PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dylan Todd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaliy Yakimenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vitaliy Yakimenko struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Vitaliy Yakimenko will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Todd
vs
Yakimenko

175 cm
24
170 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

187 cm
22
188 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dylan Todd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitaliy Yakimenko!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Columbo Gatti and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Todd closes the distance and clinches.
Todd has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Todd keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Yakimenko's efforts to push away.
Todd is looking for a takedown.
Todd has Yakimenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yakimenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Todd is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yakimenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Todd. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Yakimenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick from Yakimenko lands but Todd takes it in his stride.
Yakimenko throws a wild body kick that Todd sees coming a mile off.
Todd shoots in but no luck this time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Todd.
Todd misses with a few strikes there.
Yakimenko explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Yakimenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Todd fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yakimenko avoids it really well and circles away.
A head kick misses from Yakimenko.
Yakimenko scores with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yakimenko lets loose with a powerful body kick. Todd will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakimenko throws a nice head kick!
Yakimenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Todd tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yakimenko swivels and escapes.
Good leg kick by Yakimenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Todd takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that misses.
Todd avoids the head kick by Yakimenko.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Todd fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yakimenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Yakimenko stuffs the takedown.
Todd shoots in for a double leg but Yakimenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Todd tries to land a leg kick but Yakimenko saw it coming and moves away.
Todd shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yakimenko sprawls well. Yakimenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Todd gets slowly back to his feet.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that Todd semi-blocks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Todd shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yakimenko defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakimenko moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Yakimenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Todd.
Yakimenko goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Todd on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Yakimenko. That's going to slow Todd down.

Todd shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Yakimenko manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Todd thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Todd is breathing heavily.
Yakimenko is looking to stand up but Todd isn't so interested in that idea.

Todd drops back looking for a leg! Yakimenko is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Yakimenko manages to kick Todd off! Todd jumps back into Yakimenko's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakimenko wants to stand but Todd is controlling the position.
Yakimenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Todd. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Todd thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Todd thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Yakimenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Todd is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yakimenko has his feet on Todd's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Todd shoots in looking for a takedown but Yakimenko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Todd's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Todd is defended easily by Yakimenko.
Yakimenko moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yakimenko scores with a push kick.
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!
Yakimenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Todd shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yakimenko defends it nicely.
Todd misses with a takedown attempt - Yakimenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yakimenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Todd will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Yakimenko lets loose with a powerful body kick. Todd will feel that in the morning.
Yakimenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yakimenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakimenko thuds his shin into the meat of Todd's side.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Todd walks into a straight right hand from Yakimenko.
Todd closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yakimenko circles away.
Todd takes a kick to the side of the head.
Todd dives in and grabs Yakimenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Yakimenko pushes down on Todd's head and hops out.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Yakimenko.
Yakimenko pushes Todd away with a front kick.
Todd shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yakimenko sprawls well. Yakimenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Todd gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Todd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Todd looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yakimenko is fending him off so far but Todd persists. Nope, Yakimenko circles away and we're back to standing.
Yakimenko stuffs the takedown attempt from Todd. Todd gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Todd on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yakimenko. Yakimenko obviously looking to wear him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakimenko scores with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakimenko throws a sloppy head kick and Todd moves out of range easily.
Yakimenko throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A punch combination from Yakimenko misses.
Todd avoids the head kick by Yakimenko.
Vitaliy Yakimenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yakimenko throws a sloppy head kick and Todd moves out of range easily.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No luck for Todd with that takedown attempt.
Todd closes the distance and clinches up with Yakimenko, looking for a takedown. Todd pushes Yakimenko against the cage but Yakimenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yakimenko misses with a straight right.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that misses.
Yakimenko slaps away a takedown attempt from Todd, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Todd looks for a takedown but Yakimenko sprawls well.
Yakimenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Yakimenko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Todd.
Yakimenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Todd shoots in for a takedown but Yakimenko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters circling a little - Yakimenko finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Yakimenko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Vitaliy Yakimenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Todd blocks a head kick by Yakimenko.
Todd takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakimenko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yakimenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Todd goes for a double leg but Yakimenko avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Yakimenko continues to drive forward.

Yakimenko breaks from the clinch.
Todd misses with a takedown attempt - Yakimenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Todd has a takedown stuffed.
Yakimenko connects with a leg kick. Todd looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Both fighters circling a little - Yakimenko finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Yakimenko bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Yakimenko lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakimenko misses the shot to the body.
Todd on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Dylan Todd is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Todd has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Yakimenko.
Todd is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Yakimenko throws a sloppy head kick and Todd moves out of range easily.
Todd tries to clinch there but Yakimenko circles away.
Todd dives in for a single leg takedown but Yakimenko sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Yakimenko breaks from the clinch.
Yakimenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yakimenko plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Todd shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yakimenko but Yakimenko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Todd will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Yakimenko chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Yakimenko goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Yakimenko throws a nice head kick!
Yakimenko lands with a slapping head kick.
Todd goes for a double leg but Yakimenko avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Yakimenko continues to drive forward.

Yakimenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yakimenko is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Todd on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yakimenko. Yakimenko obviously looking to wear him down.
Todd takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Yakimenko throws a nice head kick!
Yakimenko lands a head kick!
Todd shoots in but no luck this time.
Todd takes a kick to the side of the head.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that Todd semi-blocks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Todd.
Yakimenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that Todd semi-blocks.
Horrible takedown by Todd or perhaps it was just good defense by Yakimenko which made him look bad.
Yakimenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yakimenko leaves Todd with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Todd has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Yakimenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Todd on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yakimenko. Yakimenko obviously looking to wear him down.
Todd takes a kick to the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Todd looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Todd shoots in for a takedown but Yakimenko shows good takedown defense.
Todd shoots in for a takedown but Yakimenko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Todd shoots in for a double leg but Yakimenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Todd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that half lands.
Yakimenko plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Todd.
Todd fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yakimenko lands a nice looking body kick.
Todd steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Yakimenko. That one must have hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yakimenko throws a sloppy head kick and Todd moves out of range easily.
Yakimenko throws a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good leg kick by Yakimenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Todd blocks a head kick by Yakimenko.
Todd avoids the head kick by Yakimenko.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Todd.
Yakimenko throws a head kick but Todd moves out of range.
Yakimenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Yakimenko explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Vitaliy Yakimenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yakimenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that half lands.
Todd blocks a head kick by Yakimenko.
Todd takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Todd takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A thudding body kick lands there by Yakimenko!
Yakimenko lands a head kick!
Yakimenko plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Todd shoots in but Yakimenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yakimenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Yakimenko.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Todd shoots in but no luck this time.
Yakimenko fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Todd has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Todd drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Yakimenko explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Yakimenko lands a head kick. Todd smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Todd looks to land a combination but Yakimenko avoids it well.
Yakimenko misses with a kick to the body.
Todd takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Todd looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Todd shoots in and drives through. Yakimenko sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Todd steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Yakimenko. That one must have hurt.
Yakimenko throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Yakimenko scores with a spinning back kick!
Yakimenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Todd misses with a takedown attempt - Yakimenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that misses.
Yakimenko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Todd fails with the takedown.
Yakimenko pushes Todd away with a front kick.
Yakimenko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Todd walks forward, straight into a front kick from Yakimenko.
Yakimenko scores with a head kick. Todd tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Yakimenko thows a body kick. Todd tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Todd tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yakimenko swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakimenko.
Yakimenko plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Yakimenko scores with a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yakimenko throws a looping overhand right but Todd ducks down to avoid it.
Vitaliy Yakimenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A thudding body kick lands there by Yakimenko!
Yakimenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Yakimenko throws a head kick that Todd semi-blocks.
Yakimenko has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Yakimenko scores with a head kick.
Yakimenko misses with a hook.
Todd blocks the body kick.
Todd is looking to clinch.
Todd fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Todd tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yakimenko defends well and Todd ends up having to push Yakimenko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Yakimenko breaks from the clinch.
Nice body kick there by Yakimenko.
Dylan Todd has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yakimenko lands a front kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitaliy Yakimenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yakimenko 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitaliy Yakimenko!
In defeat, Dylan Todd stepped up to the mic, saying 'I tried my hardest. I apologize to all these great fans.'.