PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Highfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lubek Boyko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Highfield
vs
Boyko

173 cm
26
155 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

165 cm
20
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Highfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lubek Boyko!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boyko bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Highfield's head backwards.
Highfield fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Boyko manages to avoid it.
James Highfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boyko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Highfield stuffs the takedown attempt from Boyko. Boyko gets slowly back to his feet.
Boyko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Highfield.
Boyko shoots in for a takedown but Highfield shows good takedown defense.
Highfield thinks about countering with a head kick.
Highfield on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Boyko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Highfield on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Highfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Boyko.
A nice leg kick lands there from Boyko.
Highfield lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Highfield swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Highfield looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Boyko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Highfield throws the left hand but Boyko avoids the punch easily.
Highfield throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boyko staying out of range there.
Boyko wants to counter with a clinch but Highfield pushes him away.
Highfield lands with a thumping leg kick.
Highfield catches Boyko with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Boyko shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Boyko stops Highfield from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
My spies in Ironfist MMA inform me that Boyko has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Boyko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Highfield pushes Boyko off looking to stand but Boyko dives back in and keeps control.
Boyko trying to mount his opponent but Highfield defends it.
Highfield wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boyko connects with a leg kick. Highfield looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Boyko stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Highfield throws an off balance right hand
and Boyko counters with an outside leg kick.
Boyko thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Highfield if he has to take too many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Highfield misses the shot to the body.
Highfield misses with a hook.

Boyko drives through with a takedown into Highfield's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Boyko tries to free his leg and advance position but Highfield is retaining full guard.
Boyko slips nicely into half guard.
Boyko perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Highfield taking some punishment here, with Boyko in his half guard.
Boyko is looking to take a break and control but Highfield is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highfield wants to get back to his feet.
Boyko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Boyko is nestled in close to Highfield, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Highfield wants to get back to his feet.

Boyko is trying for a kimura here. Highfield looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Boyko wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Lubek Boyko!
After winning the bout, Lubek Boyko thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.