PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikita Astakhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Zimbardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Astakhov comes into the arena with Tupac - Uppercut blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Bruce Zimbardo enters the ring!

Astakhov
vs
Zimbardo

190 cm
27
265 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

220 cm
30
283 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nikita Astakhov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruce Zimbardo!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Seu Braga and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zimbardo is looking to slow Astakhov down with leg kicks.
Zimbardo lands with a slapping head kick.
Astakhov misses the shot to the body.
Zimbardo's coach down at Palace of Pain Gym - VCL - Rio was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Zimbardo's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Astakhov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zimbardo tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Astakhov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zimbardo wants to clinch but Astakhov slips to the side
and Astakhov counters with a stiff right hand.
Zimbardo moves out of range of the strikes.
Astakhov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zimbardo.
Zimbardo misses with an uppercut
and Astakhov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zimbardo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
An attempted straight right counter from Astakhov misses the target.
Nice body kick from Zimbardo.
Nice cross by Zimbardo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zimbardo throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Astakhov's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimbardo throws a head kick that misses.
It looked like Astakhov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Zimbardo.

Zimbardo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Astakhov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Astakhov lands with a left to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Astakhov as Zimbardo tries to tie him up.
Zimbardo is looking to control Astakhov's arms but Astakhov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zimbardo has his back to the ropes.
Zimbardo stalling.
A shot in the inside from Astakhov.
Astakhov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The referee is keeping an eye on Astakhov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Zimbardo looking to stall.
Astakhov lands an uppercut.
A short right from Astakhov on the inside.
Astakhov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zimbardo backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo tries to stall but Astakhov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Zimbardo taking a breather.
Zimbardo is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Astakhov lands with a left to the head.
Zimbardo wants to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Bruce Zimbardo.
Zimbardo misses with a low kick.
It looked like Astakhov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Zimbardo fails in his attempt to clinch.
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!
Zimbardo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zimbardo misses with a low kick as Astakhov jumps back.
An attempted straight right counter from Astakhov misses the target.
Zimbardo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zimbardo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Bruce Zimbardo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters circling a little - Zimbardo finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Zimbardo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Zimbardo misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Astakhov.
Astakhov ducks under a wild hook from Zimbardo.
An attempted straight right counter from Astakhov misses the target.
Astakhov throws out a loose jab but Zimbardo uses good head movement to avoid it.
No joy there for Astakhov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zimbardo connects with a high kick.
Astakhov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Astakhov looks to land a left hand but Zimbardo moved out of range nicely.
Zimbardo throws an off balance right hand
enabling Astakhov to counter with a crisp jab.
Zimbardo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zimbardo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Zimbardo scores with a spinning back kick!
Zimbardo scores with a nice strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zimbardo misses with a kick to the body.
Zimbardo swinging wildly here.
Astakhov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zimbardo tries to clinch there but Astakhov circles away.
It looked like Astakhov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A head kick misses from Zimbardo.
Astakhov throwing a counter right hand but Zimbardo manages to avoid it.
Zimbardo misses with a body shot
and Astakhov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Astakhov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Zimbardo.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo scores with a head kick.
Astakhov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Astakhov takes a swing at Zimbardo's ribcage but misses.
No joy there for Astakhov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Astakhov swats away the attempt to clinch by Zimbardo.
A quick step to the side and Astakhov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zimbardo throws a looping overhand right but Astakhov ducks down to avoid it.
Astakhov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Zimbardo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Astakhov.
Astakhov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Astakhov misses with a right hand
and Zimbardo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zimbardo wants to clinch.
Zimbardo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Astakhov just misses with a punch to the body.
Astakhov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Astakhov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zimbardo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
It looked like Astakhov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo moves out of range as Astakhov strikes.
Zimbardo ducks under a wild hook from Astakhov.
Zimbardo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zimbardo misses with a left hand
and Astakhov counters with a stiff right hand.
Zimbardo moves out of range as Astakhov strikes.
Zimbardo throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
letting Astakhov counter with a right hand.
Zimbardo moves in looking to clinch but Astakhov pushes him off.
Astakhov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Astakhov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zimbardo.
Astakhov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zimbardo.
Astakhov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Astakhov is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zimbardo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Astakhov manages to avoid it.
Astakhov throws a nice looking combination but Zimbardo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Astakhov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Astakhov throws a series of punches but Zimbardo moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Astakhov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
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!
Zimbardo takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Astakhov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick misses from Zimbardo.
Zimbardo lands with a slapping head kick.
Astakhov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Zimbardo looks to land a body kick but Astakhov moved away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov blocks the body kick.
Zimbardo lets loose with a powerful body kick. Astakhov will feel that in the morning.
Zimbardo misses with a wild combination.
Zimbardo scores with a jab to the body.
Zimbardo swings widly with a right hand
enabling Astakhov to counter with a crisp jab.
Astakhov dips to his left and cracks Zimbardo with an uppercut!
Astakhov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zimbardo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Astakhov checks it well.
A little feinted left hand from Astakhov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bruce Zimbardo will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Astakhov connects with a looping right hand.
Zimbardo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Astakhov counters with a straight right hand.
Zimbardo thuds his shin into the meat of Astakhov's side.
Zimbardo misses with a body kick.
Astakhov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Astakhov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Astakhov missing with a left hand there. Zimbardo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zimbardo tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Astakhov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Zimbardo. That one must have hurt.
Astakhov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zimbardo tests Astakhov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Astakhov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimbardo misses with an uppercut. Astakhov saw that one coming.
Astakhov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Astakhov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Astakhov misses with a body shot.
Zimbardo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Astakhov was well out of range. Poor timing from Zimbardo.
Zimbardo loads up on a big right hand but Astakhov slips the punch.
Zimbardo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Zimbardo swings for the body but Astakhov moves out of range.
Zimbardo misses with a series of wild punches.
Astakhov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Zimbardo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Zimbardo scores with a four punch combination!
Zimbardo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zimbardo tried to score with a low kick but Astakhov checks it.
Zimbardo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zimbardo tries to clinch up.
Zimbardo connects with a leg kick. Astakhov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zimbardo is looking to score with low kicks.
Zimbardo throws a sloppy head kick
and Astakhov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zimbardo cracks the inside of Astakhov's front leg.
Astakhov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Astakhov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zimbardo was well out of range. Poor timing from Astakhov.
Astakhov looks to score with a jab to the body but Zimbardo is just out of range.
Zimbardo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zimbardo steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Astakhov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zimbardo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Zimbardo tries a head kick but it misses.
Zimbardo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zimbardo lands a high kick!
Astakhov avoids the head kick by Zimbardo.
Zimbardo is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo throws a sloppy head kick and Astakhov moves out of range easily.
Astakhov throwing a counter right hand but Zimbardo manages to avoid it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Astakhov.
Zimbardo looks to score with a jab to the body but Astakhov is just out of range.
Bruce Zimbardo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Astakhov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zimbardo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zimbardo misses with a hook
and Astakhov counters with a right hand to the body.
Astakhov misses with a looping left.
As Astakhov backs off Zimbardo throws a huge counter combo but Astakhov manages to avoid it all.
Zimbardo misses with a lunging right hand
and Astakhov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Astakhov swings for the body but Zimbardo moves out of range.
Zimbardo throws a big counter head kick but Astakhov avoids it with no problem.
Astakhov misses with a body shot.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov lands a slapping body shot.
Zimbardo looks to score with a jab to the body but Astakhov is just out of range.
Astakhov is looking for a counter combo.
Astakhov ducks under a wild hook from Zimbardo.
A quick step to the side and Astakhov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from Astakhov.
Astakhov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Astakhov throwing a counter right hand but Zimbardo manages to avoid it.
Zimbardo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Astakhov. Zimbardo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zimbardo scores with a head kick. Astakhov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Zimbardo tries to clinch there but Astakhov circles away.
Zimbardo throws a lazy body kick
and Astakhov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo throws a lazy uppercut
and Zimbardo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zimbardo.
Astakhov throws a hook but Zimbardo avoids it easily.
Astakhov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zimbardo throws a head kick that misses.
Astakhov slips under a jab from Zimbardo.
As Zimbardo looks to move away, Astakhov throws a big counter combo but Zimbardo just gets out of the way.
Zimbardo moves forwards but Astakhov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Astakhov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zimbardo throws a hook but Astakhov avoids it easily.
Zimbardo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Astakhov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nikita Astakhov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov throws an overhand right that lands on Zimbardo's shoulder, as Zimbardo tries to avoid the shot.
Zimbardo throws a body shot but no joy.
Astakhov is looking to counter punch.
Zimbardo is looking to land body kicks.
It looked like Astakhov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Astakhov swings for the body but Zimbardo moves out of range.
Zimbardo throws a lazy right hand but Astakhov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zimbardo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Astakhov takes a step back to recover.
Zimbardo slips a jab from Astakhov.
Zimbardo throws an overhand right that lands on Astakhov's shoulder, as Astakhov tries to avoid the shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zimbardo.
Zimbardo misses with a head kick.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Zimbardo misses with a looping left.
Astakhov with a nice cross.
Zimbardo takes a swing at Astakhov's ribcage but misses.
Zimbardo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zimbardo looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Astakhov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zimbardo counters with an outside leg kick.
Astakhov takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Nikita Astakhov has been cut.
Zimbardo throws a head kick that Astakhov semi-blocks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astakhov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Astakhov is rocked!
Zimbardo throws an overhand right that drops Astakhov like a sack of potatoes! Zimbardo dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bruce Zimbardo!