PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shape Shifter (ranked 1828 p4p, 2922 weight class) and Pinina Zhikova (ranked 248 p4p, 379 weight class). Pinina Zhikova has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Shape Shifter's chin.

Shifter
vs
Zhikova

191 cm
25
215
7 - 6 - 0

180 cm
24
205
8 - 6 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Vegan Gains
Urban Fighter

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 London, Shape Shifter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pinina Zhikova!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Phil Schofield and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Zhikova.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Zhikova has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Zhikova misses the shot to the body.
Zhikova ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Pinina Zhikova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhikova throws a series of punches but Shifter avoids them all with ease.
Zhikova misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shifter.
Shifter half committed to a counter leg kick.
Shifter avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Zhikova feints and as Shifter raises his hands in defense, Zhikova changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Shifter is looking for a triangle but Zhikova pushes his legs off easily.

Zhikova avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zhikova wants to control from the top but Shifter keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shifter is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zhikova defends well.
Zhikova is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shifter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zhikova defends it easily.
Zhikova sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shifter's guard.

Zhikova seems to be working for a kimura but Shifter defends the submission attempt.

Shifter looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Zhikova moves nicely into side control.
Zhikova moves into full mount!
Zhikova trying to control but Shifter is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zhikova looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shifter is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zhikova tries to control but Shifter wriggling away.
Shifter keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shifter is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhikova content just to control the position here.

Zhikova is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Shifter has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Shifter regains half guard.

Zhikova seems to be looking for submissions.
Zhikova wants to pass the guard but Shifter is defending well.

Shifter is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zhikova pulls his head out easily.

Shifter looking for submissions off his back.

Zhikova seems to be working for a kimura but Shifter defends the submission attempt.

Shifter is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zhikova pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhikova wants to free his trapped foot but Shifter is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Shifter actively working from the bottom here.
Zhikova takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Shifter 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!

Shifter working for the choke.
Zhikova tries to escape but Shifter has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Shifter will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Shifter is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Zhikova defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Shifter not allowing Zhikova to control his hands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zhikova covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Zhikova rolls, trying to escape but Shifter keeps control of the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pinina Zhikova dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zhikova throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shifter feinted with a counter takedown.
Zhikova throws a shot to the body.
Zhikova misses with a straight left.
Zhikova swings for the body but Shifter moves out of range.
Zhikova looks to land a right hand but Shifter moved out of range.

Zhikova shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Shifter napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Zhikova slows the pace down.
Shifter takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Zhikova tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Shifter tries to bench press Zhikova off him but Zhikova keeps the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhikova has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zhikova tries to move to mount but Shifter blocks the move with his legs.

Zhikova tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shifter keeps working.
Shifter is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zhikova's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Shifter works his way to full guard. Good work.
Zhikova trying to control but Shifter is working from the bottom.
Zhikova forces his way into half guard.
Zhikova wants to pass the guard but Shifter is defending well.
Shifter tries to get to full guard but Zhikova has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shifter looking for submissions off his back.
Shifter makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shifter.
Zhikova trying to control but Shifter is working from the bottom.

Shifter is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zhikova defends well.
Zhikova sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shifter's guard.

Zhikova is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shifter doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zhikova.
Zhikova stalling away here and it's allowed Shifter to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shifter has his foot on Zhikova's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zhikova works his way back into a safe position though.
Zhikova wants to control from the top but Shifter keeps moving.
Zhikova slips nicely into half guard.

Zhikova seems to be looking for submissions.

Shifter looking for submissions off his back.
Still in half guard, Zhikova seems content to control.

Shifter actively working from the bottom here.
Shifter is staying active underneath Zhikova, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Shifter looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Zhikova is working for a kimura but Shifter is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shifter is refusing to be controlled, as Zhikova sits in half guard.
Zhikova is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Zhikova is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shifter manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Shifter working for a triangle but Zhikova defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shifter keeping full guard, as Zhikova tries to pass.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pinina Zhikova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zhikova shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Shifter manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Shifter is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zhikova is aware though and is defending well.
Zhikova stopping the sweep attempt from Shifter.
Zhikova must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shifter trying to strike off his back.
Zhikova lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Shifter working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zhikova doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zhikova manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shifter wants to hit a sweep here but Zhikova passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Shifter there!
Zhikova prevents Shifter from getting the reversal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhikova sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Shifter gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shifter makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shifter.
Shifter wants to sweep but no luck.
Shifter thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Shifter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zhikova defends it easily.

Shifter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zhikova defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhikova stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shifter swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zhikova sitting in guard here, content to control.
Zhikova wants to control from the top but Shifter keeps moving.
Zhikova is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Shifter is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zhikova is aware though and is defending well.
Zhikova looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Shifter has his foot on Zhikova's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zhikova works his way back into a safe position though.

Zhikova drops back looking for a leg! Shifter is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shifter manages to kick Zhikova off! Zhikova jumps back into Shifter's guard.
Shifter looking for a sweep. Not yet Shifter, not yet.
Zhikova trying to control but Shifter is working from the bottom.
Zhikova might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Shifter haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Zhikova stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shifter swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zhikova stopping the sweep attempt from Shifter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shifter keeping moving, preventing Zhikova from controlling successfully.

Shifter looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zhikova content to stall in guard here.

Shifter is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zhikova is aware though and is defending well.
Zhikova trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Shifter is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zhikova defends well.

Shifter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zhikova defends it easily.
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.
Pinina Zhikova is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zhikova chips away with some ground and pound.
Pinina Zhikova has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shifter looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Shifter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zhikova defends it easily.

Shifter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zhikova can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Zhikova is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Zhikova would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Zhikova trying to control but Shifter is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shifter is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shape Shifter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhikova not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pinina Zhikova.
Well Zhikova has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

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.