PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darius Frank Jr (ranked 5136 p4p, 3680 weight class) and Kyrylo Lyashenko (ranked 538 p4p, 472 weight class). Kyrylo Lyashenko is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Frank Jr
vs
Lyashenko

195 cm
19
214
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
214
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

IC&E Nutrition (& 10% Laundry)

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darius Frank Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kyrylo Lyashenko!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Frank Jr uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lyashenko.
Frank Jr looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lyashenko misses with a hook
and Frank Jr counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Lyashenko misses with a body shot

and Frank Jr moves into the clinch.
Frank Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Lyashenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Frank Jr landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lyashenko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Frank Jr backwards.
Frank Jr is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Frank Jr is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lyashenko avoiding damage as Frank Jr throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frank Jr blocks an uppercut.
Lyashenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lyashenko lands with a light punch inside.
Lyashenko blocking some punches.
Lyashenko lands with a light punch inside.
Lyashenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyashenko tries to work over Frank Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Lyashenko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Frank Jr stalls.
Lyashenko lands a shot to the body.
Frank Jr lands a knee to the body.
Frank Jr throws a head punch that misses.
Frank Jr tries to land a knee to the head but Lyashenko blocks with his arms.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lyashenko.
Frank Jr with a knee to the head.
Lyashenko stalling in the clinch.
Frank Jr using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The referee calls for Lyashenko to work.
Frank Jr misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lyashenko.
Lyashenko throws a punch but it's blocked by Frank Jr.
Frank Jr slowing the pace effectively.
Frank Jr misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyashenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Frank Jr's elbow.
Frank Jr blocking some punches.
Lyashenko stalls.
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!
Frank Jr misses with the head strike.
Lyashenko leaning his opponent against the cage.
Knees to the body from Frank Jr.
Frank Jr is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lyashenko is keeping busy.
Frank Jr lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lyashenko misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lyashenko.
Still in the clinch, Lyashenko scores with a nice short uppercut.
Frank Jr misses with a punch on the inside.
Lyashenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Frank Jr blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Frank Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lyashenko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Frank Jr up against the cage.
Frank Jr is looking to control Lyashenko's arms but Lyashenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Frank Jr has his back to the cage.
Frank Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Lyashenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lyashenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Frank Jr's elbow.
Frank Jr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lyashenko's elbow.
We've been informed that Lyashenko has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Lyashenko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Frank Jr prevents a body shot from Lyashenko.
A head punch on the inside from Lyashenko fails to land.
Frank Jr dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Frank Jr throws a punch but it's blocked by Lyashenko.
Frank Jr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lyashenko's elbow.
Lyashenko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Lyashenko fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lyashenko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lyashenko.
Come on Lyashenko - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Lyashenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lyashenko lands a right hand.
Frank Jr tries a knee to the head but Lyashenko blocks it.
Frank Jr tries to land knees in the clinch but Lyashenko avoids the damage to the body.
Frank Jr is looking to control Lyashenko's arms but Lyashenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Frank Jr has his back to the cage.
Frank Jr misses with a body punch.
Frank Jr landing knees to the body.
Lyashenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Frank Jr backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Frank Jr holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Lyashenko throws a punch but it's blocked by Frank Jr.
Frank Jr using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Frank Jr tries a knee to the head but Lyashenko blocks it.
Frank Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lyashenko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Darius Frank Jr will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lyashenko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lyashenko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lyashenko lands with a light punch inside.
A short body shot lands from Lyashenko as the two fighters clinch.
Lyashenko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Lyashenko pushes Frank Jr back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Lyashenko pushes Frank Jr back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Lyashenko slowing the pace effectively.
Lyashenko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lyashenko leaning his opponent against the cage.
Lyashenko is struggling to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frank Jr letting Lyashenko take a breather here.
Lyashenko receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Lyashenko takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frank Jr is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lyashenko is keeping busy.
Lyashenko cracks Frank Jr with a nice body shot.
Lyashenko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Frank Jr backwards.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Frank Jr scores a nice knee to the body.
Frank Jr crunches a lovely knee into Lyashenko's ribcage.
Frank Jr scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Kyrylo Lyashenko has been cut.
Lyashenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lyashenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Lyashenko misses with a hook from the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Lyashenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lyashenko controlling the action here for a moment.
Frank Jr tries to land knees in the clinch but Lyashenko avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyashenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lyashenko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Frank Jr backwards.
A right hand to the body from Lyashenko.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Frank Jr misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lyashenko.
A head punch on the inside from Lyashenko fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lyashenko.
Lyashenko stalling in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Frank Jr.
Frank Jr is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Frank Jr gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Frank Jr is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lyashenko tries to throw a body punch but Frank Jr avoids it by throwing Lyashenko back against the cage.
Lyashenko wants to stall.
Frank Jr is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frank Jr misses with a knee strike.
Lyashenko lands a right hand.
Lyashenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Frank Jr tries a body shot but Lyashenko blocks it.
Frank Jr is trying to maintain a safe position but Lyashenko gets an underhook and turns Frank Jr into the cage.
Lyashenko effectively controlling the action here.
Frank Jr scores a nice knee to the body.
Lyashenko is breathing heavily.
A knee to the head by Frank Jr.
Frank Jr with a knee to the head.
Frank Jr landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Frank Jr is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Frank Jr pressing his opponent against the cage.
Frank Jr unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frank Jr is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lyashenko is keeping busy.
Frank Jr taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Darius Frank Jr.
Lyashenko takes a swing at Frank Jr's ribcage but misses.
Frank Jr appears to be looking for a big counter.
Frank Jr throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lyashenko throws a shot from downtown. Frank Jr moves away and avoids it.
Frank Jr throws a big counter combination but Lyashenko scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Lyashenko gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Frank Jr trying to control the position but instead, Lyashenko has worked for underhooks and has pushed Frank Jr into the cage.
Frank Jr is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Frank Jr is looking to control Lyashenko's arms but Lyashenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Frank Jr has his back to the cage.
Lyashenko displaying some good clinch control by pressing Frank Jr up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kyrylo Lyashenko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kyrylo Lyashenko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Frank Jr closes the distance and pushes Lyashenko back into the cage.
Frank Jr is looking to control Lyashenko's arms but Lyashenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Frank Jr has his back to the cage.
Frank Jr landing knees to the head.
Lyashenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lyashenko stalling the fight.
Lyashenko taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Frank Jr crunches a lovely knee into Lyashenko's ribcage.
Frank Jr with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lyashenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frank Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Frank Jr utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lyashenko tries to stall but Frank Jr uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lyashenko blocks an uppercut.
Frank Jr tries to land a knee to the head but Lyashenko blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Lyashenko.
Lyashenko throws a punch but it's blocked by Frank Jr.
Frank Jr trying to land knees to the body.
Lyashenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lyashenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Lyashenko.
Frank Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lyashenko effectively controlling the action here.
Lyashenko is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Frank Jr is keeping busy.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lyashenko stalling in the clinch.
Lyashenko lands a left hand.
A short right from Lyashenko.
Frank Jr trying to control the position but instead, Lyashenko has worked for underhooks and has pushed Frank Jr into the cage.
Lyashenko blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyashenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Frank Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lyashenko lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lyashenko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lyashenko is working Frank Jr over against the cage.
Lyashenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lyashenko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A shot in the inside from Lyashenko.
Frank Jr letting Lyashenko take a breather here.
Lyashenko misses with a body punch.
Lyashenko slows down the pace here.
Lyashenko is pushing Frank Jr up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lyashenko pressing his opponent against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kyrylo Lyashenko.

Lyashenko rushes Frank Jr and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Frank Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lyashenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Frank Jr is trying to maintain a safe position but Lyashenko gets an underhook and turns Frank Jr into the cage.
Frank Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lyashenko blocking some punches.
Frank Jr is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lyashenko stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frank Jr controlling the action here for a moment.
Frank Jr lands a knee to the head.
Frank Jr letting Lyashenko take a breather here.
Frank Jr working Lyashenko over with knees to the body.
Frank Jr throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lyashenkos head.
Frank Jr blocking some punches.
Frank Jr trying to land knees to the body.
Lyashenko lands an uppercut.
Lyashenko slowing the pace effectively.
Lyashenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Frank Jr controls his hands.
Frank Jr working Lyashenko over with knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lyashenko is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Frank Jr is keeping busy.
Lyashenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kyrylo Lyashenko.
I think Lyashenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kyrylo Lyashenko!
Kyrylo Lyashenko managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, IC&E Nutrition (& 10% Laundry), into his post fight interview.