PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Lapshinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lapshinov has chosen Moonlight Sonata as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Washington
vs
Lapshinov

198 cm
23
265 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
265 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, George Washington !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Artem Lapshinov!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Washington closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lapshinov's guard.
Lapshinov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Washington in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lapshinov controlling the position.
Lapshinov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Lapshinov keeping moving, preventing Washington from controlling successfully.
Lapshinov wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington trying to control the position from guard on top but Lapshinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lapshinov has Washington pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Washington shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lapshinov throws a head kick that Washington semi-blocks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington shoots in for a takedown but Lapshinov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Washington closes the distance and clinches up with Lapshinov, looking for a takedown. Washington pushes Lapshinov against the cage but Lapshinov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Washington . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Washington shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lapshinov but Lapshinov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lapshinov. Washington does a little dance to reset his feet.

Washington changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lapshinov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lapshinov regains half guard.
Lapshinov preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Lapshinov gets full guard.

Lapshinov looking for subs off his back but Washington has passed one foot through into half guard.
Washington is trying to control the action in half guard but Lapshinov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lapshinov is defending against the submission attempts here by Washington .
Lapshinov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Washington throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lapshinov is looking for a sweep. Washington is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Washington will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lapshinov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Lapshinov pulls Washington in to control the position.
Lapshinov can't keep his opponent in guard - Washington advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Washington missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lapshinov wants to control but Washington is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Washington is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Washington is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lapshinov wants to get back to full guard.

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.
Washington is keen to just control but Lapshinov is a slippery customer.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Washington stands up from half guard.
Washington has a takedown stuffed.
Washington fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lapshinov's coach down at VENDETTA Elite Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Lapshinov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Washington dips to his left and cracks Lapshinov with an uppercut!
Washington dives in and grabs Lapshinov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lapshinov pushes down on Washington 's head and hops out.
Lapshinov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Washington paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Lapshinov clinches up with Washington and pushes him back against the cage.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Washington avoids it.
Our sources have told us that Washington has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Lapshinov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Washington has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Washington on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Washington managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Washington on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that George Washington will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Washington fails with the takedown.
A nice side step and Lapshinov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A head kick misses from Lapshinov.
Washington throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lapshinov's waist but Lapshinov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Washington off to one side.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Washington has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lapshinov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Washington . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Washington is defending well for now.
Lapshinov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Washington lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lapshinov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lapshinov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Washington managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Washington avoiding damage as Lapshinov throws knees to the body.
Washington is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Washington is defending well for now.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Washington .
Lapshinov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Washington managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov tries a knee to the head but Washington blocks it.
Washington takes a knee to the side of the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lapshinov.
Washington managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Washington avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov lands a knee to the body.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Washington pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lapshinov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lapshinov tries to stand but Washington is controlling from the bottom.

Washington is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Washington is on top in guard.

Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lapshinov is controlling Washington 's posture.
Lapshinov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Washington . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lapshinov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Lapshinov can't do much from the bottom here.

Washington is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lapshinov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lapshinov is trying to improve his position.
Lapshinov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four 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.
Lapshinov regains half guard.
Washington works his way into full mount!
Lapshinov tries to reverse the position but Washington maintains control.
Lapshinov doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Lapshinov is desperately trying to improve his position but Washington has a good base and remains in mount.

Washington is working for a guillotine from mount but Lapshinov frees his head quite easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lapshinov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Lapshinov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lapshinov takes the fight into the clinch.
Lapshinov misses with a knee strike.
Lapshinov looking to throw knees to the head but Washington is blocking nicely.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but Washington blocks with his arms.
Washington managing to block the knees to the body from Lapshinov.
Washington is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lapshinov is defending well.

Washington lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Washington wants to work for an arm triangle but Lapshinov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lapshinov is trying to maintain the position but Washington is very close to passing his half guard.
Lapshinov has his hands clasped together around Washington 's back. He's all about the action.
George Washington overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Washington seems to be looking for submissions.
Lapshinov tries to kick Washington off but Washington keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Washington is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lapshinov sees it coming and defends easily.
Washington wants to pass the guard but Lapshinov is defending well.
Lapshinov trying to control but Washington postures up.

Washington is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lapshinov defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lapshinov manages to get to full guard.
Washington trying to control but Lapshinov is working from the bottom.
Lapshinov has Washington pulled in close to control his posture.
Lapshinov wants to sweep here but Washington controlling him for the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Lapshinov moves into range and clinches up with Washington .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington tries for a takedown but Lapshinov manages to get underhooks.
Washington has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lapshinov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Washington . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Washington 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. Washington is defending well for now.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Washington avoids the damage to the body.
Washington has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lapshinov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Washington avoids it.
Lapshinov working Washington over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Washington avoids it.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Washington is defending well for now.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov trying to land knees to the body.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but Washington blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lapshinov missing with knees to the body.
Washington on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Washington wants to take the fight to the mat but Lapshinov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Washington on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lapshinov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lapshinov tries to land knees in the clinch but Washington avoids the damage to the body.
Lapshinov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lapshinov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Washington .
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Washington is defending well for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lapshinov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Washington is defending well for now.
Lapshinov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lapshinov lands a nice knee to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artem Lapshinov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lapshinov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Lapshinov!
After winning the bout, Artem Lapshinov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
In defeat, George Washington stepped up to the mic, saying 'I try harder '.