PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Robert Van Winkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seyran Zeynalabdinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeynalabdinov has chosen Saku as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Van Winkle
vs
Zeynalabdinov

189 cm
35
197 lbs
28 - 14 - 0

180 cm
34
204 lbs
26 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Conquer

SP Ultimate Nutrition
Sparta Fightware

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 28 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert Van Winkle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Seyran Zeynalabdinov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Winkle closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Zeynalabdinov throws a solid leg kick but Van Winkle takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Winkle.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Zeynalabdinov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Zeynalabdinov missing with a left hand there. Van Winkle was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zeynalabdinov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nice body kick there by Zeynalabdinov.
Van Winkle pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Van Winkle moves out of range of the strikes.

Zeynalabdinov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Van Winkle tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Zeynalabdinov is in Van Winkle's guard.
Zeynalabdinov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zeynalabdinov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zeynalabdinov wants to pass the guard but Van Winkle is keeping the position.
Van Winkle trying to control the position.
Zeynalabdinov wants to pass the guard but Van Winkle is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Winkle had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zeynalabdinov defends it easily.

Van Winkle is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zeynalabdinov defends well.
Zeynalabdinov passes Van Winkle's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Van Winkle trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ground and pound from Zeynalabdinov.

Van Winkle looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Zeynalabdinov wants to take a breather but Van Winkle is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zeynalabdinov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Van Winkle blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zeynalabdinov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Winkle with the active half guard here but Zeynalabdinov passes nicely into side control.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control the action but Van Winkle is working from the bottom.
Zeynalabdinov cracks Van Winkle with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Van Winkle struggling a bit here.
An elbow from Zeynalabdinov crashes against the mat.
Van Winkle can't do much from the bottom here.
Van Winkle tries to improve position but can't.
Van Winkle stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov misses with the ground and pound.
Zeynalabdinov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Van Winkle is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Van Winkle tries to bench press Zeynalabdinov off him but Zeynalabdinov keeps the position.
Zeynalabdinov working the head with strikes.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control the action but Van Winkle is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Van Winkle tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seyran Zeynalabdinov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Van Winkle swings for the body but Zeynalabdinov moves out of range.
Zeynalabdinov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Van Winkle.
Zeynalabdinov lands with a nice combination. Van Winkle backs away looking to recover.
A jab from Van Winkle finds it's way through Zeynalabdinov's defenses.
Van Winkle takes one to the side of the head.
Van Winkle misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Van Winkle lands with a kick to the ribs.
Van Winkle takes one on the button.
Van Winkle throws a jab but it's blocked by Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov throws a nice looking combination but Van Winkle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Van Winkle gets a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zeynalabdinov is looking to improve his position.
Seyran Zeynalabdinov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov is pressing down on Van Winkle's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Van Winkle is stalling in the full guard.
Zeynalabdinov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Van Winkle manages to get himself to full guard.

Zeynalabdinov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Van Winkle keeping moving, preventing Zeynalabdinov from controlling successfully.
Zeynalabdinov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Winkle swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zeynalabdinov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Van Winkle works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Winkle is trying to control the position but Zeynalabdinov postures up.
Zeynalabdinov forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Winkle trying to control from the bottom.
Van Winkle is looking to improve his position.
Zeynalabdinov lands strikes from half guard.
Van Winkle wants to control but Zeynalabdinov is keeping busy.
Zeynalabdinov slips a nice elbow through Van Winkle's hands, connecting with Van Winkle's forehead.
Van Winkle blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control from half guard but Van Winkle is working away.

Van Winkle looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zeynalabdinov moves nicely into side control.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control the position but Van Winkle is working away.
The strikes coming from Zeynalabdinov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Zeynalabdinov scores with punches from side control.
Zeynalabdinov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Van Winkle tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zeynalabdinov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control the action but Van Winkle is working from the bottom.
Van Winkle tries to buck Zeynalabdinov off but Zeynalabdinov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov wants to control but Van Winkle is keeping him busy.
Zeynalabdinov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control the position but Van Winkle is working away.
Van Winkle is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Zeynalabdinov working the head with strikes.
Van Winkle wants to control but Zeynalabdinov postures up.
The strikes coming from Zeynalabdinov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Van Winkle wants to control but Zeynalabdinov postures up.
Zeynalabdinov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zeynalabdinov looks up at the clock and then as Van Winkle takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Zeynalabdinov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seyran Zeynalabdinov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Nice cross by Van Winkle.
Zeynalabdinov looks to land a right hand but Van Winkle moved out of range.
A shot to the liver by Van Winkle. Beautiful body shot.
Van Winkle defending well as Zeynalabdinov loads up on a big left hand.
Van Winkle tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zeynalabdinov was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Winkle.
Good shot there by Van Winkle.
Zeynalabdinov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Van Winkle decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zeynalabdinov's guard.
Van Winkle scoring with punches to the head and body.
Van Winkle wants to control from the top but Zeynalabdinov keeps moving.

Van Winkle got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zeynalabdinov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Van Winkle has managed to get both his arms back between Zeynalabdinov's legs - danger averted.

Zeynalabdinov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zeynalabdinov working for a triangle but Van Winkle defends it easily.

Zeynalabdinov looking for a guillotine here but Van Winkle defends easily.

Van Winkle drops back looking for a leg! Zeynalabdinov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zeynalabdinov manages to kick Van Winkle off! Van Winkle jumps back into Zeynalabdinov's guard.

Zeynalabdinov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Robert Van Winkle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zeynalabdinov looking to control.
Zeynalabdinov keeping moving, preventing Van Winkle from controlling successfully.

Zeynalabdinov is looking for a triangle but Van Winkle pushes his legs off easily.
Zeynalabdinov keeping moving, preventing Van Winkle from controlling successfully.
Van Winkle sitting in guard here, content to control.
Zeynalabdinov wants to sweep here but Van Winkle controlling him for the moment.
Van Winkle trying to control but Zeynalabdinov is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Zeynalabdinov looking for a guillotine here but Van Winkle defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov keeping moving, preventing Van Winkle from controlling successfully.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Van Winkle wants to control from the top but Zeynalabdinov keeps moving.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zeynalabdinov keeping full guard, as Van Winkle tries to pass.
Van Winkle trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeynalabdinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Van Winkle throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zeynalabdinov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zeynalabdinov digs a good body shot into Van Winkle's ribs.
Zeynalabdinov scores with a sloppy right hand. Van Winkle should have avoided that one.
Van Winkle misses with a jab to the body
and Zeynalabdinov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zeynalabdinov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zeynalabdinov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Van Winkle tries to sprawl but Zeynalabdinov drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Zeynalabdinov is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Van Winkle is refusing to be controlled, as Zeynalabdinov sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Robert Van Winkle.
Well Zeynalabdinov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seyran Zeynalabdinov!
During a confident post fight interview, Seyran Zeynalabdinov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.