PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between janis svitins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle LeBlanc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). janis svitins has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

svitins
vs
LeBlanc

180 cm
22
175 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Resistance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, janis svitins!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kyle LeBlanc!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
svitins is trying hard to land a takedown here. LeBlanc sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
LeBlanc lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

svitins shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

svitins is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

svitins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
svitins stops LeBlanc from getting back to his feet.

svitins is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.

LeBlanc is defending against the submission attempts here by svitins.

svitins trying to work for an americana but LeBlanc has managed to regain full guard.
svitins tries to free his leg and advance position but LeBlanc is retaining full guard.
svitins stops LeBlanc from standing up.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A nice combination there by LeBlanc.
LeBlanc throws a head kick that misses.

svitins drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
svitins is breathing heavily.

svitins drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but LeBlanc manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now svitins has LeBlanc in his guard.
svitins has a closed guard, preventing LeBlanc from standing up.

svitins is looking for a triangle here but LeBlanc uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
svitins is trying to improve his position.
svitins tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but LeBlanc presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
svitins really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
svitins is working hard here to advance position.
LeBlanc is looking to stand but LeBlanc has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
svitins sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
LeBlanc tries to stand and escape but svitins is controlling the position.

svitins actively working from the bottom here.
LeBlanc wants to get back to his feet.

svitins looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle LeBlanc dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

LeBlanc swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
LeBlanc displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from svitins.
LeBlanc throws a right and a left that both miss.
LeBlanc misses with a double jab.
LeBlanc closes the distance and lands a one-two.
LeBlanc looks to land a combination but svitins avoids it well.
svitins throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around LeBlanc's waist but LeBlanc gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing svitins off to one side.
LeBlanc scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
svitins looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for janis svitins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
LeBlanc throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
LeBlanc fails to land with a series of punches.
svitins shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
svitins dodges the punch combination from LeBlanc.
No luck with that takedown attempt from svitins.
LeBlanc throws a head kick that misses.
svitins closes the distance and clinches up with LeBlanc, looking for a takedown. svitins pushes LeBlanc against the ropes but LeBlanc circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBlanc stuffs the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from LeBlanc. No joy for svitins on that attempt.
LeBlanc moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
svitins walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
LeBlanc stalks svitins and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into svitins's face. svitins staggers backwards, shaken.
LeBlanc moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
LeBlanc looks to land a combination but svitins avoids it well.
LeBlanc misses with a jab, cross combination.
LeBlanc lands with a nice combination. svitins backs away looking to recover.
Nice uppercut lands for LeBlanc. That snapped svitins's head back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LeBlanc fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
LeBlanc throws a right and a left that svitins avoids nicely.
svitins dodges the punch combination from LeBlanc.
LeBlanc misses with the combination.
svitins has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from LeBlanc finds it's way round the side to connect with svitins's head.
LeBlanc stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and LeBlanc wants it to stay on the feet.
LeBlanc throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
svitins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc connects with a good right hand that stumbles svitins. svitins circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
LeBlanc defends well against a solid takedown attempt from svitins.
LeBlanc lands a lovely overhand right.
LeBlanc scores with a three punch combo!
LeBlanc scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
LeBlanc misses with the combination.
svitins shoots for a double leg takedown but LeBlanc sprawls well. He's pushed svitins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
LeBlanc lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
LeBlanc throws a sloppy head kick and svitins moves out of range easily.
svitins shoots in but no luck this time.
svitins slips a jab and a cross from LeBlanc.
Kyle LeBlanc is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
svitins shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
LeBlanc throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
LeBlanc throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
svitins has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
LeBlanc throws a series of strikes that have svitins backpedaling.
LeBlanc misses with a two punch combination.
svitins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
janis svitins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A left and a right from LeBlanc both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for LeBlanc. That snapped svitins's head back.
LeBlanc throws a right and a left that both miss.
LeBlanc lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
svitins moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
LeBlanc moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A left and a right from LeBlanc both land. Nice combination.
LeBlanc lands a jab-cross combination.
svitins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
svitins looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A right-left combo lands from LeBlanc.
LeBlanc lands a two punch combo.
LeBlanc looks to land a combination. svitins sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
janis svitins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LeBlanc misses with a double jab.
svitins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. LeBlanc defends it nicely.
A punch combination from LeBlanc misses.
LeBlanc misses with a head kick.
svitins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
LeBlanc has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
LeBlanc throws a combination but it was largely blocked by svitins.
LeBlanc scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
svitins shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has LeBlanc pinned against the cage. LeBlanc gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
LeBlanc throws a sloppy head kick and svitins moves out of range easily.
LeBlanc lands with a straight right. svitins didn't see that one coming.
LeBlanc swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
LeBlanc is working the combinations to good effect here.
LeBlanc swinging wildly here.

svitins closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
svitins stops LeBlanc from getting back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

svitins is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and LeBlanc defends it well.
LeBlanc looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle LeBlanc showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! svitins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

LeBlanc looks to land a combination but svitins avoids it well.
LeBlanc tries a head kick but it misses.
LeBlanc misses with a low kick as svitins jumps back.

svitins scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

svitins is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, LeBlanc has escaped the position, nice work there.

svitins working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
LeBlanc is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, svitins asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

svitins goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, LeBlanc has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for svitins but great work by LeBlanc.
LeBlanc wants to stand but svitins is controlling his arm.
svitins is looking to reverse the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
LeBlanc throws a combination but it was largely blocked by svitins.
LeBlanc misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
LeBlanc throws a combination. svitins tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
svitins dodges the punch combination from LeBlanc.
svitins looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? LeBlanc is fending him off so far but svitins persists. Nope, LeBlanc circles away and we're back to standing.
LeBlanc is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
LeBlanc lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
svitins avoids a punch combination nicely.
LeBlanc will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
LeBlanc wants to land a leg kick but svitins is out of range.
LeBlanc misses with a two punch combination.
LeBlanc lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by LeBlanc.
LeBlanc stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and LeBlanc wants it to stay on the feet.
LeBlanc lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as svitins backs up against the ropes.
No joy there for LeBlanc, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
LeBlanc scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
LeBlanc leaves svitins with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for janis svitins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left and a right from LeBlanc both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc scores with a three punch combo!
LeBlanc lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kyle LeBlanc seems to be getting the better of the standup.
LeBlanc wants to slow svitins down by chopping away at his legs.
LeBlanc throws a series of punches but svitins moves out of range.
LeBlanc swinging wildly here.
LeBlanc lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
svitins fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
LeBlanc displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
LeBlanc looks to land a combination. svitins sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
LeBlanc throws a series of punches but svitins avoids them all with ease.
LeBlanc moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
svitins avoids a punch combination nicely.
svitins looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
svitins shoots in and drives through. LeBlanc sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc tests svitins's chin there with a solid looking shot.
svitins walks into a left hand.
svitins shoots for a double leg takedown but LeBlanc sprawls well. He's pushed svitins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
LeBlanc lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
LeBlanc looks to land a combination but svitins avoids it well.
LeBlanc scores with a one two! svitins had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
LeBlanc works over svitins's head and body with a nice combination.
LeBlanc lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LeBlanc scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
LeBlanc throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
LeBlanc throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
LeBlanc misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

LeBlanc gets caught flat footed, as svitins shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

svitins drops back looking for a leg! LeBlanc is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and LeBlanc manages to kick svitins off! svitins jumps back into LeBlanc's guard.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyle LeBlanc comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got LeBlanc winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyle LeBlanc!
Kyle LeBlanc is the new middleweight champion!