PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Lapshinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lapshinov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Moonlight Sonata. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Li
vs
Lapshinov

180 cm
24
230 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

180 cm
25
265 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, John Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Artem Lapshinov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Lapshinov. Those never looked like landing.
Li throws a hook but Lapshinov avoids it easily.
Lapshinov tries to clinch there but Li circles away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Lapshinov - that will leave a mark!
Li keeps the fight on the outside.
Lapshinov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Li counters with a straight right hand.
Li misses with a hook.

Li gets a double leg takedown into Lapshinov's guard.
Lapshinov working a defensive guard here.

Li got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lapshinov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Li has managed to get both his arms back between Lapshinov's legs - danger averted.
Li trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lapshinov has momentary wrist control but Li slips an elbow through the middle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li trying to control the position from guard on top but Lapshinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Li postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lapshinov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Li.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lapshinov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Li has managed to get both his arms back between Lapshinov's legs - danger averted.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Li accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lapshinov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lapshinov wants to sweep here but Li controlling him for the moment.
Lapshinov is trying to hold Li in close to prevent damage but Li has managed to pass into half guard.
Lapshinov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Li stops Lapshinov from getting back to his feet.
Li is looking to advance position but Lapshinov won't allow it.

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.
Li controlling the action here.
Li sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lapshinov defending well though.
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. Li connects with a nice short shot to Lapshinov's temple.
Lapshinov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Li postures up.
Li wants to pass the guard but Lapshinov is keeping the position.
Li wants to control from the top but Lapshinov keeps moving.
We've been hearing that Li has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lapshinov is trying to keep Li in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Li throws a big right hand that misses.
Li won't allow Lapshinov to sweep him here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lapshinov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lapshinov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Lapshinov clinches up with Li and pushes him back against the cage.
Lapshinov connects with a knee to the head.
Li wants a takedown but no success here.
Li blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lapshinov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lapshinov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Li.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Li is defending well for now.
Li doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Li avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.

Li's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Li looks to land a combination. Lapshinov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Lapshinov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Li misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lapshinov's coach down at VENDETTA Elite Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Lapshinov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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 shoots for a double leg takedown but Lapshinov sprawls well. He's pushed Li's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Li misses with a straight left.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Li shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Li avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but Li is having none of it.
Lapshinov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Li paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Li avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Li keeps the fight on the outside.
Lapshinov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A little feinted left hand from Li on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up but Li circles away and keeps his distance.

Li shoots in and bounces Lapshinov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Li dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fight stays on the outside here - Lapshinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Li closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lapshinov quickly recovers to half guard.
Lapshinov wants to improve his position but Li is controlling well.
Li moves into full mount! Lapshinov won't be happy about that!
Li with the ground and pound from mount.
Li cracks Lapshinov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Li connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Li putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li with the ground and pound from mount.
BOOM! Li connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Li postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Lapshinov looks a forlorn figure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapshinov wants to hold on but Li pushes him away.
Li lands a heavy elbow.
Li connects with a bit shot that sees Lapshinov covering up! More strikes from Li and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Li is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Li!
John Li thanked the fans post fight for their support.