RVFL PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Valeriy Diatlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoel Matienzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yoel Matienzo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Diatlov
vs
Matienzo

195 cm
18
267 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

194 cm
19
250 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Valeriy Diatlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoel Matienzo!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diatlov fails with a takedown attempt.
Diatlov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Matienzo sprawls well. Matienzo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Diatlov gets slowly back to his feet.
Diatlov shoots in looking for a takedown but Matienzo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Diatlov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valeriy Diatlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Matienzo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Diatlov, pushing him back against the cage.
Diatlov is trying to pull guard but Matienzo has him pressed against the cage.
Good body shot from Matienzo.
Matienzo is leaning against Diatlov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Diatlov is breathing heavily.
Matienzo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Matienzo gets through Diatlov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Matienzo lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matienzo.
Matienzo lands a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matienzo creates a bit of distance and unloads a huge uppercut that knocks Diatlov out cold! The ref dives in to break up the two fighters! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Yoel Matienzo!
Our winner, Yoel Matienzo, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
81%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chernobyk Citybus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kirk Jamal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Chernobyk Citybus has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Chernobyk Citybus seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Citybus
vs
Jamal

185 cm
22
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

178 cm
24
142 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chernobyk Citybus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kirk Jamal!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Citybus fails with the takedown

and Jamal decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Citybus's guard.

Jamal thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Jamal would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Jamal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Citybus is keeping the position for now.
Citybus is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Citybus keeping full guard, as Jamal tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jamal advances position into side control!

Jamal thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jamal tries to stand but Citybus is controlling his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Citybus tries to bench press Jamal off him but Jamal keeps the position.

Jamal is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Citybus is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Jamal looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Citybus is trying to control Jamal's posture but Jamal avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Citybus is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Jamal has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Jamal has hold of Citybus's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Citybus seems comfortable defending it but Jamal has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Citybus is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Citybus is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Jamal couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kirk Jamal!
Kirk Jamal seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
37%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom McIntyre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maxim Rostov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McIntyre kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Rzabka • Człowiek Rap prod. by @Zdrowus. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McIntyre
vs
Rostov

183 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom McIntyre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Rostov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Rostov as McIntyre shoots in.
Rostov slaps away a takedown attempt from McIntyre, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Rostov gets a double leg takedown into McIntyre's guard.

McIntyre had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rostov defends it easily.

Rostov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
McIntyre gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rostov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom McIntyre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McIntyre is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Rostov misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rostov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McIntyre tries for a takedown but Rostov circles away easily

so Rostov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rostov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rostov throwing strikes from guard but McIntyre blocks nicely.
Rostov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McIntyre is keeping the position for now.
Rostov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rostov trying to control the position from guard on top but McIntyre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rostov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McIntyre haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
McIntyre looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rostov is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McIntyre throws a head kick but Rostov moves out of range.
Rostov doesn't manage to clinch there - McIntyre circles away.
McIntyre drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rostov sprawls and moves away.

Rostov shoots in and bounces McIntyre off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rostov is standing up over McIntyre. McIntyre looks to escape but Rostov dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rostov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McIntyre is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rostov lands some shots froms side control.
Rostov throws an elbow but McIntyre slips to the side and avoids it well.
McIntyre is trying to improve his position.
McIntyre is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rostov is controlling him well.
McIntyre manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rostov is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rostov is defending against the submission attempts here by McIntyre.
Rostov tries to get to full guard but McIntyre has control of the leg.
McIntyre is thwarting Rostov's attempts to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rostov is looking for a sweep. McIntyre is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Rostov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McIntyre fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rostov sprawls well initially but McIntyre persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

McIntyre is working for a kimura here but Rostov manages to reverse the position and he's now in McIntyre's guard.
McIntyre working a defensive guard here.
McIntyre is looking to sweep but instead, Rostov has passed into half guard.
Rostov prevents McIntyre from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rostov is trying to control the action in half guard but McIntyre is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Maxim Rostov has got the better of the ground game so far.
McIntyre wants to control but Rostov is keeping busy.
Rostov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McIntyre's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rostov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Rostov decides to return to a standing position.
Tom McIntyre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McIntyre tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rostov defends well and McIntyre ends up having to push Rostov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
McIntyre darts in looking for a takedown but Rostov gets double underhooks and turns McIntyre into the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rostov moves in looking to clinch but McIntyre pushes him off.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McIntyre.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom McIntyre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McIntyre doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rostov counters with a nice double leg into side control. McIntyre won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rostov decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Rostov connects with a good right hand that stumbles McIntyre. McIntyre circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Rostov clinches with his opponent.

Rostov has picked McIntyre up - he's going for a ride! Rostov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Still in half guard, Rostov seems content to control.

Rostov decides to stand and escape the position.

McIntyre gets tackled into the cage by Rostov. Rostov maintains the clinch.

Rostov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rostov tries to clinch but McIntyre moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rostov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McIntyre tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Rostov content just to control the position here.
We've been hearing good reports from McIntyre's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Rostov trying to control but McIntyre is having none of it.
Rostov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Rostov working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rostov controlling from the full mount.

Rostov stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Rostov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

McIntyre explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rostov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rostov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rostov wants it to stay on the feet.
Tom McIntyre is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rostov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rostov lands in his opponent's guard.

McIntyre is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Rostov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rostov throws a head kick that misses.

Rostov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McIntyre to the mat! McIntyre manages to get full guard.

McIntyre has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Rostov is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Rostov trying to stall but McIntyre improves his position.
Rostov prevents the takedown attempt.

Rostov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but McIntyre regains guard immediately.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McIntyre controlling the position.
Rostov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McIntyre is wriggling around but Rostov manages to pass to half guard.
McIntyre wants to control but Rostov passes into side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McIntyre tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rostov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Rostov wants to lay and pray for a moment but McIntyre keeps working.
An elbow from Rostov crashes against the mat.
McIntyre tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rostov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Rostov decides to stand back up.
McIntyre closes the distance and clinches up with Rostov, looking for a takedown. McIntyre pushes Rostov against the cage but Rostov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Rostov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McIntyre is in trouble now - Rostov has advanced to mount!
McIntyre is looking to improve his position but Rostov isn't that keen on the idea.
Rostov controlling his opponent.
Rostov looking to control but McIntyre is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
A nice elbow there by Rostov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rostov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
McIntyre tries to improve his position but instead Rostov has taken his back!
Rostov not allowing McIntyre to control his hands.
Rostov controls the position.

Rostov looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! McIntyre taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Maxim Rostov!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
58%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jay Kulina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Zubrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kulina
vs
Zubrov

190 cm
25
179 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
183 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jay Kulina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Zubrov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Fedor Mirinova and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kulina keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A quick step to the side and Kulina tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zubrov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kulina was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Zubrov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kulina circles away.
Zubrov misses with an uppercut.
Zubrov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zubrov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Zubrov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kulina throws a body shot but no joy.
Kulina throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A clash of legs there as Kulina blocks the low kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kulina enables Zubrov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kulina manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Zubrov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Zubrov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kulina is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zubrov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zubrov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Zubrov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kulina is looking to stand up but Zubrov isn't so interested in that idea.
Zubrov won't allow Kulina to sweep him here.
Zubrov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kulina knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zubrov on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zubrov wants to pass the guard but Kulina is keeping the position.

Zubrov drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Zubrov as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Kulina screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Zubrov! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Nikolay Zubrov!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
34%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tyrone Spijkers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hui Vchai Sun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tyrone Spijkers looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Spijkers
vs
Vchai Sun

160 cm
24
142 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
19
150 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tyrone Spijkers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hui Vchai Sun!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sun lands with a straight right. Spijkers didn't see that one coming.
Spijkers looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Sun throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Tyrone Spijkers has been cut.
Sun smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Spijkers throws a hook but Sun avoids it easily.
Sun throws a series of punches but Spijkers avoids them all with ease.
Spijkers moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sun connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spijkers. Spijkers circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Spijkers is rocked!
Sun lunges in with a left hook that violently twists Spijkers head around and knocks him out cold! Sun hops onto the cage and yells out at the top of his lungs - Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaah! They're showing the replay on the big screens now; that was nasty! I hope one of the photographers got a good shot of it.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Hui Vchai Sun!
A relieved looking Hui Vchai Sun thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bulgarian Kickboxer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Koba Kye (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kickboxer comes to the cage accompanied by Paul Hertzog - The Eagle Lands. Koba Kye 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!

Kickboxer
vs
Kye

180 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bulgarian Kickboxer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Koba Kye!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kye drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Kye is trying to get an arm triangle but Kickboxer is defending well.
Kye trying to control the action but Kickboxer is working from the bottom.
Kickboxer is trying to get back to half guard.

Kye swings around for an armbar but Kickboxer sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kye's guard.
Kickboxer has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kickboxer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kye is keeping the position for now.
Kye can't keep his opponent in guard - Kickboxer advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kickboxer passes to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kickboxer wants to control the pace but Kye is squirming around nicely.

Kickboxer jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kye manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kye is not content to let Kickboxer control the position.
Kye felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Kickboxer is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kye is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Kickboxer is trying to get an arm triangle but Kye is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kye can't do much from the bottom here.
Kickboxer is looking to take a break and control but Kye is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kye is trying to improve his position.

Kickboxer tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kickboxer has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kye tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kickboxer looking to control but instead Kye has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Kye holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Kickboxer moves nicely into side control.
Kickboxer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kye keeps working.

Kickboxer goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kye has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kickboxer but great work by Kye.
Kickboxer takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kickboxer is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kye goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kickboxer has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kye but great work by Kickboxer.

Kickboxer goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kye has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kickboxer but great work by Kye.

Kye working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kye trying to control the position but Kickboxer is working away.
Kickboxer tries to buck Kye off but Kye is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kye looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kickboxer is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Koba Kye will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kickboxer gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Kye counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Kye seems to be looking for submissions.
Kickboxer is staying active underneath Kye, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kickboxer manages to get to full guard.
Kickboxer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kye slips nicely into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kye is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kickboxer has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kye trying to control from half guard but Kickboxer is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kye is looking for a kimura but Kickboxer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kye to get the leverage.
Kye is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Kye is in close to Kickboxer's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Kickboxer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kye doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kye manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kickboxer lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kye keeping full guard, as Kickboxer tries to pass.
Kye controlling Kickboxer's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kickboxer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kye is keeping the position for now.
Koba Kye has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kickboxer passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Kickboxer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kye wants to control but Kickboxer postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kickboxer goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kye rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kickboxer's guard! Nice work there by Kye!
Kye is working Kickboxer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kye trying to control but Kickboxer is working from the bottom.
Kye engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kye slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kye is looking to take a break and control but Kickboxer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kickboxer manages to get back to half guard.

Kickboxer actively working from the bottom here.

Kye is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kickboxer sees it coming and defends easily.
Kye working Kickboxer over with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kye is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Kye is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kickboxer doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koba Kye 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.

Kickboxer throws a leg kick that is checked

and Kye counters with a takedown into side control.
Kickboxer is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kye off and has taken his back!

Kickboxer is looking for a choke. Kye gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Kye manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Kye working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kye won't allow Kickboxer to sweep him here.

Kickboxer looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kye has picked Kickboxer up and slammed him! Kickboxer can't keep hold of the triangle and Kye manages to pass to side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kickboxer gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Kye is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kickboxer sees it coming and defends easily.
Kickboxer tries to get to full guard but Kye has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kickboxer regains full guard. Nicely done.

Kickboxer looking for a guillotine here but Kye defends easily.
Kye showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kye is pushing down on Kickboxer's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kickboxer is fighting to maintain full guard but Kye has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kye takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Kickboxer actively working from the bottom here.
Kye wants to take a breather but Kickboxer is having none of it.
Kickboxer wants to get back to full guard.
Kickboxer manages to get to full guard.

Kickboxer looking for a guillotine here but Kye defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kye is in close to Kickboxer's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kye passes Kickboxer's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Kye is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kickboxer wants to improve his position but Kye is controlling well.

Kye is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kickboxer has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kickboxer regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kye has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kye scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Kye stands up and waves to Kickboxer to follow him.
Kickboxer lands a high kick!
Kickboxer throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Kye counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kye prevents Kickboxer from improving his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kye lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kye shoots in and gets a takedown into Kickboxer's guard.

Kickboxer has his foot on Kye's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kye works his way back into a safe position though.
Kye is working Kickboxer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Kickboxer pushes a forearm under Kye's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Kye is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:33 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bulgarian Kickboxer!
Bulgarian Kickboxer is the new middleweight champion!
Bulgarian Kickboxer tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.