PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kreb Barishkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Lapshinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barishkov comes to the cage accompanied by Seek and Destroy. Lapshinov has chosen Moonlight Sonata as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Barishkov
vs
Lapshinov

190 cm
27
280 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
265 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Tokyo United Fightwear

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kreb Barishkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Artem Lapshinov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barishkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lapshinov.
Lapshinov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
We've been told by Barishkov's head coaches at Elite Dojo [21 Coaches / 55 cap] that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Barishkov misses with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Barishkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Barishkov misses with a straight left.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barishkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barishkov keeps the fight on the outside.

Lapshinov takes the fight into the clinch.
Barishkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barishkov avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Lapshinov lands a good knee to the midsection. Barishkov won't want to take too many of those.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Barishkov.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barishkov.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Barishkov avoids the damage to the body.
Barishkov wants to stall.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barishkov is defending well for now.
Lapshinov lands a nice knee to the body.
Barishkov is breathing heavily.
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!
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barishkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapshinov takes a shot to the head.
Lapshinov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Barishkov avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Barishkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barishkov digs a right hand into Lapshinov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lapshinov's gas tank.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Barishkov avoids the damage to the body.
Barishkov managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Barishkov scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Barishkov.
Lapshinov blocking some punches.
Barishkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lapshinov crunches a lovely knee into Barishkov's ribcage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Barishkov throws a head punch that misses.
Barishkov avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Barishkov misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barishkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barishkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barishkov is looking to control Lapshinov's arms but Lapshinov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Barishkov has his back to the cage.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body.
Lapshinov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barishkov blocks it with crossed arms.
Lapshinov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barishkov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barishkov avoids it.
Barishkov trying to stall but Lapshinov improves his position.
Lapshinov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Barishkov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lapshinov blocking some punches.
Barishkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barishkov.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barishkov avoids it.
Barishkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Barishkov lands with a light punch inside.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Barishkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Barishkov.
Barishkov trying to control the position but instead, Lapshinov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Barishkov into the cage.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Barishkov avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Barishkov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barishkov avoids it.
Barishkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Lapshinov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lapshinov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Barishkov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Barishkov managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barishkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Barishkov is looking to control Lapshinov's arms but Lapshinov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Barishkov has his back to the cage.
Barishkov misses with some punches.
Lapshinov scores with a knee to the head.

Barishkov breaks the clinch.

Lapshinov has managed to clinch.
Barishkov managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov lands a nice knee to the body.
Barishkov managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barishkov is defending well for now.
Lapshinov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lapshinov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barishkov is defending well for now.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body.
Lapshinov lands a good knee to the midsection. Barishkov won't want to take too many of those.
Lapshinov lands a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lapshinov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Barishkov avoids the damage to the body.
Barishkov tries to work over Lapshinov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barishkov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Barishkov can't find room to land a body shot as Lapshinov controls the action.
Lapshinov misses with a knee to the head.
Barishkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Barishkov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Barishkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barishkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barishkov avoids it.
Lapshinov lands a good knee to the midsection. Barishkov won't want to take too many of those.
Lapshinov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Barishkov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barishkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lapshinov.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lapshinov scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but Barishkov blocks it.
Artem Lapshinov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lapshinov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov landing knees to the head.
Lapshinov working Barishkov over with knees to the body.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barishkov is defending well for now.
Barishkov misses with some punches.
Barishkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Barishkov tries a body shot but Lapshinov blocks it.
Lapshinov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Barishkov avoids the damage to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch on the inside from Barishkov fails to land.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barishkov.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barishkov is defending well for now.
Lapshinov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barishkov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Barishkov managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but Barishkov blocks with his arms.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but Barishkov blocks it.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Lapshinov working Barishkov over with knees to the body.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barishkov is defending well for now.
Barishkov trying to stall but Lapshinov improves his position.
Barishkov managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov misses with a knee strike.
Barishkov pushes Lapshinov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Barishkov looking to stall.
Lapshinov has Barishkov pressed against the cage, preventing Barishkov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barishkov avoids it.
Barishkov stalling in the clinch but Lapshinov improves position.
Lapshinov crunches a lovely knee into Barishkov's ribcage.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Barishkov takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Kreb Barishkov has been cut.
Barishkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lapshinov obliges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but Barishkov blocks with his arms.
Lapshinov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Barishkov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lapshinov working Barishkov over with knees to the body.
Lapshinov lands a good knee to the midsection. Barishkov won't want to take too many of those.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Barishkov's face.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lapshinov throws an elbow but misses.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Barishkov avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barishkov avoids it.
Barishkov lands with a light punch inside.
Barishkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barishkov is defending well for now.
Barishkov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Barishkov managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov blocks an uppercut.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barishkov avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barishkov lands a body punch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lapshinov as Barishkov tries to tie him up.
Barishkov misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Lapshinov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kreb Barishkov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lapshinov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barishkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barishkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lapshinov moves in looking to clinch but Barishkov pushes him off.
Decent striking displayed by Barishkov there.

Lapshinov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lapshinov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Barishkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Barishkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Lapshinov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Knees to the body from Lapshinov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lapshinov landing knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lapshinov.
Lapshinov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but Barishkov blocks with his arms.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barishkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Barishkov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Barishkov avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Barishkov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Barishkov slowing the pace effectively.

Barishkov breaks the clinch.
Barishkov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov moves away from the strike by Barishkov.
Barishkov misses with a hook. Lapshinov ducked under it nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Barishkov.
Lapshinov wants to clinch.
Crunch! Lapshinov slams his shin into Barishkov's torso.
Lapshinov is looking to clinch but Barishkov is avoiding it.
Barishkov throws a hook to the side of Lapshinov's head but Lapshinov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kreb Barishkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Artem Lapshinov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov wants to clinch up but Barishkov keeps it at a distance.
Artem Lapshinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barishkov throws a body punch but Lapshinov moves out of range.
Barishkov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lapshinov at a distance.
Lapshinov is looking to clinch.
Lapshinov looks to score with a jab to the body but Barishkov is just out of range.
Lapshinov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lapshinov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lapshinov takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barishkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lapshinov.
Barishkov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Barishkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Lapshinov.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barishkov, as that shot connected.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up but Barishkov circles away and keeps his distance.
Lapshinov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Barishkov counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov tries to close the distance and clinch but Barishkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lapshinov tries to move into range but Barishkov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lapshinov moves out of range of the strikes.
Barishkov keeps the fight on the outside.
Lapshinov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up but Barishkov circles away and keeps his distance.
Lapshinov drops his hands momentarily and Barishkov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Barishkov misses with a looping left.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but Barishkov moves out of range.
Barishkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lapshinov was well out of range. Poor timing from Barishkov.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up.
Barishkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barishkov.
Barishkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Lapshinov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barishkov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov moves in looking to clinch but Barishkov pushes him off.
Barishkov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lapshinov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Lapshinov closes the distance and pushes Barishkov back into the cage.
Barishkov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lapshinov.
Barishkov slowing the pace effectively.
Barishkov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lapshinov.
Barishkov has a couple of punches blocked by Lapshinov.
Barishkov misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barishkov gets through Lapshinov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barishkov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lapshinov or not.
Barishkov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kreb Barishkov.
I think Lapshinov 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Lapshinov!
Our winner, Artem Lapshinov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.