PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rodger Yalning (ranked 5134 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thanasis Kon (ranked 5538 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Yalning
vs
Kon

225 cm
25
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rodger Yalning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thanasis Kon!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kon shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Yalning is trying to defend but Kon finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kon should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Kon slips a nice elbow through Yalning's hands, connecting with Yalning's forehead.
Kon thows a huge punch but Yalning dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Yalning manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Kon keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Kon has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Yalning after a bit of a struggle.
Kon wants a takedown.

Yalning pulls guard effortlessly.
Kon postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Yalning will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Yalning utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yalning has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Yalning's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Yalning uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Kon blocks the body kick.
Nice sprawl there from Yalning as Kon shoots in.
Rodger Yalning has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thanasis Kon.
Kon fails with a takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kon closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Yalning's guard.

Yalning has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kon is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Kon has eaten all the pies!
Kon drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Yalning gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kon has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yalning is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Yalning jumps guard and drags Kon to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Yalning uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yalning tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kon was well out of range. Poor timing from Yalning.
Kon changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Yalning wants to land a leg kick but Kon is out of range.

Yalning tries to sprawl but Kon drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Yalning has one foot on Kon's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Kon shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Yalning napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Yalning bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Yalning lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Thanasis Kon has been cut.
Yalning swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yalning leaves Kon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Kon closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Yalning's guard.

Yalning manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Yalning cracks a nice hook into Kon's ribs.
Yalning connects with a body shot.
Kon takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Yalning connects with a body shot that sends Kon's belly button to the back.

Kon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Yalning on his heels. He'll look to pass Yalning's guard now, I'm sure.

Yalning scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Yalning slaps away a takedown attempt from Kon, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kon looks winded!

Kon changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Yalning looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Yalning throws Kon to one side and escapes!
Yalning tries to bum rush Kon with a series of wild strikes but Kon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yalning thuds a left hand into Kon's body.
Yalning lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kon backs up against the cage.

Kon gets a double leg takedown into Yalning's guard.

Yalning kicks Kon off and gets to his feet.

Kon changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Yalning looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Yalning throws Kon to one side and escapes!
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!
Kon checks a low kick from Yalning.

Kon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Yalning quickly recovers to half guard.

Yalning kicks Kon off and gets back to his feet.
Yalning misses with a two punch combination.
Yalning slaps away a takedown attempt from Kon, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Yalning throws a push kick but Kon slaps the foot to one side.
Kon takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rodger Yalning is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Yalning enables Kon to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Yalning manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kon throws a big right hand that misses.
Yalning is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kon must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Yalning wants to stand up but Kon is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yalning looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kon postures up and lands a big shot to Yalning's brow.
Kon working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kon accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kon postures up and lands a big shot to Yalning's brow.
Kon makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Yalning manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Kon wants to take the fight to the mat but Yalning manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kon drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yalning pulls his leg out and moves away.

Kon dives in and scores a takedown into Yalning's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodger Yalning dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thanasis Kon's cut.
That's time! Yalning's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yalning throws a head kick that misses.
Yalning throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kon shoots in for a takedown but Yalning shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Thanasis Kon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Yalning counters by clinching up.
Kon tries to score a body lock takedown but Yalning shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rodger Yalning has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thanasis Kon.
Yalning struggles to land a body shot inside as Kon controls his hands.
Yalning stops a takedown attempt from Kon.
Yalning gets underhooks to prevent Kon's takedown attempt.
Kon has Yalning pressed against the cage, preventing Yalning from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kon tries for a takedown but Yalning manages to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kon goes for a takedown attempt but Yalning pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Yalning throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yalning throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kon.
Yalning fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kon manages to avoid it.
Kon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yalning looks to land a body kick but Kon moved away.
Kon with the counter takedown but Yalning avoids it easily.
Yalning is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kon can do to turn this around?
Kon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kon misses with a takedown attempt - Yalning sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kon is breathing heavily.
Kon misses with a takedown attempt
and Yalning counters with a right hand to the body.
Kon avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kon feints the counter takedown.
Yalning lands with a good body shot.
Kon takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yalning throws a shot to the body.
Kon shoots in looking for a takedown. Yalning tries to sprawl out of it but Kon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Yalning manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Yalning is looking to wear down Kon with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Yalning scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kon slips a jab and a cross from Yalning.

Yalning gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kon to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Yalning has his feet on Kon's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Rodger Yalning is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yalning is fending him off so far but Kon persists. Nope, Yalning circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice shot by Yalning.
Yalning scores with a punch to the head.

Kon closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Yalning did well to prevent Kon getting side control.

Yalning manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Kon keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Yalning prevents the takedown attempt.
Kon tries for a takedown but Yalning manages to get underhooks.
Kon drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Yalning gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kon blocks a body shot from Yalning.

Yalning pulls guard successfully.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Yalning pulls Kon in close to his closed guard and prevents Kon from doing any damage or advancing position.
Yalning bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kon's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kon can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Yalning controls the pace.

Yalning stands up and waves to Kon to follow him.
Yalning misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kon shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Yalning kicks off Kon and gets to his feet.

Kon gets a takedown into half guard.

Yalning kicks Kon off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Yalning on his heels. He'll look to pass Yalning's guard now, I'm sure.

Yalning pushes Kon off and gets back to his feet.
Yalning misses with a two punch combination.
Yalning looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kon shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Yalning is trying to defend but Kon finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kon drops an elbow to the side of Yalning's head.
Kon missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kon stops Yalning from getting back to his feet.
Yalning taking some punishment here, with Kon in his half guard.
Yalning moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kon scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kon working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kon throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodger Yalning dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thanasis Kon's cut.
That's time! Yalning's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kon bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Yalning explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Yalning tries to land a front kick but Kon steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yalning throws a body punch but Kon moves out of range.

Kon fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Yalning sprawls well initially but Kon persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Yalning kicks off Kon and gets to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yalning fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kon drops his hands momentarily and Yalning takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Yalning tries to sprawl but Kon drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Yalning kicks off Kon and gets to his feet.
Yalning lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kon at a distance.
Yalning fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kon manages to avoid it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Yalning pushes Kon off and gets back to his feet.

Kon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Yalning manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yalning prevents the takedown attempt.
Kon can't get the takedown.
Yalning stops a takedown attempt from Kon.
Rodger Yalning has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thanasis Kon.
Kon drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yalning pulls his leg out and moves away.
Yalning throws a right hand that Kon ducks under and follows up with a left that Kon also avoids with ease.
Kon darts in looking for a takedown but Yalning gets double underhooks and turns Kon into the cage.
Yalning lands a nice hook to Kon's body. Kon takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Yalning scores with a body shot.
Yalning tries to land a front kick but Kon steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yalning swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Kon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Yalning's guard.

Yalning has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kon off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Rodger Yalning is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yalning pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Kon shoots in and bounces Yalning off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Yalning has his feet on Kon's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kon avoids the body shot from Yalning.

Kon looking to score a takedown here. Yalning is defending well but Kon drives through and ends up in Yalning's guard.
Kon postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yalning swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kon throws an elbow that misses. Yalning uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kon's guard. Nice move by Yalning!

Kon doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Yalning thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yalning trying to control but Kon is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kon can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kon throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yalning engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kon lands a decent shot there.
Kon throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Kon throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Yalning decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kon, up you get!
Yalning throws a one two combo.

Kon feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Yalning working a defensive guard here.
Kon landing with the ground and pound.
Kon content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kon is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kon with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kon postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Yalning has control of Kon's left arm, preventing Kon from doing any damage.
Yalning has momentary wrist control but Kon slips an elbow through the middle.
Kon stands up over Yalning, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kon connects with a couple of short punches.
Yalning looking for a sweep. Not yet Yalning, not yet.
Kon lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kon's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kon scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kon's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kon scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kon is in close to Yalning's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kon postures up and lands a big shot to Yalning's brow.
Kon is working Yalning over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Thanasis Kon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodger Yalning is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kon keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Yalning's head.

Yalning is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodger Yalning showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Yalning has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodger Yalning!