PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Almantavich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jay Becker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Almantavich
vs
Becker

180 cm
25
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuri Almantavich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jay Becker!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Almantavich throws out a powerful jab.
Almantavich throws a right and a left that Becker avoids nicely.
Almantavich connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Almantavich lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Almantavich lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Becker shoots in but Almantavich avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Almantavich throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Becker stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Becker closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Almantavich on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Almantavich tries to get out of the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Almantavich wants to get back to full guard.
Becker is looking to take a break and control but Almantavich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Almantavich is trying to control but can't.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Becker controlling the action here.

Becker is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almantavich wants to control but Becker is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Becker winds up and cracks Almantavich with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Becker stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Almantavich to get to his feet.
Almantavich looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Becker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Becker doesn't manage to clinch there - Almantavich circles away.
Almantavich lands an overhand right.
Sloppy strikes from Almantavich. Those never looked like landing.
Almantavich misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Yuri Almantavich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Becker takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A punch combination from Almantavich misses.
Almantavich scores with a hook to the body. Becker takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Almantavich scores with a nice strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Almantavich.
Becker fails to land the takedown.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Almantavich looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Almantavich with a nice cross.

Becker fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Almantavich to the ground. Becker is now in Almantavich's guard.
Almantavich pulls Becker in close to prevent any damage.
Becker's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Almantavich working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Becker.
Almantavich is trying to control the position but Becker postures up.
Almantavich is really struggling to control Becker but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Yuri Almantavich just wasn't active enough.
Almantavich's jab looks to have found its range, popping Becker under the eye.
Almantavich lands with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almantavich scores with a jab to the head.
Becker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yuri Almantavich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Becker.
Almantavich lands a two punch combo.
Almantavich jabs Becker right on the nose. Becker blinks but takes it well.
Becker walks into a left hand.
A cross from Almantavich lands.
Almantavich scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Almantavich is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Almantavich jabs at Becker's body.
Good standup being displayed there by Almantavich as he connects with a hook.
Almantavich lands with a two punch combination before moving back 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!
Almantavich throws a right and a left that Becker avoids nicely.
Almantavich throws a nice looking combination but Becker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yuri Almantavich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Becker wants to land a leg kick but Almantavich is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almantavich tries to bum rush Becker with a series of wild strikes but Becker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Almantavich lands a glancing blow to the side of Becker's head.
Donk. Almantavich catches Becker right on the button with a cross.
Almantavich misses with a two punch combination.

Becker feints and as Almantavich raises his hands in defense, Becker changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Becker looks winded!
Almantavich trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Becker is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Almantavich will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Becker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Almantavich's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Almantavich is trying to hold Becker in close to prevent damage but Becker has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Becker sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Becker drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Jay Becker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Almantavich is trying to control the position but Becker postures up.
Almantavich has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Becker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Almantavich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Becker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Becker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Almantavich is trying to keep Becker in close.
Becker passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almantavich struggling a bit here.
Almantavich knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Becker on the ground.

Becker decides to stand back up. Becker steps back and let's Almantavich get back to his feet.
Almantavich lands a two punch combo.
Almantavich scores with a crisp jab that stopped Becker in his tracks.
Almantavich ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Becker moves away.
Yuri Almantavich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Becker shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Almantavich manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Becker won't allow Almantavich to get back to his feet.
Almantavich controls Becker momentarily but Becker frees himself.
Almantavich wants to control but Becker passes easily into half guard.
Becker is trying to control. Almantavich wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Becker content to control rather than advance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Almantavich looking for submissions off his back.
Becker wants to take a breather but Almantavich is having none of it.
Almantavich trying to control from the bottom.

Becker decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
A punch combination from Almantavich misses.
Becker has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Almantavich lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Almantavich misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Becker closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Almantavich to the mat! Almantavich manages to get full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Becker trying to control but Almantavich is working from the bottom.
Becker controls from within his opponent's guard.
Almantavich wants to stand up but Becker is controlling him.
Becker passes Almantavich's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Almantavich is looking for a sweep. Becker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Almantavich is trying to control but can't.
Becker is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Almantavich!
Almantavich really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almantavich wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Becker trying to control momentarily.
Becker controlling the position well here. Almantavich rolled but Becker kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Almantavich is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Becker is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Becker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Almantavich jabs Becker to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Almantavich is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Almantavich lands with a shot to the body.
Almantavich scores with a hook.
Becker has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Almantavich finds it's way round the side to connect with Becker's head.
Becker shoots in but Almantavich avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Almantavich stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Almantavich throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Becker.
Almantavich tries to bum rush Becker with a series of wild strikes but Becker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Becker shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Almantavich moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Becker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Almantavich.
Yuri Almantavich is winning the standup battle so far.
Sloppy strikes from Almantavich. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Becker misses with a takedown attempt - Almantavich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Almantavich swats away the attempt to clinch by Becker.
A right-left combo lands from Almantavich.
Left hook, right uppercut from Almantavich.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Almantavich fails to land with a series of punches.
Almantavich throws a right hand that Becker ducks under and follows up with a left that Becker also avoids with ease.
Becker tries to clinch there but Almantavich circles away.
Becker looks for a takedown but Almantavich sprawls well.
Yuri Almantavich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Becker.
Almantavich lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Becker circles away quickly and effectively.
Almantavich throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Becker.
Becker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almantavich connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Almantavich scores with a jab to the jaw.
Becker tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Almantavich counters with a stiff right hand.
Becker takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Almantavich connects with a body shot that sends Becker's belly button to the back.
Almantavich fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Almantavich lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Becker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Almantavich is fending him off so far but Becker persists. Nope, Almantavich circles away and we're back to standing.
Almantavich tries to bum rush Becker with a series of wild strikes but Becker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Becker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Almantavich as he jumps to the side.
Almantavich lands with a hook. Becker tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almantavich works over Becker's head and body with a nice combination.
Jab from Almantavich.
Almantavich bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Becker slips a jab and a cross from Almantavich.
Becker takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Becker takes one to the chin there.
Almantavich throws a good cross that connects.
Almantavich slaps away a takedown attempt from Becker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Becker has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Becker there as he acknowledges the shot.
Almantavich looks to land a combination. Becker sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Almantavich connects with a right hand. Becker shakes it off.
Almantavich slaps away a takedown attempt from Becker, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almantavich swats away the attempt to clinch by Becker.
Sloppy strikes from Almantavich. Those never looked like landing.
A combination from Almantavich does no damage.
Almantavich lands a two punch combo.
Almantavich lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Almantavich works Becker's body with a nice hook.
Almantavich feints a jab promting Becker to slip. Almantavich then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Becker slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Almantavich connects with a right hand. Becker shakes it off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Almantavich misses the shot to the body.
Almantavich lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Becker fails with an attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuri Almantavich showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Almantavich has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuri Almantavich!