PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dominik Kokoszka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Mstislav Byhenikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dominik Kokoszka is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Kokoszka
vs
Mstislav Byhenikov

175 cm
19
168 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

171 cm
21
157 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dominik Kokoszka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ruslan Mstislav Byhenikov!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Byhenikov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
We've been told by Kokoszka's head coaches at Tōshi that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kokoszka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Byhenikov manages to avoid it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Byhenikov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A punch combination from Byhenikov misses.
Byhenikov misses with a body kick.

Kokoszka gets a clinch.
Kokoszka is working Byhenikov over against the cage.
Byhenikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Byhenikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Kokoszka.
Kokoszka is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kokoszka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kokoszka misses with some punches.
Byhenikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A bit of stalling here from Byhenikov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kokoszka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kokoszka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kokoszka misses with some punches.
Byhenikov can't find room to land a body shot as Kokoszka controls the action.
Byhenikov can't find room to land a body shot as Kokoszka controls the action.
Kokoszka blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Byhenikov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Byhenikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kokoszka working aggressively here.

Byhenikov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kokoszka wants to control but Byhenikov is keeping busy.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kokoszka is not content to let Byhenikov control the position.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byhenikov is pressing down on Kokoszka's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kokoszka is holding on for now.
Byhenikov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kokoszka does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kokoszka is looking to control Byhenikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kokoszka avoid being mounted?

Byhenikov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kokoszka is just riding it out for now. Byhenikov eventually gives up the hold.

Byhenikov trying to work for an americana but Kokoszka has managed to regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Byhenikov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Byhenikov is looking to pass into half guard but Kokoszka pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Kokoszka is in guard.
Byhenikov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kokoszka is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Byhenikov working for a triangle but Kokoszka defends it easily.
Kokoszka tries to free his leg and advance position but Byhenikov is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kokoszka has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Byhenikov is proving hard to escape from.
Kokoszka sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dominik Kokoszka will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Byhenikov lands a nice hook to Kokoszka's body. Kokoszka takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Byhenikov fails with a takedown attempt.
Kokoszka digs a good hook to Byhenikov's body.
A big right from Kokoszka misses.
Byhenikov throws a hook but Kokoszka blocks it.
Byhenikov throws an overhand right that lands on Kokoszka's shoulder, as Kokoszka tries to avoid the shot.
Byhenikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kokoszka.
Byhenikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kokoszka thuds his right hand into Byhenikov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd cheers as Kokoszka lands an impressive looking overhand right. Byhenikov doesn't seem phased though.
Byhenikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Byhenikov misses.
Byhenikov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kokoszka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokoszka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Byhenikov throws out the jab.
Byhenikov tests Kokoszka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dominik Kokoszka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kokoszka is looking to clinch.

Byhenikov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kokoszka regains half guard there - taking advantage of Byhenikov's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Byhenikov wants to take a breather but Kokoszka is having none of it.
Byhenikov sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Byhenikov is trying to work for a kimura but Kokoszka is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byhenikov is trying to control. Kokoszka wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kokoszka wants to control but Byhenikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Byhenikov works his way into full mount!

Byhenikov is working for a guillotine from mount but Kokoszka frees his head quite easily.

Byhenikov goes for an armbar but Kokoszka turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kokoszka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Byhenikov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kokoszka can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Byhenikov looking to control.

Byhenikov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kokoszka gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kokoszka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Byhenikov is keeping the position for now.
Byhenikov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Byhenikov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Kokoszka uses it to pass to side control.
Byhenikov tries to bench press Kokoszka off him but Kokoszka keeps the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Mstislav Byhenikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Byhenikov misses with a two punch combination.
Byhenikov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kokoszka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Byhenikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Byhenikov blocks a jab.
Byhenikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kokoszka throws a jab when Byhenikov was well out of range.
Kokoszka clobbers Byhenikov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A bone on bone clash there as Kokoszka blocks the leg kick.
Byhenikov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kokoszka's waist but Kokoszka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Byhenikov off to one side.
Kokoszka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kokoszka lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Byhenikov lands a nice shot to the body.
Byhenikov throws a front kick aimed at Kokoszka's knee but Kokoszka avoids it well.
Byhenikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kokoszka moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byhenikov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Byhenikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kokoszka.
Byhenikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kokoszka.
Kokoszka tries to clinch but Byhenikov moves out of range.
Kokoszka is looking to clinch but Byhenikov is avoiding it.
Kokoszka works the jab nicely.
Kokoszka throws a series of punches but Byhenikov avoids them all with ease.
Kokoszka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Byhenikov.
Byhenikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Byhenikov. That's going to slow Kokoszka down.
Kokoszka tries to clinch up but Byhenikov circles away and keeps his distance.
A jab from Byhenikov misses.
Byhenikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Byhenikov lands a nice hook to Kokoszka's body. Kokoszka takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Donk. Kokoszka catches Byhenikov right on the button with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byhenikov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Byhenikov scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Byhenikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Kokoszka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kokoszka tries to move into range but Byhenikov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kokoszka walks into a stiff left hand from Byhenikov.

Byhenikov dives in and scores a takedown into Kokoszka's guard.
Kokoszka looking to control.
Byhenikov looking to pass the guard.
Byhenikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kokoszka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kokoszka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Byhenikov is pushing down on Kokoszka's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kokoszka is fighting to maintain full guard but Byhenikov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Byhenikov trying to control the action but Kokoszka is working from the bottom.
Kokoszka moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Byhenikov trying to control but Kokoszka is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byhenikov looking to pass the guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kokoszka holds on and takes a little breather.
Byhenikov trying to control but Kokoszka is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ruslan Mstislav Byhenikov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Byhenikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kokoszka.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ruslan Mstislav Byhenikov.
I think Byhenikov 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruslan Mstislav Byhenikov!