PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wai Man Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone. Wai Man Li has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Man Li
vs
Yakovchenko

176 cm
21
161 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

177 cm
21
160 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wai Man Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Yakovchenko!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yakovchenko misses with a body kick.
Li will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Yakovchenko takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
Good work by Li as he checks the leg kick.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakovchenko.
Li throws a right hand that misses
and Yakovchenko counters with a low kick, right behind Li 's knee.
Li ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Li misses the shot to the body.
Li uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Li walks into a straight right hand from Yakovchenko.
Li swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Li misses with an uppercut.
Li takes a swing at Yakovchenko's ribcage but misses.
Li throws a hook but Yakovchenko avoids it easily.
Yakovchenko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovchenko gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Li throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Li.
Yakovchenko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Li at a distance.
A shot to the liver by Yakovchenko. Beautiful body shot.
Yakovchenko pushes Li away with a front kick.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yakovchenko swings for the body but Li moves out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Li darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Li shoots in looking for a takedown but Yakovchenko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Li's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Yakovchenko lands a head shot.
Li uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Yakovchenko throws out a powerful jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakovchenko works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Yakovchenko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yakovchenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Li is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko cracks a nice hook into Li's ribs.
A swing and a miss from Li.
Yakovchenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Li counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Li misses with a hook. Yakovchenko ducked under it nicely.
Yakovchenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice defenses there by Li.
Yakovchenko lands a body shot.
Igor Yakovchenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yakovchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Li fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wai Man Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Li moves away.
Li throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Li does it's job there.
Li takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice head shot.
Yakovchenko is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Li had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Donk. Yakovchenko catches Li right on the button with a cross.
Yakovchenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Li was well out of range. Poor timing from Yakovchenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Li.
Yakovchenko lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Li moves out of range of the leg kick from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko looks to throw the jab but Li is out of range.
Li ducks under a wild hook from Yakovchenko.

Li closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Yakovchenko did well to prevent Li getting side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Yakovchenko manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Li is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Li postures up in Yakovchenko's guard and throws a big left but Yakovchenko blocks it.
Li wants to pass the guard but Yakovchenko is keeping the position.
Li is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yakovchenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yakovchenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yakovchenko manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Yakovchenko in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yakovchenko breaks from Li's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Li keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Yakovchenko putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Li is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Li throws an overhand right that lands on Yakovchenko's shoulder, as Yakovchenko tries to avoid the shot.
Li just misses with a punch to the body.
Yakovchenko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Li.
Yakovchenko avoids the body shot from Li.
Yakovchenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Li.
Yakovchenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Yakovchenko connects with an inside leg kick.
Li throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Li blocks it.
Li will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Yakovchenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Li shoots in but no luck this time.
Li throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yakovchenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Li avoids a kick to the body.
Yakovchenko misses with a jab to the body

and Li counters with a single leg into guard. Yakovchenko didn't expect that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovchenko looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yakovchenko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Li can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Li has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yakovchenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Li stays in close to Yakovchenko's body and controls the position.
Li has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Li sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Yakovchenko's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li trying to work for an americana but Yakovchenko has managed to regain full guard.
Li trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yakovchenko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yakovchenko trying to keep a closed guard but Li is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yakovchenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Li preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li wants to control from the top but Yakovchenko keeps moving.
Li postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Li misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws out a powerful jab.
Yakovchenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Li sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Li throws a series of punches but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Li misses the shot to the body.
Yakovchenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Li misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Li is able to avoid easily.
Yakovchenko moves out of range as Li strikes.
Li fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yakovchenko avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wai Man Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Yakovchenko!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Li misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Li misses.
Li throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Li blocks the body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yakovchenko tries to clinch up but Li circles away and keeps his distance.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Li.
Yakovchenko connects with a crisp jab.
Li slips a straight right by Yakovchenko.
An inside leg kick lands from Yakovchenko.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li checks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Li lands a nice hook to Yakovchenko's body. Yakovchenko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Igor Yakovchenko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Yakovchenko.
Li swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A slow jab from Li misses its intended target.

Yakovchenko forces Li back against the cage and clinches.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Yakovchenko controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Yakovchenko.
Still in the clinch, Yakovchenko scores with a nice short uppercut.
Li tries to work over Yakovchenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yakovchenko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Li goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yakovchenko prevents it.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Yakovchenko controls the action.
Yakovchenko lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko prevents a body shot from Li.
Yakovchenko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Li can't get the takedown.
Li misses with the head strike.
Yakovchenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Li avoiding damage.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yakovchenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Yakovchenko lands a body shot.
A short body shot lands from Yakovchenko as the two fighters clinch.
Yakovchenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Li controls his hands.
Yakovchenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Yakovchenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Li.
Li tries a body shot but Yakovchenko blocks it.
Yakovchenko pushes Li back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yakovchenko lands a right hand.
A short body shot lands from Yakovchenko as the two fighters clinch.
Li tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wai Man Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A body shot lands from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Li is defending well for now.
A right hand to the body from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Yakovchenko lands a left hand.
Yakovchenko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Li or not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Yakovchenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Yakovchenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Yakovchenko.

It looks like Wai Man Li has been cut.
A body shot lands from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko lands with a left to the head.
Still in the clinch, Yakovchenko scores with a nice short uppercut.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Yakovchenko obliges.
Yakovchenko misses with a punch to the body.
Li misses with a punch to the body.
Li is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Yakovchenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Wai Man Li has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yakovchenko has a couple of punches blocked by Li.
Yakovchenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Li tries to score a body lock takedown but Yakovchenko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakovchenko is leaning against Li and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Yakovchenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Li changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yakovchenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Yakovchenko lands a really nice looking cross but Li seems unphased.
Yakovchenko digs a good hook to Li's body.
Li takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Yakovchenko connects with a leg kick. Li looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Yakovchenko scores with a leg kick.
Li keeps the fight on the outside.
Yakovchenko blocks a low kick nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Li gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Yakovchenko lands with a good body shot.
Igor Yakovchenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Li walks into a jab.
Yakovchenko chopping away at his opponent's legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Yakovchenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yakovchenko 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Yakovchenko!
During a confident post fight interview, Igor Yakovchenko thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.