PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thor Berserk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Yakovchenko's choice of entrance music: Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone. On his way into the cage it seems that Thor Berserk has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Thor Berserk seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Berserk
vs
Yakovchenko

170 cm
32
156 lbs
26 - 12 - 0

177 cm
30
160 lbs
24 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Grand Champion Apparel
KnockOut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thor Berserk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Yakovchenko!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berserk lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yakovchenko's sensitive parts.
Yakovchenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Berserk throws a body shot but no joy.
Berserk connects with a good right hand that stumbles Yakovchenko. Yakovchenko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Yakovchenko lands with a hook. Berserk tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Berserk uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.
Berserk misses with a body kick.
We've been informed that Yakovchenko has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Yakovchenko feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Berserk looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yakovchenko is one step ahead there.
Yakovchenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Berserk has wrist control.

Berserk escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yakovchenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Yakovchenko passes Berserk's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yakovchenko seems to be working for a kimura but Berserk defends the submission attempt.

Yakovchenko moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Berserk.
Yakovchenko trying to control the position but Berserk is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berserk manages to work his way to half guard, despite Yakovchenko's best efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Yakovchenko tries to stand but can't do so whilst Berserk controls his leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Berserk manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Yakovchenko wanted to stand there but Berserk had control of the position.
Berserk manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Yakovchenko manages to get himself to full guard.

Berserk trying to control the position from guard on top but Yakovchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yakovchenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Berserk's guard.

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

Berserk has his foot on Yakovchenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yakovchenko works his way back into a safe position though.
Berserk 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.
Berserk being controlled here, momentarily.

Berserk throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yakovchenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Berserk is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Berserk looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Yakovchenko passes into half guard.
Yakovchenko sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Berserk has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Yakovchenko is working away from the top position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Berserk wants to get back to full 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.

Berserk connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nice defenses there by Berserk.
Yakovchenko punishes Berserk's body with a nice straight punch.
Berserk blocks a low kick nicely.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab to the body.
Berserk gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Berserk scores with a push kick.
Yakovchenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Berserk tries to clinch up
and Yakovchenko counters with a nice low kick that buckles Berserk's knee momentarily.
Yakovchenko throws out a loose jab but Berserk uses good head movement to avoid it.
Berserk throws a chopping leg kick but Yakovchenko manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Berserk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yakovchenko misses with a low kick.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Berserk.
Berserk fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berserk misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko stuns Berserk with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Berserk stuns Yakovchenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Yakovchenko lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Yakovchenko scoring well with a low kick there.
Berserk throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yakovchenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Berserk. Berserk obviously looking to wear him down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Berserk. That's going to slow Yakovchenko down.
Yakovchenko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Berserk checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Berserk lands with an uppercut that bounces Yakovchenko off the cage and back into range.
Berserk throws a chopping leg kick but Yakovchenko manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Berserk lands a nice looking body kick.
Yakovchenko wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Berserk takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
That kick from Yakovchenko tenderised Berserk's leg. Berserk is trying to keep his angry face on.
Berserk avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Yakovchenko - that will leave a mark!
Yakovchenko dips to his left and cracks Berserk with an uppercut!
Yakovchenko swings for the body but Berserk moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the body kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Yakovchenko! But no joy.
Yakovchenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yakovchenko with a nice cross.
Berserk dodges the punch combination from Yakovchenko.
Berserk fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Yakovchenko on the side of the head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Berserk scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Berserk tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Yakovchenko is able to avoid easily.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.
Berserk takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Berserk swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko flicks out a counter leg kick but Berserk steps away.
Berserk 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.
Berserk throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Berserk lands a head shot.
Berserk loads up on a big right hand but Yakovchenko slips the punch.
Berserk takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko jabs Berserk right on the nose. Berserk blinks but takes it well.
Berserk attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A low kick from Berserk is predictable there
and Yakovchenko counters with a straight right hand.
Berserk chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yakovchenko can pounce on him.

Berserk moves into the clinch successfully.
Yakovchenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yakovchenko is looking to control Berserk's arms but Berserk gets an underhook and turns him. Now Yakovchenko has his back to the cage.
Yakovchenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Yakovchenko lands a nice uppercut.
Yakovchenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Yakovchenko.

Yakovchenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Berserk loads up on a big right hand but Yakovchenko slips the punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Berserk plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Berserk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Berserk lands with an uppercut that bounces Yakovchenko off the cage and back into range.
Yakovchenko thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Berserk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Berserk throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Berserk is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Berserk has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Yakovchenko finds it's way round the side to connect with Berserk's head.
Berserk looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Berserk connects with an inside leg kick.
Berserk blocks a jab.
Yakovchenko lands with a nice body kick.
Yakovchenko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Berserk misses with a body kick.
Yakovchenko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Yakovchenko closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yakovchenko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yakovchenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yakovchenko throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Yakovchenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko 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.

Yakovchenko throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yakovchenko connects with the punch.
Nice uppercut lands for Yakovchenko. That snapped Berserk's head back.
Berserk fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Berserk avoids it easily.
Yakovchenko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Berserk checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Berserk fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Yakovchenko checks it well.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the body kick from Berserk.
Yakovchenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Berserk moves out of range as Yakovchenko throws a body kick.
Yakovchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Yakovchenko - that will leave a mark!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berserk throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Yakovchenko on the side of the head.
Berserk throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yakovchenko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Yakovchenko looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Berserk throws a shot from downtown. Yakovchenko moves away and avoids it.
Berserk lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yakovchenko's sensitive parts.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yakovchenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Berserk can pounce on him.
Yakovchenko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yakovchenko moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Yakovchenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Berserk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Berserk takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nice shot lands for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko thumps Berserk with a low kick.
Berserk scoring well with a low kick there.
Berserk tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yakovchenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice right hand.
Berserk comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Yakovchenko misses with a looping left.
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!
Yakovchenko's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Berserk connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Yakovchenko scrambles back to his feet.
Berserk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Berserk takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yakovchenko looks to land a right hand but Berserk moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berserk stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with a looping right.
Yakovchenko keeps the fight on the outside.
Yakovchenko takes a swing at Berserk's ribcage but misses.
Yakovchenko misses with a wild body shot.
Berserk goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
That kick from Berserk tenderised Yakovchenko's leg. Yakovchenko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Berserk misses with a wild body shot.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Berserk.
As Yakovchenko backs away, Berserk returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Yakovchenko tests Berserk's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yakovchenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Berserk keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Berserk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yakovchenko with the counter takedown but Berserk avoids it easily.
Berserk throws a shot to the body.
Yakovchenko lands a nice leg kick that just misses Berserk's sensitive parts.
Berserk lets loose with a powerful body kick. Yakovchenko will feel that in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Berserk checks it well.
Berserk tries to counter with a takedown but Yakovchenko is quick to defend against it.
Yakovchenko stuns Berserk with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Yakovchenko avoids the head kick by Berserk.
Yakovchenko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yakovchenko.

Yakovchenko gets a takedown into half guard.
Berserk tries to roll over but Yakovchenko keeps him under control.

Berserk looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Berserk tries to get to full guard but Yakovchenko has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko trying to control the action but Berserk is working from the bottom.
Yakovchenko prevents Berserk from improving his position.
Yakovchenko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Berserk looking for submissions off his back.
Berserk is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Berserk gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Berserk tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yakovchenko trying to control but Berserk is working from the bottom.

Berserk has his foot on Yakovchenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yakovchenko works his way back into a safe position though.
Berserk looking to control but Yakovchenko passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berserk is looking to improve his position.
Berserk is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko lands strikes from half guard.
Berserk manages to get to full guard.

Berserk throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Yakovchenko escapes and throws Berserk's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Yakovchenko is putting a hurting on Berserk here, landing some big shots from side control.
Berserk gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berserk is looking for a sweep. Yakovchenko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yakovchenko is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Berserk is trying to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Yakovchenko in particular looking to stall.
Yakovchenko is looking to take a break and control but Berserk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berserk manages to get to full guard.

Berserk looking for a guillotine here but Yakovchenko defends easily.
Yakovchenko advances position into side control!
Igor Yakovchenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Berserk is looking for a sweep.
Berserk can't do much from the bottom here.

Yakovchenko thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Berserk gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yakovchenko tries to pass the half guard into mount. Berserk knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Berserk moves out of range of the strikes.
Berserk throws a quick counter head kick but Yakovchenko was just out of range.
A leg kick checked by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko checks the leg kick.
Yakovchenko misses the shot to the body.
Yakovchenko throws a one two combo.
Yakovchenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Berserk tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Berserk swings widly with a right hand
letting Yakovchenko counter with a right hand.
Yakovchenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yakovchenko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Berserk lands with a kick to the ribs.
Yakovchenko throws a chopping leg kick but Berserk manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
That kick from Yakovchenko tenderised Berserk's leg. Berserk is trying to keep his angry face on.
Yakovchenko misses with a straight left.
Berserk takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakovchenko feints and then cracks Berserk's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Berserk down.
Yakovchenko wants to land a leg kick but Berserk is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Berserk on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Berserk tries to clinch there but Yakovchenko circles away.
Nice defenses there by Berserk.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot.
Yakovchenko misses with a straight left.
A chopping leg kick lands by Berserk.
Berserk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
Berserk throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Berserk with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A jab lands there for Yakovchenko.

Yakovchenko closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Berserk did well to prevent Yakovchenko getting side control.
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!
Berserk is looking to control Yakovchenko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Berserk avoid being mounted?
Berserk is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Yakovchenko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Yakovchenko's back!
Thor Berserk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko staying busy and making it hard for Berserk to control.
I really don't envy Yakovchenko right now.
Berserk somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

Berserk looking to break Yakovchenko's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Yakovchenko remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Berserk will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Berserk controlling well, preventing Yakovchenko from escaping the position.
Berserk trying to control.

Berserk is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Yakovchenko avoids the strikes from Berserk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Yakovchenko right now.

Berserk patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Yakovchenko is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Berserk is persistently looking for the submission but Yakovchenko is defending it well.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Berserk somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Igor Yakovchenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko is really stuck here.

Berserk is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Yakovchenko taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Berserk.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thor Berserk!
An intense looking Thor Berserk took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Fighting your teammate sucks.'.