PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vonatletzin Askiban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ignas Panavas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Askiban
vs
Panavas

175 cm
23
140 lbs
3 - 12 - 0

183 cm
19
164 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vonatletzin Askiban!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ignas Panavas!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askiban shoots in for a double leg but Panavas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Panavas fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Askiban.
Panavas throws a sloppy head kick and Askiban moves out of range easily.
Panavas with a nice cross.

Askiban closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Panavas throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Askiban blocks it with crossed arms.
Askiban throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Panavas blocks it with crossed arms.
Askiban has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Panavas is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Panavas stops a takedown attempt from Askiban.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vonatletzin Askiban. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Askiban has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Panavas is trying to keep an underhook but Askiban manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Panavas pushes Askiban off looking to stand but Askiban dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Askiban is keen to just control but Panavas is a slippery customer.
Panavas is looking to escape.
Panavas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Askiban seems to be working for a kimura but Panavas defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askiban thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Askiban fails with an attempt to clinch.
Askiban gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Panavas lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Askiban backs up against the ropes.
Askiban fails with an attempt to clinch.
Askiban fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Askiban is breathing heavily.

Panavas has closed the distance and engaged Askiban in a clinch.
Panavas blocks an uppercut.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Askiban managing to block the knees to the body from Panavas.

Panavas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Panavas stalks Askiban and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Askiban's face. Askiban staggers backwards, shaken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panavas stuffs the takedown.
Panavas stalks Askiban and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Askiban's face. Askiban staggers backwards, shaken.
Askiban is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Panavas.
Askiban changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Panavas tries to avoid it but Askiban manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Panavas to the ground. Panavas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Panavas looks to land a combination. Askiban sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Panavas lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Panavas misses with a wild combination.

Askiban bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Panavas is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Askiban asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askiban has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Askiban landing punches.
Askiban trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Panavas taking shots to the head.

Askiban looking to secure an arm triangle but Panavas defends it well.

Askiban swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Panavas is now in Askiban's guard. A big mistake from Askiban there, giving up the dominant position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panavas has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Askiban is proving hard to escape from.

Askiban is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Askiban wants to get back to his feet but Panavas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Askiban keeping moving, preventing Panavas from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vonatletzin Askiban will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Askiban wants to clinch but Panavas slips to the side
and Panavas counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Askiban tries to close the distance and clinch but Panavas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Askiban shoots in but no luck this time.
Panavas swats away the attempt to clinch by Askiban.
Ignas Panavas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Askiban darts in trying to clinch
and Panavas counters with a big head kick but Askiban shrugs it off.
Panavas throws a nice head kick!
Panavas throws a nice head kick!
Askiban tries to clinch up.
Panavas tries to bum rush Askiban with a series of wild strikes but Askiban uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Askiban showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Panavas.

Panavas instigates a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Askiban just misses with a elbow thrown towards Panavas's brow.
Askiban pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Panavas tries a knee to the head but Askiban blocks it.
Panavas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Panavas.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Askiban gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Askiban tries to score a body lock takedown but Panavas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Askiban scores with a knee to the head.
Askiban lands an elbow inside that Panavas shrugs off.
Panavas prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vonatletzin Askiban. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Askiban tries to pull guard but Panavas holds him up against the ropes and eventually Askiban drops back down to his feet.
Askiban fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Askiban is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Panavas gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Panavas tries a knee to the head but Askiban blocks it.
Panavas gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Panavas tries a knee to the head but Askiban blocks it.
Panavas gets underhooks to prevent Askiban's takedown attempt.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Panavas.
Panavas lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two 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.
Panavas stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Panavas lands a left hand that snaps the head of Askiban backwards.

Askiban successfully pulls guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Askiban is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Panavas trying to control the position from guard on top but Askiban is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Askiban is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Askiban has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Panavas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Panavas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Askiban has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Panavas has managed to get both his arms back between Askiban's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panavas passes Askiban's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Askiban is looking to improve his position.
Askiban is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Askiban is looking to improve his position.
Askiban tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Panavas is keen to just control but Askiban is a slippery customer.

Askiban looking for a kimura from the bottom but Panavas passes into side control!
Panavas wants to stand but Askiban is controlling his arm.
Askiban can't do much from the bottom here.
Askiban is looking for a sweep.
Askiban struggling a bit here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Panavas throws a right and a left that both miss.
Panavas pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Askiban shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Panavas as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ignas Panavas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice body kick from Panavas.
Askiban tries to clinch up but Panavas circles away and keeps his distance.
Panavas stuffs the takedown attempt from Askiban. Askiban gets slowly back to his feet.
Askiban looks for a takedown but Panavas sprawls well.
Danga de danga de dang - Panavas scores with a four punch combination!
Askiban blocks a head kick by Panavas.
Panavas throws a right hand that Askiban ducks under and follows up with a left that Askiban also avoids with ease.
A right-left combo lands from Panavas.
Askiban tries to close the distance and clinch up but Panavas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Panavas throws a quick inside leg kick.
Panavas moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Panavas chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Panavas lands with a kick to the temple. Askiban shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Panavas clinches up against the ropes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Askiban goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panavas lands a good knee to the midsection. Askiban won't want to take too many of those.
Askiban wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vonatletzin Askiban. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Askiban misses with a punch on the inside.
Panavas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Askiban swings wildly with an uppercut but Panavas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Panavas gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Askiban swings wildly with an uppercut but Panavas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Panavas trying to stall but Askiban improves his position.
Panavas lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Askiban backwards.
Askiban throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Panavas blocks it with crossed arms.
Panavas lands a nice shot to the body.
Panavas creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Askiban's defenses.

Panavas breaks the clinch.
Askiban misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Askiban sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Panavas closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ignas Panavas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two 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.
Panavas lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Panavas throws a nice inside leg kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Panavas.
Panavas lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Askiban clinches but Panavas breaks the clinch
and Panavas counters with a nice low kick that buckles Askiban's knee momentarily.
Askiban takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Panavas is working the combinations to good effect here.
Askiban closes the distance looking to clinch
and Panavas counters with a three punch combo that has Askiban backing up. Askiban nods at Panavas to acknowledge the strikes.
Panavas throws a series of punches but Askiban avoids them all with ease.
Panavas stuffs the takedown.
Panavas lands with a nice combination. Askiban backs away looking to recover.
Panavas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Askiban blocks the body kick.
Panavas leaves Askiban with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Askiban wants to clinch
and Askiban takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panavas works over Askiban's head and body with a nice combination.

Askiban gets a clinch.
Askiban tries to land a knee to the head but Panavas blocks with his arms.
Askiban blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Askiban missing with knees to the body.
Panavas throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Askiban blocks it with crossed arms.
Askiban gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Panavas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Panavas goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Panavas swats away the attempt to clinch by Askiban.
Askiban tries to clinch up but Panavas circles away and keeps his distance.
Panavas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Askiban looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice takedown defense from Panavas. No joy for Askiban on that attempt.
Panavas throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Askiban's head.

That's four 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.

Askiban feints and as Panavas raises his hands in defense, Askiban changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Askiban postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Panavas wants to stand up but Askiban is controlling him.

Askiban is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Askiban accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Panavas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Askiban.
Askiban in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Askiban tries to free his leg and advance position but Panavas is retaining full guard.

Askiban drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Panavas dives on top into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ignas Panavas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Panavas 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ignas Panavas!