PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergiy Sklyar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rage Blade (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sklyar comes into the arena with Scarface - No Tears blaring out of the sound system. Blade has chosen Nows My Time as his entrance music. Rage Blade will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Sklyar
vs
Blade

160 cm
27
140 lbs
20 - 4 - 1

176 cm
37
193 lbs
30 - 18 - 2

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Xtreme Merchandise
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Sergiy Sklyar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 18 - 2, fighting out of New York, Rage Blade!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Daniel Bishop and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sklyar tries a head kick but it misses.
Sklyar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sklyar misses with an uppercut. Blade saw that one coming.
Sklyar throws a big shot that misses.
Blade tries to clinch but Sklyar moves out of range.
Sklyar gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sklyar lands with a straight right. Blade didn't see that one coming.
Sklyar slips under a jab.
Sklyar throws a low kick but it's checked well by Blade.
Blade throws an overhand right that lands on Sklyar's shoulder, as Sklyar tries to avoid the shot.
Sklyar takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sklyar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blade manages to avoid it.
Sklyar scores with a jab to the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Blade misses the target.
Blade cracks Sklyar with an open hand slap.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blade defending well as Sklyar loads up on a big left hand.
Sklyar avoids a punch combination nicely.
Blade checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sklyar ducks under a wild hook from Blade.
Sklyar looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sklyar throws a low kick but Blade avoids it.
Sklyar turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A jab from Sklyar misses.
Blade throws a big shot that misses.
A swing and a miss from Blade.
Rage Blade is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sklyar shoots in but Blade avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Blade misses with a double jab

and Sklyar counters with a takedown into side control.
An elbow from Sklyar crashes against the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An elbow from Sklyar crashes against the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blade wants to get back to his feet but Sklyar drags him back down.
Blade tries to buck Sklyar off but Sklyar is having none of it.
Sklyar throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Sklyar crashes against the mat.
Blade dodges the ground and pound from Sklyar.
Blade manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Blade wants to stand but Sklyar has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Sklyar gets full guard.
Sklyar wants to sweep here but Blade controlling him for the moment.
Blade trying to control the position from guard on top but Sklyar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sklyar pulls Blade in close to prevent any damage.
Blade controlling from the top position.
Sklyar keeping moving, preventing Blade from controlling successfully.
Sklyar might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rage Blade wasn't active enough on the ground.
Blade tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sklyar swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Blade looks to land a left hand but Sklyar moved out of range nicely.

Blade moves into the clinch.
Sklyar scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sklyar tries to throw a body punch but Blade avoids it by throwing Sklyar back against the cage.
Sklyar is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Blade pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sklyar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sklyar goes for a takedown in the clinch but Blade prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergiy Sklyar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sklyar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Blade blocking some punches.
Sklyar misses with a punch on the inside.
Blade digs a right hand underneath Sklyar's ribcage. Sklyar let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sklyar misses with a punch to the body.
Blade trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blade misses with a punch to the body.
Sklyar lands with a left to the head.
Sklyar lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sklyar is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Blade gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sklyar struggles to land a body shot inside as Blade controls his hands.
Blade blocks an uppercut.
Sklyar throws a head punch that misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Blade stalling in the clinch but Sklyar improves position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sklyar turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Blade is trying to get back to his feet.
Sklyar has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sklyar in side control, throwing shots but Blade defends.
Sklyar throwing strikes but Blade manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Sklyar can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Blade stands up and we're back to a striking position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiy Sklyar dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sklyar scores with a nice strike.
Good shot there by Sklyar.
Sklyar throws a hook but Blade avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Sklyar misses the target.
Sklyar avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sklyar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Blade might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Blade tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sklyar paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sklyar falls off balance throwing a combination
and Blade counters with a nice uppercut.
Sklyar moves out of range of the body kick from Blade.
Sklyar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Blade throws out the jab.
Blade tries to clinch but Sklyar moves out of range.
Sklyar thuds a left hand into Blade's body.

Sklyar dives in and scores a takedown into Blade's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sklyar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blade works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Blade preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sklyar chips away with some ground and pound.
Blade is looking to stand up but Sklyar isn't so interested in that idea.
Sklyar throws a big elbow that misses.
Blade has control of Sklyar's left arm, preventing Sklyar from doing any damage.
Blade utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sklyar trying to control the position from guard on top but Blade is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sergiy Sklyar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sklyar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sklyar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sklyar throws a strike but Blade rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Blade slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Sklyar here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blade wants to control from the top but Sklyar keeps moving.
Sklyar looking to control.
Sklyar wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Blade tries to clinch there but Sklyar circles away.
Sklyar slips under a jab from Blade.
Blade thumps Sklyar with a low kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Blade lands with a right hand.
Sklyar buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Blade looks to land a combination. Sklyar sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Sklyar dives in and scores a takedown into Blade's guard.
Blade wants to stand but Sklyar is controlling the position.
Blade keeping moving, preventing Sklyar from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sklyar postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Blade trying to keep a closed guard but Sklyar is proving a slippery customer.
Sklyar won't allow Blade to sweep him here.
Sklyar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sklyar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blade works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Blade working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sklyar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sklyar with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sklyar trying to control the position from guard on top but Blade is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blade trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar won't allow Blade to sweep him here.

Rage Blade has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Blade fails to land with a series of punches.
Sklyar throws a hook but Blade blocks it.
Blade is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Blade throws a lazy right hand but Sklyar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Blade takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Some wild striking there from Blade.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blade stuffs the takedown.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Blade just misses with a punch to the body.
Sklyar lands a jab to Blade's midsection.
Rage Blade seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sklyar shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Blade sprawls well. Blade wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sklyar gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sergiy Sklyar will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Blade moves in looking to clinch but Sklyar pushes him off.
Blade smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Blade wants to clinch.
Blade slips under a jab.
Blade thows a left - swing and a miss!
Blade wants to clinch up but Sklyar keeps it at a distance.
No joy there for Sklyar, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Blade moves to clinch but Sklyar breaks away

and Sklyar counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Blade's guard now.
Blade is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sklyar is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sklyar trying to control but Blade is working from the bottom.
Sklyar postures up in Blade's guard and throws a big left but Blade blocks it.
Blade is looking to stand up but Sklyar isn't so interested in that idea.
Sklyar tries to free his leg and advance position but Blade is retaining full guard.
Sklyar wants to control from the top but Blade keeps moving.
Blade is trying to control the position but Sklyar postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sklyar darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Blade has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sklyar.
Sklyar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blade.
Blade tries to clinch up but Sklyar circles away and keeps his distance.
Rage Blade has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blade ducks under a wild hook from Sklyar.
Blade throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sklyar decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Blade's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sklyar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sklyar is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sklyar with a flurry of punches that miss.
Blade is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sklyar is controlling him.
Blade looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blade is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sklyar postures up in Blade's guard and throws a big left but Blade blocks it.
Blade utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Blade wants to stand and escape but Sklyar is having none of it.
Sklyar throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar is looking to work some ground and pound but Blade has wrist control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sklyar stands up over Blade, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sklyar prevents Blade from getting back to his feet.
Blade utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Blade trying to control the position.
Sklyar wants to control from the top but Blade keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Sergiy Sklyar just wasn't active enough.
Sklyar rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Blade moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blade misses with a wild combination.
Sklyar takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sklyar misses with a wild body shot.
Sklyar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blade.

Blade drives through and clinches with Sklyar against the cage.
Sklyar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sklyar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sklyar wants to stall.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blade is trying to maintain a safe position but Sklyar gets an underhook and turns Blade into the cage.
Sklyar tries a body shot but Blade blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sklyar is working for takedown but Blade is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sklyar takes a shot to the head.
Blade tries to circle away but Sklyar has him pinned against the cage.

Blade breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergiy Sklyar showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sklyar, 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergiy Sklyar!
Sergiy Sklyar thanked the fans post fight for their support.