PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitry Boytsov (ranked 1425 p4p, 1418 weight class) and Krisko Kurtev (ranked 181 p4p, 180 weight class). Boytsov comes to the cage accompanied by AMAZING. Krisko Kurtev has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Dmitry Boytsov's chin.

Boytsov
vs
Kurtev

178 cm
28
222
14 - 17 - 0

189 cm
40
193
36 - 41 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 14 - 17 - 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 36 - 41 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurtev slips under a jab from Boytsov.
Boytsov jabs at Kurtev's body.
Kurtev shoots in and drives through. Boytsov sprawls well.
Krisko Kurtev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kurtev clinches up with Boytsov and pushes him back against the cage.
Kurtev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kurtev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Boytsov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dmitry Boytsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krisko Kurtev.

Boytsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kurtev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Boytsov keeping moving, preventing Kurtev from controlling successfully.

Boytsov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Boytsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kurtev manages to get himself to full guard.

Boytsov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurtev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev is trying to control the position but Boytsov postures up.

Boytsov 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.
Kurtev keeping full guard, as Boytsov tries to pass.
Kurtev throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Kurtev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Boytsov defends well.
Kurtev can't keep his opponent in guard - Boytsov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura but Kurtev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Boytsov to get the leverage.
Kurtev pushes Boytsov off looking to stand but Boytsov dives back in and keeps control.

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

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.
Kurtev throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Boytsov manages to pass to side control.
Kurtev tries to improve position but can't.

Boytsov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kurtev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kurtev has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Boytsov blocks the strikes from Kurtev.
Boytsov is looking to take a break and control but Kurtev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Boytsov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Boytsov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Boytsov prevents Kurtev from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev is looking to regain half guard here but Boytsov keeps moving and retains side control.

Boytsov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Boytsov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kurtev wants to control but Boytsov postures up.

Boytsov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Boytsov tries for a kimura but Kurtev is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurtev can't do much from the bottom here.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kurtev has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kurtev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Boytsov wants to work for an arm triangle but Kurtev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kurtev flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Boytsov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kurtev sees it coming and defends easily.
Boytsov wants to take a breather but Kurtev is having none of it.

Kurtev is defending against the submission attempts here by Boytsov.
Kurtev trying to control from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kurtev keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Boytsov is looking for a kimura but Kurtev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Boytsov to get the leverage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitry Boytsov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kurtev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Kurtev rushes Boytsov and presses him up against the cage.

Boytsov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kurtev landing a few short strikes.
Kurtev strikes from the bottom but Boytsov uses the opportunity to move to side control.

Boytsov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kurtev throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

Boytsov is trying to get an arm triangle but Kurtev is defending well.
Boytsov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kurtev can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Boytsov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kurtev tries to buck Boytsov off but Boytsov is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Boytsov is trying to get an arm triangle but Kurtev is defending well.
Kurtev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kurtev struggling a bit here.
Kurtev misses with an elbow from the bottom.

Boytsov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kurtev, who protects the arm well.
Boytsov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kurtev is trying to control Boytsov's posture but Boytsov avoids it.
Kurtev is looking to regain half guard here but Boytsov keeps moving and retains side control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Kurtev controlling the position well.
Kurtev trying to hold on to Boytsov's head to control him but Boytsov postures up.
Kurtev flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Boytsov wants to take a breather but Kurtev is having none of it.

Boytsov wants to work for an arm triangle but Kurtev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kurtev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

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

Boytsov wants to work for an arm triangle but Kurtev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boytsov trying to control the action but Kurtev is working from the bottom.
Boytsov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kurtev wants to control but Boytsov is keeping busy.
Boytsov wants to pass the guard but Kurtev is defending well.
Boytsov looks to land a strike but Kurtev avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kurtev 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.
Boytsov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurtev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boytsov throwing strikes but missing.
Boytsov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kurtev wants to sweep but no luck.
Boytsov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Boytsov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kurtev struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurtev throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

Boytsov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Boytsov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kurtev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kurtev sneaks back into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitry Boytsov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kurtev gets the takedown into side control.
Dmitry Boytsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kurtev trying to control the action but Boytsov is working from the bottom.
Boytsov is trying to control Kurtev's posture but Kurtev avoids it.
Kurtev throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Boytsov works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Kurtev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev thows a huge punch but Boytsov dodges it nicely.
Boytsov has hold of Kurtev's hands but Kurtev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Boytsov is holding on to half guard well.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurtev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Boytsov defending well though.
Kurtev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kurtev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kurtev is looking to take a break and control but Boytsov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Boytsov defending well though.
Kurtev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Boytsov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kurtev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Boytsov defending well though.
Kurtev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Boytsov defending well though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kurtev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kurtev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Krisko Kurtev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kurtev is looking for a kimura but Boytsov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kurtev to get the leverage.
Boytsov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kurtev is nestled in close to Boytsov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kurtev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boytsov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kurtev.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurtev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kurtev winds up and cracks Boytsov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Dmitry Boytsov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kurtev thows a huge punch but Boytsov dodges it nicely.
Kurtev trying to control from half guard but Boytsov is working away.

Kurtev is looking for a kimura but Boytsov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kurtev to get the leverage.
Kurtev working the head and body with strikes.

Kurtev wants to work for an arm triangle but Boytsov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Boytsov is not content to let Kurtev control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kurtev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Boytsov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kurtev.
Boytsov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurtev.
Kurtev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kurtev throwing strikes from guard but Boytsov blocks nicely.
Kurtev throws a big elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Krisko Kurtev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Boytsov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!