PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between KT Delight (ranked 24835 p4p, 3893 weight class) and Pinina Zhikova (ranked 741 p4p, 475 weight class). Pinina Zhikova has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Delight
vs
Zhikova

180 cm
19
215
0 - 4 - 0

180 cm
19
205
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, KT Delight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Pinina Zhikova!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhikova takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Zhikova uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Delight.

Zhikova shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Delight's guard.
Zhikova is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Zhikova forces his way into half guard.
Zhikova slows the pace down in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Delight trying to get back to full guard but Zhikova takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Zhikova working for a submission but Delight is keeping him at bay.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova controlling his opponent.
Let's hope that Zhikova has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Zhikova has control of Delight's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Delight regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Zhikova controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zhikova is working for a guillotine from mount but Delight frees his head quite easily.
Zhikova looking to control and managing it successfully.
Zhikova moves to take his opponent's back.
Delight trying to control the action but Zhikova just sinks the hooks in.
Zhikova has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Delight's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhikova's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zhikova 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.
Zhikova slips nicely into half guard.
Zhikova is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Delight!
Delight keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zhikova controlling from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Zhikova.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhikova has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zhikova takes Delight's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Delight is in trouble.
Zhikova trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Delight doesn't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Delight is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Zhikova controlling the positon.
Our spies down at at Canucks Combat Club inform us that Zhikova has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
More stalling from Zhikova.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhikova with more of the same as he continues to hold on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Delight is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Zhikova is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zhikova is continuing to stall.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pinina Zhikova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zhikova shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Delight as he jumps to the side.
Delight could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Zhikova closes this distance looking for a takedown but Delight circles away.

Zhikova looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Zhikova not doing much here.
Delight is trying to stand back up but Zhikova is controlling him
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhikova controlling the pace.
Zhikova passes the guard and advances to mount!
Zhikova takes Delight's back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova is riding his opponent, not letting Delight buck him off.
The adventures of Zhikova the control monster continue. Boring.

Zhikova patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Zhikova controlling from the back.
Pinina Zhikova has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Delight is trying to stand back up.
Zhikova trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Delight doesn't escape.

Delight won't enjoy being in this position. Zhikova looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Delight is tapping - it's over boys! Zhikova picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Pinina Zhikova!
During a confident post fight interview, Pinina Zhikova thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.