PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Yakovlev (ranked 5050 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacky Santoro (ranked 4211 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovlev comes to the cage accompanied by Maroon 5 - Sugar. Santoro has chosen Colby O'Donis - What You Got ft. Akon as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yakovlev
vs
Santoro

189 cm
29
209 lbs
12 - 16 - 0

185 cm
42
210 lbs
39 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
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 12 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Yakovlev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacky Santoro!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovlev lands with a right hand.

Santoro forces Yakovlev back against the cage and clinches.
Yakovlev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Santoro has him pressed against the cage.
Santoro lands a body punch.
Santoro just leaning against Yakovlev, taking a breather.
Yakovlev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Santoro gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Yakovlev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Santoro moves out of range as Yakovlev strikes.
A jab from Santoro misses.
Santoro loads up on a big right hand but Yakovlev slips the punch.
Yakovlev lands with an overhand left.
Santoro uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

It looks like Alexander Yakovlev has been cut.
Yakovlev moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice defenses there by Yakovlev.
Yakovlev tests Santoro's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Santoro shoots in and bounces Yakovlev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro looking to pass the guard.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Yakovlev keeps moving.
Santoro postures up.

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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Yakovlev connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Yakovlev 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.
Yakovlev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Jacky Santoro has been cut.
Yakovlev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Santoro gets a double leg takedown into Yakovlev's guard.
Yakovlev keeping full guard, as Santoro tries to pass.
Santoro slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Yakovlev manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Santoro misses with a punch on the inside.
Santoro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yakovlev's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Santoro.

Yakovlev breaks from the clinch.
Santoro tries to clinch there but Yakovlev circles away.
Yakovlev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yakovlev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Yakovlev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Santoro counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Yakovlev throws out a loose jab but Santoro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yakovlev moves away from the strike by Santoro.
Yakovlev cracks Santoro with an open hand slap.
Santoro gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Yakovlev lands a really nice looking cross but Santoro seems unphased.
Santoro takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yakovlev scores with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yakovlev misses with a straight left.
Yakovlev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Santoro counters with a nice body shot.
Yakovlev cracks a nice hook into Santoro's ribs.
Yakovlev throws a looping overhand right but Santoro ducks down to avoid it.
Santoro lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Santoro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yakovlev.
Yakovlev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Yakovlev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Santoro counters with a nice uppercut.
Santoro throws a jab but it's blocked by Yakovlev.
Santoro takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yakovlev throws a body punch but Santoro moves out of range.
Santoro has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yakovlev.
Yakovlev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A nice side step and Santoro releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Santoro displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Yakovlev.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Yakovlev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yakovlev misses with a body punch
and Santoro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Yakovlev will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Yakovlev jabs at Santoro's body.
Yakovlev connects with a nice looking jab.
Yakovlev scores with a jab.
Yakovlev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Santoro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Santoro feints the counter takedown.
Yakovlev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Santoro was well out of range. Poor timing from Yakovlev.
Yakovlev throws a sloppy head kick and Santoro moves out of range easily.
Santoro shoots in for a double leg but Yakovlev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yakovlev throwing a counter right hand but Santoro manages to avoid it.
Santoro lands a jab to Yakovlev's midsection.
Yakovlev tries for a takedown but Santoro sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Yakovlev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santoro trying to hold on to Yakovlev's head to control him but Yakovlev postures up.
Yakovlev trying to control from half guard but Santoro is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro gets back to full guard.
Santoro working a defensive guard here.
Santoro managing to control the position.
Yakovlev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Santoro is pulling down on Yakovlev's head to control his posture.

Santoro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Alexander Yakovlev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Santoro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yakovlev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Santoro keeping moving, preventing Yakovlev from controlling successfully.
Yakovlev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Santoro can do to turn this around?
Santoro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yakovlev trying to control but Santoro is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Yakovlev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santoro moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Yakovlev slips a straight right by Santoro.
Yakovlev fails with a takedown attempt.
Santoro slips a straight right by Yakovlev.
Yakovlev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That kick from Yakovlev tenderised Santoro's leg. Santoro is trying to keep his angry face on.
Alexander Yakovlev is winning the standup battle so far.
Yakovlev jabs at Santoro's body.

Santoro shoots in and gets a takedown into Yakovlev's guard.

Santoro thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Santoro is controlling him.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Yakovlev keeps moving.
Santoro advances to half guard.
Yakovlev trying to control from the bottom.
Santoro controlling the action here.
Santoro tries to pass to full mount but Yakovlev defends it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Santoro is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Yakovlev has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Yakovlev dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Santoro checks a leg kick.
Yakovlev swings for the body but Santoro moves out of range.
Yakovlev throws an overhand right that lands on Santoro's shoulder, as Santoro tries to avoid the shot.
Santoro dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A combination from Yakovlev does no damage.
A head kick misses from Yakovlev.
Santoro fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Yakovlev is looking to land body kicks.
Yakovlev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Santoro has time to react.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Santoro drives through with a takedown into guard.

Yakovlev wriggles free and stands up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Santoro drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Yakovlev throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovlev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Santoro is looking to slow Yakovlev down with leg kicks.
Yakovlev cracks Santoro with an open hand slap.
Santoro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yakovlev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yakovlev looks to throw the jab but Santoro is out of range.
Alexander Yakovlev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santoro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yakovlev but Yakovlev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Santoro scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Santoro checks a low kick from Yakovlev.
Yakovlev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev misses the body punch
enabling Santoro to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
Yakovlev misses with a left hand
and Santoro counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Yakovlev misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Santoro misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yakovlev misses with a lunging right hand
and Santoro counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Santoro lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Santoro lands with a hook. Yakovlev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Alexander Yakovlev's cut is getting worse.
Santoro slips under a jab from Yakovlev.

Santoro moves into the clinch.

Yakovlev lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Santoro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yakovlev trying to pass the guard but Santoro defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santoro wants to control but Yakovlev is keeping busy.
Santoro controlling the position for now.
Yakovlev is thwarting Santoro's attempts to control the position.
Yakovlev is trying to control the action in half guard but Santoro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Santoro wants to get back to full guard.

Yakovlev is looking for a kimura but Santoro is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Yakovlev to get the leverage.
Santoro is looking to control Yakovlev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Santoro avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Yakovlev wants to free his trapped foot but Santoro is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Alexander Yakovlev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Yakovlev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Santoro defends it well.

Yakovlev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Santoro has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jacky Santoro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santoro trying to control but Yakovlev postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Yakovlev throws a lazy head kick
and Santoro counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Yakovlev feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Santoro's calf.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Yakovlev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yakovlev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Yakovlev!
Alexander Yakovlev decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.