PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitry Boytsov (ranked 4140 p4p, 2184 weight class) and Jake Rizzo (ranked 504 p4p, 279 weight class). Rizzo has chosen Mastodon - Blood and Thunder as his entrance music. Jake Rizzo will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Boytsov
vs
Rizzo

180 cm
21
222
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
21
207
6 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Â© Trap House

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitry Boytsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jake Rizzo!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rizzo looks to land a combination but Boytsov avoids it well.
Boytsov throws a jab when Rizzo was well out of range.
Rizzo unleashes a big counter combination but Boytsov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Nice combo by Rizzo! Oh, that's hurt him - Boytsov falls to the canvas and Rizzo follows him into side control.

Boytsov is rocked!

It looks like Dmitry Boytsov has been cut.
Rizzo throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boytsov can't do much from the bottom here.
Boytsov is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rizzo controls the position.
Boytsov can't do much from the bottom here.
Boytsov is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo working away.
Rizzo just content to control the position.
Boytsov's coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Boytsov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Boytsov is trying to control Rizzo's posture but Rizzo avoids it.
Boytsov seems a little lost for a moment, as Rizzo dominates the positioning.
Boytsov is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rizzo is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Boytsov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rizzo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Boytsov actively working from the bottom here.
Boytsov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rizzo throwing shots but Boytsov is blocking nicely.
Boytsov wants to get back to full guard.
Rizzo seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boytsov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rizzo's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oooh a lovely combination from Rizzo sends Boytsov down but not out. Rizzo dives into side control looking to finish.
Oh Boytsov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rizzo is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Boytsov will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Rizzo working away.
Boytsov is looking for a sweep.
Boytsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Boytsov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rizzo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rizzo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Boytsov manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Boytsov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Rizzo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Boytsov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rizzo has managed to get both his arms back between Boytsov's legs - danger averted.
Rizzo is stalling in the full guard.

Boytsov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Boytsov trying to control the position.

Boytsov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rizzo is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Boytsov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Rizzo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dmitry Boytsov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Boytsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rizzo was well out of range. Poor timing from Boytsov.
A swing and a miss from Boytsov.

Boytsov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rizzo is looking to improve his position.

Boytsov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rizzo is not content to let Boytsov control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo has his hands clasped together around Boytsov's back. He's all about the action.
Boytsov is thwarting Rizzo's attempts to control the position.

Boytsov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rizzo has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rizzo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rizzo is looking to control Boytsov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rizzo avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Boytsov is trying to work for a kimura but Rizzo is defending well.
Boytsov trying to control the action but Rizzo is working from the bottom.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura here.
Rizzo tries to roll over but Boytsov keeps him under control.
Boytsov trying to control the action but Rizzo is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boytsov prevents Rizzo from improving his position.
Rizzo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Boytsov not doing much here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rizzo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Boytsov counters with a right hand to the body.

Rizzo drops Boytsov with a left right combo! Rizzo follows him down to the ground into side control.
Boytsov gets back to half guard.
Jake Rizzo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boytsov wants to improve his position but Rizzo is controlling well.
Boytsov wants to control but Rizzo is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boytsov is pressing down on Rizzo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Boytsov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Rizzo uses it to pass to side control.
Boytsov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rizzo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Boytsov is working hard here to advance position.
Boytsov is letting Rizzo control him for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Boytsov wants to control but Rizzo postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boytsov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jake Rizzo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Dmitry Boytsov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rizzo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Boytsov counters with a nice uppercut.
Rizzo looks to land a combination but Boytsov avoids it well.
Boytsov misses the shot to the body.
Rizzo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Boytsov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rizzo tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Boytsov is in Rizzo's guard.
Boytsov pushes down on Rizzo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Boytsov is trying to control the action in half guard but Rizzo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rizzo defends it well.

Boytsov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rizzo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Boytsov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rizzo defends it well.

Boytsov is working for a kimura but Rizzo is defending it quite comfortably.
Boytsov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rizzo's head.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two 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.

Boytsov is trying to work for a kimura but Rizzo is defending well.
Rizzo wants to control but Boytsov is keeping busy.

Boytsov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

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

Boytsov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rizzo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Boytsov.
Dmitry Boytsov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Boytsov is working for a submission of some sort.
Jake Rizzo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boytsov is pressing down on Rizzo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rizzo is holding on for now.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura but Rizzo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Boytsov to get the leverage.

That's four 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.

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

Boytsov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rizzo defends it well.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura but Rizzo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Boytsov to get the leverage.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jake Rizzo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rizzo looks to land a combination but Boytsov avoids it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Boytsov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rizzo throws a right and a left that Boytsov avoids nicely.
Boytsov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jake Rizzo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Boytsov scores with a hook to the body. Rizzo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitry Boytsov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rizzo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jake Rizzo!
A relieved looking Jake Rizzo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.