PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Artem Lapshinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flatline Tom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lapshinov's entrance music is Moonlight Sonata. A fine choice. Tom has chosen blood blood blood blood as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Lapshinov
vs
Tom

180 cm
24
265 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

179 cm
20
229 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good takedowns
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Artem Lapshinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Flatline Tom!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lapshinov wants to clinch up but Tom keeps it at a distance.

Lapshinov gets a clinch.
Tom's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Lapshinov blocks an uppercut.
Tom avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Tom throws a head punch that misses.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tom avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lapshinov.
Tom lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tom.
Tom swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tom lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Tom.
Tom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tom tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tom tries to land a knee to the head but Lapshinov blocks with his arms.
A shot in the inside from Tom.
Tom tries to work over Lapshinov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tom working aggressively here.
Lapshinov misses with a knee to the head.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
A head punch on the inside from Tom fails to land.
Tom working aggressively here.
Tom lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Tom lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tom with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tom lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lapshinov or not.
Tom pushes Lapshinov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tom is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lapshinov is defending well for now.
Tom swings wildly with an uppercut but Lapshinov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tom.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Tom should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Lapshinov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tom with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tom avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov takes a shot to the head.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Tom swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tom lands an elbow that stopped Lapshinov in his tracks for a moment.
Tom lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Lapshinov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tom avoids the damage to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tom.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the body.
Lapshinov crunches a lovely knee into Tom's ribcage.
Tom looks winded!
Tom avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tom.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tom avoids it.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tom blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tom avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but Tom blocks it.
Tom blocks an elbow strike from Lapshinov.
Tom lands a nice shot to the body.
Tom lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tom creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Lapshinov's defenses.
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short left from Tom.
Tom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Tom has eaten all the pies!
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Tom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tom is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Tom lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Lapshinov blocking some punches.
Tom throws a head punch that misses.
Tom scores with a shot to the side of Lapshinov's head.
Tom avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Tom avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Tom lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Tom lands a right hand.
Lapshinov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tom working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Tom misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tom gets through Lapshinov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tom digs a right hand underneath Lapshinov's ribcage. Lapshinov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Tom - that landed with a thud.
A short right from Tom.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tom avoids the damage to the body.
Tom cracks Lapshinov with a nice body shot.
Tom softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lapshinov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tom lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Tom works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tom landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tom presses Lapshinov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tom has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lapshinov takes a shot to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A short left from Tom.
Lapshinov blocks an uppercut.
Tom scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tom lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tom lands with a short punch from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flatline Tom dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tom feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lapshinov's calf.
Lapshinov misses with an attempted mid kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tom.
Lapshinov wants to clinch but Tom slips to the side
and Tom counters with a right hand to the body.
Tom throws the kick towards the body but Lapshinov avoids it.
Artem Lapshinov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tom fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lapshinov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Artem Lapshinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lapshinov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tom thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lapshinov if he has to take too many more of those.
A head kick misses from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov wants to clinch but Tom slips to the side
and Tom makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tom works Lapshinov's body with a nice hook.
Lapshinov misses with a head kick.
Lapshinov moves to clinch but Tom breaks away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lapshinov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapshinov tries to clinch up but Tom circles away and keeps his distance.
Tom throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lapshinov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tom has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Lapshinov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Lapshinov wants to clinch but Tom slips to the side
and Tom counters with a good low kick that Lapshinov was not able to check.
Lapshinov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Good leg kick by Tom there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lapshinov wants to clinch
and Tom counters with a nice kick to the body.
Tom lands an overhand right.
Flatline Tom seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lapshinov moves out of range as Tom throws a body kick.
Tom connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lapshinov tries to clinch but Tom moves away
and Tom counters with a body kick.
Lapshinov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tom connects with a leg kick. Lapshinov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lapshinov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tom has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tom moves out of range of the body kick.
Lapshinov throws a body shot but no joy.
Tom fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lapshinov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Lapshinov looks to clinch
and Tom counters with a straight right hand.
Tom lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lapshinov looks to clinch
and Tom counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tom bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lapshinov avoids the body shot from Tom.
Lapshinov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tom.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tom.
Tom takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Lapshinov clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Tom leaning his opponent against the cage.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Tom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lapshinov blocks an uppercut.
Tom gets through Lapshinov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tom lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tom misses with a punch on the inside.
Tom lands a shot to the body.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Tom lands with a left to the head.
Tom lands a shot to the body.
Lapshinov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tom lands a left hand.
Tom lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tom lands a knee to the body.
A hook to the body from Tom.
Tom lands with a left to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tom throws an elbow that misses.
Flatline Tom seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lapshinov blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Tom.
Tom is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tom.
Lapshinov blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Tom.
Lapshinov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A body shot lands from Tom.
Tom scores with a shot to the side of Lapshinov's head.
A short right from Tom on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Tom as the two fighters clinch.
Tom lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Tom lands a hook to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Tom.
Tom misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tom lands an uppercut.
Tom just leaning against Lapshinov, taking a breather.
Tom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lapshinov's elbow.
Tom gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tom lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flatline Tom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lapshinov tries to clinch but Tom moves away
and Tom cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Lapshinov drives through and clinches with Tom against the cage.
Tom lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tom tries to work over Lapshinov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tom avoids it.
Tom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Tom has a couple of punches blocked by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov looking to throw knees to the head but Tom is blocking nicely.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A short right from Tom on the inside.
Tom working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tom creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tom working aggressively here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Tom lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Tom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tom lands a hook that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Tom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tom lands a knee to the head.
Tom tries to throw a body punch but Lapshinov avoids it by throwing Tom back against the cage.
Tom utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tom scores with a shot to the side of Lapshinov's head.
Tom connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lapshinov's face.
Tom trying to control the position but instead, Lapshinov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tom into the cage.
Tom throws a head punch that misses.
Tom lands with a short shot to the head.
Tom lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lapshinov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tom pushes Lapshinov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tom is trying to break the clinch but Lapshinov has him pressed against the cage.
Tom works on Lapshinov's body with a couple of short punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Tom.
Tom is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tom takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Artem Lapshinov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Tom lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tom lands an uppercut.
Tom lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Tom doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lapshinov.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tom.
Tom goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lapshinov blocking some punches.
Tom lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Tom swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tom.
Tom working aggressively here.
Tom tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tom working aggressively here.
Tom avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Tom misses with a punch to the body.
Lapshinov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tom avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tom tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lapshinov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A shot in the inside from Tom.
Tom lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Tom misses with a punch on the inside.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Tom lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Tom putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lapshinov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Tom.
Tom misses with a punch on the inside.
Tom lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tom pushes Lapshinov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tom avoids it.
Nice elbow from Tom.
Tom softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
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!
Tom working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lapshinov's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tom scores with a shot to the side of Lapshinov's head.
Tom throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lapshinovs head.
Tom tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Tom avoids the damage to the body.
A short right from Tom on the inside.
Lapshinov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tom blocks it with crossed arms.
A short right from Tom on the inside.
Tom scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tom lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lapshinov backwards.
Tom makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tom.
Tom tries to stall but Lapshinov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tom lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Lapshinov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tom avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lapshinov misses with a knee to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Tom.
Tom is working Lapshinov over against the cage.
Tom goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Flatline Tom is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tom working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Flatline Tom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tom 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Flatline Tom!
Flatline Tom decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.