PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Erasmo Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaliy Axenchik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erasmo Ryan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ryan
vs
Axenchik

219 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

172 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erasmo Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vitaliy Axenchik!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Axenchik manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ryan on his heels. He'll look to pass Ryan's guard now, I'm sure.
Axenchik trying to control the position from guard on top but Ryan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ryan keeping full guard, as Axenchik tries to pass.

Axenchik gets to his feet. Ryan looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Axenchik decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Axenchik is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ryan defends it well.
Axenchik seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ryan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Axenchik is looking to advance position but Ryan won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axenchik performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Ryan is looking for a sweep. Axenchik is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ground and pound from Axenchik.
Axenchik is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Axenchik prevents Ryan from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like Axenchik is going to stand back up.

That's two 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.

Axenchik decides to return to a standing position.

Ryan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ryan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ryan just leaning against Axenchik, taking a breather.

Axenchik's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ryan gets caught napping as Axenchik dives in and scores a takedown. Ryan manages to retain guard.
Ryan keeping moving, preventing Axenchik from controlling successfully.
Ryan looking for a sweep. Not yet Ryan, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axenchik trying to control the position from guard on top but Ryan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Axenchik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ryan is breathing heavily.

Axenchik stands up from Ryan's guard - Axenchik perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Axenchik.

Axenchik thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Axenchik is looking to take a break and control but Ryan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Axenchik stands up and beckons Ryan to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Axenchik dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Axenchik throws a right hand that Ryan ducks under and follows up with a left that Ryan also avoids with ease.
Ryan wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Axenchik closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ryan quickly recovers to half guard.
Axenchik is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ryan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Axenchik trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Axenchik sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Ryan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Axenchik gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ryan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axenchik trying to control the position from guard on top but Ryan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ryan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Axenchik's guard.

Axenchik bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ryan's guard.

Ryan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Axenchik showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axenchik's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Ryan keeping moving, preventing Axenchik from controlling successfully.
Axenchik landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axenchik controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ryan keeping moving, preventing Axenchik from controlling successfully.
Axenchik stands and throws Ryan's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Axenchik scores with a couple of short elbows.
Check out the look on Axenchik's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Axenchik stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Axenchik shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Axenchik stands up and beckons Ryan to join him on the feet.

Axenchik rushes Ryan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ryan is working for takedown but Axenchik is calmly controlling the position for now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ryan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Axenchik smiles and moves away.

Axenchik darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Axenchik showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Axenchik is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ryan's half guard.

Ryan is rocked!

Ryan is defending against the submission attempts here by Axenchik.
Axenchik takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Axenchik is working away from the top position though.
Ryan wants to improve his position but Axenchik is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Axenchik.
Axenchik not doing much here.
Ryan is looking to improve his position.
Axenchik is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Axenchik wants to pass to mount but Ryan is defending the position.
Axenchik has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two 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.
Ryan tries to get to full guard but Axenchik has control of the leg.
Axenchik tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ryan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Axenchik is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Axenchik controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Axenchik stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Ryan to get to his feet.

Axenchik has closed the distance and engaged Ryan in a clinch.

Ryan is fighting off a takedown attempt but Axenchik is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ryan to the mat. Ryan regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Ryan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Axenchik stands up and waves to Ryan to follow him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ryan tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan wants to clinch up but Axenchik keeps it at a distance.

Axenchik closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ryan wants to get back to full guard.
Axenchik is taking a breather. Ryan says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Axenchik decides to stand and escape the position.
Vitaliy Axenchik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Axenchik shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ryan keeping moving, preventing Axenchik from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitaliy Axenchik comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Axenchik has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitaliy Axenchik!