PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Graham Hunt (ranked 2442 p4p, 229 weight class) and Ilya Yaj (ranked 1670 p4p, 176 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hunt
vs
Yaj

165 cm
26
140 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

170 cm
26
146 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Graham Hunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ilya Yaj!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Peter Branson and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunt tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yaj defends well and Hunt ends up having to push Yaj into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hunt walks into a left hand.
Hunt shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Yaj to counter with a crisp jab.
Hunt misses with a left hand
and Yaj counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Yaj throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hunt throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Yaj to counter with a crisp jab.
Hunt with a poor takedown
and Yaj counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Graham Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt fails with the takedown
letting Yaj counter with a right hand.
Hunt takes a jab right on the kisser.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hunt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yaj's waist but Yaj gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hunt off to one side.
Yaj lands a jab to the nose.
Yaj with a hook.

Hunt is rocked!
Yaj punishes Hunt's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt has his takedown stuffed
and Yaj counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Yaj feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Hunt sprawling to the canvas! Hunt rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Yaj finish him?!
Oh Hunt is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Hunt closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Yaj's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yaj keeping moving, preventing Hunt from controlling successfully.
Hunt looking to pass the guard.
Hunt seems to have got his legs back now.
Hunt trying to control the position from guard on top but Yaj is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hunt pushing down on Yaj's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hunt is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Yaj is trying to stand back up but Hunt is controlling him
Yaj is staying active underneath Hunt, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Yaj looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Hunt is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Yaj has managed to free his arm - good work.

Hunt is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Yaj sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hunt seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Yaj is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Graham Hunt!