PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Kilgore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Zedowski (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.

Kilgore
vs
Zedowski

189 cm
26
192 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

182 cm
27
190 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Murder Inc.

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eric Kilgore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Steven Zedowski!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kilgore shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kilgore was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Kilgore is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Zedowski to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Zedowski shrugs it off.

Kilgore is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Zedowski can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Zedowski regains half guard.
Zedowski pushes Kilgore off looking to stand but Kilgore dives back in and keeps control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kilgore is trying to work for a kimura but Zedowski is defending well.

Kilgore is trying to work for a kimura but Zedowski is defending well.
Zedowski trying to control but Kilgore postures up.

Kilgore wants to work for an arm triangle but Zedowski is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zedowski is trying to stand back up but Kilgore is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kilgore is trying to work for a kimura but Zedowski is defending well.

Kilgore is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Zedowski is looking to control Kilgore's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zedowski avoid being mounted?

Zedowski looking for submissions off his back.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kilgore is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zedowski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kilgore.
Zedowski is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zedowski wants to get back to his feet.

Zedowski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kilgore is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zedowski defends it well.

Kilgore is trying to work for a kimura but Zedowski is defending well.

Kilgore is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zedowski sees it coming and defends easily.
Zedowski is holding on to half guard well.
Zedowski is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kilgore's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kilgore's back!

Kilgore is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Zedowski gets his way!

Kilgore showing good submission defense here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zedowski avoiding Kilgore 's attempts to control his hands.
Kilgore wants to escape the position.
Zedowski doesn't have the hooks in and Kilgore manages to turn into his guard.

Kilgore is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Zedowski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Zedowski has escaped and now he's on top!
Zedowski wants to control from the top but Kilgore keeps moving.
Zedowski trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kilgore's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zedowski throws a big right hand that misses.
Zedowski throwing strikes from guard but Kilgore blocks nicely.

That's four 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.

Zedowski stands and steps away. Kilgore gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zedowski is defended easily by Kilgore.
Kilgore shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zedowski counters with a series of strikes. Kilgore will be more careful next time no doubt.
Zedowski digs a good hook to Kilgore's body.
Kilgore misses with a takedown attempt
and Zedowski connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick misses from Zedowski.
Zedowski misses with a double jab

and Kilgore counters with a takedown into side control.
Zedowski manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kilgore's best efforts.
Zedowski is trying to stand back up but Kilgore is controlling him
Zedowski is looking to improve his position.

Kilgore is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Eric Kilgore will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kilgore tries for a takedown but Zedowski circles away easily

and Zedowski counters with a shoot takedown. Kilgore fights it but they end up in guard.
Zedowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Kilgore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kilgore lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Zedowski!
Zedowski's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Kilgore looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Zedowski is trying desperately to improve position.

Zedowski bucks up and throws Kilgore to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Zedowski looking to score a takedown here. Kilgore is defending well but Zedowski drives through and ends up in Kilgore's guard.
Steven Zedowski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zedowski trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kilgore's guard.
Zedowski wants to control from the top but Kilgore keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zedowski gets to his feet. Kilgore looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Zedowski is breathing heavily.

Zedowski bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kilgore manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Zedowski trying to hold on to Kilgore's head to control him but Kilgore postures up.
Kilgore tries to pass the half guard into mount. Zedowski knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Zedowski actively working from the bottom here.

Kilgore is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Zedowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kilgore pulls his head out easily.
Kilgore stops Zedowski from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zedowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kilgore is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Zedowski is trying to stand back up but Kilgore is controlling him

Kilgore is working for a submission of some sort.
Kilgore trying to pass the guard but Zedowski defending well.

Kilgore is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Kilgore is trying to work for a kimura but Zedowski is defending well.
Zedowski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zedowski has his foot on Kilgore's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kilgore works his way back into a safe position though.
Kilgore trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Zedowski is looking for a triangle but Kilgore pushes his legs off easily.

Kilgore is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Zedowski looking to control.

Kilgore has gone for a leg lock! Zedowski slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kilgore's guard.

Zedowski gets to his feet - Kilgore follows without any prompting.
Zedowski throws a poor cross that misses

and Kilgore counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore stops Zedowski from getting back to his feet.

Kilgore is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zedowski defends it well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zedowski manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kilgore avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Zedowski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kilgore advances position into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kilgore is trying to get an arm triangle but Zedowski is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zedowski wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Zedowski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zedowski fails with the takedown

and Kilgore counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zedowski's guard now.

Kilgore thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kilgore drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Zedowski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kilgore has Zedowski in his guard.
Zedowski throwing strikes but missing.
Zedowski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zedowski would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Zedowski is in close to Kilgore's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zedowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Kilgore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zedowski passes into half guard.
Zedowski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zedowski is trying to work for a kimura but Kilgore is defending well.

Zedowski is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kilgore has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zedowski wants to take a breather but Kilgore is having none of it.

Zedowski decides to return to a standing position.
Kilgore gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zedowski counters with a one-two to the body.
Kilgore shoots and misses
and Zedowski counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zedowski throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kilgore counters with a shoot takedown. Zedowski fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zedowski is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kilgore is controlling him.

Kilgore drops back looking for a leg! Zedowski is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zedowski manages to kick Kilgore off! Kilgore jumps back into Zedowski's guard.

Kilgore is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Zedowski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Zedowski has escaped and now he's on top!

Zedowski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Zedowski decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kilgore dives in and grabs Zedowski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zedowski pushes down on Kilgore's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Kilgore. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zedowski throws an off balance right hand

so Kilgore counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Zedowski looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zedowski wants to get back to his feet but Kilgore is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Kilgore thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kilgore drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kilgore jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Zedowski is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Zedowski stalling against the cage.

Zedowski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zedowski throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zedowski throws a leg kick that is checked

so Kilgore counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kilgore stops Zedowski from standing up.

Kilgore is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Zedowski is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zedowski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kilgore drops back looking for a leg! Zedowski is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zedowski manages to kick Kilgore off! Kilgore jumps back into Zedowski's guard.

Zedowski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kilgore defends it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kilgore thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Kilgore showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kilgore 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Eric Kilgore!