PBC on ESPN - Derevyanchenko vs Soliman: Live streaming results and round by round coverage

Tonight at 8 p.m. ET, PBC on ESPN returns for the third straight week with a pair of middleweight matchups, featuring two good prospects from Ukraine.

In the main event, Sergiy Derevyanchenko (8-0, 6 KO) will face former middleweight titleholder Sam Soliman (44-13, 18 KO), a crafty veteran who, at 42, is past his prime but still can hang in the ring. Soliman has lost two straight, but in his last bout he pushed Dominic Wade to a split decision over 10 rounds. This fight is scheduled for 12.

Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KO) will be showcased in the co-feature, as he takes on Paul Mendez (19-2-2, 9 KO) in a 10-round bout. Mendez has won six straight, and hasn’t lost since 2011. This is a big opportunity for him, and we have seen Khytrov struggle in the recent past, against Nick Brinson about a year ago, before he rallied for a stoppage win in the final round.

BLH will be here with live coverage.

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RESULTS

Sergiy Derevyanchenko def. Sam Soliman by TKO (2:41 of round 2)

Ievgen Khytrov def. Paul Mendez by TKO (1:20 of round 9)

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ROUND BY ROUND

SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO vs SAM SOLIMAN

Round 1: Late start to this one after both fighters had to re-wrap their hands backstage. Derevyanchenko looking to land heavy shots, lands a bit to the body. Soliman trying to stay tricky, but POW! 30 seconds left in the round and Soliman is caught with a right hand, and he's down! Soliman up and he'll fight on and finish the round, but good start for Derevyanchenko. Derevyanchenko 10-8

Round 2: Soliman's herky-jerky movements not really helping him tonight. He's slipping a lot and Derevyanchenko is given another knockdown on a left hook. Soliman not hurt, but now Derevyanchenko finds him hard and in the corner and LEFT HAND AND SOLIMAN IS DOWN AND DONE! Derevyanchenko TKO-2

IEVGEN KHYTROV vs PAUL MENDEZ

Round 1: Khytrov aggressive here, Mendez hanging with him and landing some shots, too. Khytrov and Mendez throwing in the final minute! Nice first round, but Khytrov looking the stronger of the two. Khytrov 10-9

Round 2: Khytrov staying aggressive, throwing power shots. Mendez trying to jab him a bit, but it's not deterring Khytrov much at all, and Mendez isn't avoiding action, either, which means he's not avoiding shots. Mendez bleeding near the right eye as the round closes. Khytrov in control. Khytrov 10-9, 20-18

Round 3: Mendez handling himself OK, even though he's losing the rounds so far. He's opening up a bit more here in the third, too. Trying to stay just out of range but still throw. Khytrov throwing punches in bunches to the body and then a big flurry up top as the final minute approaches. Khytrov really rocking Mendez around now, firmly taking the momentum back. Both land right hands at the same time. Khytrov 10-9, 30-27

Round 4: Khytrov punishing Mendez again with right hands about a minute into the ring. Teddy rightly points out that when Khytrov actually moves his legs, he looks better, and when he doesn't, he's simply too stationary and predictable, one dimensional. Mendez is tough, maybe too tough. Khytrov 10-9, 40-36

Round 5: Khytrov continues to work and grind away, Mendez continues to hang around. The only story from here appears to be whether or not Khytrov stops him. Khytrov 10-9, 50-45

Round 6: Khytrov keeps slashing away at Mendez, particularly in the final minute of the round, where he lands some heavy body shots and goes back to the head, rocking Mendez around, but Mendez is just standing firm here. Khytrov 10-9, 60-54

Round 7: Established rhythm, repeated. Khytrov 10-9, 70-63

Round 8: Mendez taking a lot of punishment now. Khytrov battering him this round, and Mendez eating shots, but it's getting ugly. Absolute ass kicking in this round. 10-8 without knockdown for me. Khytrov 10-8, 80-71

Round 9: Mendez getting assaulted again in this round. Referee wants to jump in but doesn't. Finally a commission member gets on the apron and the fight gets stopped. Should've been stopped rounds ago. Mendez is tough, but the fight was hopeless and he was just taking unnecessary punishment. Khytrov TKO-9