PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anatoliy Lapikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randall Cunningham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lapikov comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Hells Bells . Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Lapikov
vs
Cunningham

186 cm
30
220 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

188 cm
32
210 lbs
23 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Modern Wear Apparel

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anatoliy Lapikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Randall Cunningham!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Columbo Gatti and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lapikov slips under a jab.

Lapikov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Lapikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Cunningham is retaining full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Lapikov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Cunningham wants to sweep but no luck.
Lapikov wants to control from the top but Cunningham keeps moving.
Lapikov preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cunningham striking off his back but it's not causing Lapikov any problems.
Lapikov wants to pass the guard but Cunningham is keeping the position.
Lapikov trying to control but Cunningham is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
We've been informed that Cunningham has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Cunningham lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cunningham lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A jab from Cunningham does it's job there.
Cunningham throws a shot from downtown. Lapikov moves away and avoids it.
Cunningham lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lapikov will feel that in the morning.
Randall Cunningham is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lapikov moves out of range as Cunningham strikes.
Lapikov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lapikov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Lapikov needs to keep his hands up - Cunningham had a free shot at his head there.
A big right from Cunningham misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapikov looks to land a combination but Cunningham avoids it well.
Cunningham swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cunningham connects with a leg kick. Lapikov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lapikov blocks a jab.
Cunningham throws a leg kick but Lapikov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lapikov walks into a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A swing and a miss from Lapikov.
Cunningham throws a hook but Lapikov avoids it easily.
Lapikov lands a jab to the head.
Cunningham lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham cracks the inside of Lapikov's front leg.
Cunningham misses with a looping left.
Some bone on bone action there as Lapikov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Lapikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cunningham.

Cunningham moves into the clinch.
Lapikov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Cunningham breaks the clinch.
Cunningham takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Lapikov is rocked!
Cunningham lands hard precision jab right on the jaw that stiffens Lapikov up and sends him tumbling to the mat! The ref grabs Cunningham from behind before he can pounce. Some folks in the crowd didn't like that stoppage, but I saw Lapikov's eyes roll way back in his head, he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Randall Cunningham!
After the fight, Randall Cunningham was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.