PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Laskutkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zymni Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Zymni Li enters the cage!

Laskutkov
vs
Li

198 cm
26
265 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

225 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Viktor Laskutkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zymni Li!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Li gets a clinch.
Li is pressed up against the cage. Laskutkov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Li down to the mat. Li avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Li closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Laskutkov quickly recovers to half guard.
Li thows a huge punch but Laskutkov dodges it nicely.
Li is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Li wants to free his trapped foot but Laskutkov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Li keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Li missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Li trying to mount his opponent but Laskutkov defends it.
Li takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zymni Li.
Laskutkov tries for a takedown but Li circles away easily

and Li counters with a single leg into guard. Laskutkov didn't expect that.
Laskutkov is breathing heavily.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laskutkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Li not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laskutkov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Li must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Laskutkov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Li sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zymni Li.

Li has Laskutkov up against the cage in a clinch.

Li lands a takedown into guard.
Li stays in close to Laskutkov's body and controls the position.
Li passes Laskutkov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Laskutkov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Laskutkov won't allow Li to pass to mount.
Li prevents Laskutkov from improving his position.
Laskutkov trying to control here.
Li seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Laskutkov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Li is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Zymni Li wasn't active enough on the ground.
Laskutkov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Li counters with a nice double leg into side control. Laskutkov won't be happy with that.
Li content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
It looks like Li might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

Li stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Li!
Laskutkov misses with a combination

and Li counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Li.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Li postures up in Laskutkov's guard and throws a big left but Laskutkov blocks it.
Li not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Li pushes down on Laskutkov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Li keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Li stands up out of the half guard.

Li shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Laskutkov's guard.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laskutkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laskutkov is trying to keep Li in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zymni Li dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Li has closed the distance and engaged Laskutkov in a clinch.
Laskutkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Laskutkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Li prevents it.
Li is trying to force a seperation but Laskutkov has the dominant position.
Li is trying to force a seperation but Laskutkov has the dominant position.
Li is trying to push Laskutkov away but Laskutkov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Li has clasped his hands together around Laskutkov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Laskutkov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Li working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Li is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Li stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laskutkov misses with a takedown attempt

and Li counters with a nice double leg into side control. Laskutkov won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viktor Laskutkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
You can see the frustration on Laskutkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Li advances to mount.
Li controlling his opponent.

Li has hold of Laskutkov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Laskutkov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Li sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laskutkov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Li tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Li sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Laskutkov is just holding on here. Li manages to take his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zymni Li has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Li manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Laskutkov on his heels. He'll look to pass Laskutkov's guard now, I'm sure.

Li decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Laskutkov, up you get!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Li.
Li slows the pace down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laskutkov is trying to control Li's posture but Li avoids it.
Laskutkov is trying to escape the position but Li is controlling the position.
You can see the frustration on Laskutkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Li decides to stand back up. Li steps back and let's Laskutkov get back to his feet.

Laskutkov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Laskutkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Li's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zymni Li showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Laskutkov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Viktor Laskutkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laskutkov tries to clinch up

and Li counters with a nice double leg into side control. Laskutkov won't be happy with that.
Li controls the position.

Li is trying to get an arm triangle but Laskutkov is defending well.

Li stands up and beckons Laskutkov to his feet.
A head kick misses from Li.
Laskutkov wants to clinch but Li slips to the side

so Li counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Li stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Laskutkov darts in trying to clinch

and Li counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Laskutkov is trying to control but can't.
Li performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Li decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Laskutkov wants to clinch but Li slips to the side

and Li counters with a single leg into guard. Laskutkov didn't expect that.

Laskutkov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Li defends well.
Li not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li pushing down on Laskutkov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Laskutkov trying to control from the bottom.
Li thows a huge punch but Laskutkov dodges it nicely.
Laskutkov trying to control but Li postures up.
Li stalling.
Li's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Zymni Li has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Zymni Li has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Laskutkov gets tackled into the cage by Li. Li maintains the clinch.
Come on Li - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Laskutkov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Li pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Li tries to break free but Laskutkov pushes him back against the cage.

Li breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Li looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Laskutkov!

Li goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Laskutkov is on top in guard.
Laskutkov trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Laskutkov manages to get himself to full guard.
Laskutkov being controlled here, momentarily.

Laskutkov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Li has passed into half guard!
Li is pressing down on Laskutkov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Laskutkov is holding on for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Li is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Laskutkov defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zymni Li comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Li 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 24:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 24:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zymni Li!