PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergai Katanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lubek Boyko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lubek Boyko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Katanov
vs
Boyko

170 cm
18
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

165 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Solid chin

MR. Cleaners(laundry 90%)

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 Helsinki, Sergai Katanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lubek Boyko!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katanov misses with a head kick.

Katanov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Katanov prevents Boyko from improving his position.
Katanov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Katanov trying to control from half guard but Boyko is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boyko is doing well to control the position and prevent Katanov from advancing to side control.
Katanov is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Boyko manages to get to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Boyko can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boyko has control of Katanov's left arm, preventing Katanov from doing any damage.
Katanov trying to control but Boyko is working from the bottom.

Boyko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Katanov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Katanov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Katanov preventing the sweep.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Boyko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boyko throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Katanov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Katanov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Boyko sees it coming and defends easily.
Boyko trying to control from the bottom.
Katanov throwing shots but Boyko is blocking nicely.

Katanov wants to work for an arm triangle but Boyko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Boyko is looking to improve his position.
Katanov is taking a breather. Boyko says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Boyko wants to improve his position but Katanov is controlling well.
Katanov prevents Boyko from standing back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Katanov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Boyko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Katanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Katanov throws a big counter combination but Boyko scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A chopping leg kick lands by Boyko.
Katanov looks to land a combination but Boyko avoids it well.
Katanov misses with a head kick.
Boyko scores with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Boyko clinches up against the cage.
Katanov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Boyko managing to block the knees to the body from Katanov.
Boyko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A bit of stalling here from Boyko.
Katanov is looking to break free of the clinch but Boyko has double underhooks.
Katanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Boyko is defending well.
Still in the clinch, Boyko scores with a nice short uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Boyko.
Boyko effectively controlling the action here.
Katanov working hard to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Boyko tightens his grip and picks Katanov up, before dumping him to the ground. Katanov manages to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boyko prevents Katanov from getting back to his feet.
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 Sergai Katanov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Katanov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Boyko but Boyko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Boyko tries to close the distance and clinch but Katanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Katanov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Boyko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Katanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Boyko blocks a head kick by Katanov.
Boyko shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Katanov eats them both and turns towards Boyko to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Katanov takes a swing at Boyko's ribcage but misses.
Katanov sets himself, and Boyko steps forward looking for the clinch! Katanov avoids it this time.
Katanov is looking to slow Boyko down with leg kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boyko checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Boyko feints the counter takedown.
Boyko feints and then cracks Katanov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Katanov down.
Katanov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Boyko sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katanov shoots for a double leg takedown but Boyko sprawls well. He's pushed Katanov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Boyko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Boyko misses with the combination.
Katanov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Boyko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Katanov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergai Katanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Katanov throws a looping overhand right but Boyko ducks down to avoid it.
Sergai Katanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Katanov tries a head kick but it misses.
Boyko throws out a counter right but Katanov avoids it with no problem.
Lubek Boyko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch combination from Boyko misses.
Katanov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Boyko counters with a low kick, right behind Katanov 's knee.
Katanov takes a swing at Boyko's ribcage but misses.
Katanov misses the shot to the body.
Boyko is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Katanov throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katanov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Boyko pinned against the cage. Boyko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Boyko or perhaps it was just good defense by Katanov, which made it look bad.
Boyko shoots in looking for a takedown. Katanov tries to sprawl out of it but Boyko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Katanov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Katanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Boyko wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Katanov.
Sergai Katanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boyko avoids the head kick by Katanov.
Boyko looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Boyko forces Katanov back against the cage and clinches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Boyko.
Boyko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Boyko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Katanov is defending well.
Boyko has a couple of punches blocked by Katanov.
Katanov managing to block the knees to the body from Boyko.
Boyko looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Katanov fails to pull guard.
Boyko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Katanov gets underhooks to prevent Boyko's takedown attempt.

Boyko has Katanov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Boyko pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Katanov tumbling to the mat - Boyko dives into Katanov's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boyko stopping the sweep attempt from Katanov.
Katanov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Boyko is controlling him.
Katanov looking to control.
Katanov wants to get back to his feet but Boyko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Boyko preventing the sweep.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Katanov is looking to stand up but Boyko isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boyko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Katanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lubek Boyko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Boyko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Katanov.
Katanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Katanov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Boyko as he jumps to the side.
Katanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Boyko is looking to slow Katanov down with leg kicks.
Katanov throws a series of punches but Boyko avoids them all with ease.
Katanov throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Boyko counters with a takedown into side control.
Katanov is looking to regain half guard here but Boyko keeps moving and retains side control.
Boyko postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Boyko is chipping away with strikes.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katanov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Katanov is looking to improve his position.
Boyko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Boyko is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Katanov defends it well.
Boyko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Boyko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Katanov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Katanov is trying to control but can't.
Lubek Boyko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boyko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Boyko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katanov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Boyko preventing the sweep.
Katanov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Katanov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Boyko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Katanov has momentary wrist control but Boyko slips an elbow through the middle.
Boyko trying to control but Katanov is working from the bottom.
Boyko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Boyko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katanov looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boyko dodges the punch combination from Katanov.
Katanov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Boyko lands with a right hand.
Katanov misses with a kick to the body

and Boyko counters by clinching up.
Katanov throws a head punch that misses.
Boyko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Katanov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Katanov jumps guard but Boyko stands there with Katanov around his waist. Katanov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Boyko has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Katanov regains guard immediately.
Boyko won't allow Katanov to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boyko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Katanov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Boyko trying to control the position from guard on top but Katanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boyko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Katanov wants to sweep here but Boyko controlling him for the moment.
Boyko throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Katanov is looking for a triangle but Boyko pushes his legs off easily.
Boyko advances to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lubek Boyko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Boyko has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

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