PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jiri Sayonara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oke Yagin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sayonara comes to the cage accompanied by Edge Of The Blade. Yagin has chosen Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Higher Ground as his entrance music. 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.

Sayonara
vs
Yagin

178 cm
24
147 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

163 cm
24
143 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jiri Sayonara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Oke Yagin!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Radbod Blank and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yagin is looking to clinch but Sayonara is avoiding it.
Yagin lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Jiri Sayonara has been cut.
Yagin throws a head kick but Sayonara moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Sayonara misses the target.

Yagin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sayonara!
Yagin is chipping away with strikes.
Sayonara sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yagin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Yagin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sayonara is trying to maintain the position but Yagin is very close to passing his half guard.
Sayonara has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Sayonara is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Yagin scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sayonara trying to hold on to Yagin's head to control him but Yagin postures up.
Sayonara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yagin thows a huge punch but Sayonara dodges it nicely.
Yagin looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sayonara with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sayonara is looking to control Yagin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sayonara avoid being mounted?
Sayonara is looking to improve his position.
Yagin trying to control from half guard but Sayonara is working away.
Yagin thows a huge punch but Sayonara dodges it nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Yagin lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yagin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Yagin looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Yagin wants to free his trapped foot but Sayonara is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Yagin controlling the action here.
Yagin is looking to pass Sayonara's guard but actually Sayonara recovers to full guard.
Yagin postures up in Sayonara's guard and throws a big left but Sayonara blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sayonara had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yagin defends it easily.
Sayonara wants to sweep but no luck.
Yagin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sayonara keeping moving, preventing Yagin from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sayonara working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Yagin.
Yagin trying to control but Sayonara is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Sayonara working for a triangle but Yagin defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Yagin postures up in Sayonara's guard and throws a big left but Sayonara blocks it.
Yagin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Yagin throws an elbow that misses. Sayonara uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Yagin's guard. Nice move by Sayonara!

Yagin trying to control the position.
Yagin pulls Sayonara in to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sayonara controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oke Yagin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jiri Sayonara's cut.
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.

Sayonara throws a hook but Yagin blocks it.
Yagin throws a front kick aimed at Sayonara's knee but Sayonara avoids it well.
Yagin throws a front kick aimed at Sayonara's knee but Sayonara avoids it well.
Yagin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sayonara.
Sayonara lands a nice shot that snaps Yagin's head back.
Sayonara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yagin connects with a high kick.
Nice straight punches there by Yagin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Yagin.
Yagin throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sayonara counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sayonara throws a body punch but Yagin moves out of range.
Sayonara moves out of range of the body kick.
Yagin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sayonara's waist but Sayonara gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Yagin off to one side.
Yagin throws a lazy head kick
and Sayonara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Oke Yagin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sayonara moves out of range of the strikes.
Oke Yagin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yagin misses with a jab to the body
and Sayonara counters with a slapping leg kick.
Yagin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sayonara throws a quick counter kick to the body but Yagin avoids it.
Sayonara moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sayonara connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Yagin misses with a hook to the body
and Sayonara counters with a right hand to the body.
Yagin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Yagin misses with a head kick.
Yagin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sayonara in his tracks.

Yagin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yagin is trying to move to mount but Sayonara reverses beautifully and ends up in Yagin's guard.
Yagin is looking to stand up but Sayonara isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yagin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Yagin 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.
Sayonara controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Oke Yagin has got the better of the ground game so far.

Yagin has his foot on Sayonara's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sayonara works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yagin trying to keep a closed guard but Sayonara is proving a slippery customer.
Sayonara won't allow Yagin to sweep him here.
Yagin keeping moving, preventing Sayonara from controlling successfully.
Sayonara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yagin is keeping the position for now.
Sayonara trying to control but Yagin is working from the bottom.
Yagin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sayonara tries to free his leg and advance position but Yagin is retaining full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Yagin throws a combination. Sayonara tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sayonara tests Yagin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yagin throws a head kick that misses.
Sayonara looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Yagin throws a sloppy head kick and Sayonara moves out of range easily.
Yagin lands a jab to the nose.
The fighters circling - Yagin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
No joy there for Yagin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sayonara throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Jiri Sayonara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sayonara scores with a jab to the body.
Sayonara cracks Yagin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sayonara takes a swing at Yagin's ribcage but misses.
Yagin throws a lazy right hand but Sayonara sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sayonara is looking to counter with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jiri Sayonara will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jiri Sayonara'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. This is the final round!

Yagin fails to land the takedown.
Nice shot by Sayonara.
Yagin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Yagin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sayonara fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sayonara struggles to land a body shot inside as Yagin controls his hands.
Yagin digs a right hand underneath Sayonara's ribcage. Sayonara let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Yagin misses with a punch to the body.
Sayonara lands a nice shot to the body.
Yagin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sayonara blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sayonara blocks an uppercut.
Sayonara misses with a punch to the body.
A short left from Sayonara.
Sayonara lands a right hand.
Sayonara swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sayonara misses with the head strike.
Yagin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Yagin has had enough of the clinch but Sayonara keeps him there for the moment.
Nice body punch from Sayonara.

Yagin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A left lands for Sayonara.
Sayonara moves out of range as Yagin strikes.
Yagin throws an off balance right hand
and Sayonara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sayonara's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Yagin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sayonara scrambles back to his feet.
Sayonara takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sayonara was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sayonara lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yagin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Yagin darts in looking for a takedown but Sayonara gets double underhooks and turns Yagin into the cage.
Jiri Sayonara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oke Yagin.
Yagin steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sayonara. That one must have hurt.
Sayonara is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Yagin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yagin shoots and misses

and Sayonara counters by moving into the clinch.
Sayonara on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Sayonara scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sayonara misses with a punch to the body.
Yagin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sayonara's elbow.
Sayonara lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yagin backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sayonara.
Sayonara misses with the head strike.
Yagin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sayonara backwards.
Sayonara blocks an uppercut.
Sayonara working aggressively here.
Sayonara misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sayonara misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sayonara digs a right hand into Yagin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Yagin's gas tank.
Yagin working aggressively here.
Sayonara tries to work over Yagin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yagin throws a punch but it's blocked by Sayonara.
Yagin misses with a punch on the inside.
Sayonara is pressed up against the cage. Yagin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sayonara down to the mat. Sayonara avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sayonara takes one to the side of the head.
Yagin missing with a left hand there. Sayonara was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sayonara throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Oke Yagin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yagin throws a hook but Sayonara blocks it.
Yagin throws a solid leg kick but Sayonara takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yagin.
Sayonara lands a nice shot to the body.
Yagin checks a leg kick nicely.
Sayonara lands a leg kick that knocks Yagin off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sayonara fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A big right from Sayonara misses.
Sayonara throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sayonara looks to score with a jab to the body but Yagin is just out of range.
Despite the aggression on Yagin's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sayonara is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yagin slips a jab from Sayonara.
Yagin misses with a series of wild punches.
Yagin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sayonara swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Yagin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Yagin on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sayonara. Sayonara obviously looking to wear him down.
Sayonara goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sayonara walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Yagin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jiri Sayonara showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sayonara has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jiri Sayonara!
Jiri Sayonara seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.