PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toktogulovich Bakiyev (ranked 733 p4p, 91 weight class) and Victor Szczęsny (ranked 1379 p4p, 166 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Bakiyev
vs
Szczęsny

171 cm
37
163 lbs
25 - 25 - 0

225 cm
42
135 lbs
46 - 25 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Victor Szczęsny!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Szczęsny displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bakiyev throws out the jab.
Bakiyev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Szczęsny tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Szczęsny misses the jab.
Bakiyev cracks Szczęsny with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bakiyev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Victor Szczęsny seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Szczęsny misses with a hook to the body
and Bakiyev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Szczęsny lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bakiyev stuns Szczęsny with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bakiyev. Szczęsny does a little dance to reset his feet.
Szczęsny tries to clinch up.
Bakiyev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Szczęsny manages to avoid it.
Szczęsny throws a hook to the side of Bakiyev's head but Bakiyev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczęsny connects with a body shot.
Szczęsny throws a body punch but Bakiyev moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Bakiyev misses the target.
Szczęsny lands a nice hook to Bakiyev's body. Bakiyev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bakiyev takes a swing at Szczęsny's ribcage but misses.
Bakiyev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Szczęsny darts in looking for a takedown but Bakiyev gets double underhooks and turns Szczęsny into the cage.
Szczęsny tried to score with a low kick but Bakiyev checks it.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Szczęsny moves away.
Bakiyev misses with a looping left.
Szczęsny was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Szczęsny connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bakiyev. Bakiyev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A head kick misses from Szczęsny.
Szczęsny is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bakiyev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Szczęsny was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Szczęsny manages to avoid it.
Bakiyev avoids the body shot from Szczęsny.
Szczęsny fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bakiyev checks it well.
Szczęsny avoids the body shot from Bakiyev.
Szczęsny throws a big shot that misses.

Szczęsny rushes Bakiyev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Szczęsny tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bakiyev avoids it.

Bakiyev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bakiyev throws a right hand that misses
and Szczęsny cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab from Bakiyev misses.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Szczęsny lands with an uppercut that bounces Bakiyev off the cage and back into range.
Bakiyev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circling - Szczęsny throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Szczęsny throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bakiyev 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.
Bakiyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Szczęsny pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bakiyev looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
A big left from Bakiyev misses.
Szczęsny keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakiyev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Szczęsny staying out of range there.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Szczęsny! But no joy.
Szczęsny ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev misses with a looping right.
Szczęsny misses with a hook.
A quick step to the side and Bakiyev tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Szczęsny scores with a spinning back kick!
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Szczęsny moves away.
Szczęsny misses with a low kick.
Szczęsny uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Szczęsny throws a quick inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bakiyev slips under a jab from Szczęsny.
Bakiyev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Szczęsny manages to avoid it.
Bakiyev connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bakiyev misses with a hook. Szczęsny ducked under it nicely.
Szczęsny tries a quick counter leg kick but Bakiyev is wise to it.
Szczęsny throws a hook to the side of Bakiyev's head but Bakiyev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Victor Szczęsny will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bakiyev misses with an uppercut. Szczęsny saw that one coming.
Bakiyev takes a swing at Szczęsny's ribcage but misses.
Szczęsny ducks under a wild hook from Bakiyev.
Bakiyev misses with a lunging right hand
and Szczęsny counters with a nice kick to the body.
Szczęsny lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Szczęsny lands with a nice combination. Bakiyev backs away looking to recover.
A combination from Szczęsny does no damage.
Bakiyev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Szczęsny manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Szczęsny lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bakiyev throws a poor cross that misses
and Szczęsny counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Szczęsny scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczęsny tries to work over Bakiyev's front leg with a kick but Bakiyev checks it.
It looked like Bakiyev was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Szczęsny.
Bakiyev just misses with a punch to the body.
Bakiyev has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bakiyev there as he acknowledges the shot.
Szczęsny swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Szczęsny looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Szczęsny throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bakiyev.
Bakiyev looks to score with a jab to the body but Szczęsny is just out of range.
Szczęsny throws a fast counter high kick but Bakiyev manages to duck under it in time.
Szczęsny misses with a body punch
enabling Bakiyev to counter with a crisp jab.
Bakiyev misses with a straight right.
Szczęsny appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Jab from Szczęsny.
Szczęsny throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bakiyev.
Szczęsny has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Szczęsny throws a hook but Bakiyev blocks it.
Szczęsny misses with an uppercut. Bakiyev saw that one coming.
The crowd cheers as Szczęsny lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bakiyev doesn't seem phased though.
Szczęsny fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Szczęsny is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bakiyev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bakiyev lands a nice looking body shot.
Szczęsny lands a nice looking kick to the body. Bakiyev takes a step back to recover.
Szczęsny uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bakiyev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny misses with an uppercut.
Szczęsny looks to land a left hand but Bakiyev moved out of range nicely.
A big left from Bakiyev misses.
Bakiyev misses with an uppercut
and Szczęsny counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Szczęsny moves away.
Szczęsny cracks Bakiyev with a good jab.
Szczęsny uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bakiyev.
Szczęsny bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bakiyev's head backwards.
Szczęsny is looking to score with low kicks.
Bakiyev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Szczęsny is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Bakiyev throws a hook to the side of Szczęsny's head but Szczęsny sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bakiyev moves away.
Bakiyev blocks the body kick.
Bakiyev throws a jab but it's blocked by Szczęsny.
Szczęsny throws a right hand that misses
enabling Bakiyev to counter with a crisp jab.
Szczęsny throws an overhand right that lands on Bakiyev's shoulder, as Bakiyev tries to avoid the shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Szczęsny misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bakiyev throws a sloppy body shot
and Bakiyev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bakiyev throws a body shot but no joy.
Szczęsny uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bakiyev.
Bakiyev looks to land a left hand but Szczęsny moved out of range nicely.
Szczęsny connects with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Szczęsny showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Szczęsny misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
An attempted straight right counter from Bakiyev misses the target.
Bakiyev takes a swing at Szczęsny's ribcage but misses.
Szczęsny goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Szczęsny does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A little feinted left hand from Bakiyev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bakiyev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Szczęsny was well out of range. Poor timing from Bakiyev.
Szczęsny lands a right hook to the body.
Szczęsny missing with a left hand there. Bakiyev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Szczęsny throws a leg kick
enabling Bakiyev to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Szczęsny. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Szczęsny tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bakiyev misses the shot to the body.
Szczęsny throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Szczęsny misses.
Szczęsny throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Szczęsny uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bakiyev.
Szczęsny tries to clinch up.
Bakiyev is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Szczęsny swings for the body but Bakiyev moves out of range.
Bakiyev throwing a counter right hand but Szczęsny manages to avoid it.
A jab from Bakiyev misses.
Bakiyev throws a big shot that misses.
A left lands for Szczęsny.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Szczęsny moves away.
Bakiyev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Szczęsny.
Szczęsny swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Szczęsny tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bakiyev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Szczęsny.
Bakiyev moves out of range as Szczęsny strikes.
Bakiyev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Szczęsny.
Szczęsny throws a lazy uppercut
and Szczęsny takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bakiyev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Szczęsny misses the shot to the body.
Bakiyev was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Bakiyev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Szczęsny can pounce on him.

Szczęsny feints and as Bakiyev raises his hands in defense, Szczęsny changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bakiyev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Szczęsny wants to control from the top but Bakiyev keeps moving.
Szczęsny must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bakiyev has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Szczęsny is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Bakiyev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Szczęsny with a hook.
Bakiyev throws a body punch but Szczęsny moves out of range.
Szczęsny misses with a takedown
and Bakiyev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Szczęsny is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bakiyev missing with a left hand there. Szczęsny was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Szczęsny avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Szczęsny throws a hook but Bakiyev blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Szczęsny moves away.
Szczęsny loads up on a big right hand but Bakiyev slips the punch.
Bakiyev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bakiyev misses with a hook. Szczęsny ducked under it nicely.
Bakiyev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Victor Szczęsny is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Szczęsny scores with a shot to the body.
Szczęsny changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Szczęsny looks to throw a body kick
and Bakiyev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bakiyev blocks a leg kick.
Bakiyev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Szczęsny ducks under a wild hook from Bakiyev.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bakiyev misses with a wild body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Victor Szczęsny.
I've got Szczęsny 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Victor Szczęsny!
Victor Szczęsny opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.