PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rio Yaj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demetri Puleveski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rio Yaj has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Yaj
vs
Puleveski

192 cm
27
215 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

177 cm
29
180 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$)

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 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rio Yaj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Demetri Puleveski!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yaj misses with a looping left.
Yaj moves out of range as Puleveski throws a body kick.
A jab from Yaj does it's job there.
Yaj fails to land with a series of punches.
A big left from Puleveski misses.
Puleveski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Yaj.
Puleveski unleashes a big counter combination but Yaj bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Yaj throws a looping overhand right but Puleveski ducks down to avoid it.
Yaj tests Puleveski's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yaj takes one to the chin there.
Yaj avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Puleveski darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Puleveski thows a body kick. Yaj tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Puleveski has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Puleveski throws a hook to the side of Yaj's head but Yaj sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
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!

Yaj is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Puleveski's half guard.

Puleveski is defending against the submission attempts here by Yaj.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puleveski has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Yaj is working away from the top position though.
Puleveski is looking to improve his position.
Yaj looks to land a strike but Puleveski avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Yaj trying to control but Puleveski is working from the bottom.
Yaj looking to sit in guard and control but Puleveski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaj trying to control the position.
Yaj wants to sweep here but Puleveski controlling him for the moment.
Puleveski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yaj will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Puleveski trying to control the position from guard on top but Yaj is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puleveski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yaj is keeping the position for now.
Yaj working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Puleveski.
Yaj looking to hit a scissor sweep but Puleveski is one step ahead there.
Yaj is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puleveski showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Puleveski lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yaj lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Puleveski at a distance.
Puleveski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yaj.
Yaj looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Puleveski is fending him off so far but Yaj persists. Nope, Puleveski circles away and we're back to standing.
Yaj looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Puleveski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Puleveski. Beautiful body shot.
Yaj has his takedown stuffed
and Puleveski connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rio Yaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puleveski keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rio Yaj seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Puleveski drops his hands momentarily and Yaj takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Puleveski walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Puleveski misses with a wild body shot.
Yaj takes a swing at Puleveski's ribcage but misses.
Puleveski connects with a body shot.
Demetri Puleveski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Puleveski lands a jab to Yaj's midsection.
Yaj on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Yaj is breathing heavily.
Puleveski scores with a jab. Yaj acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Puleveski misses the jab.
Puleveski stuffs the takedown attempt from Yaj. Yaj gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demetri Puleveski dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Puleveski clinches up against the cage.
Puleveski changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yaj fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Puleveski. That's going to slow Yaj down.
Yaj 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.
Puleveski connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Demetri Puleveski seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Puleveski rushes Yaj and presses him up against the cage.
Puleveski blocking some punches.
Good body shot from Puleveski.
Puleveski throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puleveski doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Puleveski is trying to stall.
Yaj tries to land knees in the clinch but Puleveski avoids the damage to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Yaj fails to land.
Puleveski's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaj throws a punch but it's blocked by Puleveski.
Puleveski is trying to maintain a safe position but Yaj gets an underhook and turns Puleveski into the cage.
Puleveski lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yaj is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Puleveski misses with a punch to the body.
Yaj lands a hook that snaps the head of Puleveski backwards.
Puleveski pushes Yaj back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Puleveski lands an uppercut.
Puleveski blocking some punches.
Puleveski slows down the pace here.
Yaj lands a left hand.
Puleveski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yaj has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Puleveski avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Puleveski lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Puleveski blocks a body shot from Yaj.
A head punch on the inside from Yaj fails to land.
Puleveski misses with a hook to the ribs.
Puleveski stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Puleveski misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yaj misses with a short punch on the inside.
Puleveski lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yaj misses with some punches.
Puleveski lands with a short shot to the head.
Puleveski scores with a shoulder strike.
Yaj can't find room to land a body shot as Puleveski controls the action.
Puleveski struggles to land a body shot inside as Yaj controls his hands.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Puleveski. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
A short uppercut from Yaj.
Puleveski presses Yaj against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Puleveski working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Good body shot from Puleveski.
Puleveski lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Yaj backwards.
Nice body punch from Puleveski.
Puleveski can't find room to land a body shot as Yaj controls the action.
Puleveski looking to stall.
A short left from Puleveski.
Yaj drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yaj misses with the head strike.
Puleveski is looking to take this one to the mat.
Puleveski prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rio Yaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Puleveski has hold of one of Yaj's legs. Yaj is fighting the takedown attempt but Puleveski gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Puleveski stays in close to Yaj's body and controls the position.
Puleveski passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Puleveski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yaj keeps working.
Yaj is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Puleveski off and has taken his back!
Yaj keeps control of the position as Puleveski tries to break free.
Yaj is looking to control Puleveski but Puleveski is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Puleveski defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Yaj working for the choke.
Yaj missing with strikes.
Yaj not allowing Puleveski to control his hands.
Puleveski grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demetri Puleveski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

A combination from Yaj does no damage.
Yaj shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Puleveski counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice uppercut lands for Puleveski. That snapped Yaj's head back.
Puleveski lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Puleveski throws out a leg kick but Yaj moves out of range and Puleveski only half commits.
Puleveski listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Puleveski.
Yaj pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yaj darts in looking for a takedown but Puleveski gets double underhooks and turns Yaj into the cage.
Puleveski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yaj moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puleveski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yaj on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Puleveski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yaj connects with a right hand. Puleveski shakes it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yaj darts in looking for a takedown but Puleveski gets double underhooks and turns Yaj into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rio Yaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Puleveski thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yaj changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaj looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Puleveski keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Yaj misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Puleveski.
Yaj dives in for a single leg takedown but Puleveski sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Puleveski gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Puleveski blocks an uppercut.
Yaj tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Puleveski's elbow.

Yaj has hold of one of Puleveski's legs. Puleveski is fighting the takedown attempt but Yaj gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Puleveski keeping moving, preventing Yaj from controlling successfully.
Puleveski managing to control the position.
Rio Yaj has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaj loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Puleveski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Yaj looking to sit in guard and control but Puleveski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Puleveski won't allow Yaj to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puleveski wants to control from the top but Yaj keeps moving.
Yaj pulls Puleveski in to control the position.
Puleveski is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Puleveski scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Demetri Puleveski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Puleveski is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rio Yaj overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Puleveski looking to sit in guard and control but Yaj gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Yaj throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Puleveski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Yaj throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Puleveski working a defensive guard here.
Yaj stays in close to Puleveski's body and controls the position.
Puleveski is looking to sweep but instead, Yaj has passed into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Puleveski manages to get to full guard.
Yaj wants to control from the top but Puleveski keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Demetri Puleveski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Puleveski winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Demetri Puleveski!
Demetri Puleveski made sure to mention his sponsor, Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$) in his post fight interview.