PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vyacheslav Poluyanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takehiko Rokuro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Poluyanov comes to the cage accompanied by The battle is going again. Takehiko Rokuro has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Poluyanov
vs
Rokuro

185 cm
25
182 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

169 cm
21
177 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Convicted Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vyacheslav Poluyanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Takehiko Rokuro!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rokuro shoots in but Poluyanov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Poluyanov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice sprawl there from Poluyanov as Rokuro shoots in.
Rokuro takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Takehiko Rokuro has been cut.
Poluyanov moves away from the strike by Rokuro.
Rokuro tries to clinch but Poluyanov is having none of it.
Rokuro wants to clinch.
Poluyanov scores with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poluyanov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rokuro. That did some damage!
Poluyanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rokuro moves away.
Poluyanov misses with a leg kick.
Poluyanov throws a sloppy head kick and Rokuro moves out of range easily.
Rokuro changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Poluyanov tries to avoid it but Rokuro manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Poluyanov to the ground. Poluyanov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vyacheslav Poluyanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takehiko Rokuro.
Poluyanov lands a head kick. Rokuro smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Poluyanov misses with a two punch combination.
Good leg kick by Poluyanov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Poluyanov connects with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poluyanov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rokuro throws a leg kick that is checked
and Poluyanov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rokuro misses with a takedown attempt - Poluyanov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rokuro.
Rokuro goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rokuro fails with the takedown
letting Poluyanov counter with a right hand.
Takehiko Rokuro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poluyanov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Poluyanov throws a head kick that misses.
Poluyanov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Poluyanov throws a head kick but Rokuro moves out of range.
Jab from Poluyanov.
Rokuro has his takedown stuffed
and Poluyanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rokuro has his takedown stuffed
and Poluyanov counters with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rokuro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rokuro misses with a takedown attempt
and Poluyanov counters with a head kick. That will keep Rokuro thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That has opened up Takehiko Rokuro's cut even more.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Poluyanov throws a sloppy head kick and Rokuro moves out of range easily.
Rokuro throws a hook but Poluyanov avoids it easily.
Rokuro looks to throw a body kick
and Poluyanov counters with a nice kick to the body.
Poluyanov throws a head kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rokuro shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Poluyanov is trying to defend but Rokuro finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Poluyanov kicks Rokuro off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vyacheslav Poluyanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Takehiko Rokuro's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Poluyanov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Poluyanov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rokuro.
Poluyanov misses with a head kick.
Rokuro attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Poluyanov swings for the body but Rokuro moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Poluyanov as Rokuro shoots in.
A solid leg kick lands there for Poluyanov.
Poluyanov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rokuro throws a head kick that misses
and Poluyanov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rokuro thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Poluyanov lands but Rokuro takes it in his stride.
Rokuro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Poluyanov swivels and escapes.
Vyacheslav Poluyanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takehiko Rokuro.
Poluyanov throws a sloppy head kick

and Rokuro counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Poluyanov has Rokuro pulled in close to control his posture.
Rokuro won't allow Poluyanov to sweep him here.
Poluyanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Poluyanov looking to control.

Rokuro drops back looking for a leg! Poluyanov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Poluyanov manages to kick Rokuro off! Rokuro jumps back into Poluyanov's guard.
Rokuro slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rokuro is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poluyanov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rokuro tries to pass the half guard into mount. Poluyanov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rokuro throwing shots but Poluyanov is blocking nicely.

Rokuro seems to be working for a kimura but Poluyanov defends the submission attempt.
Rokuro wants to free his trapped foot but Poluyanov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Poluyanov tries to kick Rokuro off but Rokuro keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Poluyanov wants to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Rokuro feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poluyanov is controlling Rokuro's posture.
Rokuro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Poluyanov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rokuro is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rokuro wants to control from the top but Poluyanov keeps moving.
Rokuro stopping the sweep attempt from Poluyanov.
Rokuro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poluyanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Poluyanov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Poluyanov tries to control but Rokuro wriggling away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four 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.
Rokuro is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Poluyanov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rokuro because Poluyanov loaded up on that one.
Poluyanov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rokuro is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Poluyanov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Rokuro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Rokuro tries to hold on but Poluyanov postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vyacheslav Poluyanov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Takehiko Rokuro's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rokuro shoots in for a takedown but Poluyanov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rokuro misses the body punch
and Poluyanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rokuro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rokuro attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Vyacheslav Poluyanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Rokuro shoots in looking for a takedown. Poluyanov tries to sprawl out of it but Rokuro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Poluyanov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poluyanov misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rokuro misses with a takedown
and Poluyanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vyacheslav Poluyanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takehiko Rokuro.
Rokuro closes the distance and clinches up with Poluyanov, looking for a takedown. Rokuro pushes Poluyanov against the cage but Poluyanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Poluyanov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Poluyanov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rokuro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rokuro tries for a takedown but Poluyanov circles away easily
and Poluyanov counters with a big head kick but Rokuro shrugs it off.
Rokuro tries for a takedown but Poluyanov circles away easily
and Poluyanov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vyacheslav Poluyanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rokuro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rokuro looks for a takedown but Poluyanov sprawls well.
Poluyanov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Rokuro has his takedown stuffed
and Poluyanov counters with a head kick.
Rokuro tries for a takedown but Poluyanov circles away easily
and Poluyanov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Rokuro is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poluyanov tries a head kick but it misses.

Rokuro clinches up with Poluyanov and pushes him back against the cage.
A short right from Poluyanov.
Rokuro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Poluyanov lands a body punch.
Takehiko Rokuro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rokuro tries to pull guard but Poluyanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Rokuro drops back down to his feet.

Rokuro decides to pull guard.
Poluyanov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poluyanov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Poluyanov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rokuro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Poluyanov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rokuro keeping moving, preventing Poluyanov from controlling successfully.
Rokuro has a closed guard, preventing Poluyanov from standing up.
Poluyanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rokuro tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vyacheslav Poluyanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Poluyanov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:26
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vyacheslav Poluyanov!