PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergiusz Ataman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rio Yaj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rio Yaj is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ataman
vs
Yaj

195 cm
22
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
23
215 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sergiusz Ataman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rio Yaj!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Jorge Garcia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yaj throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ataman counters with a right hand to the body.
Yaj connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Yaj drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Yaj is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Yaj fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ataman wants to control but Yaj postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ataman taking punishment in the form of punches.
Yaj connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ataman some visible discomfort.
Ataman regains half guard, as Yaj was trying to land strikes.
We've been hearing good reports from Ataman's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yaj missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaj uses his free foot to push down on Ataman's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ataman.
Yaj breaks from Ataman's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Yaj putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Yaj landing punches.
Yaj raining down hammerfists from mount.

Ataman is rocked!
Yaj is in full mount looking to finish with strikes. He lands a big shot, followed by another and Ataman goes limp! The ref jumps in to end the fight - a big win for Yaj!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Rio Yaj!