PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gasan Yakolev (ranked 650 p4p, 77 weight class) and Conor Larkin (ranked 996 p4p, 127 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yakolev
vs
Larkin

183 cm
22
170 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

186 cm
22
169 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Gasan Yakolev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Conor Larkin!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larkin throws a big shot that misses.
Larkin lands with a hook. Yakolev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Larkin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yakolev sprawls well. Yakolev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Larkin gets slowly back to his feet.
Larkin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Yakolev.
Yakolev lands with a shot to the body.
Yakolev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A combination from Yakolev does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Yakolev as he connects with a hook.
We've been told by Yakolev's head coaches at Total Impact MMA/KT that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Larkin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Larkin lands a head shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Larkin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yakolev tries to avoid it but Larkin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yakolev to the ground. Yakolev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gasan Yakolev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor Larkin.
Yakolev lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
No luck for Larkin with that takedown attempt.
As Larkin looks to move away, Yakolev throws a big counter combo but Larkin just gets out of the way.
Larkin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Larkin works the jab nicely.
Larkin throws a head kick that misses.
Yakolev is looking to counter punch.
Larkin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yakolev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Larkin somewhat.
Yakolev appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Yakolev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yakolev takes one to the side of the head.
Yakolev misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev throws a hook but Larkin blocks it.
Yakolev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Larkin drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Larkin tries for a takedown but Yakolev circles away easily
and Larkin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Larkin darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Larkin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Yakolev has time to react.
Conor Larkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - Yakolev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Larkin has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Larkin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yakolev. Larkin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Larkin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Yakolev throwing a counter right hand but Larkin manages to avoid it.
Yakolev throws the left hand but Larkin avoids the punch easily.
Larkin is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yakolev's sensitive parts.
Larkin shoots in and drives through. Yakolev sprawls well.
Larkin blocks a jab.
Yakolev throws a shot from downtown. Larkin moves away and avoids it.
Larkin changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Larkin shoots and misses
and Yakolev counters with a nice body shot.
Larkin goes for a double leg but Yakolev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Yakolev continues to drive forward.
A counter left hand to the body from Yakolev misses its target.
Yakolev checks a leg kick.
Larkin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Yakolev pinned against the ropes. Yakolev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Larkin misses with a lunging right hand
and Yakolev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Larkin misses with a straight left.
Larkin jabs at Yakolev's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev throws a shot from downtown. Larkin moves away and avoids it.
Larkin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Larkin throws a push kick but Yakolev slaps the foot to one side.
An attempted straight right counter from Yakolev misses the target.
A jab from Larkin misses.
Yakolev moves forwards but Larkin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Larkin throws a leg kick
and Yakolev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
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!
Larkin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Yakolev counters with a nice uppercut.
Yakolev lands a nice hook to Larkin's body. Larkin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Larkin scores with a jab to the jaw.
Yakolev takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A lazy body kick from Larkin
and Yakolev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Larkin lands with a right hand.
Yakolev connects with the punch.

Yakolev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Larkin to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Larkin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Yakolev is looking to stand up but Larkin isn't so interested in that idea.
Yakolev has control of Larkin's left arm, preventing Larkin from doing any damage.
Larkin is looking to advance position but Yakolev has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Yakolev is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Larkin is trying desperately to improve position.
Larkin tries to hold on but Yakolev pushes him away.
Yakolev tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Larkin is trying to escape the mount.
Larkin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters are battling for position here. Larkin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Larkin has his feet on Yakolev's thighs here. He's pushed Yakolev off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Yakolev screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 6:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Conor Larkin!