from Kolov misses.
Kolov tries to clinch but Zambidis moves out of range.
Zambidis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kolov.
Kolov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zambidis's waist but Zambidis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kolov off to one side.
Mike Zambidis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kolov is defended easily by Zambidis.
Kolov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kolov wants it to stay on the feet.
Kolov avoids the head kick by Zambidis.

Zambidis gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kolov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Zambidis's best efforts.
Kolov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zambidis is stalling in the full guard.
Zambidis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zambidis accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kolov is trying to control the position but Zambidis postures up.
Zambidis landing some decent shots from guard.
Zambidis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolov is trying to keep Zambidis in close.
Zambidis would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kolov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kolov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kolov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zambidis does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kolov uses his free foot to push down on Zambidis's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Zambidis.
Kolov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Zambidis wants to control but Kolov is having none of it.
Kolov controlling from the full mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kolov trying to control but Zambidis is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mike Zambidis will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zambidis drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zambidis wants to stand and escape but instead Kolov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Kolov trying to control but Zambidis is working from the bottom.

Kolov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Zambidis, up you get!
Kolov tries for a takedown but Zambidis sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kolov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zambidis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kolov throws a sloppy head kick and Zambidis moves out of range easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Zambidis closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kolov did well to prevent Zambidis getting side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zambidis.
Kolov is concentrating on defense, preventing Zambidis from advancing position.
Zambidis winds up and cracks Kolov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kolov is trying to control but can't.
Zambidis seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kolov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zambidis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kolov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zambidis not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kolov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kolov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zambidis won't allow Kolov to sweep him here.
Zambidis trying to control but Kolov is working from the bottom.
Kolov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zambidis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis preventing the sweep.
Kolov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Zambidis tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kolov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Zambidis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zambidis can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zambidis is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolov controlling the pace for now.
Zambidis tries to hold on but Kolov pushes him away.
Kolov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Zambidis is trying desperately to improve position.
Zambidis is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis tries to lock up and control but Kolov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Zambidis is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Kolov is staying active.
Kolov wants to control the pace but Zambidis is squirming around nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kolov misses with a takedown attempt - Zambidis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zambidis tries to work over Kolov's front leg with a kick but Kolov checks it.
Horrible takedown by Kolov or perhaps it was just good defense by Zambidis which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Kolov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zambidis fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kolov sprawls well initially but Zambidis persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kolov pushes Zambidis off looking to stand but Zambidis dives back in and keeps control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Zambidis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zambidis winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight for Mike Zambidis!
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight for Mike Zambidis!
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight for Mike Zambidis!

Mike Zambidis wins by unanimous decision!