PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Yakovchenko might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone. The crowd seem to be enjoying Howlett's choice of entrance music: Berserker. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Yakovchenko
vs
Howlett

177 cm
31
160 lbs
24 - 13 - 0

172 cm
38
158 lbs
31 - 8 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 24 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Howlett. That one must have hurt.
Yakovchenko tries to clinch up but Howlett circles away and keeps his distance.
A swing and a miss from Yakovchenko.
Howlett thuds his shin into the meat of Yakovchenko's side.
Howlett looks for the body kick but Yakovchenko saw that one coming.
Howlett has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Yakovchenko is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Howlett lands a glancing blow to the side of Yakovchenko's head.
Yakovchenko misses with a leg kick
and Howlett counters with a straight right hand.
Howlett lands a jab to Yakovchenko's midsection.
Howlett gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Howlett throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Yakovchenko on the side of the head.
Yakovchenko throws a looping overhand right but Howlett ducks down to avoid it.
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!
Howlett tries a low kick but Yakovchenko avoids it.
Yakovchenko lands an overhand right.
Howlett throws a body shot but no joy.
Yakovchenko connects with an inside leg kick.
Howlett moves away from the strike by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Howlett throws a lazy uppercut
and Yakovchenko counters with a thumping low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko moved away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Howlett!
Howlett just misses with a punch to the body.
Yakovchenko misses the shot to the body.
Howlett takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Yakovchenko tries to land a front kick but Howlett steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yakovchenko fakes the leg kick and cracks Howlett in the body.
Howlett stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Yakovchenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Howlett sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yakovchenko somewhat.
Howlett scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Howlett lands with a nice body kick.
Howlett throws a low kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range easily.
Yakovchenko blocks the body kick.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Howlett on the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Howlett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Howlett throws the kick towards the body but Yakovchenko avoids it.
Howlett throws a leg kick that is checked
and Yakovchenko counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the body kick from Howlett.
Yakovchenko moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Yakovchenko buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yakovchenko slips a jab from Howlett.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Howlett moves away.
Howlett ducks right into an uppercut from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko slips a straight right by Howlett.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab to the body.
Yakovchenko blocks a jab.
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Howlett manages to avoid it.
That kick from Yakovchenko tenderised Howlett's leg. Howlett is trying to keep his angry face on.
Howlett lands with a good body shot.
Yakovchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Howlett will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Yakovchenko appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett misses the shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Howlett.
Yakovchenko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Yakovchenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Howlett.
Yakovchenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yakovchenko connects with a leg kick. Howlett looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Howlett pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yakovchenko seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nice cross by Yakovchenko.
Howlett walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Yakovchenko throws a looping overhand right but Howlett ducks down to avoid it.
Howlett scores with a punch to the head.
Howlett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko staying out of range there.
Yakovchenko explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Yakovchenko bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Yakovchenko lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Yakovchenko clinches with his opponent.
Howlett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Howlett throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko lands a right hand that snaps the head of Howlett backwards.
Howlett has a couple of punches blocked by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Yakovchenko breaks from the clinch.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Howlett.
As Howlett backs away, Yakovchenko returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Howlett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yakovchenko avoids the body shot from Howlett.
Howlett tries to work over Yakovchenko's front leg with a kick but Yakovchenko checks it.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick that is checked
and Howlett counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good work by Howlett as he checks the leg kick.
A jab lands there for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Howlett.
A slow jab from Yakovchenko misses its intended target.
Howlett's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Yakovchenko slips under a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yakovchenko blocks the body kick.
Howlett throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yakovchenko is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Yakovchenko with a nice cross.
A big left from Yakovchenko misses.
Howlett was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Yakovchenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko dominated that round.
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 monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yakovchenko chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Howlett is looking to land body kicks.
Yakovchenko lands a right hook to the body.
Howlett misses with a double jab.
Howlett scores with a jab.
Yakovchenko blocks a jab.
Yakovchenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Yakovchenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Howlett listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Howlett.
Yakovchenko checks the leg kick nicely there.
Igor Yakovchenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Yakovchenko throws a jab when Howlett was well out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slow jab from Howlett misses its intended target.
Nice body kick there by Yakovchenko.
Nice body kick from Howlett.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yakovchenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko motions for Howlett to come forward. Yakovchenko throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Howlett misses with an attempted mid kick.
Yakovchenko misses with a leg kick
and Howlett counters with a good low kick that Yakovchenko was not able to check.
Howlett scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Howlett throws a series of punches but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the body kick from Howlett.

Yakovchenko gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Howlett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Howlett misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Howlett.
Yakovchenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yakovchenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yakovchenko wants to stall.
Yakovchenko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Howlett fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Yakovchenko lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Howlett has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Howlett and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Yakovchenko cracks a nice hook into Howlett's ribs.
Howlett throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko scores with a decent looking hook.
Yakovchenko sizes up Howlett with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Howlett moves out of range as Yakovchenko throws a body kick.
Howlett throws a lazy body kick

and Yakovchenko counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Howlett tries to get to full guard but Yakovchenko has control of the leg.
Howlett manages to get to full guard.
Howlett is trying to keep Yakovchenko in close.
Howlett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yakovchenko is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko stands and throws Howlett's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Howlett is looking to reverse the position.
Howlett is trying to control Yakovchenko's posture but Yakovchenko avoids it.
Yakovchenko trying to control the position but Howlett is working away.
Howlett looks to move to half guard but instead Yakovchenko has passed into mount! Damn!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Yakovchenko takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Yakovchenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Howlett can do to turn this around?
Howlett can't escape the position.
Howlett is squirming around, avoiding Yakovchenko's attempts to control the action.
Yakovchenko putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko dominated that second round.
That's time! Yakovchenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yakovchenko walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Yakovchenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Howlett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
That kick from Yakovchenko tenderised Howlett's leg. Howlett is trying to keep his angry face on.
Yakovchenko moves out of range as Howlett throws a body kick.
Yakovchenko wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Howlett scores with a nice right hand.
Howlett misses with a body shot.
Yakovchenko looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yakovchenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Howlett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
Yakovchenko feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Yakovchenko slips a straight right by Howlett.
Howlett throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko moves in looking to clinch but Howlett pushes him off.
Howlett tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab. Howlett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Howlett looks to throw the jab but Yakovchenko is out of range.
Howlett tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Howlett misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yakovchenko misses with a straight right.
Howlett lands a body shot.
Howlett throws a front kick that sends Yakovchenko stumbling back into the cage.
Yakovchenko takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Howlett checks a low kick from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Yakovchenko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Howlett with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Howlett misses with a straight left.
Yakovchenko will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Yakovchenko, as that shot connected.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick but Howlett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Howlett throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko misses with a wild body shot.
Howlett misses the shot to the body.
Yakovchenko tried to counter with a leg kick but Howlett avoided it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko throws a shot from downtown. Howlett moves away and avoids it.
Yakovchenko moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Howlett lets loose with a powerful body kick. Yakovchenko will feel that in the morning.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko working away.
Howlett is not content to let Yakovchenko control the position.
Howlett manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Yakovchenko wants to improve his position but Howlett is controlling well.
Yakovchenko tries to kick Howlett off but Howlett keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Igor Yakovchenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko wants to get back to full guard.

Howlett is looking for a kimura here.
Howlett lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Yakovchenko moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Howlett accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Howlett trying to control the position from guard on top but Yakovchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yakovchenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Yakovchenko throws his legs up looking for a submission but Howlett uses it to pass to side control.
Howlett is looking to take a break and control but Yakovchenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A low kick from Howlett misses
and Yakovchenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Howlett avoids the body shot from Yakovchenko.
Howlett appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Howlett misses with a hook to the body
and Yakovchenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yakovchenko is looking to slow Howlett down with leg kicks.
Yakovchenko tries to clinch up.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Howlett blocks it.
Yakovchenko backing away here, and Howlett unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Howlett punishes Yakovchenko's body with a nice straight punch.
Yakovchenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Howlett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Howlett slips a jab from Yakovchenko.
Howlett misses with a hook.
Howlett moves forwards but Yakovchenko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko 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.
Howlett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yakovchenko.
Howlett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Howlett gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
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!
Howlett is looking to land body kicks.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Howlett checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yakovchenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Howlett scores with a nice strike.
The fighters circling - Howlett throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Howlett throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yakovchenko moves out of range as Howlett throws a body kick.
Howlett misses with a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko lands with a hook. Howlett tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Yakovchenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Yakovchenko looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Yakovchenko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Howlett doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yakovchenko.
Howlett is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko wants to control but Howlett is keeping him busy.
Yakovchenko wants to free his trapped foot but Howlett is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Yakovchenko works his way into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett is looking to improve his position but Yakovchenko isn't that keen on the idea.
Yakovchenko takes Howlett's back.
Yakovchenko is not going to allow Howlett to sit and survive in this position.
Yakovchenko is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Howlett. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Yakovchenko has the hooks in. Howlett is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yakovchenko working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Yakovchenko is hanging on to Howlett's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Yakovchenko's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Yakovchenko lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Yakovchenko struggling to keep hold of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko had his way with James Howlett in that round.
That's time! Yakovchenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Howlett throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yakovchenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Howlett throws a looping overhand right but Yakovchenko ducks down to avoid it.
Yakovchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Howlett works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Yakovchenko cracks Howlett with a good jab.
Yakovchenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Howlett.
Yakovchenko 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.
Howlett throws a nice inside leg kick.
Yakovchenko moves away from the strike by Howlett.
Howlett bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook.
Yakovchenko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko scores with a head kick.
Yakovchenko 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.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick
and Howlett counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howlett takes a swing at Yakovchenko's ribcage but misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Yakovchenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Howlett.
Howlett throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yakovchenko is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Howlett.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut.
Howlett flicks out a counter leg kick but Yakovchenko steps away.
Yakovchenko connects with a crisp jab.
Howlett throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko checks it.
Howlett misses with a low kick.
Howlett lands a jab.
Yakovchenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Howlett.
Howlett scores with a body shot.
Yakovchenko throws a solid leg kick but Howlett takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Howlett.
Yakovchenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Howlett misses with a leg kick.
Howlett misses with a body shot.
Yakovchenko slips under a jab.
Yakovchenko is looking to clinch but Howlett is avoiding it.
A countering left hand to the body from Howlett misses.
James Howlett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett 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.
Yakovchenko scores with a leg kick.
Yakovchenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
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 throws a head kick that misses.
Yakovchenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Howlett takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Howlett swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
A jab from Yakovchenko misses.
Howlett misses with a low kick.
Howlett wants to land a leg kick but Yakovchenko is out of range.
Howlett throws a push kick but Yakovchenko slaps the foot to one side.
A solid body kick from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jab, jab by Yakovchenko - just one landing.
Yakovchenko connects with a leg kick. Howlett looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Howlett checks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko lands with a kick to the temple. Howlett shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Howlett.
Howlett fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Yakovchenko checks it well.
Howlett lands a nice looking kick to the body. Yakovchenko takes a step back to recover.
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.
Yakovchenko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Yakovchenko checks a low kick from Howlett.
Howlett moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Howlett swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Yakovchenko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Howlett misses with a shot to the body

and Yakovchenko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Howlett's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Howlett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Yakovchenko defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko postures up.
Igor Yakovchenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yakovchenko wants to control from the top but Howlett keeps moving.
Howlett throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Yakovchenko wants to control from the top but Howlett keeps moving.
Yakovchenko is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Howlett is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Igor Yakovchenko.
Well Yakovchenko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 49:47
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Yakovchenko!
Igor Yakovchenko decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.