PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dylan Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diaz comes to the cage accompanied by Lamb of God - To The End. 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.

Diaz
vs
Zhirkov

182 cm
33
164 lbs
27 - 15 - 0

180 cm
40
141 lbs
31 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dylan Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Nard Betker and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz throws a nice inside leg kick.
Diaz takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Diaz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Diaz throws a low kick but Zhirkov moves out of range easily.
Diaz thuds a left hand into Zhirkov's body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zhirkov is defended easily by Diaz.
Diaz misses with an uppercut
and Zhirkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zhirkov misses with a double jab.
A head kick misses from Diaz.
Diaz throws a front kick aimed at Zhirkov's knee but Zhirkov avoids it well.
Zhirkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Diaz fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zhirkov checks it well.
Diaz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zhirkov.
Diaz tries a head kick but it misses.
Zhirkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Diaz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That kick from Zhirkov tenderised Diaz's leg. Diaz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zhirkov thumps Diaz with a low kick.
Zhirkov has a takedown stuffed.
Diaz looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A jab from Diaz misses.
Zhirkov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Diaz throws a leg kick but Zhirkov checks it.
The fighters circling - Zhirkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zhirkov walks into a straight right hand from Diaz.
Diaz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dylan Diaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhirkov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Diaz counters with a straight right hand.
Zhirkov misses with a looping left.
A leg kick checked by Diaz.
Diaz throws a body punch but Zhirkov moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Diaz - just one landing.
Diaz takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Diaz misses with a hook. Zhirkov ducked under it nicely.
Zhirkov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Diaz to score with a decent uppercut.
Diaz takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
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!
Zhirkov throws a body kick that misses.
Diaz has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Diaz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zhirkov looks for a takedown but Diaz sprawls well.
Dylan Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Zhirkov.
Diaz feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Zhirkovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Diaz throws a nice inside leg kick.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zhirkov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Diaz counters with a straight right hand.
Zhirkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Diaz darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Zhirkov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Zhirkov missing with a left hand there. Diaz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zhirkov lands with an overhand left.
Zhirkov slips under a jab from Diaz.
Zhirkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A lazy left from Zhirkov finds it's target.
Diaz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zhirkov's sensitive parts.
Zhirkov is looking to land body kicks.
Diaz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Diaz darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov wants to control for a moment but Diaz uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
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!
Zhirkov is nestled in close to Diaz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Diaz is looking to control Zhirkov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Diaz avoid being mounted?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diaz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Diaz.
Diaz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Robert Zhirkov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Diaz blocks a jab.
Zhirkov scores with a nice head shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Zhirkov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Zhirkov blocks a head kick by Diaz.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhirkov. Diaz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zhirkov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zhirkov checks a low kick from Diaz.
Zhirkov shoots in but Diaz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Diaz throws a leg kick but Zhirkov checks it.
Zhirkov tries to land a front kick but Diaz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Diaz moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Zhirkov dives in for a single leg takedown but Diaz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Diaz tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zhirkov avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Diaz misses with a body punch.
Zhirkov has had enough of the clinch but Diaz keeps him there for the moment.
Diaz works on Zhirkov's body with a couple of short punches.
Diaz misses with a punch on the inside.
Zhirkov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Diaz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Diaz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zhirkov blocking some punches.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diaz takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zhirkov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zhirkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.
No luck for Zhirkov with that takedown attempt.
Dylan Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Zhirkov.
Zhirkov moves out of range as Diaz strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Zhirkov.
Good work by Zhirkov as he checks the leg kick.
Diaz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Diaz throws a jab when Zhirkov was well out of range.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zhirkov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz scores with a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhirkov misses with a straight right.
Diaz goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zhirkov throws a big shot that misses.
Diaz takes one to the side of the head.
Diaz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Zhirkov pushes Diaz away with a front kick.
Diaz throws a shot from downtown. Zhirkov moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhirkov misses the target.
Zhirkov looks to land a left hand but Diaz moved out of range nicely.
Zhirkov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zhirkov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Diaz slips a straight right by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov defending well as Diaz loads up on a big left hand.
Diaz throws a head kick but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Zhirkov shoots in for a takedown but Diaz shows good takedown defense.
Zhirkov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zhirkov tries for a takedown but Diaz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Diaz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Diaz.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Diaz.
Diaz loads up on a big right hand but Zhirkov slips the punch.
Zhirkov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Diaz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zhirkov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Diaz momentarily.
Zhirkov throws a leg kick
and Diaz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zhirkov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zhirkov thows a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhirkov throws a nice looking combination but Diaz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diaz misses with a low kick as Zhirkov jumps back.
Zhirkov scores with a kick to the body.
Zhirkov misses with a looping left.
Zhirkov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Diaz tries to avoid it but Zhirkov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Diaz to the ground. Diaz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Robert Zhirkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zhirkov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.
Diaz jabs at Zhirkov's body.
Diaz throws a lazy uppercut
and Zhirkov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zhirkov checks the leg kick.
Zhirkov misses with a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Zhirkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zhirkov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Diaz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A shot to the liver by Zhirkov. Beautiful body shot.
Zhirkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Diaz moves away from the strike by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov moves out of range as Diaz throws a body kick.
Zhirkov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz lands with a kick to the temple. Zhirkov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Zhirkov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zhirkov misses with a kick to the body.
Diaz throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Zhirkov tries to bum rush Diaz with a series of wild strikes but Diaz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice defenses there by Diaz.
Zhirkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zhirkov misses with a kick to the body.
Zhirkov looks to land a left hand but Diaz moved out of range nicely.
Zhirkov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Diaz scores with a jab. Zhirkov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Zhirkov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Zhirkov throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
Zhirkov throws a wild body kick that Diaz sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Diaz is predictable there
and Zhirkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zhirkov staying out of range there.
Diaz lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Diaz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zhirkov.
Zhirkov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Diaz throws a sloppy head kick and Zhirkov moves out of range easily.
Diaz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhirkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zhirkov goes for a double leg but Diaz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Diaz continues to drive forward.
Diaz misses with a hook from the clinch.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhirkov scores with a push kick.
Zhirkov checks a low kick from Diaz.
Diaz avoids the body shot from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhirkov is just out of range.
Zhirkov darts in looking for a takedown but Diaz gets double underhooks and turns Zhirkov into the cage.

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zhirkov swings for the body but Diaz moves out of range.
Zhirkov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Diaz stuffs the takedown.
Dylan Diaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Zhirkov.
Diaz defending well as Zhirkov loads up on a big left hand.
Diaz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhirkov throws out the jab.
Diaz feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zhirkov's calf.
Zhirkov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Diaz lands a lovely overhand right.
Zhirkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diaz throws out the jab.
Zhirkov checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zhirkov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Zhirkov wants to control but Diaz is keeping him busy.
Robert Zhirkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zhirkov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zhirkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Zhirkov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhirkov prevents Diaz from improving his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Robert Zhirkov.
I've got Zhirkov 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Robert Zhirkov!
Robert Zhirkov spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.