PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sam Fisher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Starikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fisher comes to the cage accompanied by Ho Hey . 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.

Fisher
vs
Starikov

178 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

177 cm
23
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam Fisher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Anton Starikov!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starikov dips to his left and cracks Fisher with an uppercut!
Anton Starikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fisher takes a kick to the side of the head.
Fisher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fisher tries to close the distance and clinch but Starikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fisher avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Starikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Fisher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Starikov moves in looking to clinch but Fisher pushes him off.
Fisher stalks Starikov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Starikov's face. Starikov staggers backwards, shaken.

Starikov closes the distance and clinches.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fisher closes this distance looking for a takedown but Starikov circles away.
Starikov scores with a head kick. Fisher tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Fisher misses with a leg kick
and Starikov counters with a big head kick but Fisher shrugs it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Starikov connects with a high kick.
Starikov scores with a head kick. Fisher tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Fisher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Starikov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Starikov slips a jab and a cross from Fisher.
A head kick misses from Starikov.
Starikov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Fisher will feel that in the morning.
Starikov throws a right and a left that Fisher avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starikov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fisher.
Fisher tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Starikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Starikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fisher paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Starikov moves into range and clinches up with Fisher.

Starikov breaks from the clinch.
Starikov moves in looking to clinch but Fisher pushes him off.
Fisher's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Fisher duly obliges.
No joy there for Starikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A punch combination from Fisher misses.
Starikov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Fisher counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Starikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fisher.
Fisher has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Starikov.
Fisher showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Starikov.
Starikov looks winded!
Starikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fisher swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fisher shoots in for a takedown but Starikov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Fisher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Starikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Starikov throws a sloppy head kick and Fisher moves out of range easily.
Starikov dodges the punch combination from Fisher.
Starikov lands a head kick. Fisher smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Starikov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fisher wants a takedown.

Starikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Starikov is looking to clinch.
Fisher slips a jab and a cross from Starikov.
Fisher defending well as Starikov loads up on a big left hand.

Starikov forces Fisher back against the cage and clinches.
Fisher tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Starikov's elbow.
Fisher misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fisher is trying to break the clinch but Starikov is controlling him.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fisher misses with a head kick.
Fisher looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Starikov is fending him off so far but Fisher persists. Nope, Starikov circles away and we're back to standing.

Starikov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Starikov lands a head kick. Fisher smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Fisher misses with a jab, cross combination.

Starikov moves into the clinch.

Starikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Starikov closes the distance and clinches.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Starikov tries to clinch there but Fisher circles away.
Starikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fisher fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Starikov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fisher takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fisher fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Anton Starikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Starikov feints and then cracks Fisher's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fisher down.

Starikov forces Fisher back against the cage and clinches.
Come on Fisher - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Fisher is looking to take this one to the mat.

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

Fisher clinches up with Starikov and pushes him back against the cage.
Fisher tries a body shot but Starikov blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Starikov breaks from the clinch.
Starikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Starikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Starikov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Starikov dominated that round.
That's time! Fisher's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fisher throws a right hand that Starikov ducks under and follows up with a left that Starikov also avoids with ease.
Starikov connects with a high kick.
Fisher throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A head kick from Starikov lands but Fisher takes it in his stride.
Starikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Fisher throws a left and a right that both miss

and Starikov moves into the clinch.
Fisher has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Starikov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Anton Starikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Starikov is looking to clinch but Fisher is avoiding it.
Starikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Fisher manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Starikov lands with a right hand.
Starikov scores with a head kick.
Starikov moves in looking to clinch but Fisher pushes him off.
Starikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Starikov is breathing heavily.

Starikov rushes Fisher and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Starikov closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fisher is trying to pull guard but Starikov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Fisher jumps guard but Starikov stands there with Fisher around his waist. Fisher gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Fisher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fisher is trying to break free.
Fisher misses with some punches.

Starikov breaks from the clinch.
Fisher avoids the head kick by Starikov.
Fisher fails with an attempt to clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Fisher. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Starikov moves into range and clinches up with Fisher.

Starikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fisher changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Starikov tries to avoid it but Fisher manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Starikov to the ground. Starikov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sam Fisher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Starikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fisher shoots for a takedown but Starikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Starikov throws a front kick that sends Fisher stumbling back into the cage.

Starikov pushes Fisher up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fisher throws a right hand that Starikov ducks under and follows up with a left that Starikov also avoids with ease.
Starikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Starikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fisher misses with a two punch combination.
Starikov checks the leg kick.
Fisher will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Starikov moves into range and clinches up with Fisher.

Starikov manages to break the clinch.
Fisher circles away from the clinch attempt.
Starikov tries to clinch up but Fisher circles away and keeps his distance.

Starikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Fisher wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Starikov blocks a body shot from Fisher.
Fisher trying to stall but Starikov improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fisher doesn't manage to clinch there - Starikov circles away.
Starikov scores with a push kick.

Starikov clinches up with Fisher and pushes him back against the cage.
Fisher is trying to break free.

Starikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Starikov misses with a few strikes there.
Fisher swats away the attempt to clinch by Starikov.
Fisher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Starikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Starikov closes the distance and clinches.

Starikov breaks the clinch.
Fisher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Starikov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Starikov throws a jab when Fisher was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starikov tries to clinch but Fisher is having none of it.

Starikov has closed the distance and engaged Fisher in a clinch.

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

Starikov takes the fight into the clinch.
Fisher is trying to break the clinch but Starikov is controlling him.

Starikov manages to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Starikov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fisher.
Starikov darts in trying to clinch
and Fisher counters with a three punch combo that has Starikov backing up. Starikov nods at Fisher to acknowledge the strikes.
Starikov thuds a left hand into Fisher's body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Starikov misses with a head kick.
Fisher changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Starikov tries to avoid it but Fisher manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Starikov to the ground. Starikov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Starikov lands with an overhand left.
Fisher will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Starikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Starikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fisher swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Starikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Starikov tries to clinch but Fisher moves out of range.

Fisher has closed the distance and engaged Starikov in a clinch.

Starikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fisher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Starikov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Starikov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Starikov stuffs the takedown.
Fisher dives in and grabs Starikov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Starikov pushes down on Fisher's head and hops out.
Fisher takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fisher looks for a takedown but Starikov sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Fisher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Starikov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Starikov clinches up with Fisher and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Starikov breaks the clinch.
Fisher blocks a head kick by Starikov.
Fisher misses with a jab, cross combination.

Starikov moves into the clinch successfully.

Starikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Starikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Fisher circles away.

Fisher gets tackled into the cage by Starikov. Starikov maintains the clinch.

Starikov breaks from the clinch.

Starikov moves into range and clinches up with Fisher.

Starikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Starikov lands with a nice combination. Fisher backs away looking to recover.
Starikov tries to clinch up.
A left lands for Starikov.

Starikov gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Starikov breaks the clinch.
Fisher fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Starikov instigates a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Starikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Starikov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Starikov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Starikov avoids the head kick by Fisher.

Starikov closes the distance and clinches.
Fisher wants to break free but Starikov has control.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Starikov stalks Fisher and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Fisher's face. Fisher staggers backwards, shaken.
Fisher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Starikov.
Fisher will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Starikov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Starikov forces Fisher back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Starikov closes the distance and clinches.
Fisher trying to control the position but instead, Starikov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Fisher into the cage.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Starikov walks into a stiff left hand from Fisher.
Fisher misses with a takedown attempt - Starikov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Starikov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Fisher's calf.
Starikov misses with a series of wild punches.
Fisher throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Starikov. Fisher shrugs it off though.
Sloppy strikes from Starikov. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Fisher wants to clinch up but Starikov keeps it at a distance.

Starikov moves into the clinch.

Starikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Starikov misses with the combination.
Fisher scores with a jab.
Starikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fisher swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Fisher closes the distance and pushes Starikov back into the cage.
Starikov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fisher wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Starikov has him pressed against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fisher tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fisher fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sam Fisher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Starikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Anton Starikov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Starikov moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Starikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Starikov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Starikov!
A victorious Anton Starikov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.