PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Goro Yamamoto (ranked 24703 p4p, 4102 weight class) and Mykhailo Yakovenko (ranked 0 p4p, 456 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Yamamoto
vs
Yakovenko

191 cm
25
158
0 - 5 - 0

175 cm
25
158
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Likes musicals

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 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Goro Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mykhailo Yakovenko!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Franklyn Lucas and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamamoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yamamoto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As Yamamoto backs off Yakovenko throws a huge counter combo but Yamamoto manages to avoid it all.
Yakovenko shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Yamamoto shoots for a takedown but Yakovenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Yakovenko changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Yakovenko drives through with a takedown into Yamamoto's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Yamamoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yakovenko throwing strikes from guard but Yamamoto blocks nicely.
Yamamoto is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Yamamoto has wrist control.
Yakovenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovenko engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Yakovenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Yakovenko stands and steps away. Yamamoto gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Yamamoto lands a jab-cross combination.
Yamamoto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yakovenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Good work by Yamamoto as he checks the leg kick.
Yakovenko misses with a two punch combination.
Yamamoto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yakovenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yamamoto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yakovenko avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Goro Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yakovenko clinches with his opponent.
Yamamoto tries to break the clinch but Yakovenko is controlling the position.
Yakovenko is pressed up against the cage. Yamamoto has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yakovenko down to the mat. Yakovenko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Yakovenko pushes Yamamoto up against the cage in a clinch.
Yakovenko stalling in the clinch.
Yakovenko wants to get back to striking at distance but Yamamoto won't allow it.
Yamamoto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yakovenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Yakovenko stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Yakovenko gets control of Yamamoto's arms and successfully pulls guard. Yakovenko will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Yamamoto really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Yakovenko wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yakovenko manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Yakovenko throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yamamoto wants to clinch.
Yamamoto stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Yakovenko misses with a takedown attempt
and Yamamoto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yamamoto shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Yakovenko eats them both and turns towards Yamamoto to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Yamamoto has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A solid body kick from Yamamoto.
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!

Yakovenko darts in and clinches Yamamoto up against the cage.
Yamamoto tries to pull guard but Yakovenko holds him up against the cage and eventually Yamamoto drops back down to his feet.
A hook to the body from Yakovenko.
Yakovenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yamamoto pulls his leg out and moves away.
Yamamoto dives in and grabs Yakovenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Yakovenko pushes down on Yamamoto's head and hops out.

Yakovenko clinches up with Yamamoto and pushes him back against the cage.
Yamamoto wants to take the fight to the mat but Yakovenko manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Yamamoto prevents Yakovenko from breaking the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mykhailo Yakovenko dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Yamamoto checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Yakovenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yamamoto swivels and escapes.
Yamamoto changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Yamamoto tries to clinch but Yakovenko is having none of it.
Goro Yamamoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yamamoto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Yamamoto tries to keep at a distance but Yakovenko has taken the fight into the clinch.
Yakovenko is trying to break the clinch but Yamamoto has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovenko is looking to break free of the clinch but Yamamoto has double underhooks.
Yamamoto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Yamamoto tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yakovenko smiles and moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Yamamoto or perhaps it was just good defense by Yakovenko, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Goro Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto misses with a takedown

and Yakovenko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Yamamoto is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Yamamoto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Yamamoto is trying to pull guard but Yakovenko has him pressed against the cage.

Yakovenko gets control of Yamamoto's arms and successfully pulls guard. Yakovenko will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Yakovenko is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Yamamoto has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Yakovenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovenko has a closed guard, preventing Yamamoto from standing up.

Yakovenko is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Yamamoto wants to get back to striking at distance but Yakovenko won't allow it.
Yamamoto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Yakovenko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Yamamoto after a bit of a struggle.
Yakovenko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Yakovenko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Yakovenko looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto wants to break free but Yakovenko has control.
Yamamoto working hard to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Yakovenko's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Yakovenko ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Yakovenko no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Yamamoto wants to stand but Yakovenko is controlling his posture from full guard.
Yakovenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yamamoto is one step ahead there.
Mykhailo Yakovenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

Yakovenko manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yakovenko pulls guard effortlessly.
Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Yakovenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Yakovenko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yakovenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yakovenko pulls Yamamoto in close to prevent any damage.

Yakovenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yamamoto is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mykhailo Yakovenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Yakovenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Yakovenko looking for a takedown.
Yamamoto wants to break the clinch but can't.
Yakovenko misses with a knee to the head.
Yakovenko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Yamamoto is defending well.

Yakovenko decides to pull guard.
Yamamoto passes Yakovenko's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yamamoto wants to take a breather but Yakovenko is having none of it.
Yakovenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Yakovenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Yamamoto trying to control but Yakovenko is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yakovenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yamamoto is aware though and is defending well.
Yamamoto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yamamoto postures up.
Yamamoto stands and throws Yakovenko's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Yamamoto knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yakovenko on the ground.
Yakovenko controls the position for a moment.
Yakovenko can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Yakovenko manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Yamamoto is looking to stall here but Yakovenko recovers full guard.
Yakovenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yakovenko is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Yamamoto trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Yakovenko manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovenko passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Yakovenko sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Yamamoto is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
You can see the frustration on Yamamoto's face as Yakovenko controls the position.
Yamamoto tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Yakovenko stands up and beckons Yamamoto to his feet.
Yamamoto moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Yakovenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yamamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yakovenko somewhat.
Yamamoto attempts a counter takedown but Yakovenko avoids it well and moves away.
Goro Yamamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mykhailo Yakovenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovenko tries for a takedown but Yamamoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Yakovenko forces Yamamoto back against the cage and clinches.
Yakovenko can't break the clinch.
Yakovenko pressing his opponent against the cage.
Yakovenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yamamoto tries to circle away but Yakovenko has him pinned against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yakovenko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yamamoto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Yamamoto is pressed up against the cage. Yakovenko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yamamoto down to the mat. Yamamoto avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Goro Yamamoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mykhailo Yakovenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yakovenko shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mykhailo Yakovenko.
I've got Yakovenko 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mykhailo Yakovenko!