PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vasily Gubarev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zhen Ji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gubarev comes to the cage accompanied by Mutant Ninja. 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.

Gubarev
vs
Ji

170 cm
23
205 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
21
220 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vasily Gubarev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zhen Ji!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Aafke Stam and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gubarev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ji manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Ji gets tackled into the cage by Gubarev. Gubarev maintains the clinch.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Ji wants to get back to striking at distance but Gubarev won't allow it.
Ji throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gubarev lands a nice knee to the body.
Gubarev tries a knee to the head but Ji blocks it.
Gubarev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ji looking to slow down the pace here.
Ji tries to work over Gubarev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gubarev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ji is trying to break the clinch but Gubarev has him pressed against the cage.
Ji working aggressively here.
Gubarev blocking some punches.
Gubarev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gubarev lands a good knee to the midsection. Ji won't want to take too many of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gubarev missing with knees to the body.
Gubarev lands a nice knee to the body.
Ji blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ji on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gubarev definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ji is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gubarev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ji has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ji has had enough of the clinch but Gubarev keeps him there for the moment.

Ji breaks the clinch.
Gubarev wants to clinch up but Ji keeps it at a distance.
Gubarev darts in trying to clinch
letting Ji counter with a right hand.
Gubarev moves out of range of the strikes.
No joy there for Ji, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gubarev chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gubarev closes the distance but Ji moves to the side

and Ji holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Ji lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gubarev backwards.
Gubarev tries to land knees in the clinch but Ji avoids the damage to the body.
Gubarev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ji wants to get back to striking at distance but Gubarev won't allow it.
Gubarev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ji has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gubarev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ji.
Ji blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ji breaks from the clinch.
Ji moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Vasily Gubarev has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ji throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ji avoids the head kick by Gubarev.
No joy there for Ji, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gubarev tries to clinch up.
Gubarev lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ji's sensitive parts.
Gubarev is looking to clinch.
Ji misses with a straight right.
Gubarev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gubarev tries to clinch but Ji is having none of it.
Gubarev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A slow jab from Ji misses its intended target.
Ji misses with a wild body shot.
Ji swings for the body but Gubarev moves out of range.
Gubarev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ji.
Gubarev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gubarev pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Gubarev closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji lands a shoulder strike.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gubarev.
Ji blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Ji wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ji can't break the clinch.
Ji on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gubarev tries to land knees in the clinch but Ji avoids the damage to the body.
Ji blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gubarev missing with knees to the body.
Gubarev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ji avoiding damage as Gubarev throws knees to the body.
Ji throws a head punch that misses.
Ji on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gubarev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ji.
Gubarev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ji blocks it with crossed arms.
Ji doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ji is trying to push Gubarev away but Gubarev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ji tries to break the clinch but Gubarev is controlling the position.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Gubarev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ji blocks it with crossed arms.
Gubarev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ji has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ji tries to break free but Gubarev pushes him back against the cage.
Ji pushes Gubarev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ji lands a body punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Ji wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ji tries to break free but Gubarev pushes him back against the cage.
Ji wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ji avoiding damage as Gubarev throws knees to the body.
Ji lands a hook that snaps the head of Gubarev backwards.
Gubarev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ji avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gubarev throws a knee to the head but misses.

Ji breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slapping body kick lands there for Gubarev.
Gubarev avoids a punch combination nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ji circles away from the clinch attempt.
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 Vasily Gubarev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vasily Gubarev's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gubarev tries to clinch up but Ji circles away and keeps his distance.
Gubarev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gubarev slips a jab from Ji.
Gubarev tries to clinch there but Ji circles away.
Vasily Gubarev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gubarev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ji swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ji looks to land a combination but Gubarev avoids it well.
Ji scores with a hook to the body. Gubarev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gubarev avoids the body shot from Ji.
Gubarev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gubarev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gubarev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ji lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gubarev at a distance.
Ji keeps the fight on the outside.
Gubarev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gubarev has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Gubarev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Gubarev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ji, pushing him back against the cage.
Gubarev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ji avoids it.
Ji avoiding damage as Gubarev throws knees to the body.
Gubarev tries a knee to the head but Ji blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ji looking to stall.
Gubarev trying to land knees to the body.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Ji avoiding damage as Gubarev throws knees to the body.

Ji manages to break the clinch.
Ji digs a good body shot into Gubarev's ribs.
Gubarev scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ji just misses with a punch to the body.
Ji misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gubarev.
Gubarev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ji swats away the attempt to clinch by Gubarev.
Ji looks to score with a jab to the body but Gubarev is just out of range.
Ji throws a shot from downtown. Gubarev moves away and avoids it.
Good exchange - Ji coming out on top.
Zhen Ji seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gubarev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ji misses with an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gubarev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ji.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gubarev doesn't manage to clinch there - Ji circles away.
Ji misses with a double jab.
Gubarev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ji looks to land a combination but Gubarev avoids it well.
Gubarev tries to clinch but Ji moves out of range.
Gubarev tries to clinch up but Ji circles away and keeps his distance.
Gubarev doesn't manage to clinch there - Ji circles away.
Ji circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gubarev circles away from the clinch attempt.

Gubarev closes the distance and clinches.
Ji tries to break the clinch but Gubarev is controlling the position.
Ji wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ji working hard to break the clinch.
Gubarev tries to land knees in the clinch but Ji avoids the damage to the body.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Ji swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ji is looking to control Gubarev's arms but Gubarev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ji has his back to the cage.
Gubarev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ji is defending well for now.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Vasily Gubarev has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji working hard to break the clinch.
Ji avoiding damage as Gubarev throws knees to the body.
Ji has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gubarev misses with a knee strike.
Gubarev trying to land knees to the body.

Ji breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ji misses with a body shot.
Ji clobbers Gubarev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ji tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gubarev was well out of range. Poor timing from Ji.
Gubarev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ji swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gubarev moves in looking to clinch but Ji pushes him off.
Gubarev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ji.
Ji misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gubarev.
Ji waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gubarev.
Nice defenses there by Gubarev.
Ji looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ji circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vasily Gubarev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gubarev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ji.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gubarev tries to clinch up.
Gubarev tries to close the distance and clinch but Ji swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gubarev tries to close the distance and clinch but Ji swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gubarev doesn't manage to clinch there - Ji circles away.
Gubarev tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ji counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ji throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ji avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ji is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ji lands with a straight right. Gubarev didn't see that one coming.
Gubarev moves in looking to clinch but Ji pushes him off.
Ji scores with a nice right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Ji. Those never looked like landing.
Ji with a jab.
Gubarev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gubarev moves in looking to clinch but Ji pushes him off.
Ji swats away the attempt to clinch by Gubarev.

Gubarev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ji, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhen Ji showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vasily Gubarev's cut.
That's time! Gubarev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Gubarev is looking to clinch but Ji is avoiding it.
Ji throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gubarev is looking to clinch but Ji is avoiding it.
Ji tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gubarev throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ji swinging wildly here.
Gubarev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ji connects with a nice looking jab.
Ji fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gubarev manages to avoid it.
Gubarev is looking to clinch.
Gubarev tries to close the distance and clinch but Ji swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gubarev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ji tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gubarev was well out of range. Poor timing from Ji.
Gubarev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ji has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
A head kick from Gubarev lands but Ji takes it in his stride.

It looks like Zhen Ji has been cut.
Gubarev tries to clinch but Ji moves out of range.
Ji circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gubarev fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gubarev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ji swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ji throws a body punch but Gubarev moves out of range.
A slow jab from Ji misses its intended target.
Gubarev lands a leg kick that knocks Ji off balance momentarily.
Ji throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick misses from Gubarev.
Gubarev is looking to slow Ji down with leg kicks.

Gubarev moves into the clinch.
Gubarev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ji tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ji wants to stall.
Gubarev tries to land a knee to the head but Ji blocks with his arms.
Gubarev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ji has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gubarev tries to land knees in the clinch but Ji avoids the damage to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ji looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ji wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gubarev has him pressed against the cage.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ji is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ji tries to break free but Gubarev pushes him back against the cage.
Gubarev missing with knees to the body.
Gubarev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
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!
Ji is trying to break free.
Ji avoiding damage as Gubarev throws knees to the body.
Ji blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gubarev tries to land knees in the clinch but Ji avoids the damage to the body.
Ji is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gubarev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ji lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ji is trying to break the clinch but Gubarev is controlling him.
Gubarev unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ji on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Ji pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ji misses with a series of wild punches.
Gubarev is looking to clinch but Ji is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gubarev connects with a solid leg kick.
Gubarev is looking to clinch.
Gubarev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ji circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ji swats away the attempt to clinch by Gubarev.

Ji tries to keep at a distance but Gubarev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ji trying to stall but Gubarev improves his position.

Ji breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gubarev is looking to clinch.

Gubarev closes the distance and clinches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gubarev obliges.
Gubarev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ji takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ji on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gubarev missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gubarev lands a good knee to the midsection. Ji won't want to take too many of those.
Gubarev putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ji in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gubarev scores a nice knee to the body.
Gubarev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ji.
Gubarev looking to throw knees to the head but Ji is blocking nicely.
Gubarev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ji managing to block the knees to the body from Gubarev.
Ji is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gubarev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ji avoids it.

Ji breaks from the clinch.
Gubarev wants to clinch up but Ji keeps it at a distance.
Gubarev connects with a leg kick. Ji looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gubarev tries to clinch up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ji tests Gubarev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gubarev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ji tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gubarev was well out of range. Poor timing from Ji.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasily Gubarev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gubarev 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasily Gubarev!
Vasily Gubarev seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.