PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Artyom Sakovich (ranked 4776 p4p, 547 weight class) and Rhymin Slayin (ranked 8396 p4p, 755 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sakovich
vs
Slayin

187 cm
25
215 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
206 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Pit Bull Development

Annihilation Apparel

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Artyom Sakovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rhymin Slayin!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakovich looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Slayin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sakovich has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Slayin.
A big left from Sakovich misses.
Slayin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakovich.
Slayin moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Slayin throws a lazy head kick
enabling Sakovich to counter with a crisp jab.
A cross from Slayin lands.
Sakovich on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Slayin lands a head kick. Sakovich smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Slayin tried to score with a low kick but Sakovich checks it.
Rhymin Slayin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Slayin clobbers Sakovich with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Slayin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A slow jab from Sakovich misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slayin cracks Sakovich with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sakovich swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakovich misses the target.
Slayin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Slayin missing with a left hand there. Sakovich was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Slayin lands a jab to the head.
Sakovich with a jab.
Slayin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Slayin blocks a jab.
A jab from Slayin misses.
Slayin lands a jab.
Sakovich displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Slayin throws out the jab.
Sakovich was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakovich walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Slayin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sakovich throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Slayin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Slayin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sakovich's sensitive parts.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Slayin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sakovich keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Slayin.
Slayin keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Slayin has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Sakovich bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Slayin's head.
Sakovich throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Slayin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Slayin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sakovich throwing a counter right hand but Slayin manages to avoid it.
Slayin connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Slayin lands with an overhand left.
Slayin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Slayin connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sakovich's hands.
Slayin is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Sakovich had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakovich takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sakovich drops his hands momentarily and Slayin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Slayin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A shot to the liver by Sakovich. Beautiful body shot.
Slayin connects with a high kick.
Sakovich lands a jab to the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sakovich. Slayin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Slayin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sakovich doesn't seem bothered though.
Slayin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Slayin moves into range and connects with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Slayin misses with a low kick.
Sakovich takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slayin takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Sakovich definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sakovich throws an off balance right hand
and Slayin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Slayin throws a leg kick but Sakovich moved away.
Sakovich looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Slayin misses with a straight left.
Slayin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sakovich looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Slayin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakovich.
A low kick from Slayin misses
and Sakovich counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sakovich lands a jab to the nose.
Slayin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Slayin swings away with a body shot that misses
and Sakovich counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sakovich takes one on the button.
Nice shot by Slayin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rhymin Slayin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Slayin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Slayin pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sakovich is out of range and Slayin settles back down.
Slayin moves away from the strike by Sakovich.
Slayin staying out of range there.
Sakovich on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sakovich throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sakovich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Slayin looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Slayin misses with a hook to the body
and Sakovich connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Slayin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sakovich sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slayin misses with a looping right.
Slayin misses with an uppercut. Sakovich saw that one coming.
Slayin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sakovich swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sakovich throws a head kick but Slayin moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakovich throws a shot to the body.
Sakovich drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sakovich swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sakovich throws a series of punches but Slayin avoids them all with ease.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Sakovich might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Slayin throws a body shot but no joy.
Slayin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Slayin throws a nice looking combination but Sakovich bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
It looked like Sakovich wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A jab from Slayin misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Sakovich misses the target.
Slayin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Slayin looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakovich is just out of range.
Rhymin Slayin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakovich has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sakovich there as he acknowledges the shot.
Slayin scores with a nice strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakovich scores with a decent looking hook.
Sakovich misses with a straight left.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Slayin! But no joy.
Sakovich throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakovich takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sakovich looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sakovich walks into a straight right hand from Slayin.
Nice shot by Slayin.
Slayin throws a head kick that misses.
Slayin throws a hook but Sakovich avoids it easily.
Sakovich moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Slayin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sakovich takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Slayin moves away from the strike by Sakovich.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slayin has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sakovich connects with a high kick.
Slayin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sakovich counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sakovich stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Slayin.
Slayin cracks the inside of Sakovich's front leg.
Slayin scores with a jab. Sakovich acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Jab, jab by Sakovich - just one landing.
Slayin connects with a nice looking jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Slayin lands a body shot.
Slayin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakovich was well out of range. Poor timing from Slayin.
Slayin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sakovich loads up on a big right hand but Slayin slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slayin throws a predictable looking body shot
and Sakovich counters with a stiff right hand.
Slayin scores with a head kick. Sakovich tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Slayin loads up on a big right hand but Sakovich slips the punch.
Slayin misses with a straight left.
Slayin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sakovich counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sakovich cracks Slayin with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Slayin just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakovich seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Slayin catches Sakovich with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sakovich misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sakovich blocks a head kick by Slayin.
Sakovich is looking to counter punch.
Slayin is breathing heavily.
Slayin throws a series of punches but Sakovich avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rhymin Slayin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Slayin turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sakovich throws a jab but it's blocked by Slayin.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sakovich.
Slayin throws a lazy uppercut
and Sakovich counters with a stiff right hand.
Slayin throws a quick inside leg kick.
Slayin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Slayin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Slayin thumps Sakovich with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakovich throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Slayin.
Slayin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sakovich throwing a counter right hand but Slayin manages to avoid it.
Slayin lands a slapping body shot.
A left lands for Slayin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakovich needs to keep his hands up - Slayin had a free shot at his head there.
Slayin lands a high kick!
Sakovich is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Slayin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sakovich looks to land a combination but Slayin avoids it well.
Slayin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakovich manages to avoid it.
Sakovich is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Slayin misses with a wild body shot.
Sakovich lands with a kick to the ribs.
Slayin wants to slow Sakovich down by chopping away at his legs.
Slayin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Slayin tests Sakovich's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sakovich pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakovich throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Slayin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Slayin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Slayin jabs Sakovich right on the nose. Sakovich blinks but takes it well.
Slayin cracks Sakovich with a good jab.
Nice body punch from Slayin.
Sakovich throws a body kick that misses
enabling Slayin to counter with a crisp jab.
Slayin throws a chopping leg kick but Sakovich manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Slayin scores with a leg kick.
Sakovich throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakovich has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Slayin.
Slayin shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slayin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sakovich drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sakovich looks to land a left hand but Slayin moved out of range nicely.
Artyom Sakovich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice defenses there by Slayin.
Slayin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sakovich.
Sakovich is looking to counter punch.
Sakovich misses with a body shot.
Sakovich misses with a body shot.
Sakovich misses with a head kick.
Slayin cracks the inside of Sakovich's front leg.
Sakovich takes one to the chin there.
Rhymin Slayin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sakovich swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakovich swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Slayin cracks Sakovich with a good jab.
Sakovich smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakovich digs a good hook to Slayin's body.
Slayin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakovich circles away quickly and effectively.
Slayin tests Sakovich's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Slayin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Slayin scores with the left hand. Sakovich knows he should have avoided that one.
Sakovich misses with a looping right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rhymin Slayin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Slayin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rhymin Slayin!
Rhymin Slayin decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.