PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gasan Yakolev (ranked 2005 p4p, 228 weight class) and Junior Dos Santos (ranked 16710 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Yakolev
vs
Dos Santos

183 cm
25
152 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

196 cm
33
154 lbs
19 - 28 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gasan Yakolev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Junior Dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yakolev moves into range and clinches up with Dos Santos.
Yakolev lands a body shot in the clinch.
Yakolev scores with a shot to the side of Dos Santos's head.
Yakolev lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dos Santos.
Dos Santos blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Yakolev lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Yakolev lands a body shot in the clinch.
Yakolev lands an elbow inside.
Yakolev digs a right hand into Dos Santos's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dos Santos's gas tank.
Yakolev presses Dos Santos against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Dos Santos tries to pull guard but Yakolev forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Dos Santos tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yakolev just stands there and leans against the cage.

Yakolev has clasped his hands together around Dos Santos's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakolev wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping him busy.
Dos Santos can't do much from the bottom here.
Yakolev landing a few strikes.
Yakolev is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Dos Santos will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
You can see the frustration on Dos Santos's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakolev working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Yakolev throws an elbow but Dos Santos slips to the side and avoids it well.
Yakolev misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Dos Santos regains half guard.

Dos Santos actively working from the bottom here.
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. Yakolev connects with a nice short shot to Dos Santos's temple.
Yakolev wants to take a breather but Dos Santos is having none of it.
Still in half guard, Yakolev seems content to control.
Dos Santos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Yakolev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ground and pound from Yakolev.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yakolev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yakolev stalling.

Dos Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Yakolev pulls his head out easily.
Ground and pound from Yakolev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev tries to pass to full mount but Dos Santos defends it.
Dos Santos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Yakolev.
Dos Santos wants to control but Yakolev is keeping busy.
Yakolev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Yakolev throwing shots but Dos Santos is blocking nicely.
Yakolev is trying to control. Dos Santos wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Dos Santos actively working from the bottom here.
Dos Santos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yakolev.
Yakolev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dos Santos is trying to maintain the position but Yakolev is very close to passing his half guard.
Yakolev trying to control from half guard but Dos Santos is working away.
Yakolev content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Dos Santos is staying active underneath Yakolev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yakolev is trying to work for a kimura but Dos Santos is defending well.

Dos Santos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yakolev trying to pass the guard but Dos Santos defending well.
Dos Santos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Yakolev wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping him busy.
Yakolev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Yakolev has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Yakolev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Yakolev is looking to take a break and control but Dos Santos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Yakolev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Yakolev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dos Santos defending well though.

Dos Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Yakolev pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev is looking to take a break and control but Dos Santos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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. Yakolev connects with a nice short shot to Dos Santos's temple.
Yakolev thows a huge punch but Dos Santos dodges it nicely.
Dos Santos gets back to full guard.

Dos Santos looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Yakolev is defending well. Dos Santos quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Yakolev has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Dos Santos celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Junior Dos Santos!
Junior Dos Santos made sure to mention his sponsor, Sully's Bar & Grill in his post fight interview.