PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Naoise Durnin (ranked 2540 p4p, 2675 weight class) and Andriy Yarmalenko (ranked 149 p4p, 152 weight class). Durnin comes into the arena with I'm Shipping Up To Boston by The Dropkick Murphy's blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Durnin
vs
Yarmalenko

197 cm
46
270
33 - 29 - 0

197 cm
26
258
12 - 10 - 1

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 33 - 29 - 0, fighting out of New York, Naoise Durnin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Andriy Yarmalenko!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yarmalenko shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Durnin manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Yarmalenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Yarmalenko postures up in Durnin's guard and throws a big left but Durnin blocks it.
Durnin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Durnin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yarmalenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Durnin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Yarmalenko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yarmalenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yarmalenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Durnin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Durnin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yarmalenko drops back looking for a leg! Durnin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Durnin manages to kick Yarmalenko off! Yarmalenko jumps back into Durnin's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yarmalenko postures up in Durnin's guard and throws a big left but Durnin blocks it.
Yarmalenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Durnin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Yarmalenko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Yarmalenko postures up in Durnin's guard and throws a big left but Durnin blocks it.
Yarmalenko throws an elbow that misses. Durnin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Yarmalenko's guard. Nice move by Durnin!

Yarmalenko wants to get back to his feet but Durnin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Durnin stands and steps away. Yarmalenko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Durnin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Durnin throws a body punch but Yarmalenko moves out of range.
Yarmalenko is looking for the big counter here.
Yarmalenko moves out of range as Durnin strikes.
Yarmalenko is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Durnin throws a jab when Yarmalenko was well out of range.
Durnin tests Yarmalenko's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durnin scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A combination from Durnin does no damage.
Yarmalenko throws a fast counter high kick but Durnin manages to duck under it in time.
Durnin throws a combination that misses
and Yarmalenko counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A punch combination from Durnin misses.
Yarmalenko unleashes a big counter combination but Durnin bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Durnin looks to land a body kick but Yarmalenko moved away.
A combination from Durnin does no damage.
Durnin is breathing heavily.
Yarmalenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yarmalenko only half commits to the counter leg kick.

Yarmalenko pushes Durnin up against the cage in a clinch.
Yarmalenko takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Andriy Yarmalenko has been cut.

Yarmalenko breaks from the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Durnin as Yarmalenko shoots in.
Yarmalenko shoots in and drives through. Durnin sprawls well.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Yarmalenko drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durnin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Yarmalenko trying to stand up but can't free himself from Durnin's guard.
Durnin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Yarmalenko.
Yarmalenko working some strikes from top position.
Durnin wants to stand but Yarmalenko is controlling the position.
Yarmalenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yarmalenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Yarmalenko is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Durnin is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Durnin has escaped and now he's on top!

Durnin won't allow Yarmalenko to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andriy Yarmalenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Andriy Yarmalenko's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yarmalenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Durnin throws a shot from downtown. Yarmalenko moves away and avoids it.
Durnin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Yarmalenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Durnin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yarmalenko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Durnin as he avoids it easily.
Durnin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Yarmalenkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Yarmalenko has managed to clinch.
Durnin throws a head punch that misses.

Yarmalenko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Durnin uses from the top position.
Yarmalenko is looking to stand up but Durnin isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Durnin stands up from Yarmalenko's guard - Durnin perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durnin looks to throw the jab but Yarmalenko is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Yarmalenko! But no joy.
Naoise Durnin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Yarmalenko clinches with his opponent.
Durnin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yarmalenko tries for a takedown but Durnin manages to get underhooks.
Yarmalenko is trying to drag Durnin to the mat but Durnin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Naoise Durnin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andriy Yarmalenko.
Durnin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Durnin looking to throw knees to the head but Yarmalenko is blocking nicely.
Durnin misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Durnin.
Yarmalenko just leaning against Durnin, taking a breather.
Yarmalenko tries to land knees in the clinch but Durnin avoids the damage to the body.
Durnin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yarmalenko jumps guard but Durnin turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Yarmalenko can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durnin misses with a body punch.
Durnin can't find room to land a body shot as Yarmalenko controls the action.
Yarmalenko managing to block the knees to the body from Durnin.
Yarmalenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Durnin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nice body punch from Durnin.
Yarmalenko is breathing heavily.
Durnin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Durnin tries a body shot but Yarmalenko blocks it.
Durnin tries a body shot but Yarmalenko blocks it.
Yarmalenko avoiding damage as Durnin throws knees to the body.
Yarmalenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Durnin walks away with a smile on his face. Yarmalenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Durnin throws a series of punches but Yarmalenko moves out of range.
Durnin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yarmalenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Yarmalenko looks for a takedown but Durnin sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durnin swings widly with a right hand
and Yarmalenko counters with a left and a right that stings Durnin.
Durnin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Yarmalenko forces Durnin back against the cage and clinches.
Durnin has a couple of punches blocked by Yarmalenko.
Durnin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yarmalenko blocks an uppercut.
Durnin misses with the head strike.
Durnin tries to work over Yarmalenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Durnin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Yarmalenko successfully pulls guard.

Durnin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Durnin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Yarmalenko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Naoise Durnin has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durnin lands an elbow inside.
Durnin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Durnin lands an elbow inside that Yarmalenko shrugs off.
Durnin tries to work over Yarmalenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Durnin tries a knee to the head but Yarmalenko blocks it.
Yarmalenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Yarmalenko manages to break the clinch.
Yarmalenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yarmalenko ducks right into an uppercut from Durnin.
Durnin throws a body kick that misses.
Durnin looks to land a left hand but Yarmalenko moved out of range nicely.
Durnin scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Yarmalenko drives through and clinches with Durnin against the cage.
Yarmalenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Durnin blocks it with crossed arms.
Yarmalenko misses with a knee strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Naoise Durnin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Andriy Yarmalenko's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Durnin listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Durnin misses with a body shot.
Durnin tries to land a front kick but Yarmalenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yarmalenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Yarmalenko has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Durnin throws a good cross that connects.
Yarmalenko ducks under a wild hook from Durnin.
A nice leg kick from Durnin, right into the meat of the thigh.
Durnin looks to land a combination but Yarmalenko avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yarmalenko defending well as Durnin loads up on a big left hand.

Yarmalenko scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Yarmalenko tries to stand and escape but Durnin is controlling the position.
Durnin looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yarmalenko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Yarmalenko thows a huge punch but Durnin dodges it nicely.
Yarmalenko throwing shots but Durnin is blocking nicely.
Yarmalenko thows a huge punch but Durnin dodges it nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Durnin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Yarmalenko.
Yarmalenko wants to stand up but Durnin has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Yarmalenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

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.
Yarmalenko lands with a punch from half guard.
Andriy Yarmalenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

Yarmalenko is working for a kimura but Durnin is defending it quite comfortably.

Yarmalenko is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Durnin defends it well.
Durnin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yarmalenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yarmalenko lands with a punch from half guard.

Yarmalenko escapes and gets back to his feet.
Durnin tries to land a leg kick but Yarmalenko saw it coming and moves away.

Yarmalenko has managed to clinch.
Durnin cracks Yarmalenko with a nice body shot.
Durnin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Yarmalenko prevents a body shot from Durnin.
Yarmalenko wants a takedown.
A short right from Yarmalenko.
Yarmalenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yarmalenko throws a knee to the head but misses.

Yarmalenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Durnin connects with a body shot.

Yarmalenko looking to score a takedown here. Durnin is defending well but Yarmalenko drives through and ends up in Durnin's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yarmalenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Yarmalenko has gone for a leg lock! Durnin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Yarmalenko's guard.

Yarmalenko wants to get back to his feet but Durnin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Yarmalenko is working an open guard so Durnin takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andriy Yarmalenko.
I think Yarmalenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Andriy Yarmalenko!