PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mats Lindgraf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emil Yanenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Lindgraf
vs
Yanenko

225 cm
25
130 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

167 cm
35
119 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

CBK Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mats Lindgraf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Emil Yanenko!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yanenko shoots in for a takedown but Lindgraf shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Yanenko closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Yanenko lands in his opponent's guard.

Lindgraf looking for a guillotine here but Yanenko defends easily.
Lindgraf not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yanenko trying to control but Lindgraf is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yanenko controls from within his opponent's guard.
Yanenko trying to control but Lindgraf is working from the bottom.

Yanenko drops back looking for a leg! Lindgraf is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lindgraf manages to kick Yanenko off! Yanenko jumps back into Lindgraf's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lindgraf throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yanenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lindgraf is keeping the position for now.

Lindgraf working for a triangle but Yanenko defends it easily.

Yanenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Yanenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two 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.
Lindgraf controls Yanenko momentarily but Yanenko frees himself.
Yanenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Lindgraf is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lindgraf is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yanenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lindgraf not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yanenko advances position into side control!
Lindgraf is trying to control Yanenko's posture but Yanenko avoids it.
Lindgraf is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Yanenko is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yanenko tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Lindgraf wants to control but Yanenko postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lindgraf trying to remain calm as Yanenko controls from the top position.

Yanenko goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Lindgraf has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Yanenko but great work by Lindgraf.
Lindgraf is looking to take a break and control but Yanenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lindgraf really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Lindgraf is trying to get an arm triangle but Yanenko is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yanenko is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Lindgraf is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Yanenko slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Yanenko wants to get back to full guard but Lindgraf has passed into side control.
Lindgraf wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yanenko keeps working.
Yanenko regains half guard.
Yanenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lindgraf will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emil Yanenko dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yanenko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lindgraf is trying to defend but Yanenko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lindgraf works his way to full guard. Good work.
Yanenko stands and throws Lindgraf's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Yanenko looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Yanenko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lindgraf keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lindgraf is trying to improve his position.
Yanenko works to advance to full mount. Lindgraf defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindgraf wants to control but Yanenko is having none of it.
Yanenko tries to control but Lindgraf wriggling away.

Yanenko looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Lindgraf is working to get back to half guard.
Lindgraf is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lindgraf can't escape the position.

Yanenko has hold of Lindgraf's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Lindgraf manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Lindgraf wants to hold on but Yanenko pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yanenko wants to control the pace but Lindgraf is squirming around nicely.
Lindgraf tries to hold on but Yanenko postures up.
Yanenko content just to control the position here.
Lindgraf is squirming around, avoiding Yanenko's attempts to control the action.

Yanenko goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Lindgraf turns into him and now he's in Yanenko's guard.
Lindgraf sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Yanenko's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yanenko trying to hold on to Lindgraf's head to control him but Lindgraf postures up.

Lindgraf seems to be working for a kimura but Yanenko defends the submission attempt.
Yanenko moves into full guard.
Yanenko controls Lindgraf momentarily but Lindgraf frees himself.
Lindgraf distracts Yanenko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lindgraf wants to control from the top but Yanenko keeps moving.
Lindgraf throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yanenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lindgraf is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Lindgraf has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Yanenko looking for a guillotine here but Lindgraf defends easily.
Yanenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yanenko is trying to keep Lindgraf in close.

Yanenko is looking for a triangle here but Lindgraf uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Yanenko is looking for a sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yanenko is not content to let Lindgraf control the position.
Yanenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emil Yanenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Yanenko with a poor takedown

and Lindgraf moves into the clinch.
Lindgraf pushes off an throws an elbow but Yanenko leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Lindgraf prevents a takedown attempt there.

Lindgraf's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yanenko shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lindgraf counters with a straight right hand.
Mats Lindgraf has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emil Yanenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yanenko gets caught napping as Lindgraf dives in and scores a takedown. Yanenko manages to retain guard.

Yanenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lindgraf gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Yanenko wants to sweep here but Lindgraf controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindgraf works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Yanenko is looking for a sweep. Lindgraf is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lindgraf is keen to just control but Yanenko is a slippery customer.

Yanenko actively working from the bottom here.
Yanenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yanenko wants to control the action here but instead Lindgraf manages to pass to full mount!
Lindgraf landing strikes, looking to finish!
Yanenko is looking to get to half guard.
Yanenko keeps trying to improve his position.
Emil Yanenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

Lindgraf has hold of Yanenko's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Yanenko manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Lindgraf wants to control the pace but Yanenko is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yanenko slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Yanenko is looking for a sweep. Lindgraf is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lindgraf working over Yanenko with some ground and pound. Yanenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Yanenko tries to get to full guard but Lindgraf has control of the leg.

Lindgraf seems to be looking for submissions.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Lindgraf prevents Yanenko from improving his position.
Lindgraf is looking to advance position but Yanenko won't allow it.
Yanenko wants to control but Lindgraf is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf wants to take a breather but Yanenko is having none of it.
Yanenko gets back to full guard.
Lindgraf tries to stand but Yanenko is controlling from the bottom.
Yanenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yanenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Yanenko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Yanenko looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Lindgraf puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Lindgraf is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Yanenko is just riding it out for now. Lindgraf eventually gives up the hold.
Yanenko tries to get to full guard but Lindgraf has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf uses his free foot to push down on Yanenko's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Yanenko.

Lindgraf jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Yanenko is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Yanenko and Lindgraf has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Yanenko is trying to get back to half guard.
Emil Yanenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Lindgraf stands up and beckons Yanenko to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Yanenko.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mats Lindgraf showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Yanenko 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emil Yanenko!
Emil Yanenko took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'Im glad I won, It means another Fight for me!'.