PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Krzysztof Zakrzewski (ranked 18492 p4p, 5498 weight class) and Jan Rusov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zakrzewski
vs
Rusov

185 cm
19
200
2 - 13 - 0

188 cm
20
200
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Krzysztof Zakrzewski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jan Rusov!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rusov blocks a head kick by Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Rusov misses with a two punch combination.

Rusov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Zakrzewski tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rusov is in Zakrzewski's guard.

Zakrzewski has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Rusov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Rusov is trying to break the clinch but Zakrzewski is controlling him.
Rusov is trying to push Zakrzewski away but Zakrzewski has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zakrzewski tries for a takedown. No joy.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Rusov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rusov tries for a takedown but Zakrzewski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rusov shoots for a double leg takedown but Zakrzewski sprawls well. He's pushed Rusov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rusov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusov stuffs the takedown.
Rusov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zakrzewski tries to avoid it but Rusov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zakrzewski to the ground. Zakrzewski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Krzysztof Zakrzewski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Rusov.
Zakrzewski shoots in for a takedown but Rusov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Rusov darts in and clinches Zakrzewski up against the cage.
Zakrzewski keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rusov's efforts to push away.

Zakrzewski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Rusov. That snapped Zakrzewski's head back.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rusov.
Zakrzewski throws a quick counter head kick but Rusov was just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rusov.
Zakrzewski throws a big counter combination but Rusov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rusov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zakrzewski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zakrzewski wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Rusov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zakrzewski's waist but Zakrzewski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rusov off to one side.
Zakrzewski tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Rusov manages to circle out of the way.
A nice combination there by Rusov.
Rusov shoots in for a double leg but Zakrzewski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zakrzewski misses with a takedown attempt - Rusov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rusov throws a combination. Zakrzewski tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rusov.
Rusov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zakrzewski as he avoids it easily.
Zakrzewski misses with an uppercut. Rusov saw that one coming.
Nice takedown defense from Rusov. No joy for Zakrzewski on that attempt.
Rusov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rusov shoots for a takedown but Zakrzewski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zakrzewski shoots and misses

and Rusov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rusov.

Rusov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Zakrzewski can't fight it off and eventually Rusov manages to take the fight to the floor. Zakrzewski looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rusov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zakrzewski. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusov throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rusov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Zakrzewski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rusov throwing strikes from guard but Zakrzewski blocks nicely.
Zakrzewski looking to control.

Rusov gets to his feet - Zakrzewski follows without any prompting.

Rusov shoots in and bounces Zakrzewski off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Rusov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rusov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Zakrzewski's half guard.
Zakrzewski is trying to get back to full guard.

Rusov decides to return to a standing position.
No luck for Rusov with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zakrzewski fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Zakrzewski enables Rusov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Zakrzewski manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rusov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zakrzewski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Zakrzewski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zakrzewski keeping moving, preventing Rusov from controlling successfully.
Rusov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Rusov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Zakrzewski as Rusov shoots in.
Rusov has a takedown stuffed.
Krzysztof Zakrzewski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Rusov.

Rusov scores with a takedown into Zakrzewski's guard.
Rusov postures up.
Rusov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rusov throws a big elbow that misses.

Rusov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Zakrzewski, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski slaps away a takedown attempt from Rusov, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Rusov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zakrzewski to the ground. Rusov is now in Zakrzewski's guard.
Rusov passes Zakrzewski's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rusov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zakrzewski is looking to improve his position.
Rusov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zakrzewski is looking for a sweep. Rusov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zakrzewski defending well though.
Zakrzewski is looking to escape.
Rusov throws a strike but Zakrzewski avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Jan Rusov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rusov stands up from Zakrzewski's guard - Rusov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Krzysztof Zakrzewski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rusov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zakrzewski's waist but Zakrzewski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rusov off to one side.

Rusov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rusov is chipping away with strikes.

Rusov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Zakrzewski rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rusov's guard! Nice work there by Zakrzewski!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rusov is working an open guard so Zakrzewski takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Zakrzewski looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zakrzewski lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rusov circles away quickly and effectively.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jan Rusov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Horrible takedown attempt by Rusov or perhaps it was just good defense by Zakrzewski, which made it look bad.
Zakrzewski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rusov counters with a one-two to the body.
Krzysztof Zakrzewski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rusov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zakrzewski looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Zakrzewski avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rusov.

Rusov tries for a kimura but Zakrzewski is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rusov in side control, throwing shots but Zakrzewski defends.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusov working the ground and pound but Zakrzewski is defending the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rusov stands up and beckons Zakrzewski to his feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rusov or perhaps it was just good defense by Zakrzewski, which made it look bad.

Rusov feints and as Zakrzewski raises his hands in defense, Rusov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rusov postures up in Zakrzewski's guard and throws a big left but Zakrzewski blocks it.
Zakrzewski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zakrzewski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Rusov gets to his feet. Zakrzewski looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Rusov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Zakrzewski's guard.

Zakrzewski has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Rusov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zakrzewski tries to clinch but Rusov moves out of range.
Zakrzewski swings for the body but Rusov moves out of range.
Rusov throws a head kick but Zakrzewski moves out of range.
Zakrzewski lands a high kick!

Rusov has closed the distance and engaged Zakrzewski in a clinch.
Zakrzewski is trying to pull guard but Rusov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rusov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rusov tries to circle away but Zakrzewski has him pinned against the cage.
Zakrzewski is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rusov to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krzysztof Zakrzewski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski jumps guard but Rusov stands there with Zakrzewski around his waist. Zakrzewski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rusov is looking to break free of the clinch but Zakrzewski has double underhooks.
Zakrzewski looking to slow down the pace here.
Zakrzewski prevents Rusov from breaking the clinch.
Jan Rusov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Zakrzewski breaks the clinch.
Jan Rusov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rusov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zakrzewski defends it nicely.

That's four 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.

Zakrzewski gets caught flat footed, as Rusov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rusov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rusov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rusov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rusov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Krzysztof Zakrzewski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zakrzewski throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jan Rusov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rusov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jan Rusov!
Jan Rusov took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.