PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tantalus Flay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko comes to the cage accompanied by Too Much Information. Flay has chosen Outerspace- Revolution as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Yakovchenko
vs
Flay

177 cm
34
172 lbs
33 - 16 - 0

185 cm
39
183 lbs
18 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Héritage!
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tantalus Flay!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Joseph Jones and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko slips a jab from Flay.
Yakovchenko half committed to a counter leg kick.
Flay lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Flay throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yakovchenko slips a jab from Flay.
Flay throws a hook but Yakovchenko avoids it easily.
Yakovchenko lands a nice looking kick to the body. Flay takes a step back to recover.
Yakovchenko misses the shot to the body.
Flay closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Igor Yakovchenko has been cut.
Flay looks to land a combination. Yakovchenko sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut. Flay saw that one coming.
Yakovchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Flay looks to throw the jab but Yakovchenko is out of range.
As Flay looks to move away, Yakovchenko throws a big counter combo but Flay just gets out of the way.
Yakovchenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Flay.
Nice cross by Flay.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that misses.
Flay misses with a hook.
Yakovchenko feints and then cracks Flay's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Flay down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko moves out of range as Flay strikes.
Flay throws a series of punches but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Flay shoots in looking for a takedown but Yakovchenko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Flay's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Yakovchenko is looking to counter punch.
A jab from Flay misses.
Flay takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yakovchenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick but Flay sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flay.
Yakovchenko connects with a right hand. Flay shakes it off.
Flay listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Yakovchenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Flay throws out the jab.
Yakovchenko scores with the left hand. Flay knows he should have avoided that one.
Flay uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Flay misses with a lunging right hand

and Yakovchenko counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakovchenko lands a couple of elbows.
Yakovchenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Flay looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yakovchenko is one step ahead there.

Yakovchenko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Flay controlling the position.
Yakovchenko trying to control but Flay is working from the bottom.
Flay not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Flay keeping full guard, as Yakovchenko tries to pass.

Flay has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yakovchenko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Flay working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yakovchenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yakovchenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Yakovchenko landing with the ground and pound.
Flay wants to sweep here but Yakovchenko controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yakovchenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Flay swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Flay utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Flay is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Flay is looking for a kimura but Yakovchenko is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Flay to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yakovchenko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Flay pulls his head out easily.

Yakovchenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Yakovchenko actively working from the bottom here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Flay working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Flay controlling the action here.
Yakovchenko trying to control here.
Flay lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tantalus Flay will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Igor Yakovchenko's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A clash of legs there as Yakovchenko blocks the low kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakovchenko.
Flay looks to land a left hand but Yakovchenko moved out of range nicely.
As Flay backs away, Yakovchenko returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Yakovchenko throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yakovchenko slips under a jab.
Flay misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flay.
Yakovchenko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Flay looks to throw the jab but Yakovchenko is out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Yakovchenko, as that shot connected.

Flay looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Yakovchenko!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakovchenko wants to control but Flay postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yakovchenko manages to work his way to half guard, despite Flay's best efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Yakovchenko.
Flay throwing strikes but missing.
Yakovchenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Yakovchenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Flay.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Flay accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Flay chips away with some ground and pound.
Flay working some strikes from top position.
Flay passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Flay trying to control the action but Yakovchenko is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flay misses with the ground and pound.
Flay working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Yakovchenko taking a bit of punishment here - Flay scoring with strikes.
Yakovchenko manages to get back to half guard.
Yakovchenko preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Flay is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flay throwing shots but Yakovchenko is blocking nicely.

Yakovchenko actively working from the bottom here.
Yakovchenko is trying is best to control the position here.
Flay is just content to waste time from the top position. Yakovchenko takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Flay with a nice head shot there.
Flay postures up.
Yakovchenko keeping moving, preventing Flay from controlling successfully.
Yakovchenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Flay looking to pass the guard.
Flay postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Yakovchenko looking for a guillotine here but Flay defends easily.
Flay with a flurry of punches that miss.
Flay works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Flay is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Yakovchenko sees it coming and defends easily.

Flay is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tantalus Flay showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Igor Yakovchenko's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Flay throws an overhand right that lands on Yakovchenko's shoulder, as Yakovchenko tries to avoid the shot.
Flay takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Yakovchenko getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Flay drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Yakovchenko missing with a left hand there. Flay was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tantalus Flay seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yakovchenko connects with a leg kick. Flay looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Flay 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 shot to the body.
Flay looks to score with a jab to the body but Yakovchenko is just out of range.
Flay swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flay throws a jab but it's blocked by Yakovchenko.
As Flay backs away, Yakovchenko returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Yakovchenko gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A telegraphed right hand from Flay misses the target.
Yakovchenko cracks Flay with an open hand slap.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakovchenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Flay is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flay throws a right hand that misses
and Yakovchenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Yakovchenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Flay.
Yakovchenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Yakovchenko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Yakovchenko ducks under a wild hook from Flay.
Flay connects with a looping right hand.
Yakovchenko lands a nice leg kick that just misses Flay's sensitive parts.
Yakovchenko walks into a left hand.
Flay tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yakovchenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Flay.
It looked like Yakovchenko was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Flay.
Yakovchenko works Flay's body with a nice hook.
Tantalus Flay seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Yakovchenko.
Flay lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flay keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It seemed like Flay was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Flay lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Yakovchenko at a distance.
The fighters circling - Flay throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Flay lands with an uppercut that bounces Yakovchenko off the cage and back into range.
Flay throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Flay misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakovchenko.
Flay misses with a hook
and Yakovchenko counters with a right hand to the body.
Flay throws a big shot that misses.
Yakovchenko wants to clinch.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.
Flay scores with a jab to the head.
Yakovchenko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flay misses with a right hand
and Yakovchenko counters with a nice body kick.
Yakovchenko fakes the leg kick and cracks Flay in the body.
Flay swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko is looking to land body kicks.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flay.
A looping hook to the body misses from Flay. Yakovchenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Flay throws a jab but it's blocked by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Yakovchenko needs to keep his hands up - Flay had a free shot at his head there.
Flay misses with an uppercut. Yakovchenko saw that one coming.

Flay gets tackled into the cage by Yakovchenko. Yakovchenko maintains the clinch.
Yakovchenko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Yakovchenko has Flay pressed against the cage, preventing Flay from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Flay swings wildly with an uppercut but Yakovchenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yakovchenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko lands with a short shot to the head.
Yakovchenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flay blocks a body shot from Yakovchenko.
Flay is trying to break free.
Flay misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yakovchenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Flay is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Yakovchenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Flay breaks from the clinch.
Yakovchenko moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Flay misses with a right hand
and Yakovchenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Flay keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Yakovchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Flay misses the jab.
Yakovchenko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Flay looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Igor Yakovchenko did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Igor Yakovchenko's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Yakovchenko moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.
Flay throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Flay defending well as Yakovchenko loads up on a big left hand.
Flay throws a looping overhand right but Yakovchenko ducks down to avoid it.
Yakovchenko takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Jab by Yakovchenko.
Flay is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko moves away from the strike by Flay.
Yakovchenko lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Flay.
Yakovchenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Flay.
Yakovchenko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Flay.
Yakovchenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Flay.
Yakovchenko loads up on a big right hand but Flay slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flay throws a looping overhand right but Yakovchenko ducks down to avoid it.
Flay throws a jab but it's blocked by Yakovchenko.
A looping hook to the body misses from Flay. Yakovchenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Flay tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Flay wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Yakovchenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Flay throws a sloppy head kick and Yakovchenko moves out of range easily.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flay.
It appears Yakovchenko was looking to counter with a kick there.
Flay takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Flay throws a head kick that misses.
Yakovchenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Flay throws out the jab.
Flay shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yakovchenko but Yakovchenko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Flay is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A solid leg kick lands there for Yakovchenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flay jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yakovchenko ducks under a wild hook from Flay.
An attempted straight right counter from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Flay throws an off balance right hand
and Yakovchenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Flay ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
Flay misses with a left hand
and Yakovchenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Flay lands a nice shot that snaps Yakovchenko's head back.
Flay's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yakovchenko is looking to slow Flay down with leg kicks.
Flay misses with a left hand
and Yakovchenko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yakovchenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yakovchenko throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yakovchenko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Yakovchenko tries to bum rush Flay with a series of wild strikes but Flay uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And Flay tries to counter it with a takedown but Yakovchenko pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko avoids the body shot from Flay.
Yakovchenko appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Flay scores with a one two! Yakovchenko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Yakovchenko throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Flay tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yakovchenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Flay.
Yakovchenko jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Yakovchenko missing with a left hand there. Flay was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yakovchenko lets loose with a powerful body kick. Flay will feel that in the morning.
Flay connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Yakovchenko momentarily.
Flay tries to score with a low kick but Yakovchenko moves his leg out of the way.
Flay fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yakovchenko manages to avoid it.
Flay tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yakovchenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Flay.
Flay throws a body shot but no joy.
Yakovchenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Flay slips under a jab.
Flay throws a hook to the side of Yakovchenko's head but Yakovchenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flay drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Yakovchenko bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Flay's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Yakovchenko content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Flay is looking for a sweep.
Flay prevents Yakovchenko from moving into mount.
Flay is not content to let Yakovchenko control the position.
Yakovchenko gets to mount! Flay was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Igor Yakovchenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Igor Yakovchenko's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yakovchenko throws a body punch but Flay moves out of range.
Yakovchenko thuds a left hand into Flay's body.

Flay looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Yakovchenko trying to hold on to Flay's head to control him but Flay postures up.

Yakovchenko looking for submissions off his back.
Flay sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yakovchenko defending well though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko trying to control here.
Flay missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flay is trying to control the action in half guard but Yakovchenko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Flay stalling away here and it's allowed Yakovchenko to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Flay won't allow Yakovchenko to sweep him here.
Flay trying to control but Yakovchenko is working from the bottom.
Yakovchenko working a defensive guard here.
Tantalus Flay has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Flay tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yakovchenko defends well and Flay ends up having to push Yakovchenko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flay.
Yakovchenko cracks a nice hook into Flay's ribs.
Flay lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Flay tests Yakovchenko's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Flay misses with a straight right.
Flay misses with an uppercut.
A head kick from Yakovchenko lands but Flay takes it in his stride.
Flay has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko feints and then cracks Flay's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Flay down.

Yakovchenko clinches.

Yakovchenko lands a takedown into guard.
Flay is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Yakovchenko has hold of Flay's hands but Flay slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko tries to roll over but Flay keeps him under control.
Flay uses his free foot to push down on Yakovchenko's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko is trying to escape the mount.
Flay looking to control but Yakovchenko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Flay controlling the pace for now.
Flay's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Yakovchenko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The referee warns Yakovchenko that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Flay is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Yakovchenko can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Flay lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Yakovchenko hang on?

Yakovchenko is rocked!
Yakovchenko holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Flay tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Yakovchenko tries to lock up and control but Flay gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tantalus Flay comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Flay has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 47:48
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 47:48
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tantalus Flay!
Tantalus Flay is the new welterweight champion!
After winning the bout, Tantalus Flay thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.