PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Reco Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kanishka Lijikiszcz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reco Penn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Penn
vs
Lijikiszcz

172 cm
22
146 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

150 cm
22
135 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Reco Penn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kanishka Lijikiszcz!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Darius Henderson and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lijikiszcz misses with a takedown attempt - Penn sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Penn has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Rabid Dog in the buildup to the fight.
Lijikiszcz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Penn counters with a stiff right hand.
Lijikiszcz shoots for a takedown but Penn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Penn appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.
Penn scores with a push kick.
Penn thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lijikiszcz if he has to take too many more of those.
Penn lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lijikiszcz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Penn's waist but Penn gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lijikiszcz off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penn misses with a lunging right hand
and Lijikiszcz counters with a nice body shot.
Lijikiszcz misses with a right hand
and Penn counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Penn is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Lijikiszcz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Penn paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Penn lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lijikiszcz will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn is looking to slow Lijikiszcz down with leg kicks.
Penn lands a nice looking body shot.
Penn connects with a crisp jab.
Lijikiszcz scores with a jab to the jaw.
Reco Penn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lijikiszcz shoots in but Penn avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Penn swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz throws a lazy uppercut
and Penn counters with a nice leg kick.
Penn keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

It looks like Kanishka Lijikiszcz has been cut.
Penn misses with a right hand

and Lijikiszcz decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Penn's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Penn pulls Lijikiszcz in close to his closed guard and prevents Lijikiszcz from doing any damage or advancing position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Lijikiszcz working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Lijikiszcz tries to free his leg and advance position but Penn is retaining full guard.
Penn is pulling down on Lijikiszcz's head to control his posture.
Lijikiszcz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lijikiszcz trying to control but Penn is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz stopping the sweep attempt from Penn.
Lijikiszcz with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Penn wants to hit a switch here but Lijikiszcz passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Penn there!
Penn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Penn is squirming around, avoiding Lijikiszcz's attempts to control the action.
Penn wants to control but Lijikiszcz is having none of it.
Lijikiszcz trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn is desperately trying to improve his position but Lijikiszcz has a good base and remains in mount.
Lijikiszcz controlling his opponent.
Penn is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Lijikiszcz with a couple of short strikes.
Lijikiszcz looking to control but Penn is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lijikiszcz throws some wild stikes that Penn manages to avoid easily.
Lijikiszcz lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Penn slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Lijikiszcz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lijikiszcz throwing shots but Penn is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reco Penn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kanishka Lijikiszcz's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Penn lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lijikiszcz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Penn defends it nicely.
Lijikiszcz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Penn to counter with a crisp jab.
Lijikiszcz walks into a stiff left hand from Penn.
Penn throws a lazy right hand but Lijikiszcz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Lijikiszcz.
Penn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lijikiszcz can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penn thumps Lijikiszcz with a low kick.
Reco Penn is winning the standup battle so far.
Penn misses with a low kick.
Lijikiszcz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Lijikiszcz scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Penn wants it to stay on the feet.
A little feinted left hand from Penn on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lijikiszcz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Penn but Penn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.

Lijikiszcz drives through with a takedown into guard.
Penn wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Penn continues to stall.
Lijikiszcz prevents Penn from getting back to his feet.
Penn has his hands on Lijikiszcz's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Penn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lijikiszcz throwing strikes but missing.
Penn has control of Lijikiszcz's left arm, preventing Lijikiszcz from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Penn keeps the fight on the outside.
Some bone on bone action there as Lijikiszcz checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Lijikiszcz darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Penn is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn is looking to escape.
Lijikiszcz thows a huge punch but Penn dodges it nicely.
Penn trying to hold on to Lijikiszcz's head to control him but Lijikiszcz postures up.
Lijikiszcz thows a huge punch but Penn dodges it nicely.
Lijikiszcz wants to free his trapped foot but Penn is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Penn trying to control here.
Penn keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Lijikiszcz prevents Penn from improving his position.

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.
Penn works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Penn wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Lijikiszcz throwing strikes from guard but Penn blocks nicely.
Penn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lijikiszcz throws a strike but Penn rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Lijikiszcz trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Penn stays in close to Lijikiszcz's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reco Penn dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kanishka Lijikiszcz's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lijikiszcz throws a lazy body kick
and Penn counters with an outside leg kick.
Penn scores with the left hand. Lijikiszcz knows he should have avoided that one.
Reco Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A shot to the liver by Penn. Beautiful body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Penn as Lijikiszcz shoots in.
Lijikiszcz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Penn as he avoids it easily.
Lijikiszcz lands a right hook to the body.
Lijikiszcz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Penn sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A counter left hand to the body from Penn misses its target.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.
Nice uppercut lands for Penn. That snapped Lijikiszcz's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penn misses with a looping left.
It seemed like Lijikiszcz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Penn lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A nice leg kick lands there from Penn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn slips under a jab from Lijikiszcz.
Penn cracks Lijikiszcz with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Penn connects with an inside leg kick.
A lazy left from Penn finds it's target.
Lijikiszcz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Penn scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lijikiszcz throws a leg kick but Penn sees it coming and moves out of range.
Penn fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Lijikiszcz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn connects with a solid leg kick.
Lijikiszcz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Penn throws a looping overhand right but Lijikiszcz ducks down to avoid it.
Lijikiszcz takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And Lijikiszcz tries to counter it with a takedown but Penn pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Penn throws a looping overhand right but Lijikiszcz ducks down to avoid it.
Lijikiszcz tries for a takedown but Penn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lijikiszcz scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Penn tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Lijikiszcz presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Lijikiszcz throwing strikes but Penn bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Penn is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz can't keep his opponent in guard - Penn advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Penn slows the pace down in half guard.
Lijikiszcz is looking for a sweep. Penn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Penn seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Penn wants to stand but Lijikiszcz has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Penn will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Penn keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Lijikiszcz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Penn pulls his head out easily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Lijikiszcz is trying to get back to full guard.
Penn is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reco Penn clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Kanishka Lijikiszcz's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lijikiszcz slips a jab from Penn.
Lijikiszcz shoots for a double leg takedown but Penn sprawls well. He's pushed Lijikiszcz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lijikiszcz fails with a takedown attempt.
Penn throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Lijikiszcz takes one to the chin there.
Penn misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lijikiszcz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Penn defends it nicely.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Penn counters with a stiff right hand.
Penn misses with a hook. Lijikiszcz ducked under it nicely.
Lijikiszcz on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Penn is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Penn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Penn wants it to stay on the feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Penn enables Lijikiszcz to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Penn manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Penn has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Lijikiszcz won't allow Penn to sweep him here.
Lijikiszcz is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Lijikiszcz throwing strikes from guard but Penn blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Penn holds on and takes a little breather.
Lijikiszcz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lijikiszcz trying to control the position from guard on top but Penn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lijikiszcz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lijikiszcz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Penn listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lijikiszcz's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Penn misses with a wild body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lijikiszcz shoots and misses
and Penn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Penn stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Penn to counter with a crisp jab.
Lijikiszcz is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Lijikiszcz moves out of range as Penn strikes.
Lijikiszcz wants to counter with a clinch but Penn pushes him away.
Penn lands with a hook. Lijikiszcz tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lijikiszcz moves out of range as Penn strikes.
Lijikiszcz shoots in looking for a takedown but Penn manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lijikiszcz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Penn stuffs the takedown attempt from Lijikiszcz. Lijikiszcz gets slowly back to his feet.
Penn scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lijikiszcz avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Penn wants it to stay on the feet.
A chopping leg kick lands by Penn.
Penn slaps away a takedown attempt from Lijikiszcz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lijikiszcz takes one to the side of the head.
A good leg kick by Penn.
Penn is looking to score with low kicks.
Penn stuffs the takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Penn motions for Lijikiszcz to come forward. Penn throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lijikiszcz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Penn.
Lijikiszcz throws out a counter right but Penn avoids it with no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reco Penn had his way with Kanishka Lijikiszcz in that round.
The cut man is working on Kanishka Lijikiszcz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lijikiszcz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Penn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lijikiszcz shoots in and drives through. Penn sprawls well.
A jab from Penn misses.
Lijikiszcz moves out of range of the body kick.
Lijikiszcz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Penn.

Lijikiszcz decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lijikiszcz is thwarting Penn's attempts to control the position.
Lijikiszcz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lijikiszcz is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Lijikiszcz sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Penn defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Penn's head.
Penn is staying active underneath Lijikiszcz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Lijikiszcz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Penn is holding on to half guard well.
Penn is looking to improve his position.
Lijikiszcz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

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.
Lijikiszcz trying to mount his opponent but Penn defends it.
Penn is trying to stand.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Penn lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lijikiszcz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Penn. Penn obviously looking to wear him down.
Penn tries a low kick but Lijikiszcz avoids it.
Lijikiszcz feints the counter takedown.
A bone on bone clash there as Lijikiszcz blocks the leg kick.
Penn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Penn ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Penn connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lijikiszcz's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn falls off balance throwing a combination

and Lijikiszcz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Penn blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Lijikiszcz not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Penn is trying to stand up here but Lijikiszcz is controlling him well.
Lijikiszcz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lijikiszcz prevents Penn from improving his position.
Kanishka Lijikiszcz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lijikiszcz missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Penn on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn taking some punishment here, with Lijikiszcz in his half guard.
Penn gets back to full guard.
Lijikiszcz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kanishka Lijikiszcz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lijikiszcz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Penn's guard.
Penn is controlling Lijikiszcz's trapped leg to prevent Lijikiszcz from advancing to side control.

Lijikiszcz seems to be working for a kimura but Penn defends the submission attempt.
Penn moves into full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lijikiszcz throws a big right hand that misses.

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 Reco Penn.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Penn, 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 John Mangel scores the fight 50:45
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reco Penn!
Reco Penn retains his bantamweight title!
Reco Penn tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.