PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Panayotov (ranked 2947 p4p, 2207 weight class) and Vincent Lemieux (ranked 75 p4p, 69 weight class). Panayotov comes to the cage accompanied by Mad World - Gary Jules / Tears For Fears (Cover by Jasmine Thompson). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Panayotov
vs
Lemieux

196 cm
40
205
17 - 17 - 0

193 cm
42
270
31 - 32 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nikolay Panayotov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 32 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vincent Lemieux!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Radbod Blank and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lemieux moves away from the strike by Panayotov.
Lemieux looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lemieux misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lemieux shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Panayotov as he jumps to the side.
Panayotov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lemieux is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Panayotov with a body shot.
Panayotov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Panayotov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lemieux was well out of range. Poor timing from Panayotov.
Lemieux tries to close the distance and clinch up but Panayotov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A head kick by Panayotov misses

and Lemieux moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lemieux wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lemieux blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lemieux jumps guard but Panayotov stands there with Lemieux around his waist. Lemieux gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Panayotov fails to land.
We've been informed that Lemieux has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux managing to block the knees to the body from Panayotov.
Lemieux blocks an uppercut.
Panayotov is pressed up against the cage. Lemieux has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Panayotov down to the mat. Panayotov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nikolay Panayotov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincent Lemieux.
Panayotov keeps the fight on the outside.
Panayotov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A lazy body kick from Lemieux

and Panayotov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Lemieux trying to strike off his back.
Lemieux tries to strike from the bottom.
Panayotov preventing the sweep.
Panayotov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Panayotov wants to pass the guard but Lemieux is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux keeping moving, preventing Panayotov from controlling successfully.
Panayotov content to stall in guard here.
Panayotov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lemieux.
A quick step to the side and Panayotov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lemieux pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lemieux dives in and grabs Panayotov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Panayotov pushes down on Lemieux's head and hops out.
No luck for Lemieux with that takedown attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Panayotov misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Lemieux is predictable there
and Panayotov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big left from Panayotov misses.
Lemieux fails with a takedown attempt.
Panayotov swats away the attempt to clinch by Lemieux.
It looked like Panayotov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Panayotov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Panayotov is looking to counter with head kicks.
Lemieux takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lemieux wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux 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.
Lemieux throws a series of punches but Panayotov moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lemieux looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
An attempted straight right counter from Panayotov misses the target.
Lemieux is trying hard to land a takedown here. Panayotov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lemieux shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Panayotov as he jumps to the side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Decent striking displayed by Panayotov there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Panayotov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Panayotov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lemieux rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Panayotov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lemieux.
Lemieux fails in his attempt to clinch.
Panayotov throwing a counter right hand but Lemieux manages to avoid it.
Lemieux looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Panayotov throwing a counter right hand but Lemieux manages to avoid it.
Lemieux tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Panayotov swivels and escapes.
Nikolay Panayotov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincent Lemieux.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lemieux shoots in for a double leg but Panayotov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Panayotov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Lemieux lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Nikolay Panayotov has been cut.
Lemieux doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nikolay Panayotov is winning the standup battle so far.
Lemieux avoids the head kick by Panayotov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lemieux.

Panayotov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Panayotov decides to stand up.
Nice takedown defense from Panayotov. No joy for Lemieux on that attempt.
Panayotov loads up on a big right hand but Lemieux slips the punch.
Lemieux shoots in looking for a takedown. Panayotov tries to sprawl out of it but Lemieux keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Panayotov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Panayotov throwing a counter right hand but Lemieux manages to avoid it.
Lemieux throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Panayotov's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Lemieux moves into range and clinches up with Panayotov.
Lemieux tries a body shot but Panayotov blocks it.
Panayotov slowing the pace effectively.
Panayotov has Lemieux pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lemieux manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Panayotov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Panayotov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lemieuxs head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lemieux taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Panayotov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Panayotov.
Lemieux tries to land a knee to the head but Panayotov blocks with his arms.
Panayotov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lemieux can do to turn this around?
Panayotov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Lemieux pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lemieux or perhaps it was just good defense by Panayotov, which made it look bad.
Panayotov lands a high kick!
Vincent Lemieux is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lemieux misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Panayotov.

Panayotov has managed to clinch.
Lemieux drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Panayotov misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov tries to land a knee to the head but Lemieux blocks with his arms.
Come on Panayotov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Panayotov pushes off an throws an elbow but Lemieux leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Panayotov lands with a left to the head.
Panayotov misses with a punch on the inside.
Lemieux missing with knees to the body.

Lemieux drags the fight down to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Panayotov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Panayotov stands and steps away. Lemieux gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Lemieux's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Panayotov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lemieux scrambles back to his feet.
Panayotov loads up on a big right hand but Lemieux slips the punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Panayotov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nikolay Panayotov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lemieux defending well as Panayotov loads up on a big left hand.
Panayotov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Lemieux has his takedown stuffed
and Panayotov counters with a nice uppercut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lemieux.
Panayotov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A jab lands there for Panayotov.
Panayotov keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lemieux with a poor takedown
and Panayotov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nikolay Panayotov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincent Lemieux.
Panayotov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lemieux throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Panayotov's waist but Panayotov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lemieux off to one side.

Lemieux fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Panayotov, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Panayotov taking a breather.
Nikolay Panayotov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Lemieux blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lemieux jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Panayotov walks away with a smile on his face. Lemieux gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Lemieux has taken the fight to the clinch.
Panayotov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Lemieux's defenses.

It looks like Vincent Lemieux has been cut.
Panayotov can't find room to land a body shot as Lemieux controls the action.
Lemieux tries for a takedown. No joy.

Lemieux pulls guard successfully.
Lemieux takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lemieux bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Panayotov's guard.

Panayotov wants to stand up but Lemieux is controlling him.
Lemieux wants to control from the top but Panayotov keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lemieux is controlling him.

Lemieux gets to his feet - Panayotov follows without any prompting.
Lemieux shoots in looking for a takedown but Panayotov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lemieux's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Panayotov is looking to counter punch.
Lemieux looks to clinch
and Panayotov counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lemieux's head.
Lemieux doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Panayotov counters with a nice uppercut.
Panayotov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vincent Lemieux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Panayotov cracks a nice hook into Lemieux's ribs.
Panayotov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lemieux looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Panayotov is fending him off so far but Lemieux persists. Nope, Panayotov circles away and we're back to standing.
Panayotov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lemieux tries for a takedown but Panayotov circles away easily
and Panayotov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lemieux swings for the body but Panayotov moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux fails with a takedown attempt.
Lemieux slips under a jab.
Panayotov throws an overhand right that lands on Lemieux's shoulder, as Lemieux tries to avoid the shot.
Lemieux tries to counter with a clinch but Panayotov shakes him off and moves away.
Lemieux has his takedown stuffed
letting Panayotov counter with a right hand.
Panayotov misses the shot to the body.
Nikolay Panayotov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lemieux shoots and misses
and Panayotov counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice jab there from Panayotov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Panayotov cracks Lemieux with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Vincent Lemieux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Panayotov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lemieux doesn't seem bothered though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Panayotov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Panayotov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Panayotov!
Our winner, Nikolay Panayotov, 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.