PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zbigniew Ciosek (ranked 9628 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolai Demikovic (ranked 3938 p4p, 0 weight class). Demikovic has chosen Russian National Anthem as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Zbigniew Ciosek has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ciosek
vs
Demikovic

220 cm
51
277 lbs
33 - 38 - 1

191 cm
51
250 lbs
30 - 34 - 3

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 33 - 38 - 1, fighting out of London, Zbigniew Ciosek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 34 - 3, fighting out of London, Nicolai Demikovic!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ciosek swats away the attempt to clinch by Demikovic.
Demikovic motions for Ciosek to come forward. Demikovic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Demikovic wants to clinch
and Ciosek counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ciosek catches Demikovic with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ciosek looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've been told by Ciosek's head coaches at London MMA Club that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Demikovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ciosek counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demikovic moves to clinch but Ciosek breaks away
and Ciosek counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demikovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zbigniew Ciosek is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ciosek with a nice cross.

Ciosek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Demikovic, pushing him back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Ciosek.
A short right from Ciosek.
Ciosek scores with a shoulder strike.
Demikovic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ciosek walks away with a smile on his face. Demikovic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ciosek uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Demikovic.
Ciosek displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Demikovic.
Demikovic misses with a takedown
and Ciosek cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zbigniew Ciosek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolai Demikovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Demikovic misses
and Ciosek counters with a left and a right that stings Demikovic.
Demikovic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Demikovic tries to bum rush Ciosek with a series of wild strikes but Ciosek uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ciosek swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ciosek throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ciosek is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ciosek blocks a head kick by Demikovic.
Ciosek appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Demikovic gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ciosek dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Demikovic. That did some damage!
Demikovic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ciosek lands with a right hand.
Demikovic shoots and misses
and Ciosek counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demikovic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ciosek counters with a big head kick but Demikovic shrugs it off.
A head kick misses from Demikovic.
Nice uppercut lands for Ciosek. That snapped Demikovic's head back.

Ciosek drops Demikovic with a beautiful combination! Demikovic stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Ciosek is looking for the KO!

Demikovic is rocked!

It looks like Nicolai Demikovic has been cut.
Ciosek is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Demikovic letting Ciosek take a breather here.
Demikovic has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ciosek is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Demikovic tries to work over Ciosek's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ciosek lands a right hand that snaps the head of Demikovic backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciosek working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've been informed that Demikovic has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Ciosek breaks the clinch.

Demikovic drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ciosek tries to strike from the bottom.
Demikovic working some strikes from top position.
Demikovic postures up in Ciosek's guard and throws a big left but Ciosek blocks it.
Ciosek will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Demikovic trying to move into half guard but instead Ciosek has managed to sweep!

Demikovic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Demikovic looking for a guillotine here but Ciosek defends easily.

Ciosek decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zbigniew Ciosek dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nicolai Demikovic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Demikovic misses with the body kick
and Ciosek connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Demikovic throws out a loose jab but Ciosek uses good head movement to avoid it.
Demikovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Demikovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Demikovic takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ciosek lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Demikovic tries to clinch but Ciosek is having none of it.
Ciosek stuffs the takedown attempt from Demikovic. Demikovic gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demikovic moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Demikovic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ciosek.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciosek lands a jab to the nose.
Demikovic walks into a left hand.
Zbigniew Ciosek is winning the standup battle so far.
Demikovic tries to clinch
and Ciosek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ciosek is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Demikovic can do to turn this around?
Demikovic misses the body punch
and Ciosek counters with a slapping leg kick.
Demikovic shoots in for a takedown but Ciosek shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nicolai Demikovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Demikovic drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Demikovic tries to clinch up.
Demikovic looks to clinch
and Ciosek counters with a good low kick that Demikovic was not able to check.
Ciosek punishes Demikovic's body with a nice straight punch.
Demikovic slips a straight right by Ciosek.
Despite the aggression on Demikovic's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciosek throws a head kick that half lands.
Demikovic takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ciosek takes a swing at Demikovic's ribcage but misses.
Demikovic throws a counter combo.
Ciosek keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zbigniew Ciosek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolai Demikovic.
Demikovic shoots in looking for a takedown. Ciosek tries to sprawl out of it but Demikovic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ciosek manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Demikovic throws a head kick but Ciosek moves out of range.
Demikovic takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demikovic tries to clinch there but Ciosek circles away.
Ciosek tries to counter by clinching up but Demikovic breaks away and moves out of range.
Demikovic throws a head kick but Ciosek moves out of range.
Ciosek scores with a crisp jab that stopped Demikovic in his tracks.
Ciosek with a nice cross.

Demikovic forces Ciosek back against the cage and clinches.
Ciosek lands a left hand that snaps the head of Demikovic backwards.
Ciosek working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short right from Ciosek.
Ciosek pushes Demikovic back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ciosek lands a left hand that snaps the head of Demikovic backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ciosek.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ciosek lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Demikovic looking for a takedown.
Ciosek lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Demikovic can't get the takedown.
Demikovic is breathing heavily.
Ciosek creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Demikovic's defenses.
Ciosek lands with a left to the head.
Ciosek lands a left hand that snaps the head of Demikovic backwards.
Ciosek lands with a light punch inside.
Demikovic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ciosek fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Demikovic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ciosek fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Demikovic has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zbigniew Ciosek dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nicolai Demikovic's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Jab by Ciosek.
Ciosek lands an overhand right.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ciosek darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Ciosek moves into range and clinches up with Demikovic.
Ciosek lands with a light punch inside.
Demikovic tries to throw a body punch but Ciosek avoids it by throwing Demikovic back against the cage.
Demikovic tries to pull guard but Ciosek forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Demikovic looking to slow down the pace here.
Demikovic goes for a takedown attempt but Ciosek pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ciosek defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Demikovic.
Zbigniew Ciosek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolai Demikovic.
Ciosek throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Demikovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Demikovic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciosek buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ciosek lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Demikovic shoots in but Ciosek avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ciosek swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ciosek fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ciosek scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ciosek lands a head shot.
Demikovic's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ciosek connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Demikovic scrambles back to his feet.

Ciosek gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Demikovic to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demikovic won't allow Ciosek to sweep him here.
Ciosek not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Demikovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ciosek utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ciosek thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Demikovic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ciosek swivels though and keeps the full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zbigniew Ciosek is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demikovic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Demikovic doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Ciosek counter with a right hand.

Ciosek rushes Demikovic and presses him up against the cage.
Demikovic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ciosek prevents it.
Demikovic tries to pull guard but Ciosek holds him up against the cage and eventually Demikovic drops back down to his feet.
Demikovic is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ciosek is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demikovic takes an elbow to the temple.
Demikovic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ciosek pulls his leg out and moves away.
Demikovic misses with a left hand
and Ciosek counters with a one-two to the body.
Demikovic misses with a few strikes there.
It looked like Ciosek wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Demikovic fails with the takedown
and Ciosek counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nicolai Demikovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Demikovic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ciosek swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ciosek was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Demikovic gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ciosek.
Demikovic misses with a takedown
and Ciosek cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zbigniew Ciosek showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ciosek, 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:26
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:26
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zbigniew Ciosek!
An out of breath and clearly excited Zbigniew Ciosek thanked Sun-Tzu for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).