PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pinina Zhikova (ranked 2606 p4p, 2278 weight class) and Shape Shifter (ranked 333 p4p, 290 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zhikova
vs
Shifter

180 cm
25
205
9 - 8 - 1

191 cm
26
215
8 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT

Urban Fighter
Vegan Gains

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 9 - 8 - 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 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Shape Shifter!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Daniel Bishop and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhikova throws an ugly left hook that misses

so Shifter counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Shifter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zhikova looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shifter is one step ahead there.
Zhikova seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Shifter passes Zhikova's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Shifter is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zhikova has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shifter has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zhikova controlling the position for now.

Shifter is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Shifter tries to pass the half guard into mount. Zhikova knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Zhikova might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shifter wants to work for an arm triangle but Zhikova is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Shifter seems to be working for a kimura but Zhikova defends the submission attempt.
Shifter not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shifter is working away from the top position though.
Shifter slips a nice elbow through Zhikova's hands, connecting with Zhikova's forehead.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zhikova manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Shifter won't allow Zhikova to sweep him here.
Zhikova seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Shifter missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shifter keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zhikova's head.
Zhikova wants to sweep here but Shifter controlling him for the moment.
Shifter is looking to work some ground and pound but Zhikova has wrist control.
Shifter missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zhikova avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Shifter 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.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zhikova looking for a sweep. Not yet Zhikova, not yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Zhikova holds on and takes a little breather.
Zhikova looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shifter wants to pass the guard but Zhikova is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shifter drops back looking for a leg! Zhikova is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zhikova manages to kick Shifter off! Shifter jumps back into Zhikova's guard.
Zhikova tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shifter slips nicely into half guard.
Zhikova gets full guard.
Shifter throws a big elbow that misses.
Shifter preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shifter passes into half guard.

Shifter is trying to work for a kimura but Zhikova is defending well.

Shifter seems to be looking for submissions.

Shifter is looking for a kimura but Zhikova is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shifter to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhikova is looking to improve his position.
Zhikova trying to control but Shifter postures up.
Zhikova is trying to stand up here but Shifter is controlling him well.

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

Shifter is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zhikova has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zhikova trying to control here.
Shifter not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Shifter is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zhikova is just riding it out for now. Shifter eventually gives up the hold.
Zhikova wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shifter throwing shots but Zhikova is blocking nicely.
Zhikova wants to get back to full guard.

Shifter is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zhikova sees it coming and defends easily.
Zhikova wants to get back to his feet.
Zhikova is trying to maintain the position but Shifter is very close to passing his half guard.
Shifter prevents Zhikova from improving his position.
Zhikova slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Shifter looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shifter loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Zhikova working for a triangle but Shifter defends it easily.
Zhikova trying to keep a closed guard but Shifter is proving a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shape Shifter 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.

Zhikova throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Zhikova looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Shifter keeping moving, preventing Zhikova from controlling successfully.

Shifter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zhikova defends it easily.
Zhikova content to stall in guard here.

Zhikova avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shape Shifter has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shifter looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Shifter looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhikova trying to control the position from guard on top but Shifter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shifter wants to sweep but no luck.

Shifter looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shifter looking for a sweep. Not yet Shifter, not yet.

Shifter is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zhikova defends well.
Zhikova forces his way into half guard.
Shifter is looking for a sweep. Zhikova is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zhikova lands strikes from half guard.

Zhikova is looking for a kimura here.

Shifter looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zhikova is trying to work for a kimura but Shifter is defending well.
Shifter tries to roll over but Zhikova keeps him under control.
Zhikova wants to control but Shifter is keeping him busy.

Zhikova is trying for a kimura here. Shifter looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Zhikova wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Pinina Zhikova!
In his post fight interview, Pinina Zhikova started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.