PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stem Cell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergey Panikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Panikov has chosen Fighters as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Cell
vs
Panikov

170 cm
39
141 lbs
38 - 16 - 0

160 cm
32
145 lbs
23 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
M.O. Fight Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stem Cell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sergey Panikov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cell takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Panikov swings for the body but Cell moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Panikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice shot by Panikov.
Panikov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Panikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cell.
Cell tried to counter with a leg kick but Panikov avoided it.
Nice shot lands for Panikov.
Panikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Panikov throws a leg kick

and Cell counters with a single leg into guard. Panikov didn't expect that.
Panikov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Panikov managing to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cell scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cell is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Panikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Panikov keeping moving, preventing Cell from controlling successfully.
Cell cracks Panikov with a solid left hand.
Panikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cell.
Panikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cell trying to control but Panikov is working from the bottom.
Cell throwing strikes from guard but Panikov blocks nicely.
Panikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cell.
Cell trying to control the position from guard on top but Panikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Panikov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Cell counters with a straight right hand.
Cell throws a good cross that connects.
Panikov blocks a jab.
Panikov counters with a body kick.
Panikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice defenses there by Cell.
Panikov misses with a body shot.
Cell appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panikov misses with a jab to the body
and Panikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Panikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice defenses there by Cell.
Panikov takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Cell shoots in and gets a takedown into Panikov's guard.
Cell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Panikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cell.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cell being controlled here momentarily.
Cell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Panikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panikov keeping moving, preventing Cell from controlling successfully.
Cell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cell postures up in Panikov's guard and throws a big left but Panikov blocks it.
Cell is looking to work some ground and pound but Panikov has wrist control.
Cell distracts Panikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cell scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Panikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cell with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice shot lands for Cell.
Panikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Cell connects with a good right hand that stumbles Panikov. Panikov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sergey Panikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Cell.
Sergey Panikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Panikov throws a lazy body kick
letting Cell counter with a right hand.
Panikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Panikov feints and then cracks Cell's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cell down.
Cell shoots in but no luck this time.
Panikov throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Cell counter with a right hand.
Panikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cell just misses with a punch to the body.
Panikov misses with an uppercut. Cell saw that one coming.
Cell blocks a low kick nicely.
Panikov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big right from Panikov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cell misses with a body kick.
Panikov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Panikov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cell connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Panikov scrambles back to his feet.
Panikov throws an off balance right hand
and Cell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Panikov swings for the body but Cell moves out of range.
Panikov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Panikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cell, as that shot connected.
Cell misses with a few strikes there.
Cell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Panikov can do to turn this around?
Panikov looks to land a combination but Cell avoids it well.
Cell stalks Panikov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Panikov's face. Panikov staggers backwards, shaken.
Panikov lands a jab to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A lazy left from Panikov finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Panikov.
A slow jab from Panikov misses its intended target.
It looked like Cell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cell moves out of range of the strikes.
Panikov throws the kick towards the body but Cell avoids it.
Sergey Panikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Cell drives through with a takedown into Panikov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Cell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stem Cell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cell is looking to work some ground and pound but Panikov has wrist control.
Cell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cell stands up over Panikov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cell has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Panikov trying to keep a closed guard but Cell is proving a slippery customer.
Cell lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cell trying to control but Panikov is working from the bottom.
Cell throwing strikes but missing.
Panikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cell wants to control from the top but Panikov keeps moving.
Cell keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Panikov's head.
Cell postures up in Panikov's guard and throws a big left but Panikov blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Panikov keeping moving, preventing Cell from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Panikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cell.
Panikov loads up on a big right hand but Cell slips the punch.

Cell closes the distance and pushes Panikov back into the cage.
Still in the clinch, Cell scores with a nice short uppercut.
Panikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cell tries a body shot but Panikov blocks it.

Panikov manages to break the clinch.
Cell on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Panikov swings for the body but Cell moves out of range.
Cell looks to land a left hand but Panikov moved out of range nicely.
Panikov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stem Cell will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Cell closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Panikov to the mat! Panikov manages to get full guard.
Cell throws a big right hand that misses.
Panikov has control of Cell's left arm, preventing Cell from doing any damage.
Cell works over Panikov with some ground and pound from guard.
Panikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cell.
Cell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cell with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cell throwing strikes from guard but Panikov blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cell throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cell postures up.
Panikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cell makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Panikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cell stays in close to Panikov's body and controls the position.
Cell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cell's jab looks to have found its range, popping Panikov under the eye.
Panikov takes one on the button.
Panikov misses with a looping right.
It looked like Cell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cell slips a jab from Panikov.
As Panikov looks to move away, Cell throws a big counter combo but Panikov just gets out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panikov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Cell on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Cell slips under a jab from Panikov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Panikov. That's going to slow Cell down.
Cell's jab looks to have found its range, popping Panikov under the eye.
Panikov throws a lazy right hand but Cell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cell seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Panikov connects with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Panikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cell fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Panikov fails to land with a series of punches.

Cell shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Panikov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cell throws a strike aimed at the side of Panikov's head but Panikov avoids it well.
Cell throws an elbow but Panikov slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cell is looking to take a break and control but Panikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sloppy strikes there by Cell.
Panikov defending against the ground and pound.
Panikov tries to buck Cell off but Cell is having none of it.
Cell wants to control but Panikov is keeping him busy.
Cell fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Cell scores with a couple of short elbows.
Cell postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Cell tries to score with some ground and pound. Panikov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cell grinds an elbow into Panikov's temple.
Cell creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Cell looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Panikov is avoiding damage well.
The referee asks Cell politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Cell prefers to stall for the moment though.
Panikov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Cell.
Panikov dodges the ground and pound from Cell.
Panikov parries the strikes from Cell easily there. Cell is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Panikov to escape.
Panikov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Panikov seems a little lost for a moment, as Cell dominates the positioning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stem Cell clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Panikov cracks Cell with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Panikov throws a low kick but Cell moves out of range easily.
Panikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cell.
Cell lands a right hook to the body.
Panikov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Cell throws a leg kick but Panikov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Panikov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A jab from Panikov misses.
Cell appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Panikov throws a leg kick but Cell sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Panikov misses with a low kick.
Cell was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cell thuds his right hand into Panikov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Good standup being displayed there by Panikov as he connects with a hook.
Panikov throws a poor cross that misses
letting Cell counter with a right hand.
A jab from Cell does it's job there.
Cell checks a low kick from Panikov.
And Cell counters with a quick kick to the body but Panikov blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cell misses with a looping left.
A big right from Panikov misses.
Cell closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cell moves out of range as Panikov strikes.
Cell connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Panikov throws an overhand right that lands on Cell's shoulder, as Cell tries to avoid the shot.
Panikov throws a hook but Cell avoids it easily.
Cell was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sloppy strikes from Panikov. Those never looked like landing.
Panikov misses the body punch
and Cell counters with a thumping low kick.
Cell pivots, looking for a leg kick but Panikov is out of range and Cell settles back down.
Cell avoids a kick to the body.
Panikov misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cell misses with a body shot.
Panikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Panikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cell counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Panikov throws the kick towards the body but Cell avoids it.
Nice straight punches there by Cell. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cell.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cell works the jab nicely.
Panikov ducks under a wild hook from Cell.
Panikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Cell with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cell lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Panikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Panikov throws a hook to the side of Cell's head but Cell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Panikov takes one on the button.
Cell catches Panikov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Panikov throws a poor cross that misses
and Cell counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cell counters with a straight right hand.
Panikov misses with a straight left.
Panikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cell on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jab from Cell.
Panikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cell.
Panikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cell connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Panikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Cell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cell moves out of range as Panikov strikes.
Cell blocks a jab.
Cell moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Panikov sprawls well. Panikov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cell gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panikov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cell moves in looking to clinch but Panikov pushes him off.
Cell throws the left hand but Panikov avoids the punch easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Panikov misses with an uppercut.
Panikov throws a big shot that misses.
Cell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Some wild striking there from Panikov.
It looked like Cell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cell dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stem Cell had his way with Sergey Panikov in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Panikov lands with a straight right. Cell didn't see that one coming.
Panikov lands a slapping body shot.

Cell manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Panikov on his heels. He'll look to pass Panikov's guard now, I'm sure.
Cell scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cell postures up in Panikov's guard and throws a big left but Panikov blocks it.
Cell postures up in Panikov's guard and throws a big left but Panikov blocks it.
Panikov is trying to control the position but Cell postures up.
Cell trying to control but Panikov is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cell pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Panikov is keeping the position for now.
Cell engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Panikov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cell's calf.
Cell is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Panikov tries to work over Cell's front leg with a kick but Cell checks it.
Panikov stuns Cell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A big left from Panikov misses.
Cell gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Panikov misses with a hook
and Cell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cell rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Panikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Panikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Cell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sergey Panikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cell lands with an overhand left.
Panikov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cell.
Panikov throws a leg kick
and Cell counters with a straight right hand.

Cell closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Panikov did well to prevent Cell getting side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cell working Panikov over with strikes.
Panikov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cell.
Panikov keeping moving, preventing Cell from controlling successfully.
Cell lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cell working some strikes from top position.
Cell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Panikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cell wants to control from the top but Panikov keeps moving.
Cell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Panikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Panikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Stem Cell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four 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.
A head kick by Panikov misses
enabling Cell to counter with a crisp jab.
Panikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Panikov takes one on the button.
Panikov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Panikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A jab from Panikov misses.
Panikov throws a body punch but Cell moves out of range.
Cell is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Cell slips a jab and a cross from Panikov.
Panikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Cell throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Panikov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cell is in Panikov's guard.
Cell with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Cell chips away with some ground and pound.
Cell trying to control but Panikov is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cell's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

And that's the end of the fight!
Stem Cell showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cell, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 50:45
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stem Cell!
Stem Cell is the new featherweight champion!
Stem Cell decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
Sergey Panikov was interviewed post fight and said 'Haha I am shit.sorry'.