PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Lima (ranked 1096 p4p, 1101 weight class) and Vladimir Plusnin (ranked 135 p4p, 136 weight class). Ricardo Lima had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Lima
vs
Plusnin

187 cm
30
220
9 - 1 - 0

180 cm
30
220
11 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricardo Lima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Plusnin!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Bruno Hogan and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lima shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Plusnin napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Lima tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lima has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lima has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Lima gets to mount! Plusnin was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Lima trying to control but Plusnin is having none of it.
Plusnin wants to hold on but Lima pushes him away.
Plusnin gets back to half guard.

Plusnin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lima pulls his head out easily.

Plusnin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Plusnin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lima pulls his head out easily.
Lima looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lima scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lima thows a huge punch but Plusnin dodges it nicely.
Lima is taking a breather. Plusnin 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.
Plusnin trying to hold on to Lima's head to control him but Lima postures up.
Lima trying to mount his opponent but Plusnin defends it.

Plusnin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lima pulls his head out easily.

Lima wants to work for an arm triangle but Plusnin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lima seems to be working for a kimura but Plusnin defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Plusnin is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plusnin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Plusnin is trying to keep Lima in close.

Plusnin throws his legs up looking for a submission but Lima uses it to pass to side control.
Plusnin regains half guard.
Ground and pound from Lima.
Lima not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Plusnin wants to get back to full guard.
Lima wants to take a breather but Plusnin is having none of it.
Plusnin is trying to get back to full guard.

Plusnin actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lima with the ground and pound but Plusnin uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Plusnin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lima stays in close to Plusnin's body and controls the position.
Lima throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lima connects with a couple of short punches.

Lima got a little sloppy there for a moment and Plusnin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lima has managed to get both his arms back between Plusnin's legs - danger averted.
Lima trying to control but Plusnin is working from the bottom.

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.
Lima working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Plusnin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Plusnin throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Lima escapes and throws Plusnin's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Lima working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Plusnin is trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
An elbow from Lima crashes against the mat.
Plusnin tries to improve position but can't.
Plusnin sneaks back into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Lima dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Plusnin fails with a takedown attempt.

Lima shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Lima lands with a punch from half guard.

Plusnin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Plusnin is refusing to be controlled, as Lima sits in half guard.

Lima is working for a kimura but Plusnin is defending it quite comfortably.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lima is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Plusnin doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lima.

Plusnin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lima pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plusnin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lima.
Plusnin makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Plusnin.
Lima trying to control the position from guard on top but Plusnin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lima is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Lima is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Plusnin can do to turn this around?
Plusnin has momentary wrist control but Lima slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Plusnin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lima gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lima wants to control from the top but Plusnin keeps moving.
Lima sitting in guard here, content to control.
Plusnin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lima is one step ahead there.
Plusnin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lima.
Lima distracts Plusnin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lima is stalling in the full guard.

Plusnin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lima gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Plusnin has his foot on Lima's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lima works his way back into a safe position though.
Lima working some strikes from top position.
Plusnin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lima looking to sit in guard and control but Plusnin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lima had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Plusnin defends it easily.

Lima pushes a forearm under Plusnin's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Plusnin is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ricardo Lima!
An out of breath Ricardo Lima thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.