PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bekzat Sersekbayev (ranked 2443 p4p, 0 weight class) and Konstantin Smolyakov (ranked 25126 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sersekbayev
vs
Smolyakov

177 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

179 cm
18
157 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bekzat Sersekbayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Konstantin Smolyakov!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Dean Styles and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sersekbayev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Smolyakov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smolyakov throws a body kick that misses

and Sersekbayev counters by clinching up.
Sersekbayev leaning against his opponent.
Smolyakov jumps guard but Sersekbayev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nice body punch from Sersekbayev - that landed with a thud.
Smolyakov misses with a hook from the clinch.

Sersekbayev drags the fight down to the ground.

Smolyakov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sersekbayev manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Smolyakov has Sersekbayev in his guard.

Sersekbayev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sersekbayev throws a big elbow that misses.
Sersekbayev passes into half guard.
Sersekbayev moves nicely into side control.
Smolyakov defending against the ground and pound.
Sersekbayev working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Smolyakov is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Smolyakov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smolyakov is looking for a sweep.
Sersekbayev is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Sersekbayev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Smolyakov defending against the ground and pound.
Smolyakov can't do much from the bottom here.
Smolyakov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sersekbayev.

Sersekbayev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sersekbayev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smolyakov, who protects the arm well.
Sersekbayev working the ground and pound.
Smolyakov is trying to work for a sweep but Sersekbayev has mounted him!
Smolyakov blocking the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sersekbayev stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Sersekbayev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Sersekbayev closes the distance and clinches.

Sersekbayev pulls guard effortlessly.
Sersekbayev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smolyakov's guard.

Smolyakov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sersekbayev controls the pace.
Smolyakov wants to sweep here but Sersekbayev controlling him for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sersekbayev drops back looking for a leg! Smolyakov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smolyakov manages to kick Sersekbayev off! Sersekbayev jumps back into Smolyakov's guard.
Smolyakov is looking to stand back up but Sersekbayev counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Smolyakov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sersekbayev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smolyakov avoids it really well and circles away.
Smolyakov misses with a low kick.
Smolyakov wants to clinch up but Sersekbayev keeps it at a distance.
Sersekbayev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smolyakov can do to turn this around?
Smolyakov moves out of range as Sersekbayev throws a body kick.
Smolyakov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sersekbayev tries to avoid it but Smolyakov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sersekbayev to the ground. Sersekbayev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Smolyakov avoids the head kick by Sersekbayev.

Smolyakov gets tackled into the cage by Sersekbayev. Sersekbayev maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sersekbayev breaks from the clinch.
Sersekbayev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smolyakov swivels and escapes.
Smolyakov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sersekbayev is fending him off so far but Smolyakov persists. Nope, Sersekbayev circles away and we're back to standing.
Smolyakov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bekzat Sersekbayev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Konstantin Smolyakov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sersekbayev misses with a head kick.
Sersekbayev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smolyakov swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sersekbayev circles away from the clinch attempt.

Smolyakov tries to keep at a distance but Sersekbayev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smolyakov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sersekbayev blocks it with crossed arms.
Smolyakov wants a takedown but no success here.
Sersekbayev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Smolyakov is defending well.

Sersekbayev manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Sersekbayev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sersekbayev stays in close to Smolyakov's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sersekbayev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Smolyakov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sersekbayev closes the distance and clinches up with Smolyakov, looking for a takedown. Sersekbayev pushes Smolyakov against the cage but Smolyakov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Sersekbayev takes the fight into the clinch.
Smolyakov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Smolyakov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sersekbayev to keep the fight standing.

Sersekbayev jumps guard and drags Smolyakov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sersekbayev has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Smolyakov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Sersekbayev pulls Smolyakov into guard.
Sersekbayev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smolyakov's guard.

Smolyakov is looking for a triangle but Sersekbayev pushes his legs off easily.
Sersekbayev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sersekbayev postures up in Smolyakov's guard and throws a big left but Smolyakov blocks it.
Smolyakov being controlled here, momentarily.

Sersekbayev gets to his feet - Smolyakov follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown but Smolyakov shows good takedown defense.
Smolyakov slips a jab and a cross from Sersekbayev.
Sersekbayev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smolyakov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Smolyakov tries to clinch up.
Smolyakov thuds a left hand into Sersekbayev's body.
Smolyakov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smolyakov fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bekzat Sersekbayev dominated that second 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smolyakov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sersekbayev throws a sloppy head kick
and Smolyakov counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Sersekbayev moves into range and clinches up with Smolyakov.
Smolyakov looking to stall.
Sersekbayev trying to land knees to the body.
Sersekbayev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smolyakov blocks it with crossed arms.
Sersekbayev presses Smolyakov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smolyakov is trying to pull guard but Sersekbayev has him pressed against the cage.
Smolyakov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smolyakov throws a punch but it's blocked by Sersekbayev.

Sersekbayev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sersekbayev darts in and clinches Smolyakov up against the cage.

Smolyakov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Sersekbayev has closed the distance and engaged Smolyakov in a clinch.

Sersekbayev pulls guard successfully.
Smolyakov throws a big right hand that misses.

Sersekbayev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smolyakov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smolyakov prevents Sersekbayev from getting back to his feet.
Sersekbayev is pulling down on Smolyakov's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev wants to stand up but Smolyakov is controlling him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sersekbayev is on top in guard.

Smolyakov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sersekbayev controls the pace.
Sersekbayev passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Smolyakov is looking to get back to his feet here but Sersekbayev is keeping cool and he's managed to take Smolyakov's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev misses with an elbow to the head.
Sersekbayev throwing sloppy strikes.

Smolyakov fending off the submission attempt from Sersekbayev.

Smolyakov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Sersekbayev.

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.

Sersekbayev looking for the choke but no joy.

Sersekbayev looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Smolyakov is controlling Sersekbayev 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smolyakov tries to stand but Sersekbayev is controlling from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bekzat Sersekbayev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sersekbayev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bekzat Sersekbayev!