PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Byrd (ranked 25075 p4p, 547 weight class) and Volodymyr Pravda (ranked 3899 p4p, 372 weight class). Byrd's entrance music is 24K Magic. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Pravda's choice of entrance music: Korobushka. Volodymyr Pravda is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Byrd
vs
Pravda

173 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

173 cm
19
161 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joshua Byrd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Volodymyr Pravda!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Byrd tries for a takedown but Pravda sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Byrd tries to clinch up but Pravda circles away and keeps his distance.
Pravda changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Byrd fails with a takedown attempt.
Pravda looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Byrd throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Byrd tries to clinch but Pravda is having none of it.
Byrd is looking to clinch.
Byrd takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Byrd is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pravda sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Byrd. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Pravda gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pravda.
Pravda lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Pravda.
Our sources have told us that Byrd has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Byrd tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Pravda.

Pravda wants the takedown. Byrd is fighting it off but Pravda persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Byrd's guard against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byrd throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Byrd has momentary wrist control but Pravda slips an elbow through the middle.
Byrd not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pravda scoring with punches to the head and body.
Byrd wants to get back to his feet but Pravda is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pravda postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Byrd covers up, he's hurt! Pravda keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Pravda and the ref steps in to end the fight! Pravda can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Volodymyr Pravda!
In his post fight interview, Volodymyr Pravda started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.