PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zarko Zidane (ranked 1406 p4p, 187 weight class) and Gennady Mikhasevich (ranked 878 p4p, 117 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Zidane might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Sharp Dressed Man. Gennady Mikhasevich will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Zidane
vs
Mikhasevich

180 cm
22
192 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
185 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

XFighter Clothing

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zarko Zidane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gennady Mikhasevich!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Mikhasevich.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Mikhasevich swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zidane attempts a counter takedown but Mikhasevich avoids it well and moves away.
Zidane looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Zidane uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mikhasevich.
Zidane half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Mikhasevich misses with a straight right.
Zidane drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mikhasevich sprawls and moves away.

Zidane forces Mikhasevich back against the cage and clinches.
Mikhasevich lands a nice shot to the body.
Zidane changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mikhasevich fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mikhasevich connects with a looping right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhasevich throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mikhasevich cracks Zidane with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Zidane gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mikhasevich.
Good body shot from Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich lands a hook that snaps the head of Zidane backwards.
A short left from Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich scores with a hook to the body.
Zidane is looking for a takedown.

Mikhasevich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zidane tries to clinch but Mikhasevich is having none of it.
Gennady Mikhasevich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich connects with a body shot that sends Zidane's belly button to the back.
Good standup being displayed there by Mikhasevich as he connects with a hook.
Nice straight punches there by Mikhasevich. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mikhasevich.

Mikhasevich tries to keep at a distance but Zidane has taken the fight into the clinch.

Mikhasevich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zidane showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mikhasevich.
Zidane half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Zidane closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zidane can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zarko Zidane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mikhasevich gets through Zidane's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Mikhasevich breaks the clinch.
Zidane changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mikhasevich tries to avoid it but Zidane manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mikhasevich to the ground. Mikhasevich escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mikhasevich is looking for the big counter here.
Zidane moves in looking to clinch but Mikhasevich pushes him off.
Mikhasevich thuds a left hand into Zidane's body.
Mikhasevich lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zidane darts in trying to clinch
and Mikhasevich counters with a monster hook and another for good measure! Zidane falls to the ground, out cold! Stick some heavy metal music over the top of that clip and it's one for the highlight makers!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Gennady Mikhasevich!
Gennady Mikhasevich seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.