PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Seok Yi (ranked 5587 p4p, 5509 weight class) and Hank Rufkin (ranked 426 p4p, 422 weight class). Yi comes to the cage accompanied by Chris Travis - We Up. Seok Yi had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Yi
vs
Rufkin

175 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
145
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Seok Yi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hank Rufkin!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rufkin looks to land a left hand but Yi moved out of range nicely.
Yi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Rufkin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rufkin tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rufkin has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Yi lands a jab to Rufkin's midsection.
Rufkin on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Yi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yi lands with a shot to the body.
Yi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yi connects with an inside leg kick.
Yi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yi with the inside leg kick.
Rufkin misses with a looping left.
Yi defending well as Rufkin loads up on a big left hand.
Rufkin takes one to the side of the head.
Yi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yi lands with a shot to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Yi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Yi drives through and clinches with Rufkin against the cage.
Yi lands an elbow inside.
Rufkin can't find room to land a body shot as Yi controls the action.
A short left from Yi.
Rufkin is trying to push Yi away but Yi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rufkin working aggressively here.
Yi scores a nice knee to the body.
Yi lands a nice elbow.
Knees to the body from Yi.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Yi.
Yi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rufkin tries to pull guard but Yi holds him up against the cage and eventually Rufkin drops back down to his feet.
Rufkin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rufkin misses with a body punch.
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!
Yi gets through Rufkin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A knee to the head by Yi.
Yi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rufkins head.
Yi lands a hook that snaps the head of Rufkin backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yi scores with a hook to the body.
Yi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Yi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rufkin tries to throw a body punch but Yi avoids it by throwing Rufkin back against the cage.
Rufkin working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rufkin.
Nice elbow from Yi.
Yi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A left hand lands to the body for Yi.
Yi with a knee to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Yi.
Rufkin swings wildly with an uppercut but Yi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yi blocks a body shot from Rufkin.
Yi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rufkin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Yi prevents a body shot from Rufkin.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rufkin.
Rufkin misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Yi.
Yi lands a nice uppercut.
Yi keeps control of Rufkin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rufkin swings wildly with an uppercut but Yi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yi lands a nice elbow.
Yi digs a right hand into Rufkin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rufkin's gas tank.
A short body shot lands from Yi as the two fighters clinch.
A short left from Yi.
A short uppercut from Yi.
Yi connects with a knee to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Yi.
Yi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Yi scores with a shot to the side of Rufkin's head.
Yi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rufkin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rufkin looks winded!
Yi gets through Rufkin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Yi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Yi lands a shoulder strike.
Yi lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Yi.
Yi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Yi lands a left hand.
Rufkin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Yi lands a damaging elbow.
A shot in the inside from Yi.
Yi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A body shot lands from Yi.
Rufkin working hard to break the clinch.
Yi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rufkin wants a takedown.
Seok Yi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hank Rufkin.
Yi lands a nice knee to the body.
Yi scores a nice knee to the body.
Yi lands a left hand.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Yi.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rufkin takes a shot to the head.
Yi digs a right hand underneath Rufkin's ribcage. Rufkin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Yi scores with a hook to the body.
Yi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Seok Yi dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Rufkin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yi.
Yi doesn't manage to clinch there - Rufkin circles away.
A low kick lands for Yi.
Rufkin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Rufkin gets a double leg takedown into Yi's guard.
Yi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rufkin trying to control but Yi is working from the bottom.
Yi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rufkin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rufkin is one step ahead there.
Rufkin slips nicely into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yi wants to improve his position but Rufkin is controlling well.
Yi is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rufkin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Yi defends it well.
Yi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rufkin can do to turn this around?

Rufkin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Yi won't allow Rufkin to pass to mount.
Yi is looking to improve his position.
Rufkin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Yi!
Yi is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rufkin fails to take his opponent's back.
Yi wants to hold on but Rufkin pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yi looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rufkin biding his time, controlling Yi.
Rufkin struggling to keep hold of the position.
Yi is in bad spot here.
Rufkin trying to control momentarily.
Rufkin is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Rufkin keeps control of the position as Yi tries to break free.
Rufkin trying to control momentarily.
Yi covering up well under a series of strikes from Rufkin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rufkin keeps control of the position as Yi tries to break free.
Yi manages to reverse the position and now he's in Rufkin's guard. Nice work there by Yi.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rufkin is on top in guard.

Rufkin advances position into side control!
Yi is trying to control Rufkin's posture but Rufkin avoids it.
Rufkin wants to control but Yi is keeping him busy.
Rufkin gets to mount! Yi was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Rufkin controlling from mount.
Yi is looking to improve his position but Rufkin isn't that keen on the idea.
Hank Rufkin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rufkin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Yi is looking to escape.
Rufkin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Rufkin has hold of Yi's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Yi manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Yi wants to control but Rufkin is having none of it.
Yi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Yi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rufkin won't allow Yi to sweep him here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Rufkin 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!

A jab from Yi does it's job there.
Yi uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rufkin has time to react.
Yi connects with a right hand. Rufkin shakes it off.
Yi tries to close the distance and clinch but Rufkin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice jab there from Yi.
Rufkin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rufkin throws a hook but Yi avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Yi misses the target.
Yi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rufkin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Yi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rufkin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Yi finds it's way round the side to connect with Rufkin's head.
Yi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rufkin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Yi tries to clinch up but Rufkin circles away and keeps his distance.
Rufkin with the counter takedown but Yi avoids it easily.
Yi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rufkin tries a quick counter leg kick but Yi is wise to it.
Yi tries to clinch there but Rufkin circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yi closes the distance and clinches.
Yi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rufkin or not.
Rufkin wants to get back to striking at distance but Yi won't allow it.
Yi scores with a knee to the head.
Rufkin is trying to drag Yi to the mat but Yi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Yi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rufkin's face.
Rufkin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rufkin throws a punch but it's blocked by Yi.
Yi works on Rufkin's body with a couple of short punches.
Rufkin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rufkin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rufkin is trying to break free.
Yi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rufkin can't find room to land a body shot as Yi controls the action.
Yi crunches a lovely knee into Rufkin's ribcage.
Rufkin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rufkin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rufkin struggles to land a body shot inside as Yi controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Yi.
Yi pushes Rufkin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rufkin struggles to land a body shot inside as Yi controls his hands.
Yi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Seok Yi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nice body punch from Yi.
Yi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Yi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rufkin misses with the head strike.
Yi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Yi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rufkin's face.
Rufkin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Seok Yi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hank Rufkin.
Yi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knees to the body from Yi.
Yi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Yi unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yi lands with a right to the head.
Rufkin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yi lands with a right to the head.
Rufkin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Yi.
Yi creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rufkin's defenses.
Rufkin misses with a punch to the body.
Yi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Yi connects with a knee to the head.
Rufkin misses with a punch on the inside.
Rufkin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rufkin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Yi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rufkin or not.
Rufkin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yi's elbow.
Yi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rufkin misses with a punch to the body.
Yi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right hand to the body from Yi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Yi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rufkin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yi's elbow.
Yi creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rufkin's defenses.
Yi blocking some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Yi.
Yi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Yi lands an elbow inside that Rufkin shrugs off.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rufkin.
Rufkin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rufkin's face.
Yi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yi.
Yi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rufkin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yi's elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yi lands a left hand.
Yi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Yi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rufkin misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seok Yi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Yi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seok Yi!
A very excited looking Seok Yi rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.