PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raffaello Sanzio Da Urbino (ranked 4387 p4p, 450 weight class) and Zabit Sharipov (ranked 2431 p4p, 285 weight class). Raffaello Sanzio Da Urbino could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Zabit Sharipov's chin.

Sanzio Da Urbino
vs
Sharipov

175 cm
26
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
152 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Woodhouse's

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Raffaello Sanzio Da Urbino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zabit Sharipov!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Sandra Marshall and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sharipov misses with an uppercut
and Da Urbino counters with a slapping leg kick.
Sharipov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Da Urbino manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Da Urbino is looking to land body kicks.
Da Urbino misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nice defenses there by Da Urbino.
Sharipov loads up on a big right hand but Da Urbino slips the punch.
Da Urbino throws out a leg kick but Sharipov moves out of range and Da Urbino only half commits.
Da Urbino swats away the attempt to clinch by Sharipov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sharipov pushes Da Urbino up against the cage in a clinch.
Da Urbino misses with the head strike.
Da Urbino tries to land knees in the clinch but Sharipov avoids the damage to the body.
Da Urbino 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.
A hook to the body from Sharipov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharipov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sharipov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Da Urbino drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sharipov stalling against the cage.
Da Urbino drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sharipov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Da Urbino is trying to break free.
Sharipov lands an uppercut.
Da Urbino wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sharipov has Da Urbino pushed against the cage.
Sharipov misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Urbino has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sharipov lands with a short shot to the head.
Da Urbino using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sharipov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Da Urbino stalling in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Sharipov.
Still in the clinch, Sharipov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sharipov avoids a wild elbow strike from Da Urbino.
A body shot lands from Sharipov.
Da Urbino tries to land knees in the clinch but Sharipov avoids the damage to the body.
Da Urbino is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sharipov is defending well for now.
A short uppercut from Sharipov.
Sharipov has Da Urbino pressed against the cage.
A short right from Sharipov on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Da Urbino obliges.
Da Urbino tries for a takedown but Sharipov manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raffaello Sanzio Da Urbino. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sharipov'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.
Sharipov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Sharipov.
Sharipov stalls.
Sharipov digs a right hand underneath Da Urbino's ribcage. Da Urbino let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sharipov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sharipov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Da Urbino misses with a knee to the head.
Da Urbino throws an elbow but it misses.
Sharipov gets through Da Urbino's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Da Urbino tries for a takedown but Sharipov manages to get underhooks.
Da Urbino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Sharipov.
Sharipov tries to throw a body punch but Da Urbino avoids it by throwing Sharipov back against the cage.
Da Urbino trying to land knees to the body.
Da Urbino is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sharipov is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Urbino connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Zabit Sharipov has been cut.
Da Urbino tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sharipov avoids it.
Sharipov pushes Da Urbino back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Da Urbino tries for a takedown but Sharipov manages to get underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Sharipov fails to land.
Da Urbino's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sharipov gets underhooks to prevent Da Urbino's takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sharipov managing to block the knees to the body from Da Urbino.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sharipov.
Sharipov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sharipov cracks Da Urbino with a nice body shot.
Sharipov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Da Urbino backwards.
Da Urbino with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sharipov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sharipov scores with a shoulder strike.
Sharipov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sharipov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Da Urbino wants a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Sharipov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zabit Sharipov'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.

Da Urbino finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Da Urbino staying out of range there.
Sharipov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Da Urbino.
Sharipov tries to clinch there but Da Urbino circles away.

Sharipov rushes Da Urbino and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Da Urbino is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sharipov stalling in the clinch.
Sharipov avoiding damage as Da Urbino throws knees to the body.
Sharipov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sharipov misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sharipov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sharipov.

Da Urbino breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Da Urbino throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharipov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Da Urbino blocks a jab.
Sharipov moves out of range of the body kick.
Da Urbino slips under a jab.
Sharipov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Da Urbino fires out a quick counter leg kick but Sharipov just manages to avoid it.
Sharipov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Da Urbino swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Da Urbino wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Sharipov misses with a left hand
and Da Urbino counters with an outside leg kick.
Sharipov checks a low kick from Da Urbino.
Sharipov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sharipov misses with an uppercut
and Da Urbino counters with a nice leg kick.
Sharipov misses with a right hand

and Da Urbino holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Sharipov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Urbino tries to land a knee to the head but Sharipov blocks with his arms.
Sharipov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sharipov avoiding damage as Da Urbino throws knees to the body.
Sharipov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Sharipov on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Da Urbino misses with a knee strike.
Sharipov just leaning against Da Urbino, taking a breather.
Sharipov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sharipov continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Sharipov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sharipov tries to work over Da Urbino's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Da Urbino is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sharipov is defending well.
Sharipov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sharipov lands with a light punch inside.
Sharipov pushes Da Urbino back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sharipov.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sharipov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharipov leaning against his opponent.
Sharipov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sharipov managing to block the knees to the body from Da Urbino.
Sharipov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Da Urbino misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sharipov.
Da Urbino trying to land knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Sharipov.
Da Urbino tries to land knees in the clinch but Sharipov avoids the damage to the body.
A short body shot lands from Sharipov as the two fighters clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sharipov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Sharipov looking to stall.
Da Urbino drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sharipov pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raffaello Sanzio Da Urbino. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good exchange - Sharipov coming out on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Urbino finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A swing and a miss from Sharipov.
Da Urbino pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sharipov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Da Urbino.

Sharipov moves into the clinch.
Da Urbino is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sharipov is defending well for now.
Da Urbino wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sharipov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sharipov tries to throw a body punch but Da Urbino avoids it by throwing Sharipov back against the cage.
Sharipov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Da Urbino looking for a takedown.
Sharipov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Da Urbino goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sharipov prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Sharipov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zabit Sharipov'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. This is the final round!

Da Urbino throws out a leg kick but Sharipov moves out of range and Da Urbino only half commits.
Da Urbino keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice defenses there by Da Urbino.
Sharipov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Da Urbino quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Sharipov moves into the clinch.
Sharipov is leaning against Da Urbino and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sharipov avoiding damage as Da Urbino throws knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Sharipov fails to land.

Da Urbino pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sharipov misses with a left hand
and Da Urbino counters with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Urbino defending well as Sharipov loads up on a big left hand.
A big left from Sharipov misses.
Da Urbino seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Sharipov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Da Urbino takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sharipov swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Urbino keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sharipov.

Sharipov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Da Urbino working hard to break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Da Urbino as Sharipov tries to tie him up.
Sharipov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Da Urbino wants to break free but Sharipov has control.
Sharipov stalling against the cage.
Da Urbino is working for takedown but Sharipov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Da Urbino missing with knees to the body.
Sharipov stalling the fight.
Sharipov managing to block the knees to the body from Da Urbino.
Raffaello Sanzio Da Urbino has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharipov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sharipov avoiding damage as Da Urbino throws knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sharipov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Sharipov is trying to stall.
Sharipov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Zabit Sharipov.
Sharipov misses with a looping right.
Sharipov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Da Urbino.
Da Urbino throws a low kick, looking for Sharipov's leg but Sharipov calmly moves out of range.
Da Urbino attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sharipov tries to clinch up.
Da Urbino tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Raffaello Sanzio Da Urbino is winning the standup battle so far.
Sharipov throws a poor cross that misses
and Da Urbino counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Urbino wants to land a leg kick but Sharipov is out of range.
Sharipov throws a shot from downtown. Da Urbino moves away and avoids it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sharipov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Da Urbino throws a wild body kick that Sharipov sees coming a mile off.
Da Urbino scores with a nice body kick.
Sharipov connects with a jab.
Sharipov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Da Urbino paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sharipov 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.
Sharipov misses with a body shot.
Da Urbino looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Da Urbino throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Urbino loads up on a big right hand but Sharipov slips the punch.
Da Urbino uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sharipov.
Da Urbino keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sharipov.
Da Urbino walks into a straight right hand from Sharipov.
Da Urbino throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sharipov.
A solid body kick from Da Urbino.
Da Urbino takes one to the side of the head.
Zabit Sharipov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sharipov misses with a hook to the body
and Da Urbino counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sharipov's knee momentarily.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sharipov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Da Urbino swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A telegraphed right hand from Sharipov misses the target.
Da Urbino throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sharipov.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zabit Sharipov.
I've got Sharipov 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zabit Sharipov!
After winning the bout, Zabit Sharipov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.