PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Boris Lukyanov (ranked 4607 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Embree (ranked 6439 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Lukyanov
vs
Embree

178 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid 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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Boris Lukyanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Matthew Embree!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lukyanov moves into range and clinches up with Embree.

Embree pulls guard effortlessly.
Lukyanov won't allow Embree to sweep him here.
Embree controls Lukyanov momentarily but Lukyanov frees himself.
Embree looking for a sweep. Not yet Embree, not yet.
Lukyanov prevents Embree from getting back to his feet.
Embree not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Embree might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Lukyanov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Lukyanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lukyanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Lukyanov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lukyanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Embree's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Embree tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lukyanov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lukyanov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Embree prevents it.
Embree changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lukyanov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Embree stalks Lukyanov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lukyanov's face. Lukyanov staggers backwards, shaken.
Lukyanov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Embree has time to react.
Embree shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Boris Lukyanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Embree.
Embree fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Embree shoots and misses
and Lukyanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Embree tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lukyanov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Embree somewhat.
Embree scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lukyanov doesn't seem bothered though.

Lukyanov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Embree was covering up waiting for the punch and Lukyanov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Embree 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.
Lukyanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Embree keeping moving, preventing Lukyanov from controlling successfully.
Lukyanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lukyanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lukyanov content to stall in guard here.
Embree wants to stand but Lukyanov is controlling the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Embree has his feet on Lukyanov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Embree fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Embree tries to keep at a distance but Lukyanov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Embree is trying to break the clinch but Lukyanov has him pressed against the cage.
Embree trying to land knees to the body.
Embree is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Lukyanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Embree shoots in for a double leg but Lukyanov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lukyanov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Embree displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lukyanov.
Embree looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Embree fails with the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lukyanov moves into the clinch.
Embree is trying to maintain a safe position but Lukyanov gets an underhook and turns Embree into the cage.

Lukyanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Embree closes the distance and clinches up with Lukyanov, looking for a takedown. Embree pushes Lukyanov against the cage but Lukyanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lukyanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Embree shoots in and drives through. Lukyanov sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lukyanov closes the distance and pushes Embree back into the cage.
Lukyanov scores with a shoulder strike.
Lukyanov has Embree pressed against the cage, preventing Embree from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lukyanov is looking for a takedown.
Embree is trying to push Lukyanov away but Lukyanov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lukyanov breaks the clinch.
Embree gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Lukyanov counters by moving into the clinch.
Boris Lukyanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Embree.

Lukyanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Horrible takedown attempt by Embree or perhaps it was just good defense by Lukyanov, which made it look bad.
Embree throws a head kick but Lukyanov moves out of range.
Lukyanov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Embree tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lukyanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lukyanov attempts a counter takedown but Embree avoids it well and moves away.
Embree just misses with a punch to the body.
Embree tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Embree looks for a takedown but Lukyanov sprawls well.
Lukyanov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Embree throws a head kick that misses

and Lukyanov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Embree tries to pull guard but Lukyanov won't allow it.
Lukyanov is pressed up against the cage. Embree has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lukyanov down to the mat. Lukyanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Boris Lukyanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Embree is breathing heavily.
Embree with a poor takedown
and Lukyanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Lukyanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Lukyanov jumps guard and drags Embree to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lukyanov controlling the position.
Embree trying to control but Lukyanov is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lukyanov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukyanov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Embree in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Embree trying to control the position from guard on top but Lukyanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lukyanov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lukyanov managing to block the knees to the body from Embree.
Lukyanov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Embree in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukyanov wants a takedown but no success here.
Embree is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lukyanov to keep the fight standing.
Lukyanov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Embree avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Embree trying to control the position but instead, Lukyanov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Embree into the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Embree is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Lukyanov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Embree after a bit of a struggle.

Lukyanov successfully pulls guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Embree trying to control the position from guard on top but Lukyanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Embree throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Lukyanov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Embree shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lukyanov pinned against the cage. Lukyanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Embree tries to clinch but Lukyanov is having none of it.

Lukyanov has closed the distance and engaged Embree in a clinch.
Lukyanov is pressed up against the cage. Embree has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lukyanov down to the mat. Lukyanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Lukyanov has managed to clinch.
Embree is trying to pull guard but Lukyanov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Boris Lukyanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Embree.
Embree can't get the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lukyanov lands a takedown into guard.
Lukyanov stopping the sweep attempt from Embree.
Embree looking to control.

Embree working for a triangle but Lukyanov defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Embree is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lukyanov is stalling in the full guard.
Lukyanov won't allow Embree to sweep him here.
Embree trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lukyanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Embree not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Embree looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Embree keeping moving, preventing Lukyanov from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lukyanov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Embree dives in for a single leg takedown but Lukyanov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Lukyanov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Lukyanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Lukyanov keeps control of Embree as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Lukyanov on the inside.

Lukyanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Embree shoots for a double leg takedown but Lukyanov sprawls well. He's pushed Embree's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Embree misses with a takedown

and Lukyanov moves into the clinch.
Lukyanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Embree can do to turn this around?
Embree takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Lukyanov breaks the clinch.
Lukyanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Embree pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Embree has his takedown stuffed
and Lukyanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Embree with a lazy takedown attempt

and Lukyanov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Lukyanov decides to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lukyanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Embree is aware though and is defending well.
Embree trying to control but Lukyanov is working from the bottom.

Lukyanov has an active guard here but Embree has managed to pass into half guard.
Lukyanov wants to control but Embree is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Embree seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Lukyanov is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Matthew Embree!