PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pinina Zhikova (ranked 3533 p4p, 4927 weight class) and Ruben Flijers (ranked 458 p4p, 575 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Zhikova
vs
Flijers

180 cm
23
205
7 - 6 - 0

188 cm
27
200
4 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pinina Zhikova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ruben Flijers!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zhikova throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Flijers was covering up waiting for the punch and Zhikova finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Zhikova showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Zhikova seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Flijers for as long as he can get away with.
Flijers wants to sweep here but Zhikova controlling him for the moment.
Flijers has his hands on Zhikova's head, controlling the position.
Flijers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhikova controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Flijers pulls Zhikova in close to prevent any damage.
Zhikova controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Flijers is keeping the position for now.
Zhikova looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Flijers not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jab by Zhikova.
Flijers's coach down at Cozad MMA Sydney was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Flijers's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Zhikova on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Zhikova shoots in for a double leg but Flijers sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Flijers gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Zhikova to score an easy takedown into full guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Flijers manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Zhikova on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flijers tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zhikova decides to pull guard.
Flijers preventing the sweep.
Flijers wants to control from the top but Zhikova keeps moving.
Flijers tries to free his leg and advance position but Zhikova is retaining full guard.
Zhikova keeping moving, preventing Flijers from controlling successfully.
Zhikova can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Flijers controls the pace.
Zhikova looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Zhikova throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Flijers tries to free his leg and advance position but Zhikova is retaining full guard.
Flijers wants to control from the top but Zhikova keeps moving.
Flijers really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zhikova. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zhikova pulls Flijers in close to his closed guard and prevents Flijers from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flijers trying to control the position from guard on top but Zhikova is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zhikova lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Zhikova passes into half guard.

Zhikova is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Flijers sees it coming and defends easily.

Zhikova is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Flijers is just riding it out for now. Zhikova eventually gives up the hold.
Zhikova controlling the pace.
Flijers is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zhikova's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zhikova's back!
You can see the frustration on Zhikova's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Zhikova just trying to survive but Flijers is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I would not like to be Zhikova right now.
Zhikova has hold of Flijers's arm. He needs to escape this position sooner or later but for now he's happy enough to control the position and prevent the submission attempts.
Flijers controlling well, preventing Zhikova from escaping the position.
Zhikova trying to control the action but Flijers just sinks the hooks in.
Flijers trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
You can see the frustration on Zhikova's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Flijers is trying to stick to Zhikova's back but Zhikova is turning into Flijers. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Flijers's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Zhikova.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Flijers is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zhikova tries to free his leg and advance position but Flijers is retaining full guard.
Zhikova wants to control from the top but Flijers keeps moving.
Zhikova preventing the sweep.
Flijers is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Flijers prevents Zhikova from improving his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pinina Zhikova will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Zhikova takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zhikova throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Flijers on the side of the head.
Zhikova lands a nice shot to the body.
Flijers uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhikova.
Zhikova with a lazy takedown attempt
and Flijers counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Flijers throws a shot to the body.
Flijers throws a body punch but Zhikova moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Flijers takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Flijers misses the shot to the body.
Flijers lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zhikova slips under a jab.
Zhikova tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Flijers was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhikova.
Zhikova is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
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!
Zhikova throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Flijers throws a half hearted mid kick.
Flijers scores with a nice strike.
Zhikova seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Flijers is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zhikova.
Flijers misses with an uppercut.
Zhikova shoots for a takedown but Flijers saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Flijers has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Flijers avoids the body shot from Zhikova.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Zhikova.
Zhikova uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flijers.
Zhikova swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ruben Flijers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Flijers takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Flijers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhikova.
Flijers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhikova sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zhikova blocks a jab.
Flijers looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhikova is just out of range.
Pinina Zhikova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhikova just misses with a punch to the body.
Zhikova is looking to wear down Flijers with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Flijers bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Flijers let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Flijers looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhikova is just out of range.
Zhikova fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Flijers manages to avoid it.
A nice side step and Flijers releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Flijers lands a body shot.
Flijers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhikova tries to counter with a takedown but Flijers is quick to defend against it.
Zhikova tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Flijers was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhikova.
Flijers avoids the body shot from Zhikova.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhikova misses the target.
Flijers takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Flijers works the jab nicely.
Flijers is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zhikova.
Zhikova is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flijers lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zhikova at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Flijers throws a jab when Zhikova was well out of range.
Zhikova looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Flijers is fending him off so far but Zhikova persists. Nope, Flijers circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pinina Zhikova. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Flijers keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Zhikova throws a right and a left that Flijers avoids nicely.
Zhikova throws a body shot but no joy.
Zhikova swings for the body but Flijers moves out of range.
Zhikova doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Flijers counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fighters circling - Flijers throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Flijers leaves Zhikova with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A little jabbing left from Flijers on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Zhikova takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Flijers scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ruben Flijers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhikova uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flijers.
Flijers scores with a shot to the body.
Flijers throws a hook to the side of Zhikova's head but Zhikova sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhikova swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flijers throws a body shot but no joy.
Flijers swings for the body but Zhikova moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zhikova. Flijers does a little dance to reset his feet.
Flijers pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zhikova ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Flijers throws a head kick that Zhikova semi-blocks.
Zhikova fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Flijers manages to avoid it.
Zhikova lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Flijers. Zhikova does a little dance to reset his feet.
Flijers has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Flijers sizes up Zhikova with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Flijers misses with a wild body shot.
Flijers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhikova manages to avoid it.
Flijers connects with a right hand. Zhikova shakes it off.
Flijers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhikova throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Flijers misses with a looping right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A slow jab from Flijers misses its intended target.
Flijers lands with a cross.
Zhikova jabs Flijers to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Zhikova dives in and scores a takedown into Flijers's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flijers looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zhikova is one step ahead there.

Zhikova is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Flijers working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhikova sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Zhikova stopping the sweep attempt from Flijers.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zhikova passes Flijers's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zhikova content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Zhikova prevents Flijers from improving his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ruben Flijers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zhikova darts in looking for a takedown but Flijers gets double underhooks and turns Zhikova into the cage.
Flijers content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zhikova changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Flijers fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zhikova takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zhikova connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Flijers blocks a jab.
Flijers misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zhikova shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Flijers but Flijers pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Flijers throws out a counter right but Zhikova avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pinina Zhikova. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Flijers lands the left hand.

Zhikova fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Flijers sprawls well initially but Zhikova persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Flijers tries to get to full guard but Zhikova has control of the leg.
Zhikova wants to lay and pray for a moment but Flijers keeps working.
Flijers wants to improve his position but Zhikova is controlling well.
Zhikova sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Zhikova controlling the pace for now.
Flijers is squirming around, avoiding Zhikova's attempts to control the action.
Zhikova controlling from the full mount.
Pinina Zhikova overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zhikova continues to stall.
Flijers is working to get back to half guard.
Flijers wants to control but Zhikova is having none of it.
Zhikova controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flijers tries to hold on but Zhikova postures up.

Zhikova looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Flijers sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Zhikova performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Flijers is trying to get back to full guard.

Zhikova is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Flijers has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flijers is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Zhikova is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Flijers has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zhikova is working away from the top position though.
Zhikova wants to pass to mount but Flijers is defending the position.
Flijers trying to control here.
Zhikova trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Flijers wants to control but Zhikova is keeping busy.
Zhikova tries to pass to full mount but Flijers defends it.
Zhikova slows the pace down in half guard.
Zhikova works his way into side control.

Zhikova looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Flijers is not content to let Zhikova control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pinina Zhikova showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zhikova has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!