PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Haleb Sukayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flex Sandman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sukayev
vs
Sandman

195 cm
20
252 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

200 cm
18
260 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Kemists ↑ 5x160Q
Namunamu Clothing

Speedy Supps + Laundry

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Haleb Sukayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Flex Sandman!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sandman throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sukayev on the side of the head.
Sukayev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sandman manages to avoid it.
Sandman doesn't manage to clinch there - Sukayev circles away.
Sandman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sukayev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sukayev scores with a spinning back kick!
Sandman wants to clinch.
Sukayev slips a jab and a cross from Sandman.
Sandman throws a series of punches but Sukayev moves out of range.

Sandman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Sukayev wants to pass the guard but Sandman is keeping the position.
Sandman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've been hearing good reports from Sukayev'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.
Sukayev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sandman is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukayev is working hard here to advance position.
Sukayev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sukayev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sandman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sukayev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sandman is pulling down on Sukayev's head to control his posture.
Sukayev trying to control but Sandman is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sandman shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Flex Sandman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandman cracks Sukayev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Sandman closes the distance and clinches.
Sandman has had enough of the clinch but Sukayev keeps him there for the moment.
Sukayev jumps guard but Sandman turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Sukayev jumps guard and drags Sandman to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sandman wants to control from the top but Sukayev keeps moving.
Sandman tries to free his leg and advance position but Sukayev is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sukayev has a closed guard, preventing Sandman from standing up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sukayev is pulling down on Sandman's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sandman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sukayev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sandman has managed to get both his arms back between Sukayev's legs - danger averted.
Sukayev wants to sweep but no luck.
Sandman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Sandman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sukayev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sandman has managed to get both his arms back between Sukayev's legs - danger averted.
Sandman wants to get up but he can't break Sukayev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sukayev lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sandman!
Sandman felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Sukayev lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Sandman looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sukayev has control of Sandman's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Sandman regains control of the situation pretty easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sukayev wants to control the pace but Sandman is squirming around nicely.
Sukayev landing punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sukayev controlling from mount.
The referee warns Sandman that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haleb Sukayev dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sandman tries to bum rush Sukayev with a series of wild strikes but Sukayev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice cross by Sandman.
Sandman lands with a hook. Sukayev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A slow jab from Sandman misses its intended target.
Sukayev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sandman stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sandman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sukayev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sandman.

Sandman gets caught flat footed, as Sukayev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Sandman keeping moving, preventing Sukayev from controlling successfully.
Sukayev wants to pass the guard but Sandman is keeping the position.
Sukayev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sukayev with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukayev wants to control from the top but Sandman keeps moving.

Sukayev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sukayev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sukayev looking to pass the guard.
Sukayev prevents Sandman from getting back to his feet.
Sandman is breathing heavily.
Sandman being controlled here, momentarily.
Haleb Sukayev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sukayev wants to pass the guard but Sandman is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sukayev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sukayev trying to control the position from guard on top but Sandman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sukayev is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Sandman is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sandman wants to stand up but Sukayev is controlling him.
Sukayev controlling from the top position.

We're going to have a standup here because Haleb Sukayev wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Sandman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sukayev was well out of range. Poor timing from Sandman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sukayev closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sukayev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sandman circles away.
Sandman takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sandman tries to clinch
and Sukayev counters with a one-two to the body.
Sandman misses with a looping left.
Flex Sandman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sukayev looks to land a combination. Sandman sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sukayev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sandman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sukayev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sukayev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sandman.

Sukayev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sukayev lands in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sukayev looking to pass the guard.
Sandman keeping moving, preventing Sukayev from controlling successfully.
Sandman wants to get back to his feet but Sukayev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sukayev works a leg free and moves into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sukayev lands a nice short elbow.
Sukayev prevents Sandman from improving his position.
Sukayev is pressing down on Sandman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sandman is holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haleb Sukayev 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. This is the final round!

Sukayev drives through with a takedown into Sandman's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Sandman wants to improve his position but instead Sukayev has moved into half guard.
Sukayev trying to control the action but Sandman is working from the bottom.
Sukayev thows a huge punch but Sandman dodges it nicely.
Sukayev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sukayev trying to pass the guard but Sandman defending well.
Sukayev is keen to just control but Sandman is a slippery customer.
Sukayev 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.
Sandman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sukayev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sandman knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukayev trying to control the action but Sandman is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sandman won't allow Sukayev to pass to mount.
Sukayev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Haleb Sukayev wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A shot to the liver by Sukayev. Beautiful body shot.
Sukayev closes the distance and clinches up with Sandman, looking for a takedown. Sukayev pushes Sandman against the cage but Sandman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sandman jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Flex Sandman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sandman tries to bum rush Sukayev with a series of wild strikes but Sukayev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sandman falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Sukayev counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandman drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Sukayev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sandman napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Sukayev tries for a kimura but Sandman is defending well.

Sukayev is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sandman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sukayev trying to control the position but Sandman is working away.
Sandman tries to improve position but can't.
Haleb Sukayev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sukayev staying calm.
Sukayev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sandman keeps working.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Sandman is pushing Sukayev's head away, looking to escape. Sukayev manages to hold on to the position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukayev trying to control the position but Sandman is working away.
Sandman wants to get back to his feet.
Sandman trying to remain calm as Sukayev controls from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Haleb Sukayev just wasn't active enough.
Sandman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sukayev connects with a looping right hand.
Sandman has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sukayev.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sukayev shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Well, if Sukayev is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haleb Sukayev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sukayev, 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haleb Sukayev!
A relieved looking Haleb Sukayev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.