PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Mirkovich (ranked 5086 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yassin Zivbinachav (ranked 5261 p4p, 0 weight class). Yassin Zivbinachav has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Andrei Mirkovich's chin.

Mirkovich
vs
Zivbinachav

187 cm
18
269 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

201 cm
19
288 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Mirkovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yassin Zivbinachav!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zivbinachav shoots in for a double leg but Mirkovich sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mirkovich displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zivbinachav.
Mirkovich scores with a body shot.

Mirkovich closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mirkovich lands in his opponent's guard.
Zivbinachav can't keep his opponent in guard - Mirkovich advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mirkovich slows the pace down in half guard.
Mirkovich landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mirkovich has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mirkovich postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Zivbinachav to stand up.

Mirkovich shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zivbinachav is trying to defend but Mirkovich finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mirkovich keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Zivbinachav wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Mirkovich is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Mirkovich seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Zivbinachav for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Mirkovich there.
Zivbinachav is trying to control but can't.
Mirkovich uses his free foot to push down on Zivbinachav's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Zivbinachav.
Zivbinachav really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mirkovich. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mirkovich content just to control the position here.
Mirkovich postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Zivbinachav looks a forlorn figure.
Mirkovich controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mirkovich pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Mirkovich controlling the pace for now.
Mirkovich lands a big shot there that rocks Zivbinachav but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Mirkovich tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mirkovich landing shots from mount.
Mirkovich lands with some strikes.
Mirkovich avoids the attempt from Zivbinachav to control.
Mirkovich tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Mirkovich looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mirkovich jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Zivbinachav manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Mirkovich taking a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Mirkovich dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zivbinachav gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Mirkovich counters by clinching up.

Mirkovich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Zivbinachav tries to keep at a distance but Mirkovich has taken the fight into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mirkovich as Zivbinachav tries to tie him up.
Mirkovich misses with a knee strike.
Mirkovich is trying to pull guard but Zivbinachav turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mirkovich misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zivbinachav.
Mirkovich slows down the pace here.

Mirkovich breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirkovich misses with a takedown attempt
and Zivbinachav counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Zivbinachav darts in trying to clinch

so Mirkovich counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mirkovich is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zivbinachav can do to turn this around?
Zivbinachav is trying to control the position but Mirkovich postures up.

Zivbinachav is working an open guard so Mirkovich takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Mirkovich misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrei Mirkovich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mirkovich throws out a loose jab but Zivbinachav uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zivbinachav changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mirkovich tries to avoid it but Zivbinachav manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mirkovich to the ground. Mirkovich escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zivbinachav misses with an attempted mid kick.
Mirkovich shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zivbinachav fails with a takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Mirkovich on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zivbinachav with a poor takedown

and Mirkovich moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mirkovich jumps guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mirkovich keeping full guard, as Zivbinachav tries to pass.
Mirkovich looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mirkovich throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirkovich is adopting a defensive guard.
Mirkovich tries to strike from the bottom.
Zivbinachav pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mirkovich is keeping the position for now.
Zivbinachav wants to get up but he can't break Mirkovich's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Mirkovich fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zivbinachav to the ground. Mirkovich is now in Zivbinachav's guard.
Zivbinachav is looking to stand back up but Mirkovich counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Zivbinachav.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mirkovich is taking a breather. Zivbinachav says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Zivbinachav looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mirkovich working the head and body with strikes.
Zivbinachav pushes Mirkovich off looking to stand but Mirkovich dives back in and keeps control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mirkovich perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Mirkovich is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Mirkovich dominated that second round.
That's time! Mirkovich's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Zivbinachav tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mirkovich swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zivbinachav is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mirkovich leaves Zivbinachav with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Mirkovich closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zivbinachav to the mat! Zivbinachav manages to get full guard.
Zivbinachav is looking to stand back up but Mirkovich counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Zivbinachav.

Zivbinachav is looking to get back to is feet but Mirkovich passes into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mirkovich controls the position.
Mirkovich cracks Zivbinachav with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Mirkovich advances to full mount.
Mirkovich controlling from mount.

Mirkovich is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Zivbinachav can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Mirkovich looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Zivbinachav that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Zivbinachav can't escape the position.
Mirkovich lands a couple of good shots and Zivbinachav has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Mirkovich biding his time, controlling Zivbinachav.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zivbinachav just trying to survive but Mirkovich is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Mirkovich has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Zivbinachav is in real trouble here. Mirkovich gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Zivbinachav is tapping out! Mirkovich wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Andrei Mirkovich!