PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Toby Keith Yrkje (ranked 735 p4p, 1354 weight class) and Isaac Vernon (ranked 105 p4p, 185 weight class). Yrkje comes into the arena with As Good As I Once Was blaring out of the sound system. Toby Keith Yrkje is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Yrkje
vs
Vernon

187 cm
27
180
14 - 9 - 0

180 cm
27
180
13 - 10 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Conquer

Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Toby Keith Yrkje!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaac Vernon!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Aafke Stam and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yrkje shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Yrkje misses with a hook.
Yrkje throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vernon throws out a counter right but Yrkje avoids it with no problem.
We've been informed that Vernon has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Yrkje jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yrkje tries to land a leg kick but Vernon saw it coming and moves away.
Vernon cracks Yrkje with an open hand slap.
Vernon misses with a hook. Yrkje ducked under it nicely.
Yrkje throws a body shot but no joy.
Yrkje connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Vernon momentarily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Vernon. Yrkje shrugs it off though.
Yrkje throws a leg kick which misses Vernon's front leg but catches the back leg as Vernon tries to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Yrkje.
Vernon misses with a straight right.
Yrkje misses with a straight right.
Yrkje fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vernon manages to avoid it.
Vernon throws out a counter right but Yrkje avoids it with no problem.
Vernon looks to land a left hand but Yrkje moved out of range nicely.
Yrkje throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like Vernon was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Vernon shoots in for a double leg but Yrkje sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yrkje throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yrkje throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yrkje jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Yrkje takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Yrkje lands a slapping body shot.
Yrkje looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Yrkje chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Yrkje displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vernon throws out the jab.
Yrkje throws a body punch but Vernon moves out of range.
Yrkje cracks a nice hook into Vernon's ribs.
Yrkje connects with the punch.
A lazy left from Yrkje finds it's target.
Yrkje swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Vernon scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Vernon connects with the punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vernon checks a leg kick.
Yrkje throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yrkje misses with a low kick.
Vernon checks a leg kick.
Yrkje looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick from Yrkje, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yrkje misses with a hook.
Yrkje connects with a looping right hand.
A bone on bone clash there as Vernon blocks the leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Vernon.
Yrkje lands a really nice looking cross but Vernon seems unphased.
Vernon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vernon throws a looping overhand right but Yrkje ducks down to avoid it.
Vernon misses with a wild body shot.
Yrkje thumps Vernon with a low kick.
Vernon catches Yrkje with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Vernon might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Vernon paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Yrkje slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Yrkje keeps the fight on the outside.
Vernon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Vernon misses.
Yrkje looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yrkje throws a big shot that misses.
Vernon now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Yrkje connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Vernon tries to move into range but Yrkje moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Yrkje scores with a punch to the head.
Vernon blocks a leg kick.
Vernon tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Yrkje throws a leg kick

so Vernon counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vernon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yrkje is keeping the position for now.
Vernon engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Vernon trying to control but Yrkje is working from the bottom.
Vernon must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon looking to sit in guard and control but Yrkje gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yrkje postures up.
Yrkje tries to free his leg and advance position but Vernon is retaining full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Vernon is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yrkje is stalling in the full guard.

Vernon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yrkje gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Toby Keith Yrkje dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Yrkje throws a solid leg kick but Vernon takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yrkje.
Vernon moves out of range of the strikes.
Yrkje connects with a crisp jab.
Good work by Vernon as he checks the leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Vernon blocks the low kick.
Vernon throws a jab but it's blocked by Yrkje.
Vernon takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Yrkje moves out of range as Vernon strikes.
Yrkje with a nice cross.
Yrkje on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Vernon. Vernon obviously looking to wear him down.
Yrkje's corner calls for a 1-2. Yrkje obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Vernon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vernon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yrkje.
Yrkje misses with a looping right.
Vernon checks a leg kick nicely.
Yrkje throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yrkje looks to score with a jab to the body but Vernon is just out of range.
A jab from Vernon misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yrkje jabs Vernon right on the nose. Vernon blinks but takes it well.
Vernon misses with an uppercut. Yrkje saw that one coming.
Yrkje fakes the leg kick and cracks Vernon in the body.
Yrkje is looking to score with low kicks.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vernon.
Yrkje tries a low kick but Vernon avoids it.
Vernon throws a nice outside leg kick.
Vernon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vernon misses with a low kick.
Vernon connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Yrkje fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Vernon looks to land a left hand but Yrkje moved out of range nicely.
Vernon throws a looping overhand right but Yrkje ducks down to avoid it.
Toby Keith Yrkje is winning the standup battle so far.
Yrkje lands with a thumping leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Vernon darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yrkje is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vernon.
Vernon tries to move into range but Yrkje moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A nice inside leg kick there by Yrkje. That's going to slow Vernon down.
Yrkje throws a hook to the side of Vernon's head but Vernon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yrkje feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Vernons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Vernon avoids the body shot from Yrkje.
Yrkje is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Yrkje throws a low kick, looking for Vernon's leg but Vernon calmly moves out of range.
Yrkje lands a slapping body shot.
A slow jab from Yrkje misses its intended target.
Vernon throws out a counter right but Yrkje avoids it with no problem.
Nice uppercut there from Vernon.
Yrkje misses with a low kick.
Yrkje takes a jab right on the kisser.
Vernon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Yrkje wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yrkje slips a jab from Vernon.
Vernon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yrkje throws a leg kick but Vernon checks it.
Yrkje is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vernon can do to turn this around?
Yrkje walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vernon checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Vernon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vernon lands a jab to the nose.
Vernon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Vernon lands a front kick.
Vernon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yrkje.
A head kick misses from Vernon.
Yrkje throws a leg kick but Vernon sees it coming and moves out of range.
A big right from Vernon misses.
Yrkje throws a shot from downtown. Vernon moves away and avoids it.
Vernon throws an overhand right that lands on Yrkje's shoulder, as Yrkje tries to avoid the shot.
Toby Keith Yrkje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vernon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yrkje looks to score with a jab to the body but Vernon is just out of range.
Yrkje throws a hook but Vernon avoids it easily.

Vernon shoots in and bounces Yrkje off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vernon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje keeping moving, preventing Vernon from controlling successfully.
Vernon looking to pass the guard.
Vernon wants to control from the top but Yrkje keeps moving.
Yrkje keeping full guard, as Vernon tries to pass.
Vernon trying to control but Yrkje is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Toby Keith Yrkje will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Yrkje throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Yrkje throws a body punch but Vernon moves out of range.
A slow jab from Vernon misses its intended target.
A little feinted left hand from Yrkje on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A leg kick checked by Yrkje.
Vernon throws a leg kick but Yrkje sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nice defenses there by Yrkje.
Yrkje feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Yrkje scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A good leg kick by Yrkje.
Vernon ducks under a wild hook from Yrkje.
Vernon takes a swing at Yrkje's ribcage but misses.
Yrkje throws a nice looking combination but Vernon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A little jabbing left from Vernon on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Yrkje ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vernon moves away.
A little jabbing left from Vernon on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yrkje on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vernon.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vernon wants to control but Yrkje is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon tries to advance to mount but can't.

Vernon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Yrkje sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Vernon is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Yrkje sees it coming and defends easily.

Vernon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two 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.
Yrkje makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Yrkje.
Vernon passes Yrkje's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vernon looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Yrkje works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Isaac Vernon has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vernon forces his way into half guard.
Vernon wants to advance to full mount but Yrkje doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Yrkje keeping moving, preventing Vernon from controlling successfully.
Vernon wants to pass the guard but Yrkje is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vernon trying to control the position from guard on top but Yrkje is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Vernon postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Vernon moves out of range as Yrkje strikes.
Yrkje throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Isaac Vernon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vernon misses with a body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Yrkje. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Yrkje.
Yrkje has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vernon lands with a kick to the ribs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yrkje.
A slapping body kick lands there for Yrkje.
A lazy left from Yrkje finds it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Isaac Vernon.
I think Yrkje 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Toby Keith Yrkje!
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight for Toby Keith Yrkje!
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight for Toby Keith Yrkje!

Toby Keith Yrkje wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Toby Keith Yrkje thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.