PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mykhailo Yakovenko (ranked 4509 p4p, 3020 weight class) and Abdullah Keita (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Yakovenko
vs
Keita

175 cm
25
158
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
157
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mykhailo Yakovenko!
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, Abdullah Keita!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jonathan Paton and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keita takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Keita throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Yakovenko moves into the clinch.

Keita's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Keita scores with a jab. Yakovenko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Keita looks to land a combination but Yakovenko avoids it well.
Keita tries to bum rush Yakovenko with a series of wild strikes but Yakovenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Keita throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Yakovenko counters by moving into the clinch.
Keita working hard to break the clinch.
Yakovenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Keita pulls his leg out and moves away.
Yakovenko dodges the punch combination from Keita.
Yakovenko tries to counter with a takedown but Keita is quick to defend against it.
Yakovenko misses with a kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yakovenko ducks under a wild hook from Keita.
Yakovenko throws a quick counter kick to the body but Keita avoids it.
Keita swings widly with a right hand

and Yakovenko counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Yakovenko.
Keita looks winded!
Keita wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Yakovenko has him pressed against the cage.

Yakovenko is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Keita can't fight it off and eventually Yakovenko manages to take the fight to the floor. Keita looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovenko stays in close to Keita's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yakovenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Yakovenko not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Keita wants to stand and escape but Yakovenko is having none of it.
Keita keeping full guard, as Yakovenko tries to pass.
Keita is looking to stand up but Yakovenko isn't so interested in that idea.
Yakovenko postures up in Keita's guard and throws a big left but Keita blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Keita is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Yakovenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Keita tries to avoid it but Yakovenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Keita to the ground. Keita escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A big right from Keita misses.
Abdullah Keita seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yakovenko dodges the punch combination from Keita.
Keita looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Keita with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Yakovenko to score with a decent uppercut.
Keita is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Yakovenko drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Yakovenko throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Keita is trying to get back to half guard.
Keita is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Yakovenko asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Keita defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovenko throws a strike aimed at the side of Keita's head but Keita avoids it well.
Keita is trying to get back to half guard.

Yakovenko tries for a kimura but Keita is defending well.

Yakovenko thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Keita tries to escape but Yakovenko is in control.
Keita dodges the ground and pound from Yakovenko.
Keita is looking to reverse the position.

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.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Yakovenko is looking to take a break and control but Keita is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
A lull in the action here.
Yakovenko trying to control the position but Keita is working away.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Keita is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Keita throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yakovenko.
Keita misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Abdullah Keita will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Yakovenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Keita but Keita pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Keita looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Keita misses with the combination.
Keita misses with a double jab.
Yakovenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yakovenko dives in and grabs Keita's left leg, looking for a takedown. Keita pushes down on Yakovenko's head and hops out.
Mykhailo Yakovenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Keita looks to land a combination but Yakovenko avoids it well.
A low kick from Keita misses
letting Yakovenko counter with a right hand.
Yakovenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Keita tries to avoid it but Yakovenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Keita to the ground. Keita escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mykhailo Yakovenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovenko blocks a jab.
Keita throws a poor cross that misses
and Yakovenko counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Keita moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovenko closes the distance and clinches up with Keita, looking for a takedown. Yakovenko pushes Keita against the cage but Keita circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Keita lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keita pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As Keita backs away, Yakovenko returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Yakovenko defending well as Keita loads up on a big left hand.
Keita misses with a straight right.
It looked like Yakovenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Yakovenko closes the distance and clinches.

Yakovenko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Keita uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Keita avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yakovenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Keita stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Keita looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Keita lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Abdullah Keita seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Some wild striking there from Keita.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Keita does no damage.
Yakovenko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Keita slaps away a takedown attempt from Yakovenko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Keita throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As Keita looks to move away, Yakovenko throws a big counter combo but Keita just gets out of the way.
Keita misses with a series of wild punches.
Yakovenko dives in for a single leg takedown but Keita sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Keita lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Yakovenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Keita misses with a double jab
and Yakovenko counters with a left and a right that stings Keita.
Yakovenko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Keita as he avoids it easily.
No joy there for Keita, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yakovenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Keita sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yakovenko somewhat.
Keita throws a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keita misses with a double jab

and Yakovenko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Yakovenko wants a takedown.
Keita wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Keita tries to break free but Yakovenko pushes him back against the cage.

Yakovenko jumps guard and drags Keita to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Yakovenko wants to stand and escape but Keita is having none of it.
Yakovenko wants to sweep but no luck.

Keita gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Keita lands a two punch combo.

Yakovenko moves into range and clinches up with Keita.
Keita working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keita wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Yakovenko is looking to take this one to the mat.
Yakovenko tries to break free but Keita pushes him back against the cage.
Keita has had enough of the clinch but Yakovenko keeps him there for the moment.
Keita wants to break the clinch but can't.
Keita avoiding damage as Yakovenko throws knees to the body.
Keita prevents a takedown attempt there.
Keita working hard to break the clinch.
Keita wants to break the clinch but can't.
Keita wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Yakovenko has him pressed against the cage.
Yakovenko is working for takedown but Keita is calmly controlling the position for now.
Keita wants to get back to striking at distance but Yakovenko won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Keita's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Keita showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Yakovenko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Keita sprawls well. Keita wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Yakovenko gets slowly back to his feet.
Keita misses with the combination.
Keita lunges at Yakovenko with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Yakovenko's hand.
Keita misses with a double jab.
It looked like Yakovenko was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Yakovenko drives through and clinches with Keita against the cage.
Keita is trying to push Yakovenko away but Yakovenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Keita has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Keita prevents it.
Keita stops a takedown attempt from Yakovenko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mykhailo Yakovenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A frustrated look appears on Yakovenko's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Keita breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keita looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Yakovenko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Yakovenko jumps guard but Keita stands there with Yakovenko around his waist. Yakovenko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Yakovenko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Keita's efforts to push away.
Yakovenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Keita has had enough of the clinch but Yakovenko keeps him there for the moment.
Keita tries to break free but Yakovenko pushes him back against the cage.
Keita can't break the clinch.

Yakovenko successfully pulls guard.

Keita gets to his feet - Yakovenko follows without any prompting.

Yakovenko has Keita up against the cage in a clinch.

Yakovenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keita throws a series of punches but Yakovenko moves out of range.

Yakovenko moves into range and clinches up with Keita.

Yakovenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Keita throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Yakovenko counters with a one-two to the body.
Yakovenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Keita.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Keita throws a right and a left that Yakovenko avoids nicely.
Yakovenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Keita as he jumps to the side.
Keita stalks Yakovenko and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Yakovenko's face. Yakovenko staggers backwards, shaken.
Yakovenko throws a leg kick but Keita checks it.
As Yakovenko backs off Keita throws a huge counter combo but Yakovenko manages to avoid it all.
Yakovenko dodges the punch combination from Keita.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keita stuffs the takedown attempt from Yakovenko. Yakovenko gets slowly back to his feet.
Yakovenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yakovenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Keita.
Yakovenko is looking for a counter combo.
Yakovenko takes a swing at Keita's ribcage but misses.
Keita takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Keita will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Yakovenko forces Keita back against the cage and clinches.
Yakovenko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Keita's efforts to push away.
Keita tries to break free but Yakovenko pushes him back against the cage.
Mykhailo Yakovenko has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovenko slows down the pace here.

Yakovenko pulls Keita into guard.
Keita would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Yakovenko controls Keita momentarily but Keita frees himself.

Keita gets to his feet - Yakovenko follows without any prompting.
A combination from Keita does no damage.
Keita misses with a double jab
and Yakovenko counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Yakovenko pushes Keita up against the cage in a clinch.
Mykhailo Yakovenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abdullah Keita is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Keita wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Abdullah Keita.
I've got Keita winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdullah Keita!