PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between AJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Sikorsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Penn
vs
Sikorsky

180 cm
19
204 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
20
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, AJ Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Sikorsky!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sikorsky lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Penn circles away quickly and effectively.
Penn fails to land with a series of punches.
Penn throws a series of punches but Sikorsky avoids them all with ease.
Penn connects with a looping right hand.
Penn scores with a hook to the body. Sikorsky takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Penn misses with a wild combination.
Sikorsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Penn tries to sprawl out of it but Sikorsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Penn manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Penn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Penn lands a head shot.
Penn ducks under a wild hook from Sikorsky.
Penn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Penn throws a nice looking combination but Sikorsky bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Sikorsky has taken the fight to the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Penn is looking to break free of the clinch but Sikorsky has double underhooks.
Penn has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Sikorsky breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sikorsky tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sikorsky slips a jab and a cross from Penn.
Sikorsky shoots in and drives through. Penn sprawls well.
Penn uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sikorsky shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Penn defends it nicely.
AJ Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Sikorsky.
Sikorsky tries to clinch but Penn is having none of it.
Sikorsky takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sikorsky.
Penn digs a good hook to Sikorsky's body.
Penn throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sikorsky doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Penn swinging wildly here.
No joy there for Penn, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn misses with a two punch combination.
Sikorsky's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Penn connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sikorsky scrambles back to his feet.
Nice cross by Penn.
Sikorsky takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sikorsky walks into a straight right hand from Penn.
Sikorsky on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Penn throws a nice looking combination but Sikorsky bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A nice combination there by Penn.
Penn connects with a body shot that sends Sikorsky's belly button to the back.
Sikorsky is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Penn.
Penn scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Danga de danga de dang - Penn scores with a four punch combination!
Penn lands a slapping body shot.
Penn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Penn connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Penn lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
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!
Penn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sikorsky moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Sikorsky misses
and Penn counters with a nice uppercut.
Penn fails to land with a series of punches.
Sikorsky throws a sloppy head kick and Penn moves out of range easily.
Penn lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sikorsky fails with the takedown
and Penn counters with a stiff right hand.
Sikorsky moves in looking to clinch but Penn pushes him off.
Danga de danga de dang - Penn scores with a four punch combination!
Sikorsky is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Penn.
Penn avoids the head kick by Sikorsky.
Penn throws a nice looking combination but Sikorsky bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sikorsky shoots for a takedown but Penn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
AJ Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Penn will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Penn scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
AJ Penn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sikorsky drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Penn misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn swinging wildly here.
Penn swats away the attempt to clinch by Sikorsky.
Sikorsky is trying desperately to land a takedown but Penn is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Sikorsky.
Sikorsky tries to land a front kick but Penn steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sikorsky shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Penn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Penn misses with a two punch combination.
Penn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sikorsky circles away quickly and effectively.
A nice combination there by Penn.
Sikorsky tries for a takedown but Penn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Penn is working the combinations to good effect here.
Penn throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sikorsky decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Penn's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Penn has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Penn wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AJ Penn dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Penn throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sikorsky.
Sikorsky with a poor takedown
and Penn counters with a left and a right that stings Sikorsky.
Sikorsky shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Penn but Penn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sikorsky fails with the takedown
and Penn makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
AJ Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Sikorsky.
Sikorsky has his takedown stuffed
and Penn counters with a one-two to the body.
A left and a right from Penn both land. Nice combination.
A jab from Penn does it's job there.
Penn pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sikorsky back to the cage. Penn follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Penn scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Penn throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Penn lands with a nice combination. Sikorsky backs away looking to recover.
Sikorsky has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sikorsky thows a body shot but no joy.
Sikorsky looks to clinch
letting Penn counter with a right hand.
Sikorsky shoots and misses
and Penn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Penn misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sikorsky is breathing heavily.
Penn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sikorsky misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sikorsky shoots and misses
and Penn counters with a series of strikes. Sikorsky will be more careful next time no doubt.
Penn cracks Sikorsky with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Penn misses with a wild combination.
Sloppy strikes from Penn. Those never looked like landing.
Penn lands a body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Penn, as that shot connected.
Penn closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Penn lands with a good body shot.
AJ Penn is winning the standup battle so far.
Sikorsky slips a jab and a cross from Penn.
Penn takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A punch combination from Penn misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn throws a right hand that Sikorsky ducks under and follows up with a left that Sikorsky also avoids with ease.
Sikorsky will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Penn displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Penn leaves Sikorsky with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sikorsky shoots in and drives through. Penn sprawls well.
Penn connects with a body shot.
Penn will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Penn throws a right hand that Sikorsky ducks under and follows up with a left that Sikorsky also avoids with ease.

Sikorsky shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sikorsky is keen to just control but Penn is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn tries to get to full guard but Sikorsky has control of the leg.
Penn is not content to let Sikorsky control the position.
Penn wants to improve his position but Sikorsky is controlling well.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Penn is working hard here to advance position.
Sikorsky is keen to just control but Penn is a slippery customer.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Igor Sikorsky.
Sikorsky tries to move into range but Penn moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Penn throws a nice looking combination but Sikorsky bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Penn lands with a good body shot.
Penn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sikorsky moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Penn throws a series of punches but Sikorsky moves out of range.
Penn bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sikorsky's head backwards.
A head kick misses from Sikorsky.
Sikorsky throws a sloppy head kick and Penn moves out of range easily.
Sikorsky dodges the punch combination from Penn.
Penn throws a right and a left that Sikorsky avoids nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sikorsky tries a head kick but it misses.
Some wild striking there from Penn.
AJ Penn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Penn ducks under a wild hook from Sikorsky.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AJ Penn dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Penn throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sikorsky counters with a nice uppercut.
Sikorsky misses with a head kick.
Sikorsky has his takedown stuffed
and Penn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Penn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sikorsky tries for a takedown but Penn circles away easily
and Penn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sikorsky takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Penn scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Penn scores with a one two! Sikorsky had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Penn connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice cross by Penn.
Sikorsky tries to clinch there but Penn circles away.
Penn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sikorsky moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sikorsky shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Penn counters with a lovely straight right hand!
AJ Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Sikorsky.
Sikorsky takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn lands a body shot.
Penn throws a nice looking combination but Sikorsky bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Penn dodges the punch combination from Sikorsky.
Penn scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Penn misses with a two punch combination.
Penn closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Penn throws a right and a left that Sikorsky avoids nicely.
Sikorsky changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Penn tries to avoid it but Sikorsky manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Penn to the ground. Penn escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Penn lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sikorsky backs up against the cage.
Penn bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sikorsky's head.
Sikorsky fails with the takedown
and Penn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Penn throws a series of punches but Sikorsky avoids them all with ease.
Penn tries to bum rush Sikorsky with a series of wild strikes but Sikorsky uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Penn connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sikorsky. Sikorsky circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sikorsky takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Penn throws a right and a left that both miss.
Penn jabs Sikorsky right on the nose. Sikorsky blinks but takes it well.
Sikorsky slips a jab and a cross from Penn.
Penn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice shot lands for Penn.
Penn scores with a jab to the body.
Sikorsky tries for a takedown but Penn circles away easily
and Penn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sikorsky shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Penn as he jumps to the side.
Penn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sikorsky has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Penn throws a series of punches but Sikorsky avoids them all with ease.
Sikorsky shoots in for a double leg but Penn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn throws a one two combo.
A punch lands to the side of Sikorsky 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Penn misses with a two punch combination.
Penn works over Sikorsky's head and body with a nice combination.
AJ Penn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Penn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Penn moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Penn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Penn lands with a right hand.
A combination from Penn does no damage.
Sloppy strikes from Penn. Those never looked like landing.
Sloppy strikes from Penn. Those never looked like landing.
Penn listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Penn's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Penn duly obliges.
Some wild striking there from Penn.
Penn swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Penn. Those never looked like landing.
Sikorsky misses with a wild body shot.
Penn throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sikorsky holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sikorsky is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sikorsky misses with a punch to the body.
Sikorsky drops down looking for an ankle pick but Penn pulls his leg out and moves away.
Penn scores with a hook.
Penn misses with a series of wild punches.
Igor Sikorsky has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Penn throws a one two combo.

And that's the end of the fight!
AJ Penn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Penn, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AJ Penn!