PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Schiknsi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reino Lapikas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Schiknsi
vs
Lapikas

189 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Schiknsi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Reino Lapikas!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Schiknsi clinches up against the cage.
Schiknsi prevents Lapikas from breaking the clinch.
Schiknsi prevents Lapikas from breaking the clinch.
Lapikas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lapikas tries to break the clinch but Schiknsi is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Lapikas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lapikas wants to break free but Schiknsi has control.
Schiknsi jumps guard but Lapikas stands there with Schiknsi around his waist. Schiknsi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Schiknsi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lapikas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Schiknsi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lapikas's elbow.
Lapikas tries to break the clinch but Schiknsi is controlling the position.

Lapikas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch combination from Lapikas misses.
Schiknsi moves in looking to clinch but Lapikas pushes him off.
Lapikas throws a right hand that Schiknsi ducks under and follows up with a left that Schiknsi also avoids with ease.
Schiknsi ducks under a wild hook from Lapikas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schiknsi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Schiknsi shoots in and drives through. Lapikas sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Igor Schiknsi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lapikas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Schiknsi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lapikas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Schiknsi manages to avoid it.
Lapikas misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Lapikas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapikas looks to score with a jab to the body but Schiknsi is just out of range.

Schiknsi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lapikas, pushing him back against the cage.
Schiknsi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lapikas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Schiknsi pulls guard.
Schiknsi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Schiknsi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lapikas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Schiknsi throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Schiknsi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lapikas wants to stand but Schiknsi is controlling his posture from full guard.

Schiknsi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lapikas cracks Schiknsi with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapikas wanted to stand there but Schiknsi had control of the position.
Lapikas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schiknsi is keeping the position for now.

Lapikas 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.
Lapikas looks gassed!
Lapikas postures up.
Schiknsi is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Schiknsi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lapikas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lapikas misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schiknsi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A punch combination from Lapikas misses.
Lapikas lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Good shot there by Lapikas.
Lapikas throws a looping overhand right but Schiknsi ducks down to avoid it.

Schiknsi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Schiknsi keeps control of Lapikas as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lapikas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lapikas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Schiknsi tries to stall but Lapikas uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Schiknsi prevents Lapikas from breaking the clinch.
Schiknsi is working for takedown but Lapikas is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lapikas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lapikas stops a takedown attempt from Schiknsi.
Lapikas tries to break the clinch but Schiknsi is controlling the position.
Schiknsi keeps control of Lapikas as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Schiknsi wants a takedown but no success here.
Lapikas wants to get back to striking at distance but Schiknsi won't allow it.
Lapikas has had enough of the clinch but Schiknsi keeps him there for the moment.

Schiknsi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Schiknsi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schiknsi is controlling Lapikas's posture.
Schiknsi controls Lapikas momentarily but Lapikas frees himself.
Schiknsi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lapikas is one step ahead there.
Schiknsi controlling Lapikas's posture.
Schiknsi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lapikas's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schiknsi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Schiknsi trying to control the position from guard on top but Lapikas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Reino Lapikas will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Schiknsi takes the fight into the clinch.
Lapikas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lapikas is looking to break free of the clinch but Schiknsi has double underhooks.

Schiknsi tightens his grip and picks Lapikas up, before dumping him to the ground. Lapikas manages to land in guard.
Schiknsi wants to control from the top but Lapikas keeps moving.
Schiknsi stopping the sweep attempt from Lapikas.
Lapikas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Schiknsi trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lapikas is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lapikas is breathing heavily.
Lapikas tries to stand but can't do so whilst Schiknsi controls his leg.
Schiknsi is trying to maintain the position but Lapikas is very close to passing his half guard.
Lapikas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lapikas connects with a nice short shot to Schiknsi's temple.
Lapikas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lapikas wants to stand up but Schiknsi is controlling the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lapikas misses with a straight left.
Lapikas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Schiknsi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Schiknsi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lapikas, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Schiknsi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lapikas uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lapikas looking to pass the guard.

Schiknsi is looking for a triangle but Lapikas pushes his legs off easily.
Schiknsi is trying to control the position but Lapikas postures up.

Lapikas postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Schiknsi is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lapikas, into his guard.

Lapikas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Schiknsi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Schiknsi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lapikas is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schiknsi can't keep his opponent in guard - Lapikas advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Lapikas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lapikas throwing shots but Schiknsi is blocking nicely.
Lapikas wants to free his trapped foot but Schiknsi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Schiknsi is in trouble now - Lapikas has advanced to mount!
Lapikas pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Schiknsi is looking to improve his position but Lapikas isn't that keen on the idea.
Lapikas landing shots from mount.
Lapikas sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Lapikas is working for a guillotine from mount but Schiknsi frees his head quite easily.
Schiknsi wants to control but Lapikas is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schiknsi regains half guard.
Lapikas passes the guard and advances to mount!
Schiknsi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lapikas punching from mount but Schiknsi doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Schiknsi controls the position.
Schiknsi is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Reino Lapikas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Schiknsi.
Lapikas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Schiknsi manages to avoid it.
Schiknsi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lapikas.
Reino Lapikas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A swing and a miss from Lapikas.
Lapikas throws a hook to the side of Schiknsi's head but Schiknsi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Schiknsi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lapikas.
Schiknsi shoots for a double leg takedown but Lapikas sprawls well. He's pushed Schiknsi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Schiknsi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lapikas.
A jab from Lapikas misses.
Lapikas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Schiknsi moves away.
Schiknsi wants to clinch.
Lapikas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Lapikas. No joy for Schiknsi on that attempt.
Lapikas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Schiknsi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lapikas tries to keep at a distance but Schiknsi has taken the fight into the clinch.

Lapikas breaks the clinch.
Igor Schiknsi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lapikas throws a series of punches but Schiknsi moves out of range.
Schiknsi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lapikas.
Lapikas just misses with a punch to the body.

Schiknsi pushes Lapikas up against the cage in a clinch.

Lapikas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schiknsi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lapikas throws a looping overhand right but Schiknsi ducks down to avoid it.

Schiknsi moves into the clinch.

Schiknsi successfully pulls guard.

Lapikas drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lapikas jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Schiknsi is trying to keep Lapikas in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schiknsi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Schiknsi has control of Lapikas's left arm, preventing Lapikas from doing any damage.

Schiknsi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lapikas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Schiknsi trying to keep a closed guard but Lapikas is proving a slippery customer.
Lapikas with a nice head shot there.
Schiknsi has Lapikas pulled in close to control his posture.

Schiknsi is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Lapikas frees his head nicely. Oh but Schiknsi has switched to an armbar! Lapikas is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Igor Schiknsi!