PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pavel Datsyuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kanishka Lijikiszcz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Pavel Datsyuk has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Datsyuk
vs
Lijikiszcz

172 cm
19
141 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

150 cm
19
135 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pavel Datsyuk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kanishka Lijikiszcz!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Atkins and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot by Datsyuk.
Lijikiszcz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Datsyuk counters with a nice body shot.
Datsyuk displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lijikiszcz.
Datsyuk throwing a counter right hand but Lijikiszcz manages to avoid it.
Datsyuk lands a head shot.
Lijikiszcz avoids the body shot from Datsyuk.
Lijikiszcz dives in for a single leg takedown but Datsyuk sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Datsyuk throwing a counter right hand but Lijikiszcz manages to avoid it.
Pavel Datsyuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanishka Lijikiszcz.
Lijikiszcz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Datsyuk swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lijikiszcz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Datsyuk as he jumps to the side.
Datsyuk blocks a low kick nicely.
Datsyuk looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz goes for a double leg but Datsyuk avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Datsyuk continues to drive forward.
Datsyuk defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lijikiszcz.
An attempted straight right counter from Datsyuk misses the target.
Datsyuk dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lijikiszcz. That did some damage!
Lijikiszcz ducks under a wild hook from Datsyuk.
Lijikiszcz feints the counter takedown.
Lijikiszcz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Datsyuk sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lijikiszcz somewhat.
Lijikiszcz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
No luck for Lijikiszcz with that takedown attempt.
Lijikiszcz shoots for a double leg takedown but Datsyuk sprawls well. He's pushed Lijikiszcz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Datsyuk throws a hook to the side of Lijikiszcz's head but Lijikiszcz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And Lijikiszcz tries to counter it with a takedown but Datsyuk pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lijikiszcz shoots in looking for a takedown but Datsyuk manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lijikiszcz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A counter left hand to the body from Datsyuk misses its target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lijikiszcz.
Datsyuk is looking to counter punch.
Kanishka Lijikiszcz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lijikiszcz drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Datsyuk is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Lijikiszcz dives into side control.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lijikiszcz postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Lijikiszcz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Datsyuk, who protects the arm well.
Lijikiszcz controlling the position.
Lijikiszcz trying to control the position but Datsyuk is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Datsyuk gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Lijikiszcz is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Datsyuk defends it well.
Datsyuk knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lijikiszcz on the ground.

Lijikiszcz is looking for a kimura but Datsyuk is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lijikiszcz to get the leverage.
Datsyuk wants to control but Lijikiszcz is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lijikiszcz trying to control the pace.
Lijikiszcz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz slows the pace down in half guard.
Datsyuk tries to roll over but Lijikiszcz keeps him under control.

Lijikiszcz wants to work for an arm triangle but Datsyuk is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Lijikiszcz seems to be working for a kimura but Datsyuk defends the submission attempt.
Lijikiszcz slows the pace down in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Datsyuk is defending against the submission attempts here by Lijikiszcz.
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 Pavel Datsyuk will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lijikiszcz feints and as Datsyuk raises his hands in defense, Lijikiszcz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Datsyuk trying to keep a closed guard but Lijikiszcz is proving a slippery customer.
Lijikiszcz trying to control the position from guard on top but Datsyuk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lijikiszcz drops back looking for a leg! Datsyuk is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Datsyuk manages to kick Lijikiszcz off! Lijikiszcz jumps back into Datsyuk's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Datsyuk looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lijikiszcz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Let's hope that Lijikiszcz 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.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Lijikiszcz closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Datsyuk trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lijikiszcz frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Lijikiszcz with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Datsyuk is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lijikiszcz controlling from the full mount.
Lijikiszcz scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Datsyuk?
Lijikiszcz controlling the position easily from mount.
Datsyuk is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lijikiszcz is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Lijikiszcz extends the arm and Datsyuk is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kanishka Lijikiszcz!
Kanishka Lijikiszcz thanked the fans post fight for their support.