PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Sapursky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Lindberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sapursky's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Imperial March. Lindberg is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Linkin park What Ive done. Matt Lindberg is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Sapursky
vs
Lindberg

185 cm
24
190 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

184 cm
23
199 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ilya Sapursky!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matt Lindberg!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindberg works Sapursky's body with a nice hook.
Lindberg bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sapursky's head.
Sapursky takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lindberg punishes Sapursky's body with a nice straight punch.
Sapursky takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sapursky tries to clinch but Lindberg moves away
letting Lindberg counter with a right hand.
Lindberg throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sapursky's head.
Sapursky takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Sapursky gets a takedown into half guard.
Lindberg is looking to escape.

Sapursky seems to be working for a kimura but Lindberg defends the submission attempt.
Sapursky is just content to waste time from the top position. Lindberg takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapursky wants to control from the top but Lindberg keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sapursky working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sapursky pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lindberg is keeping the position for now.
Sapursky trying to control the position from guard on top but Lindberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lindberg working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sapursky in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sapursky keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lindberg's head.

Lindberg is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Sapursky drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sapursky tries for a takedown but Lindberg manages to get underhooks.
Lindberg using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Lindberg is trying to stall.
Sapursky looking to stall.
Lindberg lands an elbow just above Sapursky 's eye.
Lindberg blocking some punches.
Sapursky wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ilya Sapursky. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lindberg tries to stall but Sapursky uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapursky drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lindberg gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sapursky is breathing heavily.
Sapursky tries for a takedown but Lindberg manages to get underhooks.
Lindberg lands a knee to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Lindberg just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sapursky's brow.
Lindberg connects with a knee to the head.
Sapursky takes an elbow to the temple.
Lindberg connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sapursky's face.
Lindberg unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lindberg lands an elbow inside.
Sapursky takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lindberg utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lindberg lands a knee to the head.
Lindberg lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Lindberg landing knees to the head.
Lindberg scores with a knee to the head.
Lindberg working Sapursky over with knees to the body.
Lindberg lands a nice knee to the body.
Lindberg unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sapursky lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lindberg connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sapursky's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sapursky's face.
Lindberg gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lindberg.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lindberg obliges.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Sapursky blocks it.

Sapursky ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sapursky no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Sapursky has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lindberg throws a big right hand that misses.
Sapursky is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Sapursky 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.
Lindberg tries to free his leg and advance position but Sapursky is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sapursky shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lindberg defends it nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sapursky.
Lindberg lands with a kick to the temple. Sapursky shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lindberg lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Lindberg goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Sapursky is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lindberg's half guard.
Sapursky throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindberg is looking to escape.
Lindberg tries to roll over but Sapursky keeps him under control.
Sapursky seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lindberg does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Sapursky is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Sapursky missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lindberg wants to improve his position but Sapursky is controlling well.
Sapursky throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two 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.
Lindberg keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sapursky not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sapursky trying to control the action but Lindberg is working from the bottom.
Lindberg regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Sapursky.
Lindberg wants to sweep here but Sapursky controlling him for the moment.
Sapursky slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapursky postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sapursky throwing strikes from guard but Lindberg blocks nicely.
Lindberg wants to stand up but Sapursky is controlling him.
Lindberg preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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

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.
Sapursky looking for a sweep. Not yet Sapursky, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sapursky will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Sapursky is trying to control the position but Lindberg postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matt Lindberg will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sapursky shoots in for a takedown but Lindberg shows good takedown defense.
A head kick from Lindberg lands but Sapursky takes it in his stride.
Lindberg cracks Sapursky with a good jab.
Sapursky misses with a takedown attempt - Lindberg sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lindberg throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Sapursky.
Sapursky shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lindberg sprawls well. Lindberg wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sapursky gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ilya Sapursky. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body punch from Lindberg.
Lindberg throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Lindberg scores with a hook to the body. Sapursky takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindberg connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sapursky. Sapursky circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Lindberg lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Lindberg cracks Sapursky with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sapursky shoots in looking for a takedown but Lindberg manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sapursky's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sapursky on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lindberg uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sapursky has time to react.
Nice uppercut there from Lindberg.
Lindberg connects with a body shot.
Sapursky tries to clinch but Lindberg moves out of range.
Lindberg connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sapursky's hands.
Matt Lindberg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lindberg scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sapursky in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sapursky looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lindberg scores with a head kick.
Ilya Sapursky is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lindberg punishes Sapursky's body with a nice straight punch.
Lindberg throws a leg kick which misses Sapursky's front leg but catches the back leg as Sapursky tries to avoid it.
Lindberg scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sapursky doesn't seem bothered though.
Sapursky shoots for a takedown but Lindberg saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Sapursky scores with a takedown into Lindberg's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lindberg is pulling down on Sapursky's head. It's preventing any offense from Sapursky, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lindberg manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Lindberg scores with a hook.
Sapursky shoots in for a double leg but Lindberg sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lindberg tests Sapursky's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sapursky shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lindberg sprawls well. Lindberg wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sapursky gets slowly back to his feet.
Lindberg plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Matt Lindberg seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sapursky dives in and grabs Lindberg's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lindberg pushes down on Sapursky's head and hops out.
Sapursky misses with a right hand
and Lindberg counters with a body kick that stops Sapursky in his tracks momentarily.
Lindberg 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.
Lindberg plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Lindberg fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lindberg scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lindberg lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lindberg.
Lindberg lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ilya Sapursky has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matt Lindberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lindberg lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Lindberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lindberg 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Lindberg!