PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Correra (ranked 4810 p4p, 0 weight class) and Genja Zhifonov (ranked 4807 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Correra
vs
Zhifonov

190 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
285 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rafael Correra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Genja Zhifonov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shirou Masuda and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Correra misses with a leg kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zhifonov.
Zhifonov trying to control the position but Correra is working away.
Zhifonov tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Zhifonov is looking to take a break and control but Correra is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Correra wants to control but Zhifonov postures up.
Correra tries to bench press Zhifonov off him but Zhifonov keeps the position.

Zhifonov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Correra, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhifonov controls the position from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Correra is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Zhifonov off and has taken his back!
Correra thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Correra missing with strikes.
Correra tries to get the hooks in deep but Zhifonov pushed the leg off.

Correra has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Zhifonov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Correra is trying to control. Zhifonov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Correra frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Correra trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Correra is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Zhifonov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Correra lands a nice shot to the head.
Zhifonov is squirming around, avoiding Correra's attempts to control the action.
Poor strikes thrown by Correra there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Correra scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Zhifonov?
Correra prevents Zhifonov from getting the reversal.
Zhifonov wants to control but Correra is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhifonov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Correra punishing his opponent with strikes.
Zhifonov tries to lock up and control but Correra gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Correra punching from mount but Zhifonov doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Zhifonov wants to get back to his feet.
Correra landing strikes from the mount.
Correra with the ground and pound from mount.
Correra cracks Zhifonov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Zhifonov tries to hold on but Correra pushes him away.
Correra connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Zhifonov is rocked!
Zhifonov takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Correra's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rafael Correra!