PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hitmon Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viacheslav Datsik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hitmon Lee has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lee
vs
Datsik

195 cm
33
222 lbs
29 - 15 - 0

188 cm
35
212 lbs
29 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hitmon Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Viacheslav Datsik!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Steven Brown and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lee throws a body punch but Datsik moves out of range.
Datsik fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lee comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Datsik misses with a looping right.
Datsik throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Datsik takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Datsik missing with a left hand there. Lee was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've been hearing reports that Lee has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Lee swats away the attempt to clinch by Datsik.
Lee looks to land a combination but Datsik avoids it well.
Datsik throws a hook to the side of Lee's head but Lee sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Viacheslav Datsik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lee is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Datsik.
Datsik misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lee swings for the body but Datsik moves out of range.
Lee misses with a low kick.
A big left from Lee misses.
Datsik misses with a wild body shot.
Lee throws an off balance right hand
and Datsik counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Datsik uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Datsik scores with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lee throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Datsik tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lee is in Datsik's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Lee throws a big elbow that misses.
Lee trying to control the position from guard on top but Datsik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Datsik pulls Lee in close to his closed guard and prevents Lee from doing any damage or advancing position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Let's hope that Datsik has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lee gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Datsik.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Datsik.
Lee misses with an uppercut
and Datsik counters with a series of strikes. Lee will be more careful next time no doubt.
Datsik swings for the body but Lee moves out of range.
Datsik walks into a stiff left hand from Lee.

Datsik clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Datsik lands with a right to the head.
Datsik throws an elbow but it misses.
Datsik misses with a punch to the body.
Datsik lands an elbow that stopped Lee in his tracks for a moment.
Lee blocks an elbow strike.
Datsik misses with a hook to the ribs.
Datsik misses with an elbow over the top.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lee avoids the elbow strike from Datsik, against the cage.
Lee swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Datsik misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Lee scores with a nice short uppercut.

Lee pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Datsik misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lee.
Datsik misses the shot to the body.
Datsik throws a jab when Lee was well out of range.
Lee tries to score a power double leg takedown but Datsik sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lee somewhat.
A telegraphed right hand from Datsik misses the target.
Lee avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lee lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Datsik misses with a straight right.
Datsik wants to clinch up but Lee keeps it at a distance.
Datsik throws a body punch but Lee moves out of range.
Datsik moves away from the strike by Lee.

Lee gets tackled into the cage by Datsik. Datsik maintains the clinch.
A body shot lands from Lee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Datsik.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Datsik throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lee working aggressively here.
Lee is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Datsik throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lee tries for a takedown but Datsik manages to get underhooks.
Datsik has a couple of punches blocked by Lee.
Lee takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Hitmon Lee has been cut.
Datsik throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lees head.
Datsik throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Datsik lands an elbow that stopped Lee in his tracks for a moment.
Datsik blocks the elbow strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lee is pushing Datsik up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Lee gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viacheslav Datsik dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hitmon Lee's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lee shoots in but no luck this time.
Datsik uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lee.
Lee scores with a head kick.
Datsik connects with a looping right hand.
Lee throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lee tries to land a front kick but Datsik steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A big left from Datsik misses.
Lee closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Datsik tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lee manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lee misses with a low kick.
Datsik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lee swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Datsik throws a lazy right hand but Lee sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Datsik misses the target.
Viacheslav Datsik seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Datsik misses with a body shot.
Datsik changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lee drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Datsik misses with a right hand

and Lee counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Datsik works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Datsik wants to sweep but no luck.
Lee throws a strike but Datsik rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Lee tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Datsik trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
Lee looking to hit a scissor sweep but Datsik is one step ahead there.
Lee is trying to control the position but Datsik postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee wants to sweep here but Datsik controlling him for the moment.
Lee keeping moving, preventing Datsik from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Viacheslav Datsik was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Lee closes the distance and clinches up with Datsik, looking for a takedown. Lee pushes Datsik against the cage but Datsik circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice body punch from Datsik.
Datsik ducks under a wild hook from Lee.
Datsik scores with a nice head shot.
Lee feints a jab promting Datsik to slip. Lee then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Datsik slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Datsik fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lee walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Datsik checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Datsik throws a body punch but Lee moves out of range.
Datsik lands with a straight right. Lee didn't see that one coming.
Datsik throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lee on the side of the head.
Datsik scores with a jab to the body.
Lee misses with an uppercut.
Datsik tries to clinch but Lee is having none of it.
Datsik lands a front kick.
Lee throws a nice outside leg kick.
Datsik lands a jab.
Lee lands a slapping body shot.
Datsik looks to score with a jab to the body but Lee is just out of range.
Lee throws a chopping leg kick but Datsik manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Datsik throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lee counters with a thumping low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Datsik has taken the fight to the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lee.
Lee blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Datsik working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lee drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Datsik gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hitmon Lee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Datsik blocking some punches.
Lee has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Datsik avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Datsik lands a nice elbow.
Datsik gets through Lee's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lee scores with a shoulder strike.
Datsik misses with the head strike.
Viacheslav Datsik seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lee on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Datsik creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Datsik lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lee displaying some good clinch control by pressing Datsik up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viacheslav Datsik showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hitmon Lee's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Datsik fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lee manages to avoid it.
Datsik throws a lazy uppercut
and Lee cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Decent striking displayed by Datsik there.
Lee attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Datsik 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.
Datsik keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Lee gets a takedown into half guard.
Datsik is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lee's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lee's back!
Datsik has good solid back control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Datsik has the hooks in. Lee is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Lee is working hard here to advance position.
Viacheslav Datsik is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Datsik struggling to keep hold of the position.
Datsik is trying to stick to Lee's back but Lee is turning into Datsik. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Datsik's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Lee.
Lee working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Viacheslav Datsik has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Datsik gets a clinch.
Lee is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lee blocks the elbow strike.
Datsik working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lee is trying to break the clinch but Datsik is controlling him.
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!
Lee takes an elbow to the temple.
Lee holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Datsik putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lee in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Datsik prevents a body shot from Lee.
Lee is trying to stall.
Lee stalling against the cage.
Lee is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Hitmon Lee.
Lee tries to land a front kick but Datsik steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hitmon Lee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Datsik slips a jab from Lee.
Lee takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Datsik takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Datsik misses the shot to the body.
Datsik throws a right and a left that Lee avoids nicely.
Datsik is looking to land body kicks.
Datsik jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lee is trying hard to land a takedown here. Datsik sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Datsik throws a hook but Lee avoids it easily.
Datsik lands the left hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Datsik misses the target.
Datsik fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Datsik dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice takedown defense from Datsik. No joy for Lee on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hitmon Lee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Datsik lands with a shot to the body.
Datsik steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lee.
Lee scores with a crisp jab that stopped Datsik in his tracks.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Viacheslav Datsik.
I've got Datsik 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viacheslav Datsik!
During a confident post fight interview, Viacheslav Datsik thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.