PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Reco Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kanishka Lijikiszcz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reco Penn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Penn
vs
Lijikiszcz

172 cm
22
141 lbs
14 - 1 - 0

150 cm
23
135 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Fast

Aspire Clothing
House of Valor

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Reco Penn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kanishka Lijikiszcz!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Damien Edna and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lijikiszcz has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Penn lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Lijikiszcz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Penn.
It looked like Penn wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lijikiszcz closes the distance and clinches up with Penn, looking for a takedown. Lijikiszcz pushes Penn against the cage but Penn circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lijikiszcz throws a lazy right hand but Penn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Penn keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Lijikiszcz looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Lijikiszcz throwing strikes but missing.
Lijikiszcz is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Penn tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz wants to control from the top but Penn keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lijikiszcz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Penn pulls Lijikiszcz in close to his closed guard and prevents Lijikiszcz from doing any damage or advancing position.
Lijikiszcz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Penn works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lijikiszcz throwing strikes from guard but Penn blocks nicely.
Lijikiszcz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lijikiszcz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lijikiszcz scores with a nice strike.
Lijikiszcz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lijikiszcz dips to his left and cracks Penn with an uppercut!
Lijikiszcz shoots in and drives through. Penn sprawls well.
Penn walks into a straight right hand from Lijikiszcz.
Penn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz loads up on a big right hand but Penn slips the punch.
Penn avoids the body shot from Lijikiszcz.
Jab, jab by Penn - just one landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Penn.
Lijikiszcz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Penn connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lijikiszcz's hands.
Lijikiszcz fails with a takedown attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from Penn misses its target.
Lijikiszcz just misses with a punch to the body.
Lijikiszcz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Penn sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lijikiszcz somewhat.

Lijikiszcz looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Penn!

Penn bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Penn avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Penn lands a right hook to the body.
Lijikiszcz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Penn defends well and Lijikiszcz ends up having to push Penn into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Penn throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lijikiszcz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lijikiszcz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Penn as he avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Penn as Lijikiszcz shoots in.
Lijikiszcz fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Penn on the side of the head.
Penn tries a low kick but Lijikiszcz avoids it.
Penn slips under a jab from Lijikiszcz.
Nice body punch from Penn.
Lijikiszcz shoots for a double leg takedown but Penn sprawls well. He's pushed Lijikiszcz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reco Penn dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lijikiszcz swings for the body but Penn moves out of range.
Lijikiszcz wants to clinch.
Lijikiszcz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lijikiszcz misses with a hook to the body
and Penn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Penn darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lijikiszcz just misses with a punch to the body.
Lijikiszcz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Penn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penn keeps Lijikiszcz at a distance using the push kick.
Penn thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lijikiszcz if he has to take too many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Penn.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Penn.
Sloppy strikes from Lijikiszcz. Those never looked like landing.
A good leg kick by Penn.
Penn throws a body punch but Lijikiszcz moves out of range.
Lijikiszcz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Penn throws a leg kick but Lijikiszcz moved away.
A jab from Penn finds it's way through Lijikiszcz's defenses.
Penn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lijikiszcz fails to land the takedown.
Penn tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reco Penn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lijikiszcz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Penn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lijikiszcz can do to turn this around?
Lijikiszcz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lijikiszcz misses with a wild combination.
Lijikiszcz misses the jab.
Nice body kick there by Penn.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Penn cracks Lijikiszcz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Penn throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lijikiszcz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Penn throws a right and a left that both miss.
Penn is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Lijikiszcz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Penn sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Penn ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lijikiszcz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn sizes up Lijikiszcz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Reco Penn is winning the standup battle so far.
Lijikiszcz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Penn.
A leg kick checked by Penn.
Penn lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lijikiszcz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lijikiszcz scores with a jab.
Lijikiszcz shoots in for a takedown but Penn shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.
A slapping leg kick lands for Penn.
Lijikiszcz swings for the body but Penn moves out of range.
Penn appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Lijikiszcz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lijikiszcz slips a jab from Penn.
No luck for Lijikiszcz with that takedown attempt.
Lijikiszcz is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz tries to land a leg kick but Penn saw it coming and moves away.
Penn looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Lijikiszcz misses with a hook to the body
letting Penn counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lijikiszcz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Penn looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lijikiszcz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lijikiszcz tries to advance to mount but Penn instead regains half guard.
Lijikiszcz throwing shots but Penn is blocking nicely.
Penn wants to get back to his feet.
Lijikiszcz is looking to take a break and control but Penn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lijikiszcz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice cross by Penn.
Lijikiszcz fails with a takedown attempt.
Lijikiszcz tries for a takedown but Penn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Penn will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Penn.
Jab, jab by Penn - just one landing.
Lijikiszcz throws out a loose jab but Penn uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Penn.
Lijikiszcz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Penn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz misses with a body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Penn there.
Penn is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lijikiszcz or perhaps it was just good defense by Penn, which made it look bad.
Penn appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Lijikiszcz shoots in and bounces Penn off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lijikiszcz preventing the sweep.
Penn is working hard here to advance position.
Penn controlling the position.
Lijikiszcz tries to free his leg and advance position but Penn is retaining full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Penn's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lijikiszcz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lijikiszcz is stalling in the full guard.
Penn has control of Lijikiszcz's left arm, preventing Lijikiszcz from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Penn pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lijikiszcz lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A nice inside leg kick there by Penn. That's going to slow Lijikiszcz down.
Lijikiszcz misses with a wild body shot.
Lijikiszcz throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Penn lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lijikiszcz at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Penn is out of range.
Lijikiszcz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lijikiszcz throws a left and a right that both miss
and Penn counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Penn lands a slapping body shot.
Penn lands with a hook. Lijikiszcz tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lijikiszcz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Penn takes a swing at Lijikiszcz's ribcage but misses.
Penn takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Lijikiszcz throws a shot from downtown. Penn moves away and avoids it.
Penn misses with a body shot.
Penn leaves Lijikiszcz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Penn.
A good leg kick by Penn.
Donk. Penn catches Lijikiszcz right on the button with a cross.
Penn lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lijikiszcz looks to land a right hand but Penn moved out of range.
Penn pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lijikiszcz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Penn.
No luck for Lijikiszcz with that takedown attempt.
Lijikiszcz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Penn swivels and escapes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reco Penn clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lijikiszcz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Penn has time to react.
Lijikiszcz checks a leg kick.
Lijikiszcz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lijikiszcz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Penn throws a hook but Lijikiszcz avoids it easily.
Lijikiszcz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Penn dips to his left and cracks Lijikiszcz with an uppercut!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penn lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Lijikiszcz walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Penn misses with a hook.
Lijikiszcz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Penn counters with a stiff right hand.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz misses with a hook.
Penn connects with a leg kick. Lijikiszcz looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lijikiszcz misses with a straight right.
Lijikiszcz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Penn.
Nice defenses there by Penn.
Penn fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lijikiszcz misses with a takedown attempt
and Penn counters with a nice leg kick.
Lijikiszcz misses with a body punch
and Penn counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lijikiszcz has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Penn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lijikiszcz has his takedown stuffed
and Penn counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz dives in and grabs Penn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Penn pushes down on Lijikiszcz's head and hops out.
Lijikiszcz's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Penn lands a head shot.
Lijikiszcz throws the left hand but Penn avoids the punch easily.
Penn swats away the attempt to clinch by Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz tries for a takedown but Penn circles away easily
and Penn counters with a nice body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lijikiszcz attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Penn throws a quick inside leg kick.
Penn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lijikiszcz.
Penn dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lijikiszcz. That did some damage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn moves away from the strike by Lijikiszcz.
Nice uppercut there from Lijikiszcz.
Penn takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Penn is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Penn throws a shot to the body.
Penn tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lijikiszcz goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lijikiszcz shoots for a takedown but Penn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lijikiszcz cracks Penn with a right hand to the side of the head.
Penn turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lijikiszcz avoids the head kick by Penn.

Lijikiszcz closes the distance and clinches.
Lijikiszcz tries to break free but Penn pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Penn manages to break the clinch.
Lijikiszcz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Penn.
Penn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Penn wants it to stay on the feet.
A little feinted left hand from Penn on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lijikiszcz swings widly with a right hand
and Penn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice shot by Penn.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lijikiszcz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Penn lands a head kick. Lijikiszcz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Lijikiszcz missing with a left hand there. Penn was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Penn swinging wildly here.

Lijikiszcz feints and as Penn raises his hands in defense, Lijikiszcz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reco Penn had his way with Kanishka Lijikiszcz in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Penn fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lijikiszcz on the side of the head.
Penn's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lijikiszcz connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Penn scrambles back to his feet.
Penn misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Lijikiszcz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lijikiszcz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Penn.
Lijikiszcz slips under a jab.
Lijikiszcz connects with the punch.
Lijikiszcz slips a straight right by Penn.
Penn fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lijikiszcz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The fighters circling - Lijikiszcz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lijikiszcz checks a leg kick nicely.
Penn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn scores with a body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Lijikiszcz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Lijikiszcz tried to score with a low kick but Penn checks it.
Penn with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lijikiszcz throws a combination that misses
and Penn counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Penn, as that shot connected.
Penn fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lijikiszcz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Penn comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lijikiszcz misses with a hook
and Penn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Penn tries to keep at a distance but Lijikiszcz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Penn stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Penn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Penn swings for the body but Lijikiszcz moves out of range.
Lijikiszcz throws out a counter right but Penn avoids it with no problem.
Lijikiszcz connects with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Penn blocks a low kick nicely.
Penn throws a big shot that misses.
Penn tries to land a leg kick but Lijikiszcz saw it coming and moves away.
Lijikiszcz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Penn but Penn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lijikiszcz scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Penn doesn't seem bothered though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Penn's waist but Penn gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lijikiszcz off to one side.
Penn half committed to a counter leg kick.
Reco Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Penn can pounce on him.
Lijikiszcz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Penn.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lijikiszcz is defended easily by Penn.
Lijikiszcz looks for a takedown but Penn sprawls well.
Penn scores with a jab to the head.
Kanishka Lijikiszcz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lijikiszcz is defended easily by Penn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Penn.
Lijikiszcz scores with a jab to the body.
A head kick by Lijikiszcz misses
and Penn counters with a left to the body.
Penn lands a body shot.
Penn scores with a hook to the body. Lijikiszcz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lijikiszcz, as that shot connected.
Lijikiszcz has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Penn.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Penn cracks Lijikiszcz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lijikiszcz.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reco Penn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Penn, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 50:45
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 50:45
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reco Penn!
Reco Penn retains his bantamweight title!
Reco Penn spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.