PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Amaral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stoyak Stoyachnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stoyachnikov has chosen Slipknot - The Devil In I as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Amaral
vs
Stoyachnikov

189 cm
37
194 lbs
32 - 16 - 0

182 cm
27
183 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Amaral!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stoyak Stoyachnikov!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick from Amaral lands but Stoyachnikov takes it in his stride.

It looks like Stoyak Stoyachnikov has been cut.
A head kick misses from Amaral.
We've been told by Amaral's head coaches at DiscoClub that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Stoyachnikov closes the distance and clinches.
Amaral misses with a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Amaral.
Stoyachnikov is struggling to control the position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Amaral throws a head punch that misses.
Stoyachnikov is trying to pull guard but Amaral turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Amaral throws a punch but it's blocked by Stoyachnikov.
A shot in the inside from Amaral.
Amaral tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Amaral lands an elbow inside that Stoyachnikov shrugs off.
Stoyachnikov tries to pull guard but Amaral won't allow it.
Stoyachnikov avoids the elbow strike from Amaral, against the ropes.
Amaral misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amaral misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stoyachnikov blocks an uppercut.
Stoyachnikov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Amaral lands a nice shot to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Amaral swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Amaral walks away with a smile on his face. Stoyachnikov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rafael Amaral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stoyak Stoyachnikov.

Amaral closes the distance and clinches.
Amaral swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Amaral swings wildly with an uppercut but Stoyachnikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Amaral lands with a left to the head.
Amaral lands an elbow inside that Stoyachnikov shrugs off.

That has opened up Stoyak Stoyachnikov's cut even more.
Amaral tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amaral fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Amaral throws a punch but it's blocked by Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Amaral.
Amaral misses with a punch on the inside.
Amaral working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Amaral tries a knee to the head but Stoyachnikov blocks it.
Stoyachnikov takes an elbow to the temple.
Amaral lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Amaral throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Amaral lands a nice shot to the body.
Amaral throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stoyachnikov blocks it with crossed arms.
Amaral lands with a right to the head.
Amaral misses with a short punch on the inside.
Amaral fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Amaral dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Stoyak Stoyachnikov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A head kick misses from Amaral.
Stoyachnikov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Amaral.
Stoyachnikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Amaral, right into the meat.

Amaral gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stoyachnikov wants to stall.
Amaral lands a right hand.
Nice body punch from Amaral - that landed with a thud.
A head punch on the inside from Amaral fails to land.
Amaral lands a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amaral creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Amaral throws an elbow that misses.
A short right from Amaral on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Amaral throws a punch but it's blocked by Stoyachnikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amaral misses with a short punch on the inside.
Amaral misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stoyachnikov blocks an uppercut.
Amaral gets through Stoyachnikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Amaral blocks a body shot from Stoyachnikov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Amaral.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Amaral.
A short right from Amaral on the inside.
Amaral softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Stoyachnikov stalling.
Amaral misses with a hook from the clinch.
Amaral lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Amaral creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Amaral throws a knee to the head but misses.
Amaral lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stoyachnikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stoyachnikov controlling the action here for a moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stoyachnikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Amaral controls his hands.
Amaral tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Amaral fails to land.
Amaral throws a punch but it's blocked by Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Amaral misses with a hook from the clinch.
Amaral misses with the head strike.
Amaral blocking some punches.
Amaral tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Amaral misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Amaral dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Stoyak Stoyachnikov's cut.
That's time! Amaral's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Amaral fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stoyachnikov, pushing him back against the ropes.
Amaral fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Amaral swings wildly with an uppercut but Stoyachnikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stoyachnikov lands with a left to the head.
Amaral is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stoyachnikov can do to turn this around?
Amaral misses with a punch on the inside.
Amaral misses with the head strike.
Stoyachnikov lands a nice uppercut.
Stoyachnikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Amaral misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amaral softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Amaral misses with a hook from the clinch.
Amaral working aggressively here.
Stoyachnikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Stoyachnikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Amaral misses with a punch on the inside.
Amaral misses with some punches.
Stoyachnikov tries to work over Amaral's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice right hand lands inside from Stoyachnikov.
Amaral makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Amaral misses with some punches.
Amaral misses with some punches.
Amaral tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Amaral lands with a short shot to the head.
Amaral throws a head punch that misses.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Amaral.
Stoyachnikov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Amaral misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amaral throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stoyachnikovs head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Amaral misses with the head strike.
Amaral misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Amaral lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Amaral throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Amaral blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov misses with a punch to the body.
Stoyachnikov takes a shot to the head.
Stoyachnikov blocks a body shot from Amaral.
Amaral lands with a right to the head.
Stoyachnikov blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Amaral clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Stoyak Stoyachnikov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stoyachnikov tries to keep at a distance but Amaral has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Amaral throws a punch but it's blocked by Stoyachnikov.
Stoyachnikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Amaral scores with a shoulder strike.
Stoyachnikov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Amaral throws a head punch that misses.
Amaral works on Stoyachnikov's body with a couple of short punches.
Amaral swings wildly with an uppercut but Stoyachnikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amaral tries to work over Stoyachnikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Amaral tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Amaral throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stoyachnikov has a couple of punches blocked by Amaral.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Rafael Amaral has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Amaral makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Amaral looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stoyachnikov blocks an uppercut.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short left from Amaral.
Stoyachnikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Amaral throws a knee to the head but misses.
Amaral stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Amaral misses with a short punch on the inside.
Amaral working aggressively here.
Stoyachnikov slowing the pace effectively.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Amaral.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amaral misses with some punches.
Amaral scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stoyachnikov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stoyachnikov working aggressively here.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Amaral swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Amaral misses with a punch on the inside.
Stoyachnikov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Amaral misses with a knee strike.
Amaral has a couple of punches blocked by Stoyachnikov.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Stoyachnikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stoyachnikov blocks an elbow strike from Amaral.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Amaral had his way with Stoyak Stoyachnikov in that round.
The cut man is working on Stoyak Stoyachnikov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Amaral closes the distance and clinches.
Amaral misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Amaral.
Amaral lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Amaral has a couple of punches blocked by Stoyachnikov.
Amaral misses with some punches.
Amaral tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Amaral throws a head punch that misses.
Amaral looking to throw knees to the head but Stoyachnikov is blocking nicely.
Stoyachnikov stalls.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stoyachnikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Amaral misses with a body punch.
Stoyachnikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amaral misses with a hook from the clinch.
Amaral tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stoyachnikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stoyachnikov.
Amaral crunches a lovely knee into Stoyachnikov's ribcage.
Stoyachnikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Amaral lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Amaral lands a left hand.
Amaral fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stoyachnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Amaral throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stoyachnikov blocks it with crossed arms.
Amaral with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amaral blocking some punches.
Stoyachnikov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Amaral smiles and moves away.

Amaral closes the distance and clinches.
Amaral works on Stoyachnikov's body with a couple of short punches.
Amaral lands a nice shot to the body.
Stoyachnikov gets through Amaral's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stoyachnikov blocks an elbow strike.
Stoyachnikov blocks an elbow strike from Amaral.
Amaral working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Amaral tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stoyachnikov is trying to pull guard but Amaral turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Stoyak Stoyachnikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stoyachnikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Amaral showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Amaral has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:44
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 50:44
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Amaral!
Rafael Amaral took some time post fight to say the following; 'I'm not surprised mother fuckers!'.
The defeated Stoyak Stoyachnikov had this to say: 'United forever in friendship and labour, Our mighty republics will ever endure. The Great Soviet Union will live through the ages. The dream of a people their fortress secure. Long live our Soviet motherland, Built by the people's mighty hand. Long live our people, united and free. Strong i'.