PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Zavurov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Howe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Zavurov
vs
Howe

177 cm
25
197 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Shamil Zavurov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Kyle Howe!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zavurov throws a combination. Howe tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Zavurov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Zavurov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Howe is on top in guard.
Zavurov keeping moving, preventing Howe from controlling successfully.
Howe postures up in Zavurov's guard and throws a big left but Zavurov blocks it.
Howe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Howe thows a big elbow that misses.
Zavurov wants to sweep here but Howe controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zavurov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Howe.
Howe is standing up over Zavurov. Zavurov looks to escape but Howe dives into side control.
Howe staying calm.
Howe throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The strikes coming from Howe are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Howe landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Howe misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Howe seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Zavurov is looking for a sweep.
Howe working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howe misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Howe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Howe throws a strike aimed at the side of Zavurov's head but Zavurov avoids it well.
Howe postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Howe in side control, throwing shots but Zavurov defends.
Howe trying to control the position but Zavurov is working away.
Howe scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Zavurov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zavurov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Howe wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zavurov can't do much from the bottom here.
Zavurov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Howe misses with the ground and pound.
Howe postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Zavurov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Howe on the ground.
Howe in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howe throws an elbow but Zavurov slips to the side and avoids it well.
You can see the frustration on Zavurov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zavurov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zavurov struggling a bit here.
Howe trying to control the action but Zavurov is working from the bottom.
Howe sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Zavurov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Howe dominated that round.
That's time! Zavurov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Howe shoots in but no luck this time.
Zavurov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Zavurov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Howe sprawls well initially but Zavurov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zavurov looks to land a strike but Howe avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Howe has momentary wrist control but Zavurov slips an elbow through the middle.
Zavurov landing some decent shots from guard.

Howe has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zavurov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Zavurov throws and elbow that misses. Howe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zavurov's guard. Nice move by Howe!
Zavurov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zavurov pulls Howe in close to his closed guard and prevents Howe from doing any damage or advancing position.
Zavurov wants to stand but Howe is controlling the position.
Howe is standing up over Zavurov. Zavurov looks to escape but Howe dives into side control.
Zavurov is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zavurov wants to get back to his feet but Howe drags him back down.
Zavurov is looking to regain half guard here but Howe keeps moving and retains side control.
Howe trying to control the action but Zavurov is working from the bottom.
Howe sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Zavurov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe moves into full mount!
Zavurov tries to hold on but Howe pushes him away.
Howe thowing shots but they're missing.
Zavurov can't escape the position.
Zavurov wants to try and get back to his feet.

Howe jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Zavurov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Zavurov is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Howe throws a strike aimed at the side of Zavurov's head but Zavurov avoids it well.
Howe throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Howe controlling the position from side mount.
Howe tries to score with some ground and pound. Zavurov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Zavurov wants to get back to his feet.
Zavurov is trying to control Howe's posture but Howe avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Zavurov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Howe pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Zavurov back to the cage. Howe follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Zavurov misses with a head kick.

Zavurov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Zavurov passes Howe's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Howe regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Zavurov.
Zavurov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Howe's head.
Zavurov throws and elbow that misses. Howe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zavurov's guard. Nice move by Howe!
Howe pushing down on Zavurov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Zavurov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howe is nestled in close to Zavurov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Howe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Howe sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zavurov defending well though.
Howe working over Zavurov with some ground and pound. Zavurov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kyle Howe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zavurov trying to control here.

Howe is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zavurov sees it coming and defends easily.
Howe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zavurov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zavurov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Howe trying to control the action but Zavurov is working from the bottom.

Howe is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zavurov sees it coming and defends easily.
Howe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Howe looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Zavurov is trying to stand back up but Howe is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Howe tries to pass to full mount but Zavurov defends it.
Zavurov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Howe wants to take a breather but Zavurov is having none of it.
Howe not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Howe prevents Zavurov from improving his position.
Howe throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zavurov trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Howe throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Howe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zavurov is trying to stand.
Zavurov keeping hold of Howe's head, controlling as best he can.
Nice strikes from Howe there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyle Howe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Howe has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyle Howe!