PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Boyka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael McCulloch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCulloch is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Drowning Pool - Bodies. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Boyka
vs
McCulloch

180 cm
22
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuri Boyka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael McCulloch!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Paul Tew and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCulloch swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boyka throws a leg kick but McCulloch moved away.
Boyka ducks under a wild hook from McCulloch.
Boyka throws a sloppy head kick and McCulloch moves out of range easily.
Boyka throws a front kick aimed at McCulloch's knee but McCulloch avoids it well.
Boyka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boyka lands with a nice body kick.
McCulloch swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boyka misses with a jab, cross combination.
Boyka moves away from the strike by McCulloch.
Boyka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Boyka tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Boyka throws a leg kick that misses.
McCulloch shoots for a takedown but Boyka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McCulloch misses with a wild body shot.
McCulloch missing with a left hand there. Boyka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McCulloch throws a body punch but Boyka moves out of range.
Boyka tries a head kick but it misses.
Boyka scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boyka tries a head kick but it misses.
McCulloch is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Boyka.
Boyka goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McCulloch misses with a body shot.
Boyka tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and McCulloch is able to avoid easily.
McCulloch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boyka is looking to chop away at McCulloch's legs.
Boyka slips a jab from McCulloch.
McCulloch comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Boyka scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McCulloch throws a big shot that misses.
Boyka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McCulloch is out of range.
Boyka clobbers McCulloch with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
McCulloch closes this distance looking for a takedown but Boyka circles away.
Boyka throws a half hearted mid kick.
Boyka misses with a jab, cross combination.
McCulloch throws an overhand right that lands on Boyka's shoulder, as Boyka tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boyka scores with a leg kick.
McCulloch shoots in but Boyka avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yuri Boyka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael McCulloch.
McCulloch throws a looping overhand right but Boyka ducks down to avoid it.
Boyka misses with a few strikes there.

McCulloch throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Boyka tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McCulloch is in Boyka's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCulloch forces his way into half guard.
McCulloch trying to control from half guard but Boyka is working away.
Boyka keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McCulloch throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCulloch looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

McCulloch is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Boyka is staying active underneath McCulloch, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McCulloch working over Boyka with some ground and pound. Boyka looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
McCulloch wants to take a breather but Boyka is having none of it.
McCulloch not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McCulloch not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McCulloch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCulloch seems to be working for a kimura but Boyka defends the submission attempt.
Boyka wants to get back to his feet.
Boyka is breathing heavily.
McCulloch not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McCulloch has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
McCulloch looking to finish with strikes here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McCulloch working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael McCulloch dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Boyka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McCulloch.
McCulloch fails with the takedown.
Yuri Boyka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for McCulloch with that takedown attempt.
Boyka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McCulloch checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
McCulloch with a poor takedown
and Boyka counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Yuri Boyka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael McCulloch.
Boyka lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McCulloch just misses with a punch to the body.
Boyka is looking to score with low kicks.
McCulloch staying out of range there.
McCulloch takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
McCulloch blocks a head kick by Boyka.
McCulloch shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Boyka defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boyka will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
McCulloch throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCulloch shoots for a double leg takedown but Boyka sprawls well. He's pushed McCulloch's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McCulloch takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Boyka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yuri Boyka is winning the standup battle so far.
McCulloch throws an off balance right hand
and Boyka counters with a series of strikes. McCulloch will be more careful next time no doubt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Boyka lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and McCulloch has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from McCulloch and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Boyka slips under a jab from McCulloch.
McCulloch moves out of range of the body kick.
Yuri Boyka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCulloch misses with an uppercut. Boyka saw that one coming.
Boyka misses with a body kick.
McCulloch checks the leg kick nicely there.
A punch combination from Boyka misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by McCulloch or perhaps it was just good defense by Boyka which made him look bad.
Boyka slips under a jab from McCulloch.
Boyka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Boyka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCulloch misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Boyka.
Boyka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McCulloch.
Boyka lands with a thumping leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as McCulloch blocks the leg kick.
Boyka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCulloch was well out of range. Poor timing from Boyka.
Boyka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCulloch blocks a leg kick.
McCulloch moves out of range of the strikes.
McCulloch misses with a wild body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McCulloch shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Boyka manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCulloch is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McCulloch drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Boyka dives on top into guard.

McCulloch looking for a guillotine here but Boyka defends easily.
McCulloch wants to sweep here but Boyka controlling him for the moment.
Boyka knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McCulloch on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCulloch has a closed guard, preventing Boyka from standing up.
McCulloch manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Boyka manages to get himself to full guard.
Boyka keeping moving, preventing McCulloch from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCulloch trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Boyka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael McCulloch will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Boyka pushes McCulloch away with a front kick.
Boyka tries to land a front kick but McCulloch steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Boyka avoids the body shot from McCulloch.
Boyka fails to land with a series of punches.
Some bone on bone action there as McCulloch checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Boyka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McCulloch misses with a hook
and Boyka counters with a big head kick but McCulloch shrugs it off.
Boyka misses with a double jab.
Boyka defending well as McCulloch loads up on a big left hand.
Boyka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McCulloch is out of range.

McCulloch is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Boyka's half guard.
McCulloch is figuring out what he wants to do next.

McCulloch is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCulloch is looking to take a break and control but Boyka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Boyka makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Boyka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Boyka throws a series of punches but McCulloch moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Boyka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McCulloch.
Boyka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Boyka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McCulloch checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCulloch throws a jab when Boyka was well out of range.
McCulloch fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
McCulloch avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Boyka throws out a leg kick but McCulloch moves out of range and Boyka only half commits.

McCulloch closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McCulloch lands in his opponent's guard.
McCulloch trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McCulloch trying to control but Boyka is working from the bottom.
McCulloch thows a big elbow that misses.
Boyka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McCulloch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCulloch thows a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McCulloch accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McCulloch trying to control the position from guard on top but Boyka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCulloch controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

McCulloch drops back looking for a leg! Boyka is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Boyka manages to kick McCulloch off! McCulloch jumps back into Boyka's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCulloch scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
McCulloch tries to free his leg and advance position but Boyka is retaining full guard.

McCulloch thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Boyka keeping moving, preventing McCulloch from controlling successfully.
Boyka on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Boyka tries to get out of the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCulloch stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Boyka swivels though and keeps the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael McCulloch comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McCulloch winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight for Michael McCulloch!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Michael McCulloch!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Michael McCulloch!

Michael McCulloch wins by unanimous decision!