PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Michael MacRoberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maksim Zotov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MacRoberts kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is God Save the Queen by The Sex Pistols. Zotov has chosen Мы расправи as his entrance music. 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.

MacRoberts
vs
Zotov

176 cm
32
147 lbs
18 - 24 - 0

160 cm
31
137 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 24 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael MacRoberts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maksim Zotov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zotov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A shot to the liver by MacRoberts. Beautiful body shot.
Jab by MacRoberts.
MacRoberts fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

MacRoberts rushes Zotov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zotov lands a left hand that snaps the head of MacRoberts backwards.
MacRoberts on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
MacRoberts slowing the pace effectively.
Zotov lands a body punch in the clinch.

MacRoberts manages to break the clinch.
We've been told by MacRoberts's head coaches at SWF GYM - JUDO 'n' MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
MacRoberts lands with a right hand.
Zotov connects with a leg kick. MacRoberts looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
MacRoberts misses the jab.
MacRoberts thows a body kick. Zotov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zotov takes one to the side of the head.
Zotov thumps MacRoberts with a low kick.
MacRoberts jabs Zotov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
MacRoberts scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Zotov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. MacRoberts defends it nicely.
Zotov throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacRoberts checks a low kick from Zotov.
MacRoberts misses with a hook. Zotov ducked under it nicely.
Zotov scores with a kick to the body.
Michael MacRoberts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zotov fails to land the takedown.
MacRoberts throws a series of punches but Zotov avoids them all with ease.
Zotov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
MacRoberts checks a leg kick.
Nice jab there from MacRoberts.
MacRoberts lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zotov's sensitive parts.
Zotov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
No joy there for MacRoberts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zotov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
MacRoberts tries to clinch up but Zotov circles away and keeps his distance.
MacRoberts is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
MacRoberts lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zotov circles away quickly and effectively.
MacRoberts cracks Zotov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zotov. That's going to slow MacRoberts down.
Zotov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zotov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MacRoberts thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacRoberts rushes Zotov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zotov taking a breather.
Zotov is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and MacRoberts has denied him.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zotov.
Zotov throws a punch but it's blocked by MacRoberts.

MacRoberts breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
MacRoberts moves out of range of the body kick from Zotov.
MacRoberts takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Zotov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Zotov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zotov tries a head kick but it misses.
MacRoberts is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Zotov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Zotov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
MacRoberts steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Zotov. That one must have hurt.
Zotov throws a head kick but MacRoberts moves out of range.
Good work by MacRoberts as he checks the leg kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from MacRoberts.
MacRoberts throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zotov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacRoberts looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
MacRoberts throws a right and a left that Zotov avoids nicely.
Zotov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Good leg kick by Zotov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zotov takes one on the button.
The fighters circle momentarily. MacRoberts darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
MacRoberts is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
MacRoberts fails to land with a series of punches.

Zotov darts in and clinches MacRoberts up against the cage.
MacRoberts is trying to push Zotov away but Zotov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zotov misses with a punch on the inside.

MacRoberts breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
MacRoberts lands with a nice body punch.

Zotov tries to keep at a distance but MacRoberts has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zotov misses with some punches.

MacRoberts escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zotov.
No joy there for MacRoberts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've been informed that Zotov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
MacRoberts lands a jab to the nose.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zotov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zotov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
MacRoberts tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zotov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
MacRoberts is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zotov swings away with a leg kick that misses.

MacRoberts has managed to clinch.

MacRoberts breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zotov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zotov slips a jab and a cross from MacRoberts.
Zotov throws a nice inside leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as MacRoberts blocks the leg kick.

MacRoberts has managed to clinch.
MacRoberts tries to circle away but Zotov has him pinned against the cage.
MacRoberts tries to break free but Zotov pushes him back against the cage.
MacRoberts is trying to break the clinch but Zotov is controlling him.
Zotov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Zotov fails to land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
MacRoberts wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zotov has him pressed against the cage.
MacRoberts can't break the clinch.
MacRoberts is trying to break the clinch but Zotov has him pressed against the cage.
Zotov misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael MacRoberts dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zotov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by MacRoberts.
Zotov blocks a head kick by MacRoberts.
Zotov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. MacRoberts checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Michael MacRoberts is winning the standup battle so far.
MacRoberts looks for the body kick but Zotov saw that one coming.
MacRoberts scores with a hook to the body. Zotov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
MacRoberts scores with a nice head shot.
Zotov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zotov. That's going to slow MacRoberts down.
Michael MacRoberts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zotov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A low kick from Zotov is predictable there
and MacRoberts counters with a stiff right hand.
MacRoberts throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zotov.
Zotov throws a nice inside leg kick.
MacRoberts scores with a leg kick.
MacRoberts missing with a left hand there. Zotov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
MacRoberts tries to bum rush Zotov with a series of wild strikes but Zotov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zotov throws a front kick aimed at MacRoberts's knee but MacRoberts avoids it well.
Zotov tries to land a leg kick but MacRoberts saw it coming and moves away.
MacRoberts tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zotov was well out of range. Poor timing from MacRoberts.
MacRoberts works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zotov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zotov is looking to clinch but MacRoberts is avoiding it.
Zotov throws a low kick but it's checked well by MacRoberts.
That kick from Zotov tenderised MacRoberts's leg. MacRoberts is trying to keep his angry face on.
MacRoberts keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zotov misses with a body kick.
Zotov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
MacRoberts tests Zotov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zotov is looking to slow MacRoberts down with leg kicks.
MacRoberts connects with a single shot there.
MacRoberts pulls out of a head kick attempt.
MacRoberts keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zotov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
MacRoberts tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zotov was well out of range. Poor timing from MacRoberts.
Zotov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zotov motions for MacRoberts to come forward. Zotov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zotov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacRoberts checks a leg kick.
Zotov connects with a leg kick. MacRoberts looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as MacRoberts checks a leg kick.
Zotov throws a series of punches but MacRoberts moves out of range.
Zotov misses with a wild combination.
MacRoberts chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zotov can pounce on him.
Zotov tries to score with a low kick but MacRoberts moves his leg out of the way.
Zotov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zotov fakes the leg kick and cracks MacRoberts in the body.
MacRoberts looks to land a combination. Zotov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
MacRoberts scores with a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Zotov.
MacRoberts clobbers Zotov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
MacRoberts lands a jab to the nose.
Zotov tries a low kick but MacRoberts avoids it.
MacRoberts pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Zotov back to the cage. MacRoberts follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

MacRoberts rushes Zotov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zotov tries to work over MacRoberts's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacRoberts working hard to break the clinch.
Zotov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but MacRoberts blocks it with crossed arms.
Zotov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on MacRoberts's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zotov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zotov has MacRoberts pressed against the cage.
Zotov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
MacRoberts blocks an uppercut.
Zotov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables MacRoberts to keep the fight standing.
Michael MacRoberts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maksim Zotov.
MacRoberts looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
MacRoberts blocks a punch to the side of the head.
MacRoberts has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zotov holding his opponent close, against the cage.

MacRoberts manages to break the clinch.

MacRoberts gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right from MacRoberts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacRoberts wants to break the clinch but can't.

MacRoberts breaks the clinch.
MacRoberts connects with a leg kick. Zotov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zotov pivots, looking for a leg kick but MacRoberts is out of range and Zotov settles back down.
Zotov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
MacRoberts with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zotov scoring well with a low kick there.
Zotov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
MacRoberts swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zotov doesn't manage to clinch there - MacRoberts circles away.
Zotov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
MacRoberts misses with the combination.
MacRoberts slips under a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
MacRoberts throws a right and a left that Zotov avoids nicely.
Zotov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Zotov is looking to slow MacRoberts down with leg kicks.

Zotov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Zotov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Zotov wants to control but MacRoberts is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Maksim Zotov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

MacRoberts scores with a hook to the body. Zotov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
MacRoberts works the jab nicely.
Zotov throws a head kick that misses.
Zotov scores with a head kick. MacRoberts tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A head kick misses from Zotov.
Zotov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
MacRoberts keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A head kick misses from MacRoberts.
MacRoberts misses with a double jab.
MacRoberts misses with a hook.
Maksim Zotov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zotov throws a head kick that misses.
MacRoberts's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zotov under the eye.
MacRoberts uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zotov has time to react.
MacRoberts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

MacRoberts fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zotov, pushing him back against the cage.
Zotov misses with the head strike.
Zotov misses with an elbow over the top.

MacRoberts manages to break the clinch.
MacRoberts buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zotov.
Zotov throws a nice head kick!
A nice inside leg kick there by Zotov. That's going to slow MacRoberts down.
Zotov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
MacRoberts swinging wildly here.
Zotov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling MacRoberts to score with a decent uppercut.
Zotov throws a low kick but it's checked well by MacRoberts.
MacRoberts fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
MacRoberts scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zotov scores with a jab to the head.
MacRoberts throws a right and a left that both miss.
A left lands for MacRoberts.
Zotov connects with an inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
MacRoberts slips a straight right by Zotov.
Zotov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zotov misses with a low kick.
Zotov connects with a leg kick. MacRoberts looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zotov slips a jab and a cross from MacRoberts.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zotov shoots in for a takedown but MacRoberts shows good takedown defense.

Zotov gets tackled into the cage by MacRoberts. MacRoberts maintains the clinch.
Zotov has a couple of punches blocked by MacRoberts.
MacRoberts wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zotov has a couple of punches blocked by MacRoberts.

MacRoberts breaks from the clinch.
MacRoberts has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zotov.
MacRoberts misses with a two punch combination.
Zotov shoots in but no luck this time.
Zotov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zotov connects with a leg kick. MacRoberts looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Zotov looking to score a takedown here. MacRoberts is defending well but Zotov drives through and ends up in MacRoberts's guard.
Zotov stops MacRoberts from standing up.
Zotov passes into half guard.
Zotov wants to lay and pray for a moment but MacRoberts keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zotov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zotov stops MacRoberts from getting back to his feet.

Zotov seems to be looking for submissions.

Zotov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
MacRoberts is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zotov wants to pass to mount but MacRoberts is defending the position.
MacRoberts is refusing to be controlled, as Zotov sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zotov is trying to work for a kimura but MacRoberts is defending well.

Zotov is working for a kimura but MacRoberts is defending it quite comfortably.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zotov seems to be working for a kimura but MacRoberts defends the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maksim Zotov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zotov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maksim Zotov!
In defeat, Michael MacRoberts stepped up to the mic, saying 'Where's my Guinness, yo bitches'.