PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pavlo Boyko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abbas Shahriari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Abbas Shahriari has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Boyko
vs
Shahriari

183 cm
22
215 lbs
4 - 13 - 0

175 cm
23
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Pavlo Boyko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Abbas Shahriari!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Boyko.
Boyko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shahriari but Shahriari pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Boyko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shahriari throws a head kick that misses.
Shahriari looks for a takedown but Boyko sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shahriari shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Boyko sprawls well. Boyko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shahriari gets slowly back to his feet.
Boyko tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Shahriari manages to circle out of the way.
Pavlo Boyko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abbas Shahriari.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Boyko closes the distance and pushes Shahriari back into the cage.
Shahriari has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Boyko after a bit of a struggle.

Shahriari has hold of one of Boyko's legs. Boyko is fighting the takedown attempt but Shahriari gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Boyko throws his legs up looking for a submission but Shahriari uses it to pass to side control.
Boyko tries to buck Shahriari off but Shahriari is having none of it.
Boyko is being controlled here.
Boyko is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Shahriari has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Boyko is looking for a sweep.
Boyko is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shahriari happy to just control the position for now.
Boyko is trying to control Shahriari's posture but Shahriari avoids it.
Shahriari is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Boyko's shoulder. That is not cool.
Boyko is trying to get back to half guard.
Shahriari happy to just control the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boyko tries to improve position but can't.
Shahriari staying calm.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shahriari. Boyko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shahriari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Shahriari closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Boyko's guard.
Boyko controlling Shahriari's posture.
Shahriari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Boyko is keeping the position for now.
Boyko wants to stand up but Shahriari is controlling him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Boyko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shahriari can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abbas Shahriari dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shahriari shoots in but Boyko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shahriari blocks a head kick by Boyko.
Shahriari is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Shahriari wants to clinch but Boyko slips to the side

and Boyko counters with a single leg into guard. Shahriari didn't expect that.

Shahriari has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Boyko has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Boyko gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Shahriari makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boyko displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shahriari.
Boyko appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Boyko could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Boyko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shahriari tries to score a power double leg takedown but Boyko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shahriari somewhat.
Pavlo Boyko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abbas Shahriari.
Shahriari shoots in but no luck this time.
Shahriari is breathing heavily.

Boyko throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Shahriari was covering up waiting for the punch and Boyko finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Shahriari pushes Boyko off and gets back to his feet.
Abbas Shahriari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shahriari shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shahriari trying to control the action but Boyko is working from the bottom.
Boyko wants to control but Shahriari is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Boyko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Boyko is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Shahriari seems content to control.
Let's hope that Shahriari 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.
Boyko is in trouble now - Shahriari has advanced to mount!
Boyko tries to hold on but Shahriari postures up.
Shahriari takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Boyko is desperately trying to improve his position but Shahriari has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boyko tries to hold on but Shahriari pushes him away.
Shahriari controlling the position easily from mount.
Boyko is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Boyko tries to reverse the position but Shahriari maintains control.
Shahriari looking to control and managing it successfully.
Boyko on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Boyko tries to get out of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abbas Shahriari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Boyko is defended easily by Shahriari.

Shahriari shoots in and bounces Boyko off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Boyko has his feet on Shahriari's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boyko shoots in for a takedown but Shahriari shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shahriari closes the distance and clinches.
Boyko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shahriari avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pavlo Boyko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shahriari has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Boyko clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Shahriari has the hooks in. Boyko is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Boyko is trying to get back to his feet but Shahriari has full control of the position and if anything, Boyko has just worked his way into a worse spot.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boyko tries to escape but Shahriari has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Shahriari keeps control of the position easily here as Boyko tries to buck him off.
Boyko trying to control the position but Shahriari manages to sink in the hooks.
Boyko is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Shahriari.
Shahriari's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Boyko is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boyko trying to control the hands but Shahriari won't let him.
Boyko is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Boyko is trying to stand back up.
Shahriari controls the action.

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.
You can see the frustration on Boyko's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Boyko wants to get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Boyko's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Boyko is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Shahriari is not going to allow Boyko to sit and survive in this position.
You can see the frustration on Boyko's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Pavlo Boyko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abbas Shahriari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abbas Shahriari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shahriari winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abbas Shahriari!