PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roman Yakimyuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Ponting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Yakimyuk
vs
Ponting

177 cm
25
167 lbs
12 - 4 - 1

170 cm
28
160 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 12 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Roman Yakimyuk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ricky Ponting!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Hugh Johnson and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakimyuk moves out of range as Ponting strikes.
Ponting throws a lazy right hand but Yakimyuk sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yakimyuk digs a good body shot into Ponting's ribs.
Ponting tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yakimyuk was well out of range. Poor timing from Ponting.
Yakimyuk throws a chopping leg kick but Ponting manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Yakimyuk jabs Ponting to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ponting waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yakimyuk.

Yakimyuk rushes Ponting and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ponting drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yakimyuk pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ponting uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Yakimyuk has time to react.
Ponting fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yakimyuk looks to land a left hand but Ponting moved out of range nicely.
The fighters circling - Ponting throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yakimyuk gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Yakimyuk scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakimyuk throws out a loose jab but Ponting uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ponting lunges at Yakimyuk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Yakimyuk's hand.
Ponting lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Roman Yakimyuk has been cut.
Ponting on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Yakimyuk throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ponting is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ponting.
Ponting pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ponting connects with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ponting moves out of range as Yakimyuk strikes.
Ponting fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Ponting shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Yakimyuk manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Yakimyuk wants to stand up but Ponting is controlling him.
Ponting trying to control but Yakimyuk is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponting won't allow Yakimyuk to get back to his feet.
Yakimyuk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Yakimyuk utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ponting won't allow Yakimyuk to get back to his feet.
Ponting throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponting wants to pass the guard but Yakimyuk is keeping the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ponting looks to land a left hand but Yakimyuk moved out of range nicely.
Ponting uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk swings for the body but Ponting moves out of range.
Ponting keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Roman Yakimyuk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yakimyuk lands with a shot to the body.
Yakimyuk moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ponting swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ponting rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yakimyuk moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yakimyuk dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ponting. That did some damage!
Ponting misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ponting throws a sloppy head kick and Yakimyuk moves out of range easily.
Ponting connects with a crisp jab.
Ponting misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Ponting. Those never looked like landing.
Yakimyuk uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ponting.
Ponting misses the jab.
Yakimyuk misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ponting shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yakimyuk as he avoids it easily.
Roman Yakimyuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Ponting.
Ponting on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Yakimyuk closes the distance and clinches.

Yakimyuk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ponting stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yakimyuk.
Ponting misses with a hook.
Yakimyuk throws a series of punches but Ponting moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yakimyuk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yakimyuk takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Yakimyuk misses with a straight right.
Ponting tries to bum rush Yakimyuk with a series of wild strikes but Yakimyuk uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
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 Roman Yakimyuk will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roman Yakimyuk's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Yakimyuk uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ponting.
Yakimyuk loads up on a big right hand but Ponting slips the punch.
Ponting avoids a punch combination nicely.
Yakimyuk shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ponting eats them both and turns towards Yakimyuk to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Good standup being displayed there by Yakimyuk as he connects with a hook.
Yakimyuk misses with an uppercut. Ponting saw that one coming.
Yakimyuk moves away from the strike by Ponting.
Ponting misses with a looping right.
Danga de danga de dang - Yakimyuk scores with a four punch combination!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yakimyuk throws a hook to the side of Ponting's head but Ponting sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Yakimyuk closes the distance and pushes Ponting back into the cage.
A body shot lands from Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk misses with a punch on the inside.
Yakimyuk lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've been informed that Ponting has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Yakimyuk throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakimyuk throws a head punch that misses.
Yakimyuk lands a left hand.
Ponting wants to break free but Yakimyuk has control.
Yakimyuk tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yakimyuk working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yakimyuk swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ponting wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Yakimyuk creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Yakimyuk tries a body shot but Ponting blocks it.
Ponting working hard to break the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ponting.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yakimyuk.
Ponting blocking some punches.
Ponting has had enough of the clinch but Yakimyuk keeps him there for the moment.
Ponting wants to get back to striking at distance but Yakimyuk won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Yakimyuk.
Ponting doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Yakimyuk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Ponting breaks from the clinch.
Ponting misses with the combination.
Ponting looks to score with a jab to the body but Yakimyuk is just out of range.
Ponting loads up on a big right hand but Yakimyuk slips the punch.
Yakimyuk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yakimyuk dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ponting. That did some damage!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ponting connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Yakimyuk tries to land a front kick but Ponting steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yakimyuk walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice body punch from Yakimyuk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yakimyuk there as he acknowledges the shot.
Yakimyuk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ponting.
Yakimyuk keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ponting throws a body punch but Yakimyuk moves out of range.

Yakimyuk moves into range and clinches up with Ponting.

Ponting breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Yakimyuk fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yakimyuk lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ponting's sensitive parts.
Ponting looks to land a left hand but Yakimyuk moved out of range nicely.
Yakimyuk connects with a body shot.
Ponting misses with a hook. Yakimyuk ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Ponting misses.
Ponting displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yakimyuk throws out the jab.
Ponting is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yakimyuk throws the left hand but Ponting avoids the punch easily.
Ponting swings for the body but Yakimyuk moves out of range.
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!
Yakimyuk connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ponting has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Yakimyuk finds it's way round the side to connect with Ponting's head.

Yakimyuk gets caught napping as Ponting dives in and scores a takedown. Yakimyuk manages to retain guard.
Yakimyuk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ponting.
Yakimyuk trying to control the position here.
Yakimyuk is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ponting is controlling him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ponting advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Yakimyuk dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Roman Yakimyuk's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ponting throws the left hand but Yakimyuk avoids the punch easily.
Yakimyuk throws a good cross that connects.
Yakimyuk walks into a jab.
Yakimyuk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ponting throws out the jab.
Ponting misses with a body shot
and Yakimyuk counters with a thumping low kick.
Yakimyuk avoids the body shot from Ponting.
Ponting throws a jab but it's blocked by Yakimyuk.
Ponting misses with an uppercut.
Ponting moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Yakimyuk misses with an uppercut. Ponting saw that one coming.
Yakimyuk looks to land a left hand but Ponting moved out of range nicely.
Yakimyuk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ponting moves away.
Yakimyuk lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ponting fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting avoids the body shot from Yakimyuk.
Ponting shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Roman Yakimyuk is winning the standup battle so far.
Yakimyuk misses the jab.
Yakimyuk scores with a leg kick.
Good work by Ponting as he checks the leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakimyuk.
Ponting shoots in but no luck this time.
Roman Yakimyuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Ponting.
Yakimyuk pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ponting is out of range and Yakimyuk settles back down.
Ponting walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Yakimyuk throws out a powerful jab.
A big right from Yakimyuk misses.
Yakimyuk misses with a hook. Ponting ducked under it nicely.
Ponting swings widly with a right hand
and Yakimyuk counters with a low kick, right behind Ponting 's knee.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ponting darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk lands with a nice body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ponting uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakimyuk.
Ponting gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ponting waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk scores with a jab to the body.
Ponting bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ponting bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Yakimyuk's head backwards.
Yakimyuk misses with a body kick.
Yakimyuk tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ponting paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ponting moves out of range of the body kick from Yakimyuk.
Ponting throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk throws a jab when Ponting was well out of range.
Yakimyuk jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk lands a lovely overhand right.
Yakimyuk scores with a jab.
Ponting uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk misses with a hook.
Yakimyuk takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ponting rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yakimyuk moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yakimyuk paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Yakimyuk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ponting.
Yakimyuk throws a body punch but Ponting moves out of range.
Ponting shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yakimyuk as he jumps to the side.
Yakimyuk stuns Ponting with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ponting avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yakimyuk throws a nice looking combination but Ponting bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk tries to clinch up but Ponting circles away and keeps his distance.
Yakimyuk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ponting throws out the jab.
Ponting uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yakimyuk.
Ponting takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ponting's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ponting misses with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ponting misses with a series of wild punches.
A combination from Ponting does no damage.
Yakimyuk displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Nice defenses there by Yakimyuk.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yakimyuk misses with a low kick as Ponting jumps back.
Ponting swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ricky Ponting has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ponting swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Yakimyuk.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Yakimyuk showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yakimyuk, 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Yakimyuk!
A relieved looking Roman Yakimyuk thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.