PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lance Darian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolay Matviyenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Darian comes to the cage accompanied by Fly By Night. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Darian
vs
Matviyenko

185 cm
21
203 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

188 cm
25
219 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Lance Darian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Nicolay Matviyenko!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Steven Brown and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matviyenko moves out of range of the body kick from Darian.
Matviyenko has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Matviyenko there as he acknowledges the shot.
Darian throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matviyenko closes the distance but Darian moves to the side
and Darian counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matviyenko wants to clinch up but Darian keeps it at a distance.
Darian jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Darian getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A left lands for Matviyenko.
A nice inside leg kick there by Darian. That's going to slow Matviyenko down.
Matviyenko tries to clinch but Darian moves out of range.
Darian stuns Matviyenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matviyenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Darian throws a sloppy body shot
and Matviyenko counters with a three punch combo that has Darian backing up. Darian nods at Matviyenko to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matviyenko clinches up against the cage.

Matviyenko breaks from the clinch.
Darian displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matviyenko throws out the jab.

Matviyenko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matviyenko misses with a body punch.

Matviyenko manages to pull guard.
Darian wanted to stand there but Matviyenko had control of the position.

Matviyenko is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Matviyenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Darian walks away with a smile on his face. Matviyenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matviyenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matviyenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darian misses with a straight right.
Darian works the jab nicely.
Matviyenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Darian circles away.
Matviyenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Darian moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matviyenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Darian swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matviyenko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Darian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Darian lands a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sloppy strikes from Matviyenko. Those never looked like landing.
Matviyenko is looking to clinch.
Darian throws a series of strikes that have Matviyenko backpedaling.
Darian swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darian ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Darian looks to land a combination. Matviyenko sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Matviyenko tries to clinch but Darian moves out of range.
Darian looks to land a right hand but Matviyenko moved out of range.
Darian misses with a few strikes there.
Matviyenko is looking to clinch.
Matviyenko slips a straight right by Darian.
Darian dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Darian throws a shot from downtown. Matviyenko moves away and avoids it.
Darian digs a good hook to Matviyenko's body.
Darian fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darian misses with a low kick.
Matviyenko wants to clinch.
Darian misses with a low kick.

Matviyenko drives through and clinches with Darian against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Darian.

Matviyenko manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Darian throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Darian lands a nice hook to Matviyenko's body. Matviyenko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Darian uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lance Darian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Darian swinging wildly here.
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 Lance Darian will probably get the nod.
That's time! Darian's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matviyenko throws a combination that misses
and Darian counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Matviyenko takes the fight into the clinch.
Matviyenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Matviyenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Darians head.
Darian is trying to break the clinch but Matviyenko is controlling him.
Matviyenko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Darian's efforts to push away.
Matviyenko tries a body shot but Darian blocks it.
Matviyenko is struggling to control the position.
Matviyenko is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Darian to keep the fight standing.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Matviyenko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Matviyenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Darian breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darian connects with a looping right hand.
Darian throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matviyenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matviyenko misses with a wild combination.

Matviyenko clinches with his opponent.
Darian gets underhooks to prevent Matviyenko's takedown attempt.
Matviyenko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Darian's efforts to push away.
Matviyenko fails to pull guard.
Lance Darian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolay Matviyenko.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Darian.
Darian swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Darian wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Matviyenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko misses with a punch to the body.
Darian is trying to break the clinch but Matviyenko has him pressed against the cage.

Matviyenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Darian throws the kick towards the body but Matviyenko avoids it.
Lance Darian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Matviyenko has Darian up against the cage in a clinch.
Matviyenko is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Darian to keep the fight standing.

Darian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matviyenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darian.
Matviyenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Darian looks to land a left hand but Matviyenko moved out of range nicely.
Matviyenko closes the distance looking to clinch
and Darian counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darian keeps the fight on the outside.
Darian throws a jab but it's blocked by Matviyenko.
Matviyenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Darian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Darian misses with a straight left.
Nice uppercut lands for Darian. That snapped Matviyenko's head back.
Darian lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Matviyenko tries to clinch up.
Matviyenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Darian.
Darian misses with a two punch combination.
Darian swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Matviyenko moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matviyenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matviyenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matviyenko tries to clinch but Darian moves out of range.
Lance Darian is winning the standup battle so far.
Matviyenko dodges the punch combination from Darian.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Darian scores with a decent looking hook.
Matviyenko moves to clinch but Darian breaks away
and Matviyenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Darian throws a series of punches but Matviyenko moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A swing and a miss from Darian.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Darian keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lance Darian will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Darian bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Matviyenko's head backwards.
Darian keeps the fight on the outside.
Matviyenko looks to land a combination but Darian avoids it well.
A chopping leg kick lands by Darian.
Darian buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Darian throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Darian throws a solid leg kick but Matviyenko takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Darian.
Matviyenko shoots in for a takedown but Darian shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Darian throws a hook but Matviyenko avoids it easily.
Darian throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matviyenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matviyenko tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Darian counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darian throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Darian comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Matviyenko gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Matviyenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matviyenko wants to clinch.
Matviyenko fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheers as Darian lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matviyenko doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko is looking to clinch but Darian is avoiding it.

Matviyenko pushes Darian up against the cage in a clinch.
Matviyenko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Darian gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Darian wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matviyenko pressing his opponent against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Darian - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Darian looking to stall.

Matviyenko breaks from the clinch.
Matviyenko tries to clinch up but Darian circles away and keeps his distance.
Nicolay Matviyenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darian misses with a few strikes there.
Darian looks to land a left hand but Matviyenko moved out of range nicely.

Matviyenko moves into range and clinches up with Darian.
A frustrated look appears on Darian's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Darian tries to stall but Matviyenko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Matviyenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Matviyenko checks the leg kick.
Darian throws a series of punches but Matviyenko moves out of range.
Darian connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Darian.
Darian lunges at Matviyenko with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Matviyenko's hand.
Matviyenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Darian moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Darian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matviyenko throws a right and a left that Darian avoids nicely.
Matviyenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matviyenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Darian moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Darian will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for Darian, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Matviyenko swinging wildly here.
Nicolay Matviyenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Darian connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matviyenko's hands.
Lance Darian is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Darian scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lance Darian showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Darian, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lance Darian!
Lance Darian seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.