PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Pupkoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Lapshinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lapshinov has chosen Moonlight Sonata as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Pupkoff
vs
Lapshinov

185 cm
28
225 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

180 cm
20
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Zombie Nutrition - LOD

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Pupkoff!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artem Lapshinov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pupkoff tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lapshinov is able to avoid easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Lapshinov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Pupkoff swats away the attempt to clinch by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but Pupkoff moves out of range.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Pupkoff counters with a low kick, right behind Lapshinov 's knee.
Lapshinov checks a leg kick.
Lapshinov looks to clinch
and Pupkoff counters with a slapping leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Lapshinov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Pupkoff seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

Pupkoff clinches up with Lapshinov and pushes him back against the cage.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pupkoff avoids it.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lapshinov slips a jab and a cross from Pupkoff.
Lapshinov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pupkoff.

Pupkoff clinches up against the cage.
Pupkoff managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Knees to the body from Lapshinov.
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!
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lapshinov looking to throw knees to the head but Pupkoff is blocking nicely.
Lapshinov has Pupkoff pressed against the cage, preventing Pupkoff from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pupkoff blocks the elbow strike.
Pupkoff is trying to force a seperation but Lapshinov has the dominant position.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Pupkoff blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A frustrated look appears on Pupkoff's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pupkoff avoids the damage to the body.
Knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Pupkoff is breathing heavily.
Pupkoff is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pupkoff has had enough of the clinch but Lapshinov keeps him there for the moment.
Lapshinov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lapshinov with a knee to the head.

It looks like Ivan Pupkoff has been cut.
Pupkoff is trying to break free.
Lapshinov misses with a knee to the head.
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!
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pupkoff avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov prevents Pupkoff from breaking the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lapshinov obliges.
Lapshinov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Lapshinov throws a knee to the head but misses.

Pupkoff manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov moves out of range of the leg kick from Pupkoff.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but Pupkoff moves out of range.
Lapshinov wants to clinch.
Lapshinov tries to close the distance and clinch but Pupkoff swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pupkoff circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lapshinov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lapshinov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pupkoff paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pupkoff swats away the attempt to clinch by Lapshinov.

Lapshinov clinches with his opponent.
Pupkoff tries to break free but Lapshinov pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Pupkoff's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pupkoff has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pupkoff is defending well for now.
Lapshinov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pupkoff blocks an elbow strike from Lapshinov.
A knee to the head by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but Pupkoff blocks it.
Pupkoff is trying to force a seperation but Lapshinov has the dominant position.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lapshinov pushes off an throws an elbow but Pupkoff leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Pupkoff can't break the clinch.
Knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Lapshinov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Lapshinov with a knee to the head.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pupkoff has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pupkoff is trying to break the clinch but Lapshinov is controlling him.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the body.
Lapshinov lands a nice knee to the body.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but Pupkoff blocks it.
Lapshinov misses with a knee to the head.
Pupkoff working hard to break the clinch.
Pupkoff is trying to force a seperation but Lapshinov has the dominant position.
A knee to the head by Lapshinov.

Ivan Pupkoff's cut is getting worse.
Lapshinov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Pupkoff breaks from the clinch.
Pupkoff throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lapshinov avoids the body shot from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff wants to slow Lapshinov down by chopping away at his legs.

Lapshinov clinches up with Pupkoff and pushes him back against the cage.
Pupkoff avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pupkoff avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Lapshinov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Pupkoff's cut.
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.

Pupkoff lands a two punch combo.
Lapshinov throws a low kick but Pupkoff moves out of range easily.

Pupkoff closes the distance and pushes Lapshinov back into the cage.
Lapshinov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pupkoff blocks it with crossed arms.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pupkoff keeps the fight on the outside.

Pupkoff gets a clinch.
A knee to the head by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pupkoff avoids the damage to the body.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch.
Pupkoff misses with a low kick.
Lapshinov drops his hands momentarily and Pupkoff takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Pupkoff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Pupkoff darts in and clinches Lapshinov up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pupkoff tries to circle away but Lapshinov has him pinned against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pupkoff has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pupkoff wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pupkoff is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lapshinov looking to throw knees to the head but Pupkoff is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lapshinov obliges.
Lapshinov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pupkoff takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lapshinov throws an elbow that misses.
Lapshinov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov lands a good knee to the midsection. Pupkoff won't want to take too many of those.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pupkoff on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pupkoff avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Lapshinov prevents Pupkoff from breaking the clinch.
Pupkoff managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Pupkoff can't break the clinch.
Lapshinov has Pupkoff pressed against the cage, preventing Pupkoff from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lapshinov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pupkoff has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lapshinov with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov connects with a knee to the head.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pupkoff avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov crunches a lovely knee into Pupkoff's ribcage.
Pupkoff avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pupkoff is defending well for now.
Pupkoff blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pupkoff keeps the fight on the outside.

Pupkoff has managed to clinch.
Lapshinov misses with an elbow over the top.
Lapshinov misses with a knee strike.
Pupkoff looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pupkoff wants to get back to striking at distance but Lapshinov won't allow it.
Pupkoff has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pupkoff has had enough of the clinch but Lapshinov keeps him there for the moment.
Pupkoff looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov misses with an elbow over the top.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pupkoff has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.

Pupkoff manages to break the clinch.
Pupkoff misses with the combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The fight stays on the outside here - Lapshinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lapshinov moves to clinch but Pupkoff breaks away
and Pupkoff counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ivan Pupkoff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pupkoff throws a right hand that Lapshinov ducks under and follows up with a left that Lapshinov also avoids with ease.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but Pupkoff is having none of it.
Pupkoff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Lapshinov has closed the distance and engaged Pupkoff in a clinch.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Pupkoff avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov throws an elbow but it misses.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Pupkoff manages to break the clinch.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up.
Pupkoff lands a right hook to the body.

Lapshinov clinches with his opponent.
Pupkoff wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lapshinov misses with a knee strike.
Pupkoff tries to break free but Lapshinov pushes him back against the cage.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pupkoff has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Pupkoff looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pupkoff wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A knee to the head by Lapshinov.

Pupkoff breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lapshinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up but Pupkoff circles away and keeps his distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Lapshinov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Pupkoff's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pupkoff is looking to chop away at Lapshinov's legs.
Lapshinov moves to clinch but Pupkoff breaks away
and Pupkoff counters with a good low kick that Lapshinov was not able to check.
Ivan Pupkoff is winning the standup battle so far.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up but Pupkoff circles away and keeps his distance.
Pupkoff throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Pupkoff tries a head kick but it misses.

Pupkoff rushes Lapshinov and presses him up against the cage.
Pupkoff avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Pupkoff can't break the clinch.
Pupkoff tries to circle away but Lapshinov has him pinned against the cage.

Pupkoff breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Pupkoff misses the target.
Pupkoff throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lapshinov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pupkoff throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lapshinov.

Lapshinov gets a clinch.
Pupkoff is looking to break free of the clinch but Lapshinov has double underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pupkoff looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Lapshinov.
Pupkoff wants to break free but Lapshinov has control.
Pupkoff has had enough of the clinch but Lapshinov keeps him there for the moment.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.

Lapshinov drops Pupkoff with a big knee straight up the middle! Pupkoff is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Pupkoff is rocked!

Ivan Pupkoff's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lapshinov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pupkoff swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Lapshinov clinches.
Pupkoff working hard to break the clinch.
Lapshinov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lapshinov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Lapshinov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Pupkoff managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Pupkoff on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but Pupkoff blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pupkoff avoids it.
Pupkoff has had enough of the clinch but Lapshinov keeps him there for the moment.
Lapshinov pushes off an throws an elbow but Pupkoff leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Pupkoff manages to break the clinch.

Pupkoff closes the distance and clinches.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pupkoff avoids it.
Knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov keeps control of Pupkoff as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Pupkoff's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Pupkoff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lapshinov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pupkoff throws a head kick but Lapshinov moves out of range.
Lapshinov wants to clinch
and Pupkoff counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov doesn't manage to clinch there - Pupkoff circles away.
Lapshinov is looking to clinch.
Lapshinov looks to throw the jab but Pupkoff is out of range.
Artem Lapshinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pupkoff forces Lapshinov back against the cage and clinches.
Lapshinov misses with a knee to the head.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the head.
Pupkoff has had enough of the clinch but Lapshinov keeps him there for the moment.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pupkoff avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lapshinov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pupkoff's efforts to push away.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Lapshinov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Pupkoff's brow.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pupkoff looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Pupkoff misses with a wild combination.
A clash of legs there as Lapshinov blocks the low kick.

Pupkoff moves into the clinch.
Pupkoff is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
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!
Pupkoff is trying to push Lapshinov away but Lapshinov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pupkoff takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lapshinov misses with a knee to the head.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pupkoff has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lapshinov misses with a knee strike.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pupkoff is defending well for now.
Pupkoff blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Pupkoff breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up but Pupkoff circles away and keeps his distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov avoids the body shot from Pupkoff.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Lapshinov really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Pupkoff's cut.
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.

Lapshinov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Pupkoff counters with an inside leg kick.
Lapshinov throws a head kick that misses.
Pupkoff throws a series of punches but Lapshinov moves out of range.
Pupkoff misses with a low kick.
Pupkoff keeps the fight on the outside.
Pupkoff throws a big shot that misses.
Pupkoff throws a sloppy head kick and Lapshinov moves out of range easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lapshinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lapshinov tries to clinch there but Pupkoff circles away.
Lapshinov tries to clinch there but Pupkoff circles away.

Pupkoff gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pupkoff tries to break free but Lapshinov pushes him back against the cage.
Lapshinov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pupkoff has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lapshinov has Pupkoff pressed against the cage, preventing Pupkoff from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lapshinov has Pupkoff pressed against the cage, preventing Pupkoff from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lapshinov keeps control of Pupkoff as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pupkoff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lapshinov moves in looking to clinch but Pupkoff pushes him off.
Pupkoff circles away from the clinch attempt.

Pupkoff clinches up with Lapshinov and pushes him back against the cage.
Pupkoff working hard to break the clinch.
Artem Lapshinov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Pupkoff avoids a wild elbow strike from Lapshinov.
Pupkoff is trying to break free.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pupkoff tries to circle away but Lapshinov has him pinned against the cage.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lapshinov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Lapshinov keeps control of Pupkoff as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lapshinov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch.
Lapshinov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Pupkoff darts in and clinches Lapshinov up against the cage.
Pupkoff tries to circle away but Lapshinov has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pupkoff is defending well for now.
Pupkoff wants to break free but Lapshinov has control.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pupkoff avoids it.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pupkoff avoids it.
Pupkoff wants to get back to striking at distance but Lapshinov won't allow it.
Pupkoff wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lapshinov tries to clinch up.
Pupkoff scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but Pupkoff moves out of range.
Pupkoff avoids the head kick by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov doesn't manage to clinch there - Pupkoff circles away.
Pupkoff misses with a double jab.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Pupkoff fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lapshinov, pushing him back against the cage.
Pupkoff has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lapshinov scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov scores with a knee to the head.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lapshinov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lapshinov has Pupkoff pressed against the cage, preventing Pupkoff from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pupkoff on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Pupkoff on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pupkoff is looking to break free of the clinch but Lapshinov has double underhooks.
Pupkoff wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lapshinov keeps control of Pupkoff as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lapshinov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Pupkoff lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lapshinov misses with a knee to the head.
Pupkoff wants to get back to striking at distance but Lapshinov won't allow it.
Pupkoff on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov scores with a knee to the head.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff is looking to break free of the clinch but Lapshinov has double underhooks.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pupkoff avoids it.
Pupkoff managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Pupkoff is looking to break free of the clinch but Lapshinov has double underhooks.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff is trying to break free.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch.

Lapshinov gets a clinch.
Lapshinov throws an elbow but it misses.
Pupkoff is trying to push Lapshinov away but Lapshinov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Pupkoff managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Pupkoff can't break the clinch.
Pupkoff is looking to break free of the clinch but Lapshinov has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Artem Lapshinov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ivan Pupkoff's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Pupkoff throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lapshinov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Pupkoff steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Lapshinov. That one must have hurt.

Pupkoff gets a clinch.
Pupkoff takes a knee to the side of the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lapshinov drops Pupkoff with a big knee straight up the middle! Pupkoff is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
Oh Pupkoff is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lapshinov throws a right and a left that Pupkoff avoids nicely.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but Pupkoff is having none of it.
Pupkoff seems to have got his legs back now.
Lapshinov is looking to clinch but Pupkoff is avoiding it.

Pupkoff rushes Lapshinov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch.
Lapshinov lands with a kick to the temple. Pupkoff shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lapshinov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Pupkoff takes the fight into the clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Lapshinov pushes off an throws an elbow but Pupkoff leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Lapshinov scores with a knee to the head.

Jeez, Ivan Pupkoff's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pupkoff is trying to break free.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pupkoff avoids it.
Pupkoff wants to break free but Lapshinov has control.
Lapshinov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pupkoff's efforts to push away.
Pupkoff blocks the elbow strike.

Pupkoff's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pupkoff scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Lapshinov moves in looking to clinch but Pupkoff pushes him off.
Lapshinov feints and then cracks Pupkoff's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Pupkoff down.
Lapshinov tries to close the distance and clinch but Pupkoff swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pupkoff misses with a low kick as Lapshinov jumps back.
Lapshinov wants to clinch.
Lapshinov throws a head kick but Pupkoff moves out of range.
Lapshinov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Artem Lapshinov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pupkoff fails to land with a series of punches.
Lapshinov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pupkoff.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lapshinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Lapshinov has managed to clinch.
Well,Pupkoff is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Pupkoff wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pupkoff wants to break free but Lapshinov has control.
Pupkoff looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pupkoff is trying to break free.

Lapshinov drops Pupkoff with a big knee straight up the middle! Pupkoff is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Ivan Pupkoff's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Artem Lapshinov!
Artem Lapshinov is the new heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Artem Lapshinov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.