PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roman Yakimyuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddy Maiden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maiden has chosen Iron Maiden as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yakimyuk
vs
Maiden

177 cm
40
167 lbs
31 - 26 - 2

185 cm
39
166 lbs
28 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 26 - 2, fighting out of New York, Roman Yakimyuk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eddy Maiden!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maiden pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yakimyuk takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Maiden lands with a nice body kick.
Maiden misses with a body kick.
Yakimyuk tests Maiden's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maiden tries for a takedown but Yakimyuk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Eddy Maiden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maiden attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Yakimyuk throws a big counter combination but Maiden scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Yakimyuk misses with an uppercut. Maiden saw that one coming.
Maiden misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A lazy body kick from Maiden
and Yakimyuk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The fighters circling - Yakimyuk throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yakimyuk lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maiden looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Maiden misses with a low kick.
Yakimyuk connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Maiden momentarily.

It looks like Eddy Maiden has been cut.
Maiden throws a sloppy head kick and Yakimyuk moves out of range easily.
Yakimyuk fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Maiden uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yakimyuk.
Maiden bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maiden fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Yakimyuk to the ground. Maiden is now in Yakimyuk's guard.

Yakimyuk pushes Maiden off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Maiden throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Yakimyuk misses with a two punch combination.
Yakimyuk moves out of range of the body kick.

Maiden shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Maiden was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maiden throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Maiden content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Maiden tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Maiden is trying to get an arm triangle but Yakimyuk is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk tries to improve position but can't.
Maiden wants to control but Yakimyuk is keeping him busy.
Yakimyuk trying to remain calm as Maiden controls from the top position.
An elbow from Maiden crashes against the mat.
Maiden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Yakimyuk takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Maiden working the strikes but Yakimyuk uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Maiden working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Yakimyuk's thigh. Yakimyuk counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Maiden is working Yakimyuk over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk looking to control but Maiden passes into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Maiden connects with a nice short shot to Yakimyuk's temple.

Maiden is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Yakimyuk sees it coming and defends easily.
Maiden is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maiden working for a guillotine from mount but Yakimyuk is in no mood to give up.
Maiden content just to control the position here.
My spies in Tayne's 4d3d3d3 Gym inform me that Maiden has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Yakimyuk wants to hold on but Maiden pushes him away.
Yakimyuk is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Maiden takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Yakimyuk's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Yakimyuk is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Maiden has taken his back!
Maiden is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Maiden gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Maiden gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Maiden apologises and we restart here on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yakimyuk. Maiden does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Eddy Maiden will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eddy Maiden'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.

Maiden tries a low kick but Yakimyuk avoids it.
Yakimyuk misses with a wild body shot.
Yakimyuk on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Maiden. Maiden obviously looking to wear him down.
Good standup being displayed there by Yakimyuk as he connects with a hook.
Roman Yakimyuk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yakimyuk blocks a head kick by Maiden.
Maiden fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Maiden fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Maiden lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Maiden shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Yakimyuk eats them both and turns towards Maiden to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Maiden pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maiden misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yakimyuk smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Maiden misses with a head kick.
Maiden showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yakimyuk.
Maiden lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakimyuk throws the left hand but Maiden avoids the punch easily.
Yakimyuk misses with an uppercut. Maiden saw that one coming.
Maiden tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yakimyuk defends well and Maiden ends up having to push Yakimyuk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Yakimyuk is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Roman Yakimyuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eddy Maiden.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maiden throws a leg kick but Yakimyuk moved away.
Yakimyuk was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Maiden showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yakimyuk.
Maiden throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maiden fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yakimyuk is out of range.
Maiden wants to slow Yakimyuk down by chopping away at his legs.
Maiden fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Maiden tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Maiden.
Roman Yakimyuk is winning the standup battle so far.
Yakimyuk throws a sloppy head kick and Maiden moves out of range easily.
Yakimyuk throws a wild body kick that Maiden sees coming a mile off.
Yakimyuk lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maiden was well out of range. Poor timing from Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk misses with a wild body shot.

Maiden closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Yakimyuk did well to prevent Maiden getting side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Yakimyuk looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maiden wants to take a breather but Yakimyuk is having none of it.
Maiden wants to advance to full mount but Yakimyuk doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Yakimyuk looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maiden is one step ahead there.
Maiden looking to sit in guard and control but Yakimyuk gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Yakimyuk got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maiden has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Yakimyuk has managed to get both his arms back between Maiden's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Maiden wants to sweep but no luck.
Yakimyuk throwing strikes but missing.
Yakimyuk looking to pass the guard.
Maiden trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Maiden wants to hit a switch here but Yakimyuk passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Maiden there!
Yakimyuk connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Yakimyuk controlling the position easily from mount.
Maiden tries to hold on but Yakimyuk pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Yakimyuk dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Eddy Maiden's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Maiden lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yakimyuk throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maiden throws a front kick that sends Yakimyuk stumbling back into the cage.
Yakimyuk blocks the body kick.
Maiden misses the jab.
Yakimyuk throws a sloppy head kick and Maiden moves out of range easily.
Maiden scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Maiden looks for the body kick but Yakimyuk saw that one coming.
Yakimyuk checks the leg kick nicely there.
Maiden misses with a kick to the body.
Maiden connects with a leg kick. Yakimyuk looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Maiden throws a leg kick but Yakimyuk sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yakimyuk was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maiden throws out a loose jab but Yakimyuk uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yakimyuk on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Yakimyuk wants to slow Maiden down by chopping away at his legs.
Maiden misses with a series of wild punches.
Maiden misses with a head kick.
Yakimyuk half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maiden swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Maiden misses with a wild combination.
Maiden throws a head kick that misses.
Yakimyuk appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Maiden throws a body kick that misses
and Yakimyuk counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Maiden thinking.
Maiden takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maiden throws a sloppy head kick and Yakimyuk moves out of range easily.
Yakimyuk scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maiden misses with a low kick.
Yakimyuk throws a sloppy head kick and Maiden moves out of range easily.
Maiden tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yakimyuk tries to counter with a takedown but Maiden is quick to defend against it.
Roman Yakimyuk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maiden throws a head kick but Yakimyuk moves out of range.
Maiden throws a front kick aimed at Yakimyuk's knee but Yakimyuk avoids it well.
Yakimyuk fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Yakimyuk throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maiden sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maiden uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakimyuk.
Maiden throws a leg kick but Yakimyuk moved away.
Yakimyuk misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakimyuk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maiden.
Nice defenses there by Yakimyuk.
A head kick misses from Maiden.
Yakimyuk blocks a leg kick.
Yakimyuk checks a low kick from Maiden.
Maiden jabs at Yakimyuk's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maiden throws a head kick that misses.
Maiden gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Maiden takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Yakimyuk displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maiden.
Maiden misses with a hook. Yakimyuk ducked under it nicely.
Maiden keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Maiden checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Yakimyuk chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Maiden can pounce on him.
Maiden throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Maiden scores with a three punch combo!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maiden throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd cheers as Yakimyuk lands an impressive looking overhand right. Maiden doesn't seem phased though.
Maiden throws a low kick but Yakimyuk moves out of range easily.
Yakimyuk lands a jab to the head.
Maiden will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Maiden moves out of range of the strikes.
Maiden takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A head kick misses from Yakimyuk.
Maiden scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yakimyuk swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Maiden misses with a low kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Maiden checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Maiden misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yakimyuk displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maiden.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maiden avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maiden avoids the head kick by Yakimyuk.
An inside leg kick lands from Yakimyuk.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maiden scores with a nice body kick.
Maiden misses with a combination
and Yakimyuk counters with a solid body kick.
Yakimyuk slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Maiden shoots in for a double leg but Yakimyuk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yakimyuk tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Maiden manages to circle out of the way.
Roman Yakimyuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eddy Maiden.
Nice uppercut there from Yakimyuk.
Yakimyuk misses with a low kick.
Maiden misses with a head kick.
Some wild striking there from Yakimyuk.
Maiden scores with a jab.
Maiden avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Eddy Maiden.
I think Maiden 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Eddy Maiden!
After winning the bout, Eddy Maiden thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.