PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jensen Saint (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viacheslav Datsik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saint comes to the cage accompanied by Bad Company - Holy Water. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Saint
vs
Datsik

182 cm
40
205 lbs
40 - 23 - 0

188 cm
37
212 lbs
32 - 17 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Wild Ones Apparel (Fightwear and Laundry)

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 40 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jensen Saint!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Viacheslav Datsik!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Datsik misses with the combination.
Datsik looks to land a left hand but Saint moved out of range nicely.
Datsik connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Datsik looks to land a left hand but Saint moved out of range nicely.
Datsik misses with a double jab
and Saint cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Datsik misses with an uppercut. Saint saw that one coming.
Saint seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Datsik moves in looking to clinch but Saint pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saint works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Saint throws a body kick that misses
and Datsik cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Saint tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Viacheslav Datsik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Datsik takes a swing at Saint's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Datsik misses.
Saint uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Datsik.
Datsik with a nice cross.
Datsik darts in trying to clinch
enabling Saint to counter with a crisp jab.
Datsik throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Datsik misses with a body shot.
Datsik rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saint counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Datsik lands a right hook to the body.
Datsik slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Datsik does no damage.
A solid leg kick lands there for Datsik.
Datsik scores with a decent looking hook.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Datsik enables Saint to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Datsik manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saint with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Saint 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.
Saint trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Datsik has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Datsik keeping full guard, as Saint tries to pass.
Datsik is pulling down on Saint's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saint trying to control the position from guard on top but Datsik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Datsik pulls Saint in close to prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Saint is looking to work some ground and pound but Datsik has wrist control.
Saint throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saint feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Datsik's calf.
Saint ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Datsik throws a sloppy head kick and Saint moves out of range easily.
Datsik misses with a lunging right hand

and Saint counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Datsik!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saint working the head and body with strikes.
Datsik struggling a bit here.
Saint fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Saint passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Datsik!
Saint looking to control but Datsik is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Saint swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Datsik is now in Saint's guard. A big mistake from Saint there, giving up the dominant position!
Saint not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
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 Jensen Saint will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Datsik swings for the body but Saint moves out of range.

Datsik has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saint is trying to break free.
Saint on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Datsik misses with an elbow over the top.
Saint has Datsik pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Datsik manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Datsik struggles to land a body shot inside as Saint controls his hands.
Datsik misses with a punch on the inside.
Saint using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Datsik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Datsik gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saint avoids a wild elbow strike from Datsik.
Datsik throws an elbow that misses.
Datsik misses with a hook from the clinch.
Datsik misses with a punch on the inside.
Datsik cracks Saint with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Datsik misses with a punch on the inside.
Datsik looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Saint is trying to pull guard but Datsik has him pressed against the cage.
Datsik throws an elbow but it misses.
Saint blocks an elbow strike.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Datsik pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Datsik looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Datsik trying to land knees to the body.
Datsik throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Saint blocks an uppercut.
Datsik looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Saint blocks the elbow strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Datsik scores with a shoulder strike.
Datsik working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saint wants to stall.
Datsik misses with an elbow over the top.
Saint tries to land a knee to the head but Datsik blocks with his arms.
Saint avoids the elbow strike from Datsik, against the cage.
Datsik tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saint's elbow.
Datsik lands with a left to the head.
Saint takes an elbow to the temple.
Datsik throws an elbow that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Saint wants the takedown. Datsik is fighting it off but Saint persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Datsik's guard against the cage.
Datsik keeping moving, preventing Saint from controlling successfully.
Saint looking to sit in guard and control but Datsik gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saint has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Datsik is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Saint.
You can see the frustration on Saint's face as Datsik controls the position.
Saint gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Datsik controlling the pace.
Saint is not content to let Datsik control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Datsik is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Saint is pressing down on Datsik's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Saint not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Saint working for a triangle but Datsik defends it easily.
Datsik has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Datsik trying to control but Saint is working from the bottom.
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.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Datsik throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Viacheslav Datsik seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saint connects with a solid leg kick.
Saint avoids the body shot from Datsik.
Saint lands with an uppercut that bounces Datsik off the cage and back into range.
Datsik misses with a double jab.
Datsik lands an overhand right.
Datsik uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saint.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Datsik tries to clinch but Saint is having none of it.
Nice shot by Datsik.
Datsik misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saint fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Saint throws a nice outside leg kick.
Datsik walks into a jab.
Datsik throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saint.
Saint tries to land a front kick but Datsik steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Saint gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Datsik.
Datsik fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Viacheslav Datsik is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saint takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Datsik cracks Saint with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Datsik throws a hook to the side of Saint's head but Saint sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Datsik wants to clinch up but Saint keeps it at a distance.
Datsik uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Saint has time to react.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saint throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Datsik counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Saint managing to block the knees to the body from Datsik.
Saint is working for takedown but Datsik is calmly controlling the position for now.
Datsik tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Saint blocks an elbow strike from Datsik.
Viacheslav Datsik seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right from Datsik.
Datsik misses with an elbow strike.
Datsik misses with the head strike.
Datsik lands a right hand that snaps the head of Saint backwards.
Datsik misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saint misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saint is trying to maintain a safe position but Datsik gets an underhook and turns Saint into the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Datsik just misses with a elbow thrown towards Saint's brow.
Saint on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Datsik creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Datsik struggles to land a body shot inside as Saint controls his hands.
Saint avoids a wild elbow strike from Datsik.
Saint wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saint blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saint has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Datsik struggles to land a body shot inside as Saint controls his hands.
Datsik avoids the elbow strike from Saint, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Datsik.
A head punch on the inside from Datsik fails to land.
Datsik lands a nice elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Datsik fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saint blocks an elbow strike.
Datsik missing with knees to the body.
Datsik swings wildly with an uppercut but Saint uses good head movement to avoid it.
Datsik lands an elbow inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Datsik throws an elbow but misses.
Datsik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saint stalling in the clinch.

Saint gets control of Datsik's arms and successfully pulls guard. Saint will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Saint wants to sweep here but Datsik controlling him for the moment.
Datsik tries to free his leg and advance position but Saint is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viacheslav Datsik really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Saint looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Datsik misses with a looping right.

Datsik moves into the clinch successfully.

Saint breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saint throws a body punch but Datsik moves out of range.
Datsik swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Saint.
Datsik scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Saint doesn't seem bothered though.
Datsik is looking to clinch but Saint is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saint slips a jab from Datsik.
Saint throws a shot from downtown. Datsik moves away and avoids it.
Datsik lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Datsik fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saint manages to avoid it.
Saint misses with a looping right.
Saint cracks Datsik with a right hand to the side of the head.
Datsik is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saint.
Saint shoots in looking for a takedown. Datsik tries to sprawl out of it but Saint keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Datsik manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saint uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Datsik.
Datsik throws a hook but Saint avoids it easily.
Datsik throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saint connects with a good right hand that stumbles Datsik. Datsik circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Saint tries to move into range but Datsik moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Datsik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saint circles away from the clinch attempt.
Datsik takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Datsik throws a sloppy head kick
and Saint counters with a nice kick to the body.
Saint avoids the body shot from Datsik.
Datsik throws a poor cross that misses

so Saint counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
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!
Saint looking to pass the guard.
Saint trying to control the position from guard on top but Datsik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saint is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jensen Saint overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saint pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Datsik is keeping the position for now.
Saint throws a big right hand that misses.
Datsik wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Datsik is trying to keep Saint in close.
Datsik keeping full guard, as Saint tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.

Datsik moves into the clinch successfully.
Datsik lands a nice elbow.
Datsik throws a punch but it's blocked by Saint.
Saint blocks the elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Datsik looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Datsik lands a body shot.
Datsik scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Datsik's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Viacheslav Datsik will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice jab there from Datsik.
Saint blocks a jab.
Datsik tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Datsik fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Datsik thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Saint if he has to take too many more of those.
Saint dives in and grabs Datsik's left leg, looking for a takedown. Datsik pushes down on Saint's head and hops out.
A left lands for Saint.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab by Datsik.
Datsik misses with a double jab.
Datsik looks to land a right hand but Saint moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Datsik scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Saint looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Saint uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Datsik.
Datsik misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Datsik throws a right and a left that Saint avoids nicely.
Datsik on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Datsik slips a jab and a cross from Saint.
Saint shoots in for a takedown but Datsik shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Datsik. Saint does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saint swats away the attempt to clinch by Datsik.
Jensen Saint has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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 throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Saint on the side of the head.
Datsik misses with a hook. Saint ducked under it nicely.
Saint connects with a solid leg kick.
Saint fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jensen Saint. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Datsik throws a body shot but no joy.
Some wild striking there from Saint.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Saint feints and as Datsik raises his hands in defense, Saint changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saint postures up and lands a big shot to Datsik's brow.
Datsik avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Datsik keeping moving, preventing Saint from controlling successfully.
Datsik bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saint's guard.

Datsik not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Saint looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Saint looking to control.
Datsik must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saint is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Saint had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Datsik defends it easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Saint looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Datsik has picked Saint up and slammed him! Saint can't keep hold of the triangle and Datsik manages to pass to side control!
Saint seems a little lost for a moment, as Datsik dominates the positioning.
Saint is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Viacheslav Datsik comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Datsik 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 46:49
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 47:48
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viacheslav Datsik!
Viacheslav Datsik seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.