PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stoyak Stoyachnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serge Safarian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stoyak Stoyachnikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stoyachnikov
vs
Safarian

182 cm
26
183 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

179 cm
19
176 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stoyak Stoyachnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Serge Safarian!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Safarian gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Safarian struggles to land a body shot inside as Stoyachnikov controls his hands.
Stoyachnikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Safarian backwards.

It looks like Serge Safarian has been cut.
Safarian lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short uppercut from Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov prevents a body shot from Safarian.
Safarian has a couple of punches blocked by Stoyachnikov.
Safarian blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Stoyachnikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stoyachnikov moves into the clinch.
Stoyachnikov misses with the head strike.
Safarian misses with a punch on the inside.
Stoyachnikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Stoyachnikov misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Stoyachnikov fails to land.
A short left from Stoyachnikov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Stoyachnikov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Safarian.
Stoyachnikov blocks an uppercut.
Safarian lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stoyachnikov backwards.
Stoyachnikov scores with a shot to the side of Safarian's head.
Stoyachnikov misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoyachnikov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stoyachnikov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Safarian or not.
Safarian looks winded!
Stoyachnikov is leaning against Safarian and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Safarian misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stoyachnikov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Safarians head.
Stoyachnikov blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stoyachnikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stoyachnikov has Safarian pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Safarian manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Stoyachnikov manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Stoyachnikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Safarian, pushing him back against the cage.
A short right from Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Safarian backwards.

Stoyachnikov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stoyachnikov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Stoyachnikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Safarian keeps working.
Stoyachnikov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Safarian is not content to let Stoyachnikov control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safarian taking punishment in the form of punches.
Stoyachnikov looking to control but instead Safarian has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Stoyachnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Safarian is looking to escape.
Stoyachnikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stoyachnikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Safarian is not content to let Stoyachnikov control the position.
Stoyachnikov working Safarian over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoyachnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stoyachnikov trying to control from half guard but Safarian is working away.
Stoyachnikov controlling the action here.

Safarian kicks off Stoyachnikov and gets to his feet.
Stoyachnikov tries to clinch up.
Despite the aggression on Safarian's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Stoyachnikov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Safarian - that landed with a thud.
Safarian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Safarian's coach down at Den of Tears (22 coaches) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Safarian's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Stoyachnikov manages to break the clinch.
Safarian works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Stoyachnikov moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Safarian.
A right handed body shot lands from Safarian.
A nice right hand lands inside from Safarian.
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Safarian.
Stoyachnikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Safarian can't find room to land a body shot as Stoyachnikov controls the action.
A short right from Stoyachnikov.

Safarian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Safarian feints and then cracks Stoyachnikov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stoyachnikov down.
A nice combination there by Safarian.

Stoyachnikov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Stoyachnikov goes for a takedown attempt but Safarian pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stoyachnikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Safarian.
Safarian looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stoyachnikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Safarian drives through and clinches with Stoyachnikov against the cage.
Safarian misses with a knee strike.
Stoyachnikov working aggressively here.
Stoyachnikov lands with a light punch inside.
Safarian prevents a body shot from Stoyachnikov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stoyak Stoyachnikov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Serge Safarian's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Safarian wants to clinch.
Safarian connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Safarian tries to clinch there but Stoyachnikov circles away.
Stoyachnikov is looking to clinch but Safarian is avoiding it.
Stoyachnikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Safarian circles away.
Serge Safarian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Left hook, right uppercut from Safarian.
Safarian misses with a jab, cross combination.
Safarian circles away from the clinch attempt.

Stoyachnikov moves into the clinch.

Safarian manages to break the clinch.
Serge Safarian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Safarian tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stoyachnikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Safarian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stoyachnikov wants to clinch.
Stoyachnikov fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoyachnikov tries to clinch up but Safarian circles away and keeps his distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Safarian. Stoyachnikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Safarian circles away from the clinch attempt.
Serge Safarian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Safarian scores with a punch to the head.
Stoyachnikov wants to clinch.
A left and a right from Safarian both land. Nice combination.
Stoyachnikov tries to clinch up.

Stoyachnikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Stoyachnikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stoyak Stoyachnikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Stoyachnikov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That has opened up Serge Safarian's cut even more.
Safarian tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stoyachnikov presses Safarian against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Safarian is breathing heavily.
Stoyachnikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Safarian has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A head punch on the inside from Safarian fails to land.
Stoyachnikov is working Safarian over against the cage.
Stoyachnikov lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stoyachnikov lands a right hand.
A right hand to the body from Stoyachnikov.

Stoyachnikov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Stoyachnikov working Safarian over with strikes.
Stoyachnikov controlling the action here.
Stoyachnikov is nestled in close to Safarian, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Stoyachnikov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stoyachnikov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Safarian does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stoyak Stoyachnikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stoyachnikov is looking to advance position but Safarian won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stoyachnikov is trying to control. Safarian wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stoyachnikov thows a huge punch but Safarian dodges it nicely.
Stoyachnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stoyachnikov controlling the action here.
Stoyachnikov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stoyachnikov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Stoyachnikov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stoyachnikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Stoyachnikov there.
Stoyachnikov trying to control the action but Safarian is working from the bottom.
Stoyachnikov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Safarian keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stoyachnikov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Safarian tries to get to full guard but Stoyachnikov has control of the leg.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Stoyachnikov is trying to control the action in half guard but Safarian is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stoyak Stoyachnikov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Serge Safarian's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Stoyachnikov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Safarian.
Safarian circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stoyachnikov moves in looking to clinch but Safarian pushes him off.
Safarian moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Safarian throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Safarian swings for the body but Stoyachnikov moves out of range.
Safarian dips to his left and cracks Stoyachnikov with an uppercut!
Safarian ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stoyachnikov moves away.
Safarian throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Safarian keeps the fight on the outside.
Safarian swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Safarian throws a shot from downtown. Stoyachnikov moves away and avoids it.
Safarian misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stoyachnikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Safarian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Safarian lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Safarian scores with a decent looking hook.
Stoyachnikov is looking to clinch.

Stoyachnikov has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Safarian prevents a body shot from Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov can't get the takedown.

Safarian manages to break the clinch.

Safarian moves into the clinch.
Stoyachnikov wants to take the fight to the mat but Safarian manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Stoyachnikov blocks a body shot from Safarian.
Stoyachnikov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Safarian misses with a hook from the clinch.
Safarian blocking some punches.
Safarian digs a right hand into Stoyachnikov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Stoyachnikov's gas tank.
Stoyachnikov digs a right hand underneath Safarian's ribcage. Safarian let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Safarian takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stoyachnikov goes for a takedown attempt but Safarian pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stoyak Stoyachnikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab, jab by Safarian - just one landing.
Serge Safarian seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Safarian throws a body shot but no joy.
Stoyachnikov throwing a counter right hand but Safarian manages to avoid it.

Stoyachnikov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Safarian scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stoyachnikov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Safarian.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stoyachnikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stoyachnikov is working for takedown but Safarian is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stoyachnikov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stoyachnikov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Safarians head.
Stoyachnikov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Safarian fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stoyachnikov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Safarian counters with a nice uppercut.
Safarian tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stoyachnikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Safarian cracks Stoyachnikov with an open hand slap.
Stoyachnikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Safarian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stoyachnikov tries to clinch there but Safarian circles away.
Stoyachnikov wants to clinch up but Safarian keeps it at a distance.
Stoyachnikov wants to clinch up but Safarian keeps it at a distance.
Safarian smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Safarian works over Stoyachnikov's head and body with a nice combination.
Stoyachnikov tries to clinch but Safarian moves out of range.
Safarian circles away from the clinch attempt.
Safarian throws a counter combo.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stoyachnikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Safarian throws a body punch but Stoyachnikov moves out of range.

Stoyachnikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Stoyachnikov lands a body punch in the clinch.

Stoyachnikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stoyachnikov closes the distance and clinches up with Safarian, looking for a takedown. Stoyachnikov pushes Safarian against the cage but Safarian circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Safarian lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Stoyachnikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Safarian pushes Stoyachnikov up against the cage in a clinch.
Safarian tries to work over Stoyachnikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stoyachnikov.
Safarian throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov goes for a takedown attempt but Safarian pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stoyachnikov is looking to clinch.
Safarian swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stoyachnikov is looking to counter punch.
Stoyachnikov dodges the punch combination from Safarian.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Safarian.

Stoyachnikov rushes Safarian and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stoyachnikov has Safarian pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Safarian manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Safarian tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stoyachnikov's elbow.
Stoyachnikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short right from Stoyachnikov on the inside.
Stoyachnikov misses with some punches.
A short left from Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Safarian is rocked!

Stoyachnikov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Safarian is still in real trouble! Can Stoyachnikov finish him?
Stoyachnikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Serge Safarian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stoyachnikov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Safarian wants to control but Stoyachnikov passes easily into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Serge Safarian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stoyachnikov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stoyak Stoyachnikov!
Stoyak Stoyachnikov decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.