PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dimitri Kasavanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kasavanov
vs
Yakovchenko

170 cm
27
168 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

177 cm
20
160 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dimitri Kasavanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Yakovchenko!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko takes a swing at Kasavanov's ribcage but misses.
Kasavanov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kasavanov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yakovchenko can pounce on him.
Kasavanov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kasavanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kasavanov misses with the combination.
Kasavanov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Yakovchenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Both fighters circling a little - Yakovchenko finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kasavanov lands the left hand.
A good leg kick by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab to the body.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
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!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Yakovchenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko throws a front kick that sends Kasavanov stumbling back into the cage.
Yakovchenko connects with the punch.
Kasavanov misses with a looping left.
Yakovchenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kasavanov.
Kasavanov walks into a left hand.
Igor Yakovchenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kasavanov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Yakovchenko lands with a hook. Kasavanov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kasavanov moves away from the strike by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Kasavanov misses the target.
Yakovchenko lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kasavanov.
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!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kasavanov working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kasavanov tries to move to full mount but Yakovchenko actually manages to regain half guard.
Yakovchenko tries to roll over but Kasavanov keeps him under control.
Yakovchenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Kasavanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Yakovchenko is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Yakovchenko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yakovchenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Kasavanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yakovchenko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Yakovchenko thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Yakovchenko is looking to take a break and control but Kasavanov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Kasavanov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kasavanov prevents Yakovchenko from improving position.
Kasavanov tries to bench press Yakovchenko off him but Yakovchenko keeps the position.
Yakovchenko trying to control the position but Kasavanov is working away.
Kasavanov tries to bench press Yakovchenko off him but Yakovchenko keeps the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yakovchenko controlling the position from side mount.
Kasavanov tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Yakovchenko scores with a hook.
Kasavanov misses with a hook
and Yakovchenko makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Yakovchenko lands with a hook. Kasavanov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Yakovchenko lands a high kick!
Yakovchenko misses with a double jab.
Yakovchenko lands with a nice body kick.
Kasavanov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Yakovchenko scores with a leg kick.
Kasavanov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Yakovchenko's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Kasavanov throws a shot from downtown. Yakovchenko moves away and avoids it.
Yakovchenko lands a head kick. Kasavanov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Kasavanov is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovchenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kasavanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yakovchenko connects with the punch.
Yakovchenko moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Dimitri Kasavanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kasavanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kasavanov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yakovchenko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yakovchenko's corner calls for a 1-2. Yakovchenko obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yakovchenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Oh Kasavanov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Yakovchenko has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A jab lands there for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko drops Kasavanov with a huge uppercut! Kasavanov drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Yakovchenko is raining down punches and the ref stops the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Igor Yakovchenko!
An out of breath Igor Yakovchenko thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.