PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pinina Zhikova (ranked 2800 p4p, 2872 weight class) and Ruben Flijers (ranked 371 p4p, 377 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Zhikova
vs
Flijers

180 cm
22
205
6 - 4 - 0

188 cm
26
200
4 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Hotrod Express MMA and Sports Apparel
High Peak Fightwear

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pinina Zhikova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ruben Flijers!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Zhikova does it's job there.
Zhikova fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zhikova fails with a takedown attempt.
Flijers avoids the body shot from Zhikova.
Zhikova motions for Flijers to come forward. Zhikova throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've been told by Zhikova's head coaches at Doom's Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Flijers sizes up Zhikova with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zhikova loads up on a big right hand but Flijers slips the punch.
Flijers fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Flijers thuds his right hand into Zhikova's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Pinina Zhikova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhikova moves away from the strike by Flijers.
Zhikova looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Flijers is fending him off so far but Zhikova persists. Nope, Flijers circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pinina Zhikova. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zhikova misses with a looping right.
Flijers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhikova manages to avoid it.
Zhikova scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Flijers throws a body shot but no joy.
Zhikova swings for the body but Flijers moves out of range.
Zhikova cracks a nice hook into Flijers's ribs.
Zhikova swings for the body but Flijers moves out of range.
Flijers scores with a nice head shot.
Zhikova tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Flijers defends well and Zhikova ends up having to push Flijers into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Zhikova gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Flijers regains guard.
Flijers looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Flijers can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flijers is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Zhikova is fighting to break Flijers's control of his arms but Flijers is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Flijers looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zhikova tries to free his leg and advance position but Flijers is retaining full guard.
Zhikova is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Zhikova working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Flijers is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zhikova slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Zhikova seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Flijers for as long as he can get away with.
Zhikova continues to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Flijers is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zhikova controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Flijers told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Zhikova pushing down on Flijers's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Flijers is trying to control Zhikova's posture. Zhikova takes advantage of the lull and advances to side control. He also appears to have an arm triangle here! Uh oh, big trouble for Flijers! Zhikova is rotating here... this could be the end... Flijers is out! Zhikova has ended this one emphatically! Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Pinina Zhikova!
After winning the bout, Pinina Zhikova thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.