PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Okin Slavas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Owidiusz Sknerski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Slavas might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to WolfMother. Okin Slavas has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Slavas
vs
Sknerski

184 cm
25
188 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

183 cm
23
170 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Merciless Gladiators

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Okin Slavas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Owidiusz Sknerski!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sknerski throws a leg kick but Slavas checks it.
Sknerski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Slavas.
Slavas misses with a right hand
and Sknerski counters with a good low kick that Slavas was not able to check.
Sknerski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good leg kick by Sknerski there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Slavas looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Slavas throws a hook but Sknerski blocks it.
Sknerski throws a hook to the side of Slavas's head but Slavas sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sknerski misses with a looping right.
A good leg kick by Sknerski.

Sknerski gets caught napping as Slavas dives in and scores a takedown. Sknerski manages to retain guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sknerski seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sknerski is trying to control the position but Slavas postures up.
Slavas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slavas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sknerski's head.
Slavas not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sknerski looking to control.
Sknerski is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Owidiusz Sknerski was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Sknerski misses with a hook. Slavas ducked under it nicely.

Slavas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sknerski was covering up waiting for the punch and Slavas finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sknerski is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Slavas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sknerski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Slavas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Slavas postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slavas trying to control but Sknerski is working from the bottom.
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!
Sknerski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sknerski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Slavas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sknerski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Owidiusz Sknerski hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sknerski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Slavas moves away.
Slavas misses the shot to the body.
Owidiusz Sknerski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Slavas.
Sknerski lands a right hook to the body.
Slavas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sknerski scores with a nice strike.

Slavas closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Slavas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sknerski is just riding it out for now. Slavas eventually gives up the hold.
Sknerski wants to control but Slavas is keeping busy.
Sknerski works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sknerski trying to control the position.
Slavas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sknerski keeping moving, preventing Slavas from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sknerski controls Slavas momentarily but Slavas frees himself.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Slavas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sknerski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Slavas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Slavas is pushing down on Sknerski's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sknerski is fighting to maintain full guard but Slavas has managed to sneak the leg through.
Slavas wants to control but Sknerski is keeping him busy.
Sknerski is looking for a sweep. Slavas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sknerski trying to hold on to Slavas's head to control him but Slavas postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sknerski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Slavas.
Sknerski has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Slavas is working away from the top position though.
Sknerski might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Slavas haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Okin Slavas will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sknerski throws a jab when Slavas was well out of range.
Slavas throws a nice looking combination but Sknerski bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sknerski throws a shot to the body.
Sknerski lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Slavas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Slavas takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Owidiusz Sknerski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Slavas shoots in for a takedown but Sknerski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Slavas misses with a left hand
and Sknerski counters with an inside leg kick.
Sknerski throws out a loose jab but Slavas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Slavas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sknerski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sknerski lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sknerski throws a head kick but Slavas moves out of range.
Sknerski throws a leg kick which misses Slavas's front leg but catches the back leg as Slavas tries to avoid it.
A left lands for Sknerski.
Sknerski swinging wildly here.
Slavas takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sknerski misses with a kick to the body.
Slavas throws a body punch but Sknerski moves out of range.
Slavas moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sknerski connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Slavas misses with a wild combination.
Slavas moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sknerski takes a swing at Slavas's ribcage but misses.
Sknerski connects with a nice looking jab.
Sknerski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sknerski throws a head kick but Slavas moves out of range.
Owidiusz Sknerski seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Slavas.
Sknerski is working to avoid the ground and pound but Slavas connects with a decent elbow.
Slavas trying to control the action but Sknerski is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slavas working away.
Slavas throws an elbow but Sknerski slips to the side and avoids it well.
Slavas cracks Sknerski with a big right hand but Sknerski just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Sknerski struggling a bit here.
Slavas trying to control the action but Sknerski is working from the bottom.
Slavas working the ground and pound.
Slavas in side control, throwing shots but Sknerski defends.

Slavas is trying to get an arm triangle but Sknerski is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Sknerski's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slavas controls the position from side control.

Slavas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sknerski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Slavas tries to move into full mount but can't pass Sknerski's legs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Slavas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sknerski keeps working.

Slavas is trying to get an arm triangle but Sknerski is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sknerski manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Slavas looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
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 Okin Slavas will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sknerski misses with a few strikes there.
Sknerski punishes Slavas's body with a nice straight punch.
Slavas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Slavas misses with a low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sknerski.
Slavas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sknerski.
A swing and a miss from Slavas.
Slavas checks a low kick from Sknerski.
Sknerski lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Slavas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sknerski was covering up waiting for the punch and Slavas finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sknerski is trying to keep Slavas in close.
Slavas advances to half guard.
Slavas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sknerski trying to control but Slavas postures up.
Slavas perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sknerski tries to get to full guard but Slavas has control of the leg.
Slavas wants to control but Sknerski is keeping him busy.
Slavas controlling the pace.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Slavas is looking for a kimura but Sknerski is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Slavas to get the leverage.
Owidiusz Sknerski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sknerski is trying to get back to full guard.

Sknerski is defending against the submission attempts here by Slavas.

Sknerski is defending against the submission attempts here by Slavas.
Sknerski tries to roll over but Slavas keeps him under control.
Sknerski wants to get back to his feet.
Slavas is nestled in close to Sknerski, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
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!
Sknerski has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Slavas is working away from the top position though.
Slavas slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slavas is pressing down on Sknerski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sknerski is holding on for now.
Sknerski is trying to maintain the position but Slavas is very close to passing his half guard.
Slavas not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Slavas thows a huge punch but Sknerski dodges it nicely.
Sknerski trying to control from the bottom.
Slavas 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.
Slavas trying to control from half guard but Sknerski is working away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sknerski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Okin Slavas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sknerski takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sknerski. Slavas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Slavas bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sknerski's head backwards.
Slavas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sknerski moves away.
Slavas is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A slow jab from Sknerski misses its intended target.
Sknerski throws a poor cross that misses
and Sknerski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sknerski.

Slavas gets a takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sknerski actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Okin Slavas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Slavas, 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Okin Slavas!
Okin Slavas bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.