PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Byhenikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lauri Pekkarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Byhenikov comes into the arena with Harbinger blaring out of the sound system. Pekkarinen comes into a darkened arena with his song building. For Heavy Metal we will die! kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Byhenikov
vs
Pekkarinen

184 cm
24
198 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

188 cm
24
193 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Byhenikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lauri Pekkarinen!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Byhenikov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Byhenikov there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like Igor Byhenikov has been cut.
Byhenikov is looking to chop away at Pekkarinen's legs.
Byhenikov throws a head kick that misses.

Pekkarinen shoots in and bounces Byhenikov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Pekkarinen stands up over Byhenikov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Byhenikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pekkarinen wants to pass the guard but Byhenikov is keeping the position.
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.
Pekkarinen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pekkarinen stopping the sweep attempt from Byhenikov.
Byhenikov is working hard here to advance position.
Pekkarinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byhenikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pekkarinen distracts Byhenikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Byhenikov wants to sweep but no luck.

Byhenikov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pekkarinen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pekkarinen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Byhenikov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pekkarinen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Byhenikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pekkarinen chips away with some ground and pound.
Pekkarinen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Byhenikov is rocked!
Pekkarinen postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Byhenikov covers up, he's hurt! Pekkarinen keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Pekkarinen and the ref steps in to end the fight! Pekkarinen can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lauri Pekkarinen!
After the fight, Lauri Pekkarinen was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
Igor Byhenikov was interviewed post fight and said 'You have Epic walk-in music,..I am a big fan.'.