PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergiusz Ataman (ranked 4027 p4p, 483 weight class) and Attila Skif (ranked 4378 p4p, 511 weight class). Skif has chosen Can't be touched as his entrance music. Attila Skif told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ataman
vs
Skif

195 cm
32
215 lbs
10 - 13 - 1

190 cm
32
213 lbs
17 - 11 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 10 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Sergiusz Ataman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Attila Skif!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ataman lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A jab from Ataman misses.
Skif takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Skif takes the fight into the clinch.

Skif breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Skif pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Skif throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Skif gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Skif throws a head punch that misses.
Skif is trying to stall.
Ataman throws an elbow that misses.
Skif lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Skif breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've been told by Ataman's head coaches at Lovelair Muay Thai/MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Attila Skif seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ataman throws a series of punches but Skif moves out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Skif has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Skif lands a jab to the nose.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Skif takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ataman lands the left hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skif. Ataman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ataman is looking for a counter combo.
Skif will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skif misses with a wild combination.
Ataman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Skifs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ataman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ataman throws out a loose jab but Skif uses good head movement to avoid it.
No joy there for Skif, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ataman swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Skif is looking to clinch but Ataman is avoiding it.
Skif lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Skif on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Skif walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ataman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Skif.
No joy there for Skif, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A slow jab from Ataman misses its intended target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Skif throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ataman throws a poor cross that misses
and Skif counters with a nice uppercut.
Skif closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ataman counters with a left and a right that stings Skif.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skif lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ataman circles away quickly and effectively.
Skif throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ataman counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Skif throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Skif throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ataman.
No joy there for Skif, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ataman is looking for a counter combo.
Ataman avoids the head kick by Skif.
As Skif looks to move away, Ataman throws a big counter combo but Skif just gets out of the way.
Ataman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Skif throws a series of punches but Ataman avoids them all with ease.
Ataman with a jab.
Skif throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ataman tried to counter with a leg kick but Skif avoided it.
Ataman moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ataman scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ataman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Skif.
Ataman thumps Skif with a low kick.
Ataman connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ataman lands with a right hand.

Oooooh!!! Skif has knocked Ataman down with a huge combo! Skif steps away and waves a wobbly Ataman back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Ataman is rocked!

Skif fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ataman, pushing him back against the cage.
Oh Ataman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The referee is keeping an eye on Skif - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Skif blocks a body shot from Ataman.
Skif lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Skif breaks the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Skif takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Skif drives through and clinches with Ataman against the cage.
Skif lands a nice uppercut.
Skif creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Ataman with a big uppercut! Ataman tries to clinch up but Skif pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Ataman to the mat! Ataman covers up and Skif unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Attila Skif!
Attila Skif 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.