PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Beibitzhan Dastanov (ranked 25022 p4p, 5248 weight class) and Luka Doncic (ranked 535 p4p, 489 weight class). The key to victory for Beibitzhan Dastanov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Dastanov
vs
Doncic

200 cm
18
264
3 - 2 - 0

200 cm
24
230
4 - 3 - 0

Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Beibitzhan Dastanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Luka Doncic!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Doncic moves into range and clinches up with Dastanov.
Dastanov stalling against the ropes.
Dastanov lands a right hand.
Dastanov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Doncic is keeping busy.
Doncic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Doncic holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Dastanov pushes Doncic back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dastanov stalling against the ropes.

Doncic breaks the clinch.
Doncic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Doncic there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like Luka Doncic has been cut.
Doncic on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Doncic moves into the clinch.

Doncic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Luka Doncic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Doncic swinging wildly here.
Dastanov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Doncic.
A jab lands there for Dastanov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Doncic throws a right hand that Dastanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Dastanov also avoids with ease.
Dastanov misses with an uppercut.
Sloppy strikes from Doncic. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Doncic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Doncic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dastanov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A punch combination from Doncic misses.
Dastanov throws a lazy right hand but Doncic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dastanov cracks Doncic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Doncic instigates a clinch.
Dastanov prevents Doncic from breaking the clinch.
Dastanov avoiding damage as Doncic throws knees to the body.
Doncic misses with a punch on the inside.
Doncic throws an elbow but it misses.
Dastanov looking to slow down the pace here.
Stalling in the clinch from Dastanov.

Doncic breaks the clinch.
Doncic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Doncic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dastanov.
Dastanov missing with a left hand there. Doncic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dastanov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Doncic closes the distance and clinches.
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!

Doncic breaks the clinch.

Doncic closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dastanov lands a nice uppercut.
Dastanov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Doncic or not.

Doncic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dastanov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Doncic looks winded!
Dastanov misses with a looping left.
Doncic digs a good hook to Dastanov's body.
Doncic takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dastanov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Dastanov lands a hook to the side of the head.

Dastanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dastanov with a hook.

Doncic has managed to clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Doncic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dastanov scores with a shot to the side of Doncic's head.

Doncic breaks the clinch.

Doncic rushes Dastanov and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Dastanov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Doncics head.
Dastanov wants to stall.
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 Beibitzhan Dastanov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Luka Doncic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Doncic misses with a two punch combination.
Doncic misses with a wild combination.

Doncic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dastanov lands with a short shot to the head.
Dastanov tries to throw a body punch but Doncic avoids it by throwing Dastanov back against the ropes.

Dastanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Dastanov clinches up against the ropes.
Doncic putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dastanov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Dastanov pushes Doncic back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.

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

Doncic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dastanov, pushing him back against the ropes.
Luka Doncic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dastanov pushes Doncic back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dastanov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Doncics head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dastanov tries to work over Doncic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dastanov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Doncic's elbow.
Dastanov misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Doncic.

Doncic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Doncic moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Doncic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Doncic has Dastanov up against the ropes in a clinch.
Dastanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dastanov as Doncic tries to tie him up.

Doncic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Doncic takes one on the button.
Doncic slips a straight right by Dastanov.
Doncic is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Doncic misses with a few strikes there.

Doncic gets a clinch.
Dastanov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Dastanov wants to stall.
Doncic landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Dastanov stalling in the clinch but Doncic improves position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Dastanov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Doncic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Luka Doncic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dastanov tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Doncic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dastanov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Dastanov misses with a punch on the inside.
Doncic wants to stall.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Dastanov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Doncic or not.
Doncic digs a right hand underneath Dastanov's ribcage. Dastanov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Dastanov pressing his opponent against the ropes.

Dastanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Doncic scores with a three punch combo!
Doncic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dastanov throws out the jab.

Doncic rushes Dastanov and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Doncic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dastanov. Doncic does a little dance to reset his feet.

Doncic clinches.
Doncic tries to throw a body punch but Dastanov avoids it by throwing Doncic back against the ropes.

Doncic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Doncic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Luka Doncic's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Doncic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dastanov, pushing him back against the ropes.
Doncic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dastanov is working Doncic over against the ropes.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dastanov.
Doncic swings wildly with an uppercut but Dastanov uses good head movement to avoid it.

Doncic breaks the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dastanov. Doncic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dastanov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Doncic moves into the clinch.
Dastanov lands a right hand.
Dastanov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Dastanov manages to break the clinch.
Dastanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Doncic moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dastanov lands a glancing blow to the side of Doncic's head.
Dastanov misses with a straight right.
Doncic feints a jab promting Dastanov to slip. Doncic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Dastanov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
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!
Dastanov misses with a straight left.
A slow jab from Dastanov misses its intended target.
Dastanov misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Dastanov.
Doncic slips under a jab from Dastanov.
Dastanov sets himself, and Doncic steps forward looking for the clinch! Dastanov avoids it this time.

Doncic has Dastanov up against the ropes in a clinch.
Doncic tries to throw a body punch but Dastanov avoids it by throwing Doncic back against the ropes.
Dastanov prevents a body shot from Doncic.
Dastanov is stalling here.

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

Doncic rushes Dastanov and presses him up against the ropes.
Doncic cracks Dastanov with a nice body shot.
Dastanov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.

Doncic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Doncic gets a clinch.
Doncic unloads a knee to the mid-section. Dastanov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Dastanov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Doncic is keeping busy.
Dastanov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doncic blocks an uppercut.
Dastanov prevents a body shot from Doncic.
A short body shot lands from Doncic as the two fighters clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Doncic manages to break the clinch.

Doncic darts in and clinches Dastanov up against the ropes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dastanov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dastanov scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Doncic breaks the clinch.
The fighters circling - Dastanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dastanov connects with a body shot that sends Doncic's belly button to the back.
Doncic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Doncic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dastanov, pushing him back against the ropes.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Doncic.
Doncic blocking some punches.
Doncic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Doncic manages to break the clinch.

Dastanov gets tackled into the ropes by Doncic. Doncic maintains the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Doncic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Doncic really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luka Doncic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Doncic moves into the clinch.
Dastanov taking a breather.
Dastanov throws a punch but it's blocked by Doncic.

Doncic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Doncic throws a right hand that Dastanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Dastanov also avoids with ease.
A quick step to the side and Dastanov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Doncic closes the distance and clinches.

Dastanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dastanov tries to keep at a distance but Doncic has taken the fight into the clinch.
Doncic tries to work over Dastanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Doncic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Dastanov misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Doncic gets in close and instigates a clinch.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Doncic breaks the clinch.

Doncic moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Doncic misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doncic lands an elbow inside.
Dastanov works on Doncic's body with a couple of short punches.
Doncic is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Dastanov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Doncic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dastanov taking a breather.
Doncic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dastanov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dastanov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Dastanov wants to stall.
Dastanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Doncic's efforts to push away.
Dastanov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Dastanov wants to stall.
Doncic working hard to break the clinch.
Dastanov taking a breather.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Dastanov.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Dastanov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dastanov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dastanov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Dastanov lands a hook that snaps the head of Doncic backwards.
Dastanov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Doncic.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Dastanov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Dastanov lands with a right to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dastanov trying to control the position but instead, Doncic has worked for underhooks and has pushed Dastanov into the ropes.
Good body shot from Dastanov.
Still in the clinch, Dastanov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Dastanov scores with a shot to the side of Doncic's head.
Dastanov lands an uppercut.
Dastanov lands a hook that snaps the head of Doncic backwards.
Dastanov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Beibitzhan Dastanov had his way with Luka Doncic in that round.
The cut man is working on Luka Doncic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Dastanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Doncic.
Dastanov takes a swing at Doncic's ribcage but misses.
Doncic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Doncic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Doncic tries to stall but Dastanov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Dastanov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Doncic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dastanov gets a clinch.
Dastanov avoiding damage as Doncic throws knees to the body.
Dastanov looking to stall.
Doncic is trying to push Dastanov away but Dastanov has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Dastanov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dastanov scores with a shot to the side of Doncic's head.
Dastanov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Doncic breaks from the clinch.

Doncic has closed the distance and engaged Dastanov in a clinch.
Doncic is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Doncic gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dastanov lands with a right to the head.
Doncic is trying to break free.
Doncic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dastanov avoids it.
Doncic is looking to break free of the clinch but Dastanov has double underhooks.
Doncic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dastanov has him pressed against the ropes.
Dastanov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Doncic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Dastanov taking a breather.

Doncic breaks the clinch.
Dastanov dodges the punch combination from Doncic.
Dastanov cracks Doncic with a right hand to the side of the head.
Doncic scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Dastanov misses.
Dastanov looks to land a left hand but Doncic moved out of range nicely.
Doncic lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Dastanov closes the distance and clinches.
Dastanov gets through Doncic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Dastanov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Dastanov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Doncic backwards.
Dastanov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dastanov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Doncic or not.
Dastanov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Doncic being controlled against the ropes.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Doncic misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Doncic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Doncic looks to land a combination but Dastanov avoids it well.
Dastanov wants to clinch.
Doncic dodges the punch combination from Dastanov.
A slow jab from Dastanov misses its intended target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Beibitzhan Dastanov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dastanov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Glass scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Beibitzhan Dastanov!
A victorious Beibitzhan Dastanov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.