PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paulius Zurauskas (ranked 1329 p4p, 2007 weight class) and Spinning Fire (ranked 162 p4p, 240 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zurauskas
vs
Fire

195 cm
31
239
13 - 12 - 0

209 cm
35
290
22 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Powerful

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Paulius Zurauskas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Spinning Fire!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fire dives in for a single leg takedown but Zurauskas sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zurauskas tests Fire's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zurauskas blocks a jab.
Fire fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zurauskas avoids it really well and circles away.
Zurauskas 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.
Fire tries for a takedown but Zurauskas sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fire has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Paulius Zurauskas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spinning Fire.
Fire connects with the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zurauskas throws a right hand that misses
and Fire counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fire swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zurauskas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zurauskas takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fire throws a jab when Zurauskas was well out of range.
Fire moves out of range of the strikes.
A jab from Fire does it's job there.
Fire tries to clinch but Zurauskas moves away
and Zurauskas counters with a right hand to the body.
Fire throws a series of punches but Zurauskas avoids them all with ease.
Fire swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zurauskas swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fire drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fire scores with a body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fire blocks an uppercut.
Zurauskas lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zurauskas lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zurauskas jumps guard and drags Fire to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Zurauskas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fire is aware though and is defending well.

Zurauskas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fire defends it easily.
Fire works over Zurauskas with some ground and pound from guard.

Zurauskas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fire working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fire postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fire chips away with some ground and pound.
Fire trying to control but Zurauskas is working from the bottom.
Zurauskas is trying to keep Fire in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire distracts Zurauskas with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Zurauskas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fire defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zurauskas keeping moving, preventing Fire from controlling successfully.

Zurauskas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fire defends well.

Fire is sitting in close to Zurauskas's body. Zurauskas has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Fire is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Fire is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Zurauskas.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Paulius Zurauskas!
Paulius Zurauskas seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
The defeated Spinning Fire had this to say: 'I'll back stronger'.