PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Shipilov (ranked 1118 p4p, 2905 weight class) and Nick Tropper (ranked 147 p4p, 363 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Shipilov
vs
Tropper

195 cm
25
195
9 - 4 - 1

182 cm
26
188
9 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

The Stuff
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Sergey Shipilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nick Tropper!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Tropper. Shipilov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shipilov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shipilov misses with an uppercut. Tropper saw that one coming.
Shipilov throws out a leg kick but Tropper moves out of range and Shipilov only half commits.
Shipilov misses with a wild body shot.
Shipilov throws a jab but it's blocked by Tropper.
Tropper fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shipilov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shipilov. Tropper does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big left from Shipilov misses.
A head kick misses from Shipilov.
Shipilov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tropper circles away quickly and effectively.
Tropper throws a right hand that Shipilov ducks under and follows up with a left that Shipilov also avoids with ease.
Tropper throws a body punch but Shipilov moves out of range.
Shipilov moves away from the strike by Tropper.
Shipilov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tropper looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shipilov looks to land a right hand but Tropper moved out of range.
Shipilov misses with a combination

and Tropper counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shipilov is holding Tropper down, trying to stall.
Shipilov is trying to control Tropper's posture but Tropper avoids it.

Tropper thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Shipilov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Shipilov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Tropper is thwarting Shipilov's attempts to control the position.
Tropper keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shipilov is trying to control but can't.
Shipilov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Tropper wants to take a breather but Shipilov is having none of it.
Shipilov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tropper is working away from the top position though.
Shipilov is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Tropper is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shipilov is trying to get back to full guard.

Tropper is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shipilov has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shipilov desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Tropper looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropper trying to control the action but Shipilov is working from the bottom.

Tropper is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shipilov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shipilov is trying to maintain the position but Tropper is very close to passing his half guard.
Shipilov is staying active underneath Tropper, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Tropper is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shipilov is controlling Tropper's trapped leg to prevent Tropper from advancing to side control.
Shipilov is looking to improve his position.

Shipilov actively working from the bottom here.
Tropper prevents Shipilov from improving his position.
Shipilov is trying to control but can't.

Tropper wants to work for an arm triangle but Shipilov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Tropper is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shipilov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tropper.
Shipilov is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nick Tropper will probably get the nod.
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.

Shipilov moves out of range of the strikes.
Shipilov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Tropper moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Tropper misses the target.
Tropper avoids the head kick by Shipilov.
A jab from Tropper misses.
Tropper swinging wildly here.
Tropper lands a body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shipilov. That's going to slow Tropper down.
Shipilov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tropper misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shipilov misses the shot to the body.
Shipilov takes one to the side of the head.
Tropper on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shipilov. Shipilov obviously looking to wear him down.
Sergey Shipilov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tropper closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tropper lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tropper trying to control but Shipilov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tropper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shipilov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Shipilov holds on and takes a little breather.
Tropper wants to pass the guard but Shipilov is keeping the position.
Nick Tropper has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tropper wants to control from the top but Shipilov keeps moving.
Shipilov controls Tropper momentarily but Tropper frees himself.
Tropper wants to control from the top but Shipilov keeps moving.
Tropper is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Shipilov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Tropper stacks Shipilov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Tropper!
Tropper working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tropper in side control lands a decent elbow.

Tropper wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shipilov, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shipilov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tropper wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Tropper is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shipilov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shipilov tries to buck Tropper off but Tropper is having none of it.

Tropper is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shipilov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Shipilov is looking to reverse the position.
Shipilov is working hard here to advance position.
Shipilov isn't going anywhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Shipilov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Shipilov is looking to reverse the position.

Tropper wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shipilov, who protects the arm well.
Tropper looks up at the clock and then as Shipilov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Tropper smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Shipilov looks to move to half guard but instead Tropper has passed into mount! Damn!

Shipilov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Tropper.
Tropper has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tropper moves to the back.
Tropper keeps control of the position as Shipilov tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tropper is working the ground and pound. Can Shipilov escape?
Shipilov biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.
Tropper not allowing Shipilov to control his hands.

Tropper looking for the choke from the back.
Will Tropper go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Tropper might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Shipilov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shipilov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Tropper tries to get the hooks in deep but Shipilov pushed the leg off.
Tropper avoiding Shipilov 's attempts to control his hands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Tropper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A head kick by Shipilov misses

and Tropper counters with a takedown into side control.
Tropper is looking to take a break and control but Shipilov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shipilov struggling a bit here.
Shipilov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tropper looks up at the clock and then as Shipilov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Tropper smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Tropper working away.

Tropper tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tropper has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Shipilov is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shipilov is trying to control Tropper's posture but Tropper avoids it.

Tropper tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Shipilov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shipilov manages to get back to half guard.
Shipilov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tropper trying to control the position from guard on top but Shipilov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shipilov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Shipilov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tropper defends well.
Tropper postures up.
Tropper trying to control the position from guard on top but Shipilov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tropper preventing the sweep.

Shipilov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Shipilov pulls Tropper in close to prevent any damage.
Tropper looking to pass the guard.
Tropper trying to control but Shipilov is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Tropper avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shipilov is trying to keep Tropper in close.
Shipilov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tropper is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shipilov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Shipilov scores with a body shot.
Tropper tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shipilov defends well and Tropper ends up having to push Shipilov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Shipilov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tropper.
Shipilov misses the shot to the body.
Shipilov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tropper.
Sergey Shipilov is winning the standup battle so far.
Shipilov connects with a solid leg kick.
Shipilov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Tropper misses with a takedown attempt
and Shipilov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sergey Shipilov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Tropper.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Shipilov!
Tropper takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tropper dives in and grabs Shipilov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shipilov pushes down on Tropper's head and hops out.
Tropper throws a nice looking combination but Shipilov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shipilov leaves Tropper with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shipilov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tropper throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shipilov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Shipilov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Shipilov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tropper takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Shipilov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shipilov scores with a nice head shot.

Tropper shoots in and bounces Shipilov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tropper is working Shipilov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Shipilov looking to control.
Shipilov pulls Tropper in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergey Shipilov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tropper has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Nick Tropper!
After winning the bout, Nick Tropper thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.