PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Objedkov (ranked 992 p4p, 1018 weight class) and Takashi Yoshida (ranked 57 p4p, 60 weight class). Yoshida is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Boogeyman by Motörhead. Takashi Yoshida has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Objedkov
vs
Yoshida

172 cm
33
142
18 - 15 - 0

165 cm
37
130
34 - 13 - 2

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Objedkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Takashi Yoshida!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yoshida looks to land a left hand but Objedkov moved out of range nicely.
Yoshida turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Objedkov ducks under a wild hook from Yoshida.
Objedkov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yoshida circles away.
Objedkov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Objedkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Objedkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yoshida as he avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Objedkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Objedkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yoshida sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Objedkov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Yoshida cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Objedkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Objedkov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Yoshida throws an overhand right that lands on Objedkov's shoulder, as Objedkov tries to avoid the shot.
Objedkov slips under a jab.
The crowd cheers as Objedkov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Yoshida doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yoshida tests Objedkov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yoshida throws a hook but Objedkov avoids it easily.
Objedkov tries to clinch there but Yoshida circles away.
Yoshida throws out a counter right but Objedkov avoids it with no problem.
Yoshida keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Objedkov lands with a nice body punch.
Yoshida defending well as Objedkov loads up on a big left hand.
Yoshida fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Objedkov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Yoshida slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Yoshida throws a leg kick but Objedkov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Objedkov tries for a takedown but Yoshida sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Objedkov scores with a sloppy right hand. Yoshida should have avoided that one.
The fighters circling - Yoshida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yoshida shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Yoshida misses with a hook. Objedkov ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yoshida ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Takashi Yoshida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Objedkov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Yoshida manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Objedkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Yoshida controls Objedkov momentarily but Objedkov frees himself.
Objedkov stands up over Yoshida, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yoshida working a defensive guard here.
Objedkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Objedkov is looking to work some ground and pound but Yoshida has wrist control.
Objedkov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Objedkov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Objedkov trying to control but Yoshida is working from the bottom.
Objedkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Objedkov content to stall in guard here.
Yoshida looking to control.
Objedkov working some strikes from top position.
Objedkov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Objedkov wants to control from the top but Yoshida keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yoshida looking for a sweep. Not yet Yoshida, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Objedkov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Yoshida avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Yoshida is on top in guard.

Yoshida is looking to advance position but Objedkov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Objedkov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Yoshida can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Yoshida is trying desperately to improve position.
Objedkov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Yoshida is looking to escape.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Takashi Yoshida will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Objedkov has a takedown stuffed.
Objedkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Objedkov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Yoshida throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Objedkov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A jab from Objedkov finds it's way through Yoshida's defenses.
Objedkov shoots in for a double leg but Yoshida sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yoshida tries a quick counter leg kick but Objedkov is wise to it.
Objedkov tries to clinch there but Yoshida circles away.
Good standup being displayed there by Yoshida as he connects with a hook.
Nice shot by Objedkov.
Objedkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Yoshida.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yoshida.
Objedkov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Yoshida counters with a thumping low kick.
Objedkov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yoshida.
Yoshida displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Objedkov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Objedkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Objedkov moves into range and clinches up with Yoshida.
Objedkov goes for a takedown attempt but Yoshida pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Yoshida.

Objedkov drives through and clinches with Yoshida against the cage.
Yoshida lands a right hand that snaps the head of Objedkov backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Objedkov.
Yoshida misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yoshida.
Yoshida lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Objedkov can't find room to land a body shot as Yoshida controls the action.

Objedkov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Yoshida clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yoshida is really stuck here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Objedkov lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Sergey Objedkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Even with his hooks in, Objedkov manages to miss with strikes from the back.

Objedkov looking for the choke from the back.
Objedkov somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Objedkov landing with strikes.

Objedkov working for the choke.
Yoshida just trying to survive but Objedkov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Yoshida tries to break free.

Objedkov looking to break Yoshida's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Yoshida remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Objedkov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida tries to break free.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Objedkov's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Objedkov lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Yoshida.
Yoshida just trying to survive but Objedkov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Yoshida grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

Yoshida defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Objedkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Objedkov is working hard here to advance position.
Objedkov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Yoshida looking to sit in guard and control but Objedkov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Objedkov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Yoshida's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Objedkov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Objedkov wants to clinch.
Yoshida connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Yoshida works Objedkov's body with a nice hook.
Yoshida wants to clinch up but Objedkov keeps it at a distance.
Objedkov darts in looking for a takedown but Yoshida gets double underhooks and turns Objedkov into the cage.
Yoshida lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Objedkov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yoshida's elbow.
Yoshida tries to work over Objedkov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yoshida goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yoshida lands with a short shot to the head.
Objedkov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Yoshida gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Yoshida misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yoshida struggles to land a body shot inside as Objedkov controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Objedkov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Yoshida avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Objedkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Objedkov.
Yoshida throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Objedkovs head.
Objedkov wants a takedown but no success here.
Yoshida tries to throw a body punch but Objedkov avoids it by throwing Yoshida back against the cage.
Objedkov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yoshida fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Objedkov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Yoshida connects with a looping right hand.
Good work by Objedkov as he checks the leg kick.
Objedkov tries for a takedown but Yoshida sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Objedkov dives in and grabs Yoshida's left leg, looking for a takedown. Yoshida pushes down on Objedkov's head and hops out.
Yoshida buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yoshida with the inside leg kick.
Takashi Yoshida seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Objedkov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Objedkov misses with a double jab
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Yoshida stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yoshida wants it to stay on the feet.
Yoshida doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Objedkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Objedkov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Yoshida with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Objedkov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
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!
Yoshida throws a jab but it's blocked by Objedkov.

Objedkov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Yoshida was covering up waiting for the punch and Objedkov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Yoshida is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Objedkov passes Yoshida's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Yoshida tries to roll over but Objedkov keeps him under control.
Objedkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yoshida's head.
Objedkov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Objedkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yoshida's head.
Yoshida moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Objedkov won't allow Yoshida to sweep him here.
Objedkov connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Objedkov trying to control but Yoshida is working from the bottom.
Yoshida controls Objedkov momentarily but Objedkov frees himself.
Objedkov passes into half guard.
Objedkov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Yoshida with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Objedkov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Objedkov throws a strike but Yoshida avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takashi Yoshida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yoshida has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Takashi Yoshida!
After winning the bout, Takashi Yoshida thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.