PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Blagojevic Batakovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Milan Zitska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Milan Zitska will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Batakovic
vs
Zitska

180 cm
26
153 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

167 cm
26
144 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Atlantis

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Blagojevic Batakovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Milan Zitska!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batakovic wants to clinch.
Zitska thuds his right hand into Batakovic's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Batakovic drives through and clinches with Zitska against the cage.
Zitska avoids a wild elbow strike from Batakovic.
Zitska tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Batakovic gets underhooks to prevent Zitska's takedown attempt.
Batakovic throws a punch but it's blocked by Zitska.
Zitska tries to pull guard but Batakovic won't allow it.
Blagojevic Batakovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Milan Zitska.
Zitska fails to pull guard.
Batakovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Batakovic decides to pull guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Zitska won't allow Batakovic to sweep him here.
Zitska wants to get up but he can't break Batakovic's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Zitska tries to free his leg and advance position but Batakovic is retaining full guard.
Zitska trying to control the position from guard on top but Batakovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
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!
Zitska won't allow Batakovic to sweep him here.

Batakovic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batakovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zitska looking to pass the guard.

Batakovic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zitska gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Batakovic has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zitska can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Batakovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zitska told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Zitska would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Zitska trying to control but Batakovic is working from the bottom.
Zitska preventing the sweep.

Batakovic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zitska gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zitska wants to stand but Batakovic is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zitska decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Batakovic, up you get!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batakovic tries to clinch but Zitska is having none of it.
Zitska misses with a looping right.
Batakovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zitska manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zitska lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Blagojevic Batakovic has been cut.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Batakovic moves in looking to clinch but Zitska pushes him off.
Batakovic is looking to clinch.
Zitska keeps the fight on the outside.
Batakovic moves out of range as Zitska strikes.

Batakovic looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Zitska!
Batakovic tries to move into full mount but can't pass Zitska's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zitska is being controlled here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Batakovic trying to control the position but Zitska is working away.

Batakovic tries for a kimura but Zitska is defending well.
Zitska is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Batakovic's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Batakovic will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zitska tries to roll over but Batakovic keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Batakovic is stalling here. Zitska is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Batakovic seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Zitska has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Zitska wants to lay and pray for a moment but Batakovic keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zitska thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Batakovic is not content to let Zitska control the position.
You can see the frustration on Batakovic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Batakovic gets back to half guard.
Batakovic tries to roll over but Zitska keeps him under control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Batakovic wants to get back to his feet.
Batakovic is trying to get back to full guard.

Batakovic manages to escape and get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blagojevic Batakovic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blagojevic Batakovic's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Batakovic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Batakovic moves in looking to clinch but Zitska pushes him off.
Batakovic wants to clinch up but Zitska keeps it at a distance.

Zitska moves into the clinch.
Batakovic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zitska blocking some punches.
Zitska is trying to pull guard but Batakovic has him pressed against the cage.
Batakovic keeps control of Zitska as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Batakovic scores with a nice hook to the head.
Zitska wants a takedown but no success here.
Batakovic swings wildly with an uppercut but Zitska uses good head movement to avoid it.
Batakovic throws a punch but it's blocked by Zitska.
Batakovic softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zitska tries to pull guard but Batakovic forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Blagojevic Batakovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Milan Zitska.
Batakovic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Batakovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Batakovic makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zitska is trying to pull guard but Batakovic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Batakovic throws a punch but it's blocked by Zitska.
Zitska is trying to maintain a safe position but Batakovic gets an underhook and turns Zitska into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batakovic lands an elbow just above Zitska 's eye.
Batakovic lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zitska backwards.
Batakovic scores with a nice hook to the head.
Zitska blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zitska is trying to pull guard but Batakovic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Batakovic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zitska fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Batakovic moves in looking to clinch but Zitska pushes him off.

Batakovic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Batakovic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Batakovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Batakovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zitska working hard to break the clinch.
Zitska is looking to take this one to the mat.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zitska.
Zitska goes for a takedown in the clinch but Batakovic prevents it.
Batakovic throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zitska jumps into guard, dragging Batakovic to the mat.
Zitska pulls Batakovic in close to prevent any damage.
Batakovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Batakovic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zitska trying to control the position here.
Batakovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Zitska is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Batakovic looking to pass the guard.
Batakovic wants to control from the top but Zitska keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Batakovic moves into the clinch successfully.
Zitska tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zitska blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Batakovic lands with a short shot to the head.
Batakovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zitska blocks an uppercut.
Batakovic has a couple of punches blocked by Zitska.
Zitska jumps guard but Batakovic stands there with Zitska around his waist. Zitska gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Batakovic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zitska.

Batakovic has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zitska uses from the top position.
Batakovic has a closed guard, preventing Zitska from standing up.
Zitska trying to control but Batakovic is working from the bottom.

Zitska stands up from Batakovic's guard - Zitska perhaps looking for a knockout.
Batakovic is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Zitska.
Batakovic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Zitska darts in and clinches Batakovic up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Batakovic working aggressively here.
Blagojevic Batakovic has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zitska is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Batakovic to keep the fight standing.
Zitska tries to pull guard but Batakovic won't allow it.
Batakovic lands a right hand.
Batakovic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zitska backwards.
Zitska goes for a takedown in the clinch but Batakovic prevents it.
Zitska tries to pull guard but Batakovic won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Batakovic lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Batakovic turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Batakovic manages to end up in side control.
Batakovic wants to control but Zitska is keeping him busy.
Batakovic wants to take a breather but Zitska manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Batakovic.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blagojevic Batakovic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Blagojevic Batakovic's cut.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Good exchange - Zitska coming out on top.
Zitska throws the kick towards the body but Batakovic avoids it.
Zitska fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Batakovic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zitska.
Zitska avoids the body shot from Batakovic.

Batakovic closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Zitska quickly recovers to half guard.
Batakovic thows a huge punch but Zitska dodges it nicely.
Batakovic with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Batakovic wants to free his trapped foot but Zitska is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Zitska wants to get back to full guard.
Zitska is still trying to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batakovic is trying to control the action in half guard but Zitska is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zitska tries to get to full guard but Batakovic has control of the leg.
Batakovic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Zitska with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Batakovic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zitska desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Zitska is refusing to be controlled, as Batakovic sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Batakovic is working for a kimura but Zitska is defending it quite comfortably.
Zitska is looking for a sweep. Batakovic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Batakovic is looking for a kimura but Zitska is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Batakovic to get the leverage.
Zitska moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Batakovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zitska works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Batakovic wants to control from the top but Zitska keeps moving.
Blagojevic Batakovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Batakovic is looking to work some ground and pound but Zitska has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batakovic wants to control from the top but Zitska keeps moving.
Batakovic is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Blagojevic Batakovic.
Batakovic throws a shot from downtown. Zitska moves away and avoids it.
A big right from Zitska misses.
Zitska tries to score a power double leg takedown but Batakovic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zitska somewhat.

Zitska pushes Batakovic up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batakovic is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Batakovic lands a hook that snaps the head of Zitska backwards.
Zitska jumps guard but Batakovic stands there with Zitska around his waist. Zitska gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Blagojevic Batakovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Milan Zitska.
Zitska tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Batakovic misses with some punches.
Zitska tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Batakovic smiles and moves away.
Milan Zitska has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Batakovic wants to clinch up but Zitska keeps it at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zitska throws a big shot that misses.

Batakovic closes the distance and pushes Zitska back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blagojevic Batakovic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Batakovic, 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blagojevic Batakovic!
A relieved looking Blagojevic Batakovic thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.