PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pinina Zhikova (ranked 3833 p4p, 5356 weight class) and Ruben Flijers (ranked 485 p4p, 602 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Zhikova
vs
Flijers

180 cm
23
205
7 - 6 - 1

188 cm
28
200
4 - 9 - 1

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 - 1, 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 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Ruben Flijers!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Richard Clark and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhikova's jab looks to have found its range, popping Flijers under the eye.
Zhikova swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Zhikova looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Flijers!
Zhikova wants to lay and pray for a moment but Flijers keeps working.
Flijers is trying to improve his position.

Zhikova is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Flijers is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Flijers can't do much from the bottom here.

Zhikova looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Zhikova trying to control the position but Flijers is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flijers is looking to reverse the position.
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.
Flijers gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Zhikova wants to pass the guard but Flijers is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Flijers tries to roll over but Zhikova keeps him under control.
Zhikova performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Flijers has hold of Zhikova's hands but Zhikova slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Zhikova keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Flijers is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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 lands with a punch from half guard.

Zhikova is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Flijers has his hands clasped together around Zhikova's back. He's all about the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flijers wants to get back to full guard.
Flijers is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Well, if Zhikova is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Flijers is trying to get back to full guard.

Zhikova is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Flijers trying to hold on to Zhikova's head to control him but Zhikova postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zhikova is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Flijers sees it coming and defends easily.
Flijers wants to control but Zhikova is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zhikova is controlling the pace.
Zhikova wants to pass to mount but Flijers is defending the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Zhikova is looking for a kimura but Flijers is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zhikova to get the leverage.
Zhikova looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Flijers is defending against the submission attempts here by Zhikova.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

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 looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Flijers on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Flijers wants to get back to full guard.
Flijers won't allow Zhikova to pass to mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pinina Zhikova dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Flijers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Flijers throws a sloppy head kick and Zhikova moves out of range easily.
Zhikova throws a body shot but no joy.
Flijers misses with an uppercut.
Pinina Zhikova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Flijers on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zhikova takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Flijers lands a nice hook to Zhikova's body. Zhikova takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Zhikova closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Flijers did well to prevent Zhikova getting side control.
Zhikova is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Flijers can do to turn this around?
Flijers is trying to maintain the position but Zhikova is very close to passing his half guard.
Flijers is looking to improve his position.
Flijers is still trying to improve position.

Zhikova is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Flijers has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zhikova slows the pace down in half guard.
Flijers wants to get back to full guard.
Flijers looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zhikova is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Flijers has managed to free his arm - good work.
Flijers is trying to maintain the position but Zhikova is very close to passing his half guard.

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.
Flijers has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zhikova is working away from the top position though.
Flijers wants to sweep but Zhikova has passed to side control!
Zhikova just content to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Zhikova is looking to take a break and control but Flijers is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Flijers is looking to reverse the position.

Zhikova tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zhikova has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Flijers tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Zhikova easily slips into full mount!
Flijers is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Zhikova working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Zhikova takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Zhikova with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Zhikova controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flijers is in all sorts of trouble here.
Zhikova controlling the pace for now.
Flijers working to try and regain half guard.
Zhikova tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Flijers can't escape the position.
Flijers tries to hold on but Zhikova pushes him away.
Zhikova controlling from mount.
Flijers regains half guard.
Zhikova content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zhikova is working for a submission of some sort.
Zhikova sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Flijers won't allow Zhikova to pass to mount.
Flijers keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Zhikova in particular looking to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Zhikova wants to work for an arm triangle but Flijers is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pinina Zhikova dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zhikova closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zhikova lands in his opponent's guard.
Zhikova is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Zhikova trying to control but Flijers is working from the bottom.
Flijers wants to sweep here but Zhikova controlling him for the moment.
Flijers working a defensive guard here.
Zhikova trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flijers is trying to control the position but Zhikova postures up.
Zhikova is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Flijers looking for a sweep. Not yet Flijers, not yet.
Zhikova trying to control but Flijers is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flijers looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zhikova slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Zhikova has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Flijers bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zhikova's guard.

Zhikova is trying to keep Flijers in close.
Zhikova looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zhikova keeping moving, preventing Flijers from controlling successfully.
Flijers won't allow Zhikova to sweep him here.
Zhikova keeping moving, preventing Flijers from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zhikova is on top in guard.

Zhikova stopping the sweep attempt from Flijers.
Flijers trying to control the position.
Zhikova controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Flijers keeping moving, preventing Zhikova from controlling successfully.
Zhikova pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Flijers is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhikova is working hard here to advance position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Flijers holds on and takes a little breather.
Flijers wants to sweep but no luck.
Zhikova sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zhikova lands a nice shot to the body.
Zhikova's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Flijers connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zhikova scrambles back to his feet.
Pinina Zhikova is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zhikova connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Flijers's hands.
Zhikova slips under a jab from Flijers.
Zhikova seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Flijers.
Zhikova just misses with a punch to the body.
Zhikova throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good shot there by Flijers.
Flijers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhikova.
Zhikova swings for the body but Flijers moves out of range.
Flijers takes a swing at Zhikova's ribcage but misses.
Flijers misses with a body shot.
Flijers lands a really nice looking cross but Zhikova seems unphased.
Nice body punch from Zhikova.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Flijers tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Donk. Zhikova catches Flijers right on the button with a cross.
Good standup being displayed there by Flijers as he connects with a hook.

Zhikova throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Flijers tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Zhikova is in Flijers's guard.
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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zhikova wants to control from the top but Flijers keeps moving.
Zhikova slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pinina Zhikova showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zhikova, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pinina Zhikova!
After the fight, Pinina Zhikova 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.