PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Henrik Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitriy Bashkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dmitriy Bashkin is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Larsson
vs
Bashkin

200 cm
18
230 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
250 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Berserker shop

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Henrik Larsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dmitriy Bashkin!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bashkin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Larsson won't allow Bashkin to pass to mount.

Bashkin is working for a kimura but Larsson is defending it quite comfortably.
Larsson trying to control but Bashkin postures up.

Bashkin seems to be looking for submissions.

Bashkin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Larsson moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashkin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Larsson is trying to keep Bashkin in close.

Bashkin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bashkin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Bashkin 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.
Bashkin looks gassed!

Bashkin drops back looking for a leg! Larsson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Larsson manages to kick Bashkin off! Bashkin jumps back into Larsson's guard.

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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bashkin wants to control from the top but Larsson keeps moving.

Larsson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bashkin defends it easily.

Bashkin drops back looking for a leg! Larsson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Larsson manages to kick Bashkin off! Bashkin jumps back into Larsson's guard.

Bashkin 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashkin trying to control the position from guard on top but Larsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Larsson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bashkin is stalling in the full guard.

Bashkin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bashkin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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.
Bashkin won't allow Larsson to sweep him here.
Larsson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bashkin trying to control but Larsson is working from the bottom.
Bashkin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Larsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bashkin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Let's hope that Bashkin has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Dmitriy Bashkin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Bashkin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bashkin throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Larsson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bashkin is in Larsson's guard.
Bashkin postures up.

Bashkin is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Larsson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Larsson has escaped and now he's on top!
Larsson stands up over Bashkin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Bashkin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bashkin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bashkin working for submissions but it's allowed Larsson to get to half guard.
Larsson moves into full mount! Bashkin won't be happy about that!
Bashkin is desperately trying to improve his position but Larsson has a good base and remains in mount.
Larsson raining down hammerfists from mount.

Larsson has hold of Bashkin's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Bashkin manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Larsson tries to control but Bashkin wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashkin is desperately trying to improve his position but Larsson has a good base and remains in mount.
Larsson wants to control the action but instead Bashkin gets a body lock and reverses into Larsson's guard! Nice work!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bashkin drops back looking for a leg! Larsson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Larsson manages to kick Bashkin off! Bashkin jumps back into Larsson's guard.
Bashkin trying to control but Larsson is working from the bottom.

Bashkin is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Larsson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Larsson has escaped and now he's on top!

Larsson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Bashkin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Larsson looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Henrik Larsson 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. This is the final round!

Larsson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bashkin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Larsson won't be happy with that.

Bashkin tries for a kimura but Larsson is defending well.

Bashkin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bashkin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Bashkin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bashkin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Larsson is looking to reverse the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bashkin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Larsson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Bashkin actively working from the bottom here.
Larsson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Larsson is looking for a kimura here.
Bashkin is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Larsson is trying to control. Bashkin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Bashkin actively working from the bottom here.
Larsson wants to free his trapped foot but Bashkin is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Larsson moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Bashkin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsson advances to mount.
Bashkin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bashkin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Larsson tries to control but Bashkin wriggling away.
Bashkin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Bashkin is looking for a sweep. Larsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Larsson is looking to take a break and control but Bashkin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Larsson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitriy Bashkin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bashkin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitriy Bashkin!