PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jakub Trabowski (ranked 2687 p4p, 310 weight class) and Yayi Zinsou (ranked 4633 p4p, 498 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Trabowski
vs
Zinsou

189 cm
22
252 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

199 cm
21
273 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jakub Trabowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yayi Zinsou!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Trabowski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zinsou.
Trabowski swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Zinsou counters with a takedown into side control.
Trabowski takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Zinsou trying to control the position but Trabowski is working away.
Trabowski tries to buck Zinsou off but Zinsou is having none of it.
Zinsou wants to control but Trabowski is keeping him busy.
Zinsou working away.
Trabowski tries to buck Zinsou off but Zinsou is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zinsou tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Zinsou sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Trabowski is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Zinsou is putting a hurting on Trabowski here, landing some big shots from side control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Zinsou working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinsou scores with a couple of short elbows.
Trabowski tries to bench press Zinsou off him but Zinsou keeps the position.
Zinsou tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The referee asks Zinsou politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Zinsou prefers to stall for the moment though.
Trabowski is trying to improve his position.
Zinsou tries to score with some ground and pound. Trabowski controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Zinsou throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Trabowski works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Zinsou throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zinsou throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zinsou throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Trabowski to regain full guard.
Zinsou is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Trabowski has momentary wrist control but Zinsou slips an elbow through the middle.
Zinsou trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zinsou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Trabowski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trabowski wants to sweep here but Zinsou controlling him for the moment.
Zinsou throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zinsou chips away with some ground and pound.
Trabowski looking to control.
Zinsou works over Trabowski with some ground and pound from guard.
Zinsou slips nicely into half guard.
Trabowski definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Zinsou working the head and body with strikes.
Trabowski is not content to let Zinsou control the position.
Zinsou has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zinsou looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Trabowski wants to get back to full guard.
Zinsou scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Zinsou is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Trabowski on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zinsou winds up and cracks Trabowski with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Zinsou working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Zinsou is keen to just control but Trabowski is a slippery customer.
Zinsou is taking a breather. Trabowski says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Nice strikes from Zinsou there.
Trabowski is not content to let Zinsou control the position.
Trabowski is looking for a sweep. Zinsou is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Trabowski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zinsou.
Zinsou working over Trabowski with some ground and pound. Trabowski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Trabowski is pressing down on Zinsou's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zinsou lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zinsou throws a big elbow that misses.
Zinsou throws a strike but Trabowski rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zinsou wants to stand and escape but Trabowski is having none of it.
Trabowski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Trabowski stopping the sweep attempt from Zinsou.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zinsou can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zinsou seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zinsou looking to control.
Zinsou wants to get back to his feet but Trabowski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zinsou throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Zinsou wants to stand but Trabowski is controlling the position.
Trabowski landing some decent shots from guard.
Trabowski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Trabowski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zinsou's head.
Trabowski landing some decent shots from guard.
Zinsou looking for a sweep. Not yet Zinsou, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yayi Zinsou dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Trabowski stuffs the takedown.
Trabowski feinted with a counter takedown.
Trabowski misses the jab.
Zinsou shoots in for a takedown but Trabowski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zinsou shoots for a double leg takedown but Trabowski sprawls well. He's pushed Zinsou's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jakub Trabowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yayi Zinsou.
Zinsou fails to land the takedown.

Zinsou closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Trabowski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zinsou.
Zinsou thows a huge punch but Trabowski dodges it nicely.
Zinsou slips a nice elbow through Trabowski's hands, connecting with Trabowski's forehead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zinsou drops an elbow to the side of Trabowski's head.
Zinsou landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Trabowski regains full guard. Nicely done.

Trabowski is looking for a triangle but Zinsou pushes his legs off easily.
Zinsou loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinsou lands a couple of elbows.
Zinsou stands up over Trabowski, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zinsou throws a strike but Trabowski rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Trabowski preventing the sweep.
Trabowski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trabowski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zinsou's head.
Zinsou is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Trabowski trying to hold on to Zinsou's head to control him but Zinsou postures up.
Trabowski is staying active underneath Zinsou, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zinsou is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Trabowski preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Yayi Zinsou has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trabowski is looking to improve his position.
Trabowski is working hard here to advance position.
Zinsou seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Trabowski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zinsou controlling the pace.
Zinsou wants to lay and pray for a moment but Trabowski keeps working.
Zinsou scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Zinsou looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Trabowski with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Zinsou tries to pass the half guard into mount. Trabowski knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Zinsou connects with a nice short shot to Trabowski's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trabowski is looking to improve his position.
Zinsou thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zinsou throws a strike but Trabowski avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Zinsou looking to pass the guard.
Zinsou has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Trabowski seems keen to control Zinsou's posture.
Zinsou is looking to work some ground and pound but Trabowski has wrist control.
Trabowski keeping full guard, as Zinsou tries to pass.
Trabowski wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Zinsou postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zinsou throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Zinsou lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zinsou throws a big right hand that misses.
Zinsou preventing the sweep.
Zinsou won't allow Trabowski to get back to his feet.
Zinsou landing with the ground and pound.
Zinsou works over Trabowski with some ground and pound from guard.
Trabowski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zinsou won't allow Trabowski to sweep him here.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Trabowski keeps moving.
Trabowski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zinsou trying to control but Trabowski is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Zinsou is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yayi Zinsou showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Trabowski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Zinsou misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Trabowski walks into a left hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Trabowski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Trabowski throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zinsou shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Trabowski moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zinsou tries to score a power double leg takedown but Trabowski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zinsou somewhat.
Jakub Trabowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yayi Zinsou.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Trabowski scores with a takedown into Zinsou's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trabowski preventing the sweep.
Zinsou keeps trying to improve his position.
Zinsou avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Trabowski stopping the sweep attempt from Zinsou.
Zinsou seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zinsou tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zinsou wants to stand up but Trabowski is controlling him.
Trabowski is looking to work some ground and pound but Zinsou has wrist control.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Zinsou holds on and takes a little breather.
Zinsou looking to hit a scissor sweep but Trabowski is one step ahead there.
Zinsou is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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.
Zinsou looking to hit a scissor sweep but Trabowski is one step ahead there.
Trabowski looking to pass the guard.
Zinsou manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Trabowski manages to get himself to full guard.

Zinsou in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zinsou postures up in Trabowski's guard and throws a big left but Trabowski blocks it.
Zinsou throwing strikes but missing.
Zinsou distracts Trabowski with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Trabowski looking for a guillotine here but Zinsou defends easily.
Zinsou content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zinsou's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zinsou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zinsou distracts Trabowski with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zinsou trying to control but Trabowski is working from the bottom.
Trabowski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zinsou.
Zinsou working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zinsou is in close to Trabowski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zinsou showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Zinsou preventing the sweep.
Trabowski looking to control.
Trabowski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zinsou.
Trabowski keeping moving, preventing Zinsou from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Trabowski connects with a jab.
Trabowski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zinsou.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zinsou rushes Trabowski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Jakub Trabowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Zinsou ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zinsou no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Trabowski lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yayi Zinsou comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zinsou winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yayi Zinsou!
Yayi Zinsou tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
Jakub Trabowski spoke after the fight, saying 'i want re-match'.