PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toktogulovich Bakiyev (ranked 3676 p4p, 3374 weight class) and Mateusz Biernat (ranked 423 p4p, 387 weight class). Biernat has chosen Someday as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bakiyev
vs
Biernat

171 cm
45
163
37 - 46 - 1

177 cm
34
168
24 - 20 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Glomco Nutrition

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 37 - 46 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 20 - 1, fighting out of London, Mateusz Biernat!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Biernat closes the distance and clinches.
Biernat is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Biernat holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Biernat holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bakiyev is trying to break the clinch but Biernat is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bakiyev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bakiyev connects with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakiyev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Biernat takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Biernat is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Bakiyev's half guard.

Biernat is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bakiyev wants to get back to his feet.

Biernat is working for a kimura but Bakiyev is defending it quite comfortably.
Bakiyev wants to get back to his feet.
Bakiyev trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Biernat seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Bakiyev has recovered full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev wants to stand and escape but Biernat is having none of it.

Biernat postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bakiyev is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Biernat, into his guard.

Bakiyev won't allow Biernat to sweep him here.

Biernat scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bakiyev throws a body punch but Biernat moves out of range.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Biernat uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bakiyev.
Biernat gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bakiyev counters with a straight right hand.
Biernat tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Biernat wants to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Biernat.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateusz Biernat.
Bakiyev misses with a wild body shot.
A big right from Bakiyev misses.
Biernat keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bakiyev.
Biernat shoots in for a takedown but Bakiyev shows good takedown defense.
Biernat looks to clinch
and Bakiyev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Biernat fails with an attempt to clinch.

Biernat forces Bakiyev back against the cage and clinches.
A short uppercut from Biernat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Biernat tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Biernat pulls Bakiyev into guard.
Biernat wants to stand and escape but Bakiyev is having none of it.
Bakiyev wants to stand but Biernat has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Biernat is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Biernat throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Bakiyev escapes and throws Biernat's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Bakiyev decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Bakiyev as Biernat shoots in.
Bakiyev lands with an uppercut that bounces Biernat off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toktogulovich Bakiyev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Biernat moves in looking to clinch but Bakiyev pushes him off.
Bakiyev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Biernat manages to avoid it.

Biernat has taken the fight to the clinch.
Biernat has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bakiyev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bakiyev wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Bakiyev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Biernat is trying to pull guard but Bakiyev has him pressed against the cage.
Bakiyev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Biernat can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Biernat has him pressed against the cage.
Bakiyev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakiyev working hard to break the clinch.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Biernat gets a clinch.
Biernat tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Biernat - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Biernat fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateusz Biernat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bakiyev misses with an uppercut.
Biernat shapes to counter with a head kick.
Mateusz Biernat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bakiyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bakiyev looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Biernat moves into the clinch.
Bakiyev wants to break free but Biernat has control.
Bakiyev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Biernat stalling.
A frustrated look appears on Bakiyev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Biernat misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Biernat breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Biernat is looking to clinch.
It looked like Bakiyev was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Biernat.

Biernat clinches.
Bakiyev working hard to break the clinch.
Biernat throws a punch but it's blocked by Bakiyev.

Bakiyev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bakiyev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev misses with a body shot.

Biernat shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Biernat was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Biernat prevents Bakiyev from escaping the position.

Biernat stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Biernat moves into range and clinches up with Bakiyev.
Biernat is pushing Bakiyev up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Biernat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bakiyev's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateusz Biernat showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bakiyev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Biernat.
A little feinted left hand from Bakiyev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bakiyev. Biernat does a little dance to reset his feet.
Biernat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mateusz Biernat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Biernat fails with a takedown attempt.
Biernat throws a head kick but Bakiyev moves out of range.
Biernat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev connects with a crisp jab.
A slow jab from Bakiyev misses its intended target.
Biernat tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bakiyev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Biernat has closed the distance and engaged Bakiyev in a clinch.
Biernat keeps control of Bakiyev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakiyev tries to break free but Biernat pushes him back against the cage.
Biernat avoiding damage.
Biernat makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch.
Biernat tries to clinch there but Bakiyev circles away.
Biernat fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Biernat tries to clinch but Bakiyev is having none of it.
Biernat on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Biernat shoots for a double leg takedown but Bakiyev sprawls well. He's pushed Biernat's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateusz Biernat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Biernat.
Bakiyev is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Bakiyev gets caught flat footed, as Biernat shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Mateusz Biernat has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bakiyev wants to stand and escape but Biernat is having none of it.

Bakiyev pushes Biernat off and gets back to his feet.
Bakiyev takes a swing at Biernat's ribcage but misses.

Biernat changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bakiyev looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bakiyev wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Biernat swings around for an armbar but Bakiyev sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Biernat's guard.

Biernat is looking for a triangle but Bakiyev pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bakiyev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev is winning the standup battle so far.
Bakiyev swings for the body but Biernat moves out of range.
Bakiyev swings for the body but Biernat moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bakiyev is trying to break free.
Biernat holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Biernat.
A frustrated look appears on Bakiyev's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Biernat fails with the takedown
and Bakiyev counters with a nice uppercut.
Biernat shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bakiyev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toktogulovich Bakiyev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bakiyev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
Our winner, Toktogulovich Bakiyev, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.