PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cain Deslive (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohammad Zarif (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Deslive
vs
Zarif

178 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

150 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cain Deslive!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mohammad Zarif!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zarif takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Deslive throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zarif stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Deslive connects with a crisp jab.
Zarif doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Deslive.
Zarif tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zarif tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Deslive paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zarif fails with the takedown.
Zarif closes this distance looking for a takedown but Deslive circles away.
A lazy left from Deslive finds it's target.
Zarif fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zarif throws a sloppy head kick and Deslive moves out of range easily.
Deslive tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarif was well out of range. Poor timing from Deslive.
Deslive thows a body shot but no joy.
Zarif takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Deslive catches Zarif with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zarif closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Deslive swats away the attempt to clinch by Zarif.
Zarif shoots in for a takedown but Deslive shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cain Deslive has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohammad Zarif.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Deslive. Beautiful body shot.
Deslive misses with a body shot.
Deslive lands a nice hook to Zarif's body. Zarif takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Deslive works Zarif's body with a nice hook.
Zarif looks winded!
Deslive scores with a jab to the body.
Zarif uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Deslive.
Zarif shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Deslive defends it nicely.
Deslive with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Deslive changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Deslive does it's job there.
Deslive swings for the body but Zarif moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Deslive.
Zarif keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deslive thows a body shot but no joy.
Deslive is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Zarif walks into a jab.
Deslive uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zarif has time to react.

Zarif is rocked!
Deslive takes a swing at Zarif's ribcage but misses.
Zarif takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zarif shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Deslive as he avoids it easily.
Deslive thows a body shot but no joy.
Deslive scores with a jab to the head.
Zarif should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Deslive throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zarif stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Deslive is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Deslive tests Zarif's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Deslive is looking to wear down Zarif with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Deslive misses with an uppercut
and Zarif counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zarif slips under a jab.
Zarif fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Deslive scores with a jab.
Zarif shoots in but Deslive avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Deslive stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Deslive wants it to stay on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deslive bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Zarif is trying desperately to land a takedown but Deslive is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Zarif.
Deslive ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zarif moves away.
Zarif moves out of range as Deslive strikes.
Deslive throws a body punch but Zarif moves out of range.
Zarif ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Deslive swings for the body but Zarif moves out of range.
Deslive keeps the fight on the outside.
Zarif tries to clinch there but Deslive circles away.
Deslive throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zarif.
Deslive misses with an uppercut
and Zarif counters with a series of strikes. Deslive will be more careful next time no doubt.
Deslive stuffs the takedown.
Deslive missing with a left hand there. Zarif was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Deslive defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zarif.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deslive stuffs the takedown.
Cain Deslive is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zarif moves in looking to clinch but Deslive pushes him off.
Zarif takes one to the side of the head.
Deslive takes a swing at Zarif's ribcage but misses.
Deslive swats away the attempt to clinch by Zarif.
Zarif fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zarif fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Deslive is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Deslive fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarif manages to avoid it.
Deslive scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zarif lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A jab from Deslive misses.
Zarif tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Deslive manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zarif avoids the body shot from Deslive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Deslive dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zarif fails in his attempt to clinch.
Deslive with a nice cross.
Mohammad Zarif is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zarif.
Deslive tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarif was well out of range. Poor timing from Deslive.
Zarif uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Deslive.
Deslive feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Zarifs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Deslive takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Zarif has a takedown stuffed.
Cain Deslive is winning the standup battle so far.
Zarif moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zarif misses with a takedown attempt - Deslive sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cain Deslive has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohammad Zarif.
Zarif is breathing heavily.
Zarif on the wrong end of a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zarif is defended easily by Deslive.
Deslive lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarif keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zarif tries to clinch but Deslive is having none of it.
Deslive looks to score with a jab to the body but Zarif is just out of range.
Zarif shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Deslive throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Deslive scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Deslive scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nice body punch from Deslive.
Deslive scores with a nice right hand.
Deslive throws out a powerful jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jab by Deslive.
Zarif takes one to the side of the head.
Zarif is still on wobbly legs! Can Deslive finish him?
Deslive jabs at Zarif's body.
Deslive tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarif was well out of range. Poor timing from Deslive.
Zarif seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarif tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Deslive paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Deslive's corner calls for a 1-2. Deslive obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zarif shoots in looking for a takedown but Deslive manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zarif's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Deslive misses with a body shot.
Deslive connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Deslive tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarif was well out of range. Poor timing from Deslive.
Zarif dives in and grabs Deslive's left leg, looking for a takedown. Deslive pushes down on Zarif's head and hops out.
Zarif misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zarif fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Deslive scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cain Deslive seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zarif is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Zarif tries for a takedown but Deslive sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Deslive scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Deslive connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Deslive coming out on top.
Zarif shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Deslive misses the shot to the body.
Deslive defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zarif.
Deslive cracks Zarif with a right hand to the side of the head.
Deslive has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Zarif fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zarif shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Deslive but Deslive pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Deslive jabs at Zarif's body.
Zarif misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Deslive ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zarif moves away.
Zarif takes one to the side of the head.
Zarif shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Deslive pinned against the cage. Deslive gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zarif fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Deslive.
Zarif shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Deslive sprawls well. Deslive wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zarif gets slowly back to his feet.
Zarif closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Deslive connects with a single shot there.
Zarif displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Deslive throws out the jab.
Deslive throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Deslive misses with an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zarif shoots in looking for a takedown but Deslive manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zarif's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Deslive keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Deslive cracks Zarif with a good jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Deslive dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Deslive thuds his right hand into Zarif's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Deslive swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zarif uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Deslive.
Deslive throws an overhand right that lands on Zarif's shoulder, as Zarif tries to avoid the shot.
Deslive connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Deslive misses with a body shot
and Zarif counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zarif fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zarif needs to keep his hands up - Deslive had a free shot at his head there.
Deslive scores with a jab to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zarif.
Deslive scores with a body shot.
Deslive rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zarif counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Deslive throws a hook but Zarif blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A telegraphed right hand from Deslive misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Deslive blocks the leg kick.
Deslive defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zarif.
Cain Deslive has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohammad Zarif.
Zarif slips under a jab from Deslive.
Deslive stuns Zarif with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Deslive with a nice cross.
Zarif lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Deslive is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zarif can do to turn this around?
Zarif tries to close the distance and clinch but Deslive swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zarif tries to close the distance and clinch but Deslive swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Deslive misses with a hook to the body
and Zarif counters with a three punch combo that has Deslive backing up. Deslive nods at Zarif to acknowledge the strikes.
Zarif fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Deslive fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarif manages to avoid it.
Deslive swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zarif looks for a takedown but Deslive sprawls well.
Jab from Deslive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarif closes the distance and clinches up with Deslive, looking for a takedown. Zarif pushes Deslive against the cage but Deslive circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zarif takes one to the chin there.
Zarif is trying hard to land a takedown here. Deslive sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Deslive thuds a left hand into Zarif's body.
Zarif ducks under a wild hook from Deslive.
Zarif uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Deslive.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zarif shoots in for a double leg but Deslive sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Deslive sizes up Zarif with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zarif misses with a kick to the body.
Deslive keeps the fight on the outside.
Zarif wants to clinch.
Deslive misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarif shoots in and drives through. Deslive sprawls well.
Zarif moves in looking to clinch but Deslive pushes him off.
Deslive swings for the body but Zarif moves out of range.
Deslive tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarif was well out of range. Poor timing from Deslive.
Zarif misses with a takedown attempt - Deslive sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zarif on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Deslive keeps the fight on the outside.
Zarif tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Deslive manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown by Zarif or perhaps it was just good defense by Deslive which made him look bad.
Deslive misses the shot to the body.
Deslive checks a leg kick nicely.
Zarif wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarif misses with a series of wild punches.
Deslive connects with the punch.
Deslive leaves Zarif with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Deslive. That snapped Zarif's head back.
Zarif tries to close the distance and clinch up but Deslive swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Deslive misses with an uppercut.
Zarif shoots for a double leg takedown but Deslive sprawls well. He's pushed Zarif's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Deslive throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Deslive throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zarif stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mohammad Zarif has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zarif shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Deslive sprawls well. Deslive wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zarif gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Deslive showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Deslive has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Deslive!