PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zhang Yu (ranked 3618 p4p, 3272 weight class) and Nikki Rickie (ranked 137 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Yu
vs
Rickie

225 cm
23
302
3 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
300
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zhang Yu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikki Rickie!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Fedor Mirinova and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rickie.
Yu tries to clinch up.
Yu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rickie.

Yu has managed to clinch.
Rickie misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yu misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Rickie fails to land.
Yu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rickie throws a punch but it's blocked by Yu.
Come on Yu - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Yu'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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rickie misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yu'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.
Rickie throws a punch but it's blocked by Yu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rickie has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Yu is pushing Rickie up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Yu will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rickie up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Zhang Yu.

Yu clinches up with Rickie and pushes him back against the cage.
Rickie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yu will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rickie up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Rickie fails to land.
Yu stalls.
Yu blocks a body shot from Rickie.
Yu taking a breather.
Rickie doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rickie misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yu scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rickie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rickie is trying to push Yu away but Yu has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Yu pressing his opponent against the cage.
The referee calls for Yu to work.
Rickie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yu's elbow.
Rickie working aggressively here.
Rickie misses with the head strike.
Rickie tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yu leaning against his opponent.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Yu.
Yu scores with a nice hook to the head.
A bit of stalling here from Yu.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rickie.
Rickie struggles to land a body shot inside as Yu controls his hands.
A bit of stalling here from Yu.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Yu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yu wants to stall.
Rickie looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Yu taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Zhang Yu.
Rickie throws the left hand but Yu avoids the punch easily.
Rickie keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice defenses there by Yu.

Yu forces Rickie back against the cage and clinches.
Rickie misses with the head strike.
Yu prevents a body shot from Rickie.
Yu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rickie misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rickie letting Yu take a breather here.
Rickie doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Yu has Rickie pressed against the cage.
Rickie wants to break the clinch but can't.
Yu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yu trying to control the position but instead, Rickie has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yu into the cage.
Yu pushes Rickie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yu stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yu.
A bit of stalling here from Yu.
Yu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rickie lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rickie swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yu is struggling to control the position.
Rickie tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rickie misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yu is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rickie is keeping busy.
Rickie throws a head punch that misses.
Rickie wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Yu has him pressed against the cage.
Yu stalling the fight.
Yu scores with a shoulder strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Yu dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Yu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yu is looking to clinch.
Rickie appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Yu tries to close the distance and clinch but Rickie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Yu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rickie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rickie swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rickie circles away from the clinch attempt.

Yu moves into the clinch.
Rickie can't find room to land a body shot as Yu controls the action.
Yu slows down the pace here.
Rickie throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yu stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Yu blocking some punches.
Yu is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Yu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rickie's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Yu is pushing Rickie up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Yu lands with a right to the head.
Rickie lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Rickie fails to land.
Rickie tries to throw a body punch but Yu avoids it by throwing Rickie back against the cage.
Yu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Yu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stalling in the clinch from Yu.
Yu blocks an uppercut.
Rickie is trying to force a seperation but Yu has the dominant position.
Rickie is trying to break the clinch but Yu has him pressed against the cage.
Rickie swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rickie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yu blocks an uppercut.
Yu trying to stall but Rickie improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yu controlling the action here for a moment.
Yu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rickie misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rickie misses with some punches.
Rickie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yu's elbow.
Rickie struggles to land a body shot inside as Yu controls his hands.
Yu is looking to control Rickie's arms but Rickie gets an underhook and turns him. Now Yu has his back to the cage.
Rickie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rickie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yu's elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rickie misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rickie throws a head punch that misses.
Yu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Yu lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Yu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yu avoiding damage.
Yu blocks an uppercut.
Rickie swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yu lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Yu fails to land.
Rickie misses with a punch on the inside.
Rickie struggles to land a body shot inside as Yu controls his hands.
Yu leaning his opponent against the cage.
Yu leaning against his opponent.
Rickie misses with a punch to the body.
Yu stalls.
Yu takes a shot to the head.
Rickie tries to work over Yu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rickie tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yu slows down the pace here.
Yu tries to stall but Rickie uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rickie working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yu.
Yu misses with a punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Yu.
Rickie tries to throw a body punch but Yu avoids it by throwing Rickie back against the cage.
Yu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yu trying to stall but Rickie improves his position.
Rickie wants to get back to striking at distance but Yu won't allow it.
Yu holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Zhang Yu.
Yu slips under a jab.
Yu is looking to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yu is trying to stall.
Yu leaning against his opponent.
Rickie wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rickie lands with a right to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rickie tries to work over Yu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nikki Rickie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Yu wants to clinch up but Rickie keeps it at a distance.
Rickie misses with an uppercut.
Yu is looking to counter the offense by Rickie and move into the clinch.
Yu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rickie.

Yu has closed the distance and engaged Rickie in a clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Yu takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Yu pushes Rickie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rickie misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yu will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rickie up against the cage.
Yu is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Yu just leaning against Rickie, taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yu pushes Rickie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zhang Yu has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Yu looking to stall.
Rickie doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rickie tries a body shot but Yu blocks it.
Yu blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yu stalling in the clinch but Rickie improves position.
Rickie is looking to break free of the clinch but Yu has double underhooks.
Yu slowing the pace effectively.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Zhang Yu.

Rickie gets tackled into the cage by Yu. Yu maintains the clinch.
Yu trying to control the position but instead, Rickie has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yu into the cage.
Yu blocks a body shot from Rickie.
Rickie tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yu misses with some punches.
Yu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rickie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rickie tries a body shot but Yu blocks it.
Rickie misses with a body punch.
Yu displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rickie up against the cage.
Yu prevents Rickie from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yu controlling the action here for a moment.
Rickie misses with some punches.
Rickie misses with a body punch.
Yu lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rickie backwards.
Yu displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rickie up against the cage.
Rickie wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rickie wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rickie is looking to break free of the clinch but Yu has double underhooks.
Yu misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Yu.
Rickie letting Yu take a breather here.
Rickie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yu misses with some punches.
Rickie working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yu.
Rickie misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rickie backwards.
Rickie tries a body shot but Yu blocks it.
Yu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yu blocking some punches.
Rickie tries to circle away but Yu has him pinned against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rickie.
The referee calls for Yu to work.
Yu blocks an uppercut.
Rickie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yu's elbow.
Rickie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yu's elbow.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Yu takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Yu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rickie misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rickie tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rickie can't find room to land a body shot as Yu controls the action.
Yu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rickie backwards.
Yu pressing his opponent against the cage.
Yu wants to stall.
Yu trying to control the position but instead, Rickie has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yu into the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Yu takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Yu blocking some punches.
Rickie misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee calls for Yu to work.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rickie.
Yu working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zhang Yu showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Yu 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zhang Yu!