PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fjodor Datsuyk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buket Levkoev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Datsuyk comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - High voltage. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Datsuyk
vs
Levkoev

188 cm
21
232 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
21
250 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Tends to cut

Attliction

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fjodor Datsuyk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Buket Levkoev!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Viktor Lagutenko and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Datsuyk closes the distance and clinches.
Datsuyk tries to land a knee to the head but Levkoev blocks with his arms.
Levkoev wants to stall.
Levkoev blocks an elbow strike.
Datsuyk throws an elbow but it misses.
Datsuyk throws a knee to the head but misses.
Levkoev blocks an elbow strike.
Nice elbow from Datsuyk.

It looks like Buket Levkoev has been cut.
Datsuyk with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Datsuyk with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Levkoev looking for a takedown.
Datsuyk lands an elbow inside.
Datsuyk tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Levkoev fails to pull guard.
Datsuyk comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Datsuyk swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Datsuyk tries to land a knee to the head but Levkoev blocks with his arms.

Levkoev is fighting off a takedown attempt but Datsuyk is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Levkoev to the mat. Levkoev regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Levkoev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Let's hope that Levkoev has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Levkoev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Datsuyk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Datsuyk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Levkoev wants to sweep here but Datsuyk controlling him for the moment.
Datsuyk trying to control but Levkoev is working from the bottom.
Levkoev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Datsuyk won't allow Levkoev to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Datsuyk is stalling in the full guard.
Levkoev keeping moving, preventing Datsuyk from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Datsuyk connects with a good right hand that stumbles Levkoev. Levkoev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Datsuyk looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Datsuyk closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Levkoev to the mat! Levkoev manages to get full guard.
Datsuyk is breathing heavily.
Datsuyk wants to control from the top but Levkoev keeps moving.
Levkoev keeping full guard, as Datsuyk tries to pass.
Levkoev being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Levkoev looking for a guillotine here but Datsuyk defends easily.
Levkoev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Datsuyk controls the pace.
Levkoev has Datsuyk pulled in close to control his posture.
Datsuyk trying to control the position from guard on top but Levkoev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Datsuyk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Levkoev is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Datsuyk wants to control from the top but Levkoev keeps moving.
Levkoev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Datsuyk.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Levkoev takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Datsuyk closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Levkoev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Datsuyk blocks it with crossed arms.
Datsuyk crunches a lovely knee into Levkoev's ribcage.
Levkoev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Datsuyk looking to stall.
Datsuyk with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fjodor Datsuyk dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Buket Levkoev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Levkoev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Datsuyk throws out the jab.
Datsuyk lands with a kick to the ribs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Datsuyk.

Datsuyk fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Levkoev, pushing him back against the cage.

Datsuyk has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Levkoev uses from the top position.
Datsuyk trying to keep a closed guard but Levkoev is proving a slippery customer.
Datsuyk wants to control the position but Levkoev says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Datsuyk trying to control but Levkoev postures up.
Levkoev content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Datsuyk trying to control but Levkoev postures up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levkoev wants to stand but Datsuyk has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Datsuyk wants to improve his position but Levkoev is controlling well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Levkoev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Datsuyk tries to avoid it but Levkoev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Datsuyk to the ground. Datsuyk escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Datsuyk rushes Levkoev and presses him up against the cage.
Levkoev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Datsuyk is working for takedown but Levkoev is calmly controlling the position for now.

Levkoev gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Datsuyk wants to control but Levkoev is keeping busy.
Levkoev wants to take a breather but Datsuyk is having none of it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Datsuyk manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Datsuyk is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Levkoev stops Datsuyk from standing up.
Datsuyk looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Levkoev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Datsuyk looking to control.
Datsuyk throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Datsuyk has a closed guard, preventing Levkoev from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Levkoev with a poor takedown

and Datsuyk counters by moving into the clinch.
Fjodor Datsuyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buket Levkoev.

Datsuyk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Datsuyk throws a nice outside leg kick.
Fjodor Datsuyk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Levkoev with a poor takedown
and Datsuyk connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Datsuyk clinches with his opponent.
Datsuyk looking to throw knees to the head but Levkoev is blocking nicely.

Levkoev pulls Datsuyk into guard.
Datsuyk pushes down on Levkoev's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Datsuyk slows the pace down in half guard.
Datsuyk's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Levkoev is trying to get back to full guard.
Levkoev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Levkoev wants to get back to his feet.
Levkoev wants to control but Datsuyk is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Datsuyk is looking to stall here but Levkoev recovers full guard.
Levkoev pulls Datsuyk in close to his closed guard and prevents Datsuyk from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fjodor Datsuyk dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Buket Levkoev's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Datsuyk is looking to clinch but Levkoev is avoiding it.
Datsuyk takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Datsuyk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Datsuyk shoots for a double leg takedown but Levkoev sprawls well. He's pushed Datsuyk's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Datsuyk shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Levkoev as he avoids it easily.
Levkoev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Datsuyk tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Levkoev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Datsuyk is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Levkoev misses with a takedown
and Datsuyk counters with a leg kick.
Datsuyk moves in looking to clinch but Levkoev pushes him off.
Datsuyk fakes the leg kick and cracks Levkoev in the body.

Datsuyk clinches.
Levkoev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fjodor Datsuyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buket Levkoev.

Levkoev pulls guard effortlessly.
Datsuyk prevents Levkoev from getting back to his feet.
Datsuyk trying to control the position from guard on top but Levkoev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levkoev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Levkoev keeping moving, preventing Datsuyk from controlling successfully.
Datsuyk controls from within his opponent's guard.
Datsuyk trying to control the position from guard on top but Levkoev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Datsuyk throws a nice inside leg kick.
Datsuyk takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Datsuyk forces Levkoev back against the cage and clinches.
Datsuyk connects with a knee to the head.
Datsuyk with a knee to the head.

Datsuyk has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Levkoev is trying to keep an underhook but Datsuyk manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Levkoev is refusing to be controlled, as Datsuyk sits in half guard.
Levkoev tries to roll over but Datsuyk keeps him under control.
Levkoev regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Datsuyk trying to control but Levkoev is working from the bottom.
Levkoev trying to control the position here.
Levkoev wants to sweep here but Datsuyk controlling him for the moment.
Levkoev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Levkoev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Datsuyk is one step ahead there.
Levkoev is pulling down on Datsuyk's head. It's preventing any offense from Datsuyk, at least for the moment.

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.
Datsuyk wants to control from the top but Levkoev keeps moving.
Datsuyk looking to sit in guard and control but Levkoev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Levkoev sitting in guard here, content to control.
Buket Levkoev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Levkoev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Datsuyk is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Levkoev, into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Fjodor Datsuyk.
Well Datsuyk 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fjodor Datsuyk!