PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sami Ojankaivaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Zentsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sami Ojankaivaja has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Ojankaivaja
vs
Zentsov

201 cm
24
255 lbs
5 - 5 - 1

190 cm
19
235 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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Blitzkrieg Formula 5000 $50 Off Price

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 5 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Sami Ojankaivaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Andrei Zentsov!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ojankaivaja keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zentsov.
Zentsov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ojankaivaja stuffs the takedown attempt from Zentsov. Zentsov gets slowly back to his feet.
Zentsov wants to clinch

and Ojankaivaja counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zentsov kicks Ojankaivaja off and gets back to his feet.

Zentsov has closed the distance and engaged Ojankaivaja in a clinch.
Zentsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Ojankaivaja avoids the damage to the body.
Zentsov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zentsov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ojankaivaja is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Zentsov tries to land a knee to the head but Ojankaivaja blocks with his arms.
Zentsov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ojankaivaja has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zentsov tries to land a knee to the head but Ojankaivaja blocks with his arms.
Zentsov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zentsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ojankaivaja's brow.
Ojankaivaja lands an uppercut.
Zentsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zentsov misses with a knee to the head.
Ojankaivaja lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ojankaivaja has Zentsov pushed against the cage.
Zentsov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ojankaivaja gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zentsov stalling the fight.
Zentsov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Zentsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ojankaivaja closes the distance and clinches.
Zentsov misses with a knee strike.
Zentsov looking to throw knees to the head but Ojankaivaja is blocking nicely.
Ojankaivaja's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Zentsov tries to land a knee to the head but Ojankaivaja blocks with his arms.
Zentsov scores a nice knee to the body.
Ojankaivaja keeps control of Zentsov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zentsov can't get the takedown.
Sami Ojankaivaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Zentsov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zentsov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zentsov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ojankaivaja has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ojankaivaja has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zentsov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zentsov misses with a knee to the head.
Zentsov looks gassed!
Zentsov scores a nice knee to the body.
Zentsov looking to throw knees to the head but Ojankaivaja is blocking nicely.
Ojankaivaja displaying some good clinch control by pressing Zentsov up against the cage.
Zentsov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zentsov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ojankaivaja prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ojankaivaja is pushing Zentsov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ojankaivaja being controlled against the cage.
Ojankaivaja blocks an elbow strike from Zentsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zentsov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ojankaivaja backwards.

Ojankaivaja tightens his grip and picks Zentsov up, before dumping him to the ground. Zentsov manages to land in guard.
Zentsov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zentsov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Ojankaivaja manages to pass to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ojankaivaja passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Zentsov!

Ojankaivaja looking for a guillotine from mount but Zentsov is having none of it.
Ojankaivaja avoids the attempt from Zentsov to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zentsov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ojankaivaja kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Ojankaivaja looking to control but Zentsov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ojankaivaja is really struggling to control Zentsov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Zentsov squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zentsov is trying desperately to improve position.
Zentsov wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Ojankaivaja dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Zentsov has taken the fight to the clinch.

Zentsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice sprawl there from Zentsov as Ojankaivaja shoots in.
Ojankaivaja circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ojankaivaja takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ojankaivaja takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zentsov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zentsov with a poor takedown

and Ojankaivaja decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zentsov's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zentsov controls Ojankaivaja momentarily but Ojankaivaja frees himself.

Ojankaivaja is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ojankaivaja looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zentsov trying to keep a closed guard but Ojankaivaja is proving a slippery customer.

Ojankaivaja avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zentsov wants to get back to his feet but Ojankaivaja passes into half guard.
Ojankaivaja is just content to waste time from the top position. Zentsov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Zentsov wants to stand but Ojankaivaja is controlling the position.
Ojankaivaja wants to pass the guard but Zentsov is keeping the position.
Zentsov controls Ojankaivaja momentarily but Ojankaivaja frees himself.

That's two 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.
Ojankaivaja stops Zentsov from standing up.

Zentsov has an active guard here but Ojankaivaja has managed to pass into half guard.
Zentsov is looking to control Ojankaivaja's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zentsov avoid being mounted?

Ojankaivaja is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zentsov sees it coming and defends easily.
Ojankaivaja trying to mount his opponent but Zentsov defends it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice uppercut lands for Zentsov. That snapped Ojankaivaja's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zentsov closes the distance but Ojankaivaja moves to the side

and Ojankaivaja counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sami Ojankaivaja overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zentsov pushes Ojankaivaja off looking to stand but Ojankaivaja dives back in and keeps control.
Ojankaivaja is trying to control. Zentsov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Ojankaivaja is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zentsov sees it coming and defends easily.
Zentsov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ojankaivaja wants to take a breather but Zentsov is having none of it.
Zentsov is looking to escape.
Zentsov wants to control but Ojankaivaja is keeping busy.

Ojankaivaja wants to work for an arm triangle but Zentsov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ojankaivaja tries to keep at a distance but Zentsov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zentsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ojankaivaja blocks it with crossed arms.
Zentsov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ojankaivajas head.
Zentsov is trying to break the clinch but Ojankaivaja has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Zentsov looking to slow down the pace here.
Ojankaivaja takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zentsov with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Zentsov.
Ojankaivaja has Zentsov pushed against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ojankaivaja avoids a wild elbow strike from Zentsov.
Ojankaivaja content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zentsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andrei Zentsov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ojankaivaja misses with a hook.
Zentsov looks to clinch

and Ojankaivaja counters with a single leg into guard. Zentsov didn't expect that.
Ojankaivajais looking to pass into half guard but Zentsov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Zentsov is in guard.
Ojankaivaja wants to sweep but no luck.
Ojankaivaja will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zentsov wants to get up but he can't break Ojankaivaja's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Zentsov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ojankaivaja dives on top into guard.

Zentsov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Ojankaivaja is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Zentsov.

Ojankaivaja tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zentsov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ojankaivaja off and has taken his back!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ojankaivaja rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Ojankaivaja tries to roll over but Zentsov keeps him under control.
Zentsov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Ojankaivaja has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zentsov is working away from the top position though.
Ojankaivaja wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zentsov wants to control but Ojankaivaja is keeping him busy.

Zentsov escapes and gets back to his feet.

Zentsov has managed to clinch.

Ojankaivaja has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Zentsov regains guard immediately.

Zentsov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ojankaivaja uses it to pass to side control.
Zentsov is trying to control Ojankaivaja's posture but Ojankaivaja avoids it.
Ojankaivaja has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Zentsov!
Ojankaivaja in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Zentsov is bucking up trying to escape but Ojankaivaja cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Zentsov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zentsov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Zentsov keeping control of the position.

Ojankaivaja looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Zentsov is trying to stand back up but Ojankaivaja is controlling him
Zentsov wants to stand back up but Ojankaivaja manages to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ojankaivaja taking a breather here.
Ojankaivaja working away.

Ojankaivaja swings around for an armbar but Zentsov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ojankaivaja's guard.
Zentsov wants to stand but Ojankaivaja has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Zentsov chips away with some ground and pound.
Zentsov tries to stand but Ojankaivaja is controlling from the bottom.
Zentsov postures up.

Ojankaivaja working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zentsov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zentsov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Ojankaivaja showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ojankaivaja has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Ojankaivaja!