PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Timur Lenk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Notis Sfaryianakis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Timur Lenk has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lenk
vs
Sfaryianakis

180 cm
22
220 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

195 cm
22
284 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 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 Las Vegas, Timur Lenk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Notis Sfaryianakis!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sfaryianakis throws a one two combo.
Sfaryianakis takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lenk throws a body kick that misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lenk. Sfaryianakis shrugs it off though.
Lenk missing with a left hand there. Sfaryianakis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lenk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sfaryianakis was well out of range. Poor timing from Lenk.
Lenk throws a body kick the misses
and Sfaryianakis counters with a three punch combo that has Lenk backing up. Lenk nods at Sfaryianakis to acknowledge the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lenk fails to land with a series of punches.
Lenk lands with a shot to the body.
Sfaryianakis looks gassed!
Lenk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sfaryianakis was well out of range. Poor timing from Lenk.
No joy there for Lenk, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sfaryianakis takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lenk dodges the punch combination from Sfaryianakis.
Lenk will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lenk swings widly with a right hand
and Sfaryianakis counters with an inside leg kick.
Lenk misses with a right hand

and Sfaryianakis counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lenk won't be happy with that.
Lenk is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lenk manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sfaryianakis's best efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lenk wants to get back to full guard.

Lenk actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sfaryianakis seems to be working for a kimura but Lenk defends the submission attempt.
Lenk is looking for a sweep. Sfaryianakis is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sfaryianakis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lenk. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sfaryianakis thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lenk's head.
Lenk is pressing down on Sfaryianakis's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sfaryianakis works over Lenk with some ground and pound from guard.
Lenk looking for a sweep. Not yet Lenk, not yet.
Sfaryianakis tries to free his leg and advance position but Lenk is retaining full guard.
Sfaryianakis thows a big elbow that misses.
Sfaryianakis passes Lenk's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lenk looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sfaryianakis trying to pass the guard but Lenk defending well.
Lenk is trying to get back to full guard.
Sfaryianakis is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sfaryianakis throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Sfaryianakis is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lenk doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sfaryianakis.
Sfaryianakis works his way into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sfaryianakis working for a submission but Lenk is keeping him at bay.
Lenk is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lenk is working hard here to advance position.
Sfaryianakis thowing shots but they're missing.
Lenk is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lenk avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sfaryianakis.
Sfaryianakis throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Lenk regains half guard.
Lenk makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lenk.
Sfaryianakis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lenk swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sfaryianakis with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sfaryianakis wants to pass the guard but Lenk is keeping the position.
Sfaryianakis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Lenk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sfaryianakis in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sfaryianakis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Notis Sfaryianakis will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sfaryianakis tries to clinch but Lenk moves out of range.
Sfaryianakis on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

It looks like Notis Sfaryianakis has been cut.
Sfaryianakis scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lenk doesn't seem bothered though.
Sfaryianakis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lenk lands a front kick.
Lenk throws a wild body kick that Sfaryianakis sees coming a mile off.
Sfaryianakis pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lenk is out of range and Sfaryianakis settles back down.
Notis Sfaryianakis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sfaryianakis throws a combination that misses
and Lenk counters with a good, hard body kick but Sfaryianakis shrugs it off.
Lenk is looking to land body kicks.
Lenk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sfaryianakis misses with a few strikes there.
Lenk thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sfaryianakis moves out of range of the body kick.
Sfaryianakis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Lenk!
Lenk goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Sfaryianakis decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Lenk moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lenk working for a triangle but Sfaryianakis defends it easily.

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

Lenk escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sfaryianakis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sfaryianakis postures up in Lenk's guard and throws a big left but Lenk blocks it.
Lenk avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Sfaryianakis decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Lenk throws the kick towards the body but Sfaryianakis avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sfaryianakis lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Lenk misses with a kick to the body

and Sfaryianakis counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lenk won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lenk avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sfaryianakis.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Lenk is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Lenk is looking to improve his position.
Sfaryianakis wants to control but Lenk is keeping him busy.
Sfaryianakis working the head and body with strikes.
Sfaryianakis scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Sfaryianakis is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lenk manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Lenk lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sfaryianakis!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Lenk here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Sfaryianakis is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lenk goes for an armbar but Sfaryianakis turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Sfaryianakis.

Lenk had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sfaryianakis defends it easily.
Sfaryianakis looking to pass the guard.
Sfaryianakis trying to control the position from guard on top but Lenk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lenk working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sfaryianakis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sfaryianakis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lenk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sfaryianakis.
Sfaryianakis postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lenk is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Notis Sfaryianakis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sfaryianakis preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Lenk is working for a kimura but Sfaryianakis is defending it quite comfortably.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Sfaryianakis is defending against the submission attempts here by Lenk.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timur Lenk dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Notis Sfaryianakis's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sfaryianakis looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Lenk wants to sweep but no luck.

Sfaryianakis avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lenk is looking to sweep but instead, Sfaryianakis has passed into half guard.

Lenk looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sfaryianakis passes to full mount!
Sfaryianakis working Lenk over with strikes here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sfaryianakis looking for a guillotine from mount but Lenk is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lenk is looking to improve his position but Sfaryianakis isn't that keen on the idea.
Lenk is in a horrible position here. Sfaryianakis smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Poor strikes thrown by Sfaryianakis there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Lenk takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Lenk is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Sfaryianakis punching from mount but Lenk doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Lenk really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sfaryianakis has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lenk's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sfaryianakis throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Lenk because Sfaryianakis loaded up on that one.
Sfaryianakis thowing shots but they're missing.
Lenk 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.
Sfaryianakis drops an elbow to the side of Lenk's head.
Lenk avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sfaryianakis.

Lenk actively working from the bottom here.
Lenk might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sfaryianakis prevents Lenk from improving his position.
Sfaryianakis lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Sfaryianakis gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Lenk throws a right hand that misses
and Sfaryianakis counters with a low kick, right behind Lenk 's knee.
Lenk dodges the punch combination from Sfaryianakis.
Lenk throws a poor cross that misses
and Sfaryianakis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sfaryianakis scores with a one two! Lenk had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lenk showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sfaryianakis.

Sfaryianakis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lenk, pushing him back against the cage.
Sfaryianakis content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lenk prevents Sfaryianakis from breaking the clinch.
Lenk tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lenk fails to pull guard.
Sfaryianakis wants to break free but Lenk has control.

Sfaryianakis breaks the clinch.
Lenk misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lenk misses with a right hand
and Sfaryianakis counters with a series of strikes. Lenk will be more careful next time no doubt.
A big right from Lenk misses.

Sfaryianakis darts in and clinches Lenk up against the cage.
Lenk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sfaryianakis smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timur Lenk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sfaryianakis misses with a low kick.
Lenk takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Timur Lenk is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lenk misses with the body kick

and Sfaryianakis moves into the clinch.

Sfaryianakis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lenk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lenk misses with an uppercut
enabling Sfaryianakis to counter with a crisp jab.
Sfaryianakis moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lenk avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sfaryianakis lands with a nice body punch.

Sfaryianakis rushes Lenk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lenk fails to pull guard.
Lenk jumps guard but Sfaryianakis stands there with Lenk around his waist. Lenk gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lenk jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sfaryianakis walks away with a smile on his face. Lenk gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sfaryianakis gets a clinch.
Sfaryianakis looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lenk tries to pull guard but Sfaryianakis won't allow it.
Sfaryianakis is trying to break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
Notis Sfaryianakis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sfaryianakis has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Notis Sfaryianakis!