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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Virgil Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko comes into the arena with Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone 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.
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| 177 cm
25
160 lbs
13 - 6 - 0 |
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169 cm
25
164 lbs
13 - 4 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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TWGC Champion
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Virgil Morgan!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Hirohito Nitta.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Morgan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Yakovchenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Morgan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yakovchenko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Morgan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Morgan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
An inside leg kick from Yakovchenko misses.
Yakovchenko moves out of range as Morgan strikes.
Yakovchenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Morgan.
Yakovchenko lands with a cross.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yakovchenko tried to score with a low kick but Morgan checks it.
Yakovchenko missing with a left hand there. Morgan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut.
Morgan throws out a leg kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range and Morgan only half commits.
Morgan has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Morgan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Yakovchenko takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Yakovchenko jabs at Morgan's body.
Yakovchenko throws a push kick but Morgan slaps the foot to one side.
Yakovchenko fakes the leg kick and cracks Morgan in the body.
Morgan throws a jab but it's blocked by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko pivots, looking for a leg kick but Morgan is out of range and Yakovchenko settles back down.
Morgan throws the kick towards the body but Yakovchenko avoids it.
Yakovchenko has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Kurasali in the buildup to the fight.
Yakovchenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Morgan moves away from the strike by Yakovchenko.
Morgan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Yakovchenko cracks Morgan with a good jab.
Yakovchenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yakovchenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Morgan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morgan.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Yakovchenko.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morgan just misses with a punch to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Morgan counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Yakovchenko.
Morgan lands a right hook to the body.
Yakovchenko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Yakovchenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yakovchenko throws the left hand but Morgan avoids the punch easily.
Morgan slips a jab from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a wild body kick that Morgan sees coming a mile off.
Yakovchenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Morgan.
Morgan moves out of range of the body kick from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morgan.
Morgan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Morgan throws a series of punches but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan throws a leg kick which misses Yakovchenko's front leg but catches the back leg as Yakovchenko tries to avoid it.
A slapping body kick lands there for Yakovchenko.
Morgan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Morgan lands a body shot.
Morgan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morgan.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakovchenko.
Good shot there by Morgan.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Morgan crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Yakovchenko - the referee stops the clock and Morgan gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Yakovchenko. Morgan manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Morgan. Yakovchenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Morgan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
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!
A big right from Yakovchenko misses.
Yakovchenko throws a right hand that Morgan ducks under and follows up with a left that Morgan also avoids with ease.
Morgan lands a nice shot that snaps Yakovchenko's head back.
A big right from Morgan misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Morgan.
Igor Yakovchenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yakovchenko lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Yakovchenko takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Morgan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a push kick but Morgan slaps the foot to one side.
Yakovchenko pivots, looking for a leg kick but Morgan is out of range and Yakovchenko settles back down.
Yakovchenko catches Morgan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Morgan displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Morgan with a hook.
Morgan finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Morgan.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Morgan shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Morgan showed some decent athleticism there.
Yakovchenko gets back to full guard.
Yakovchenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Igor Yakovchenko dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Morgan lands with a nice combination. Yakovchenko backs away looking to recover.
Yakovchenko lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick that is checked
and Morgan counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice shot lands for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko checks the leg kick nicely there.
Yakovchenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Morgan manages to avoid it.
Yakovchenko delivers a nice body kick.
Morgan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Morgan shoots in but Yakovchenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Morgan ducks under a wild hook from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko lets loose with a powerful body kick. Morgan will feel that in the morning.
Morgan has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Yakovchenko.
Morgan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Morgan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Igor Yakovchenko is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakovchenko loads up on a big right hand but Morgan slips the punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan cracks a nice hook into Yakovchenko's ribs.
Morgan scores with a jab. Yakovchenko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Yakovchenko connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Morgan misses with a wild body shot.
Morgan throws a low kick but it's checked well by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morgan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Yakovchenko pushes Morgan away with a front kick.
Yakovchenko turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Yakovchenko lands with a straight right. Morgan didn't see that one coming.
Decent striking displayed by Yakovchenko there.
Morgan swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Morgan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Morgan ducks right into an uppercut from Yakovchenko.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Morgan.
Yakovchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Yakovchenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Morgan is looking to score with low kicks.
Morgan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Morgan is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Yakovchenko rather than just go for the knockout.
Morgan is looking to land body kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Morgan. Yakovchenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A good leg kick by Yakovchenko.
Morgan throws a lazy right hand but Yakovchenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yakovchenko looks to land a right hand but Morgan moved out of range.
Morgan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yakovchenko throws out the jab.
Morgan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Yakovchenko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Yakovchenko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A nice inside leg kick there by Yakovchenko. That's going to slow Morgan down.
Yakovchenko cracks Morgan with an open hand slap.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan misses the shot to the body.
Morgan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Morgan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Morgan blocks the leg kick.
Yakovchenko takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Yakovchenko misses with the combination.
The fighters circling - Morgan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yakovchenko throws a push kick but Morgan slaps the foot to one side.
Morgan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko slips under a jab from Morgan.
Yakovchenko lands with a kick to the ribs.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Yakovchenko throws a sloppy head kick and Morgan moves out of range easily.
Morgan swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Morgan shoots for a double leg takedown but Yakovchenko sprawls well. He's pushed Morgan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Igor Yakovchenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Virgil Morgan.
Yakovchenko lands a leg kick that knocks Morgan off balance momentarily.
Morgan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Morgan shoots in but Yakovchenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Morgan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Morgan walks forward, straight into a front kick from Yakovchenko.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko checks a low kick from Morgan.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Morgan moves out of range as Yakovchenko throws a body kick.
Morgan moves out of range of the body kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Morgan.
Yakovchenko throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Igor Yakovchenko dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Yakovchenko turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Morgan defending well as Yakovchenko loads up on a big left hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Morgan lands a nice hook to Yakovchenko's body. Yakovchenko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Yakovchenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Morgan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yakovchenko.
Morgan shoots for a takedown but Yakovchenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice jab there from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that Morgan semi-blocks.
Morgan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Morgan moves out of range as Yakovchenko strikes.
Morgan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yakovchenko moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Morgan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yakovchenko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morgan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko throws a big shot that misses.
Yakovchenko stuffs the takedown.
Yakovchenko tries to land a front kick but Morgan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yakovchenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Morgan jabs Yakovchenko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Yakovchenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Good exchange - Yakovchenko coming out on top.
A swing and a miss from Morgan.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Left hook, right uppercut from Yakovchenko.
Morgan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Yakovchenko misses with a wild body shot.
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!
Yakovchenko tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut.
Morgan looks to throw the jab but Yakovchenko is out of range.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab.
Morgan defending well as Yakovchenko loads up on a big left hand.
Morgan slips under a jab from Yakovchenko.
Morgan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A slow jab from Morgan misses its intended target.
Morgan misses the shot to the body.
Morgan throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko checks it.
Yakovchenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Morgan misses with a jab to the body
letting Yakovchenko counter with a right hand.
Morgan misses with a shot to the body
and Yakovchenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Morgan throws a body kick that misses.
Morgan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Morgan blocks it.
Morgan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yakovchenko manages to avoid it.
Morgan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Yakovchenko throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yakovchenko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Morgan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Yakovchenko counters with a body kick.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick which misses Morgan's front leg but catches the back leg as Morgan tries to avoid it.
Yakovchenko feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Morgan's calf.
Morgan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yakovchenko avoids it really well and circles away.
Igor Yakovchenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Virgil Morgan.
Morgan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yakovchenko takes a swing at Morgan's ribcage but misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan misses with a hook
and Yakovchenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yakovchenko misses with a body kick.
A big right from Morgan misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut. Morgan saw that one coming.
Morgan misses with a body shot.
A good leg kick by Morgan.
Morgan thows a body shot but no joy.
Morgan lands a nice looking body shot.
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 crowd cheers as Yakovchenko lands an impressive looking overhand right. Morgan doesn't seem phased though.
Morgan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakovchenko.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Crunch! Yakovchenko slams his shin into Morgan's torso.
Morgan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Morgan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Morgan tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Igor Yakovchenko clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Morgan lands a nice shot that snaps Yakovchenko's head back.
Yakovchenko connects with a high kick.
Morgan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yakovchenko manages to avoid it.
Yakovchenko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Morgan is looking to score with low kicks.
Morgan throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Morgan takes a swing at Yakovchenko's ribcage but misses.
Morgan has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Morgan throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko looks to land a body kick but Morgan moved away.
Yakovchenko throws a nice outside leg kick.
Morgan loads up on a big right hand but Yakovchenko slips the punch.
Yakovchenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Morgan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Yakovchenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Morgan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Morgan.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko misses with a straight right.
Good work by Morgan as he checks the leg kick.
Yakovchenko throws the left hand but Morgan avoids the punch easily.
Morgan blocks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko looks to land a right hand but Morgan moved out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yakovchenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yakovchenko pivots, looking for a leg kick but Morgan is out of range and Yakovchenko settles back down.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick but Morgan sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yakovchenko feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Morgans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Yakovchenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yakovchenko pivots, looking for a leg kick but Morgan is out of range and Yakovchenko settles back down.
Morgan scores with a jab to the body.
Yakovchenko checks a low kick from Morgan.
Morgan misses with a wild body shot.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook. Morgan ducked under it nicely.
Yakovchenko tries to move into range but Morgan moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Yakovchenko throws a low kick, looking for Morgan's leg but Morgan calmly moves out of range.
Yakovchenko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Yakovchenko tries a low kick but Morgan avoids it.
Morgan tried to score with a low kick but Yakovchenko checks it.
Yakovchenko lands an overhand right.
Yakovchenko moves out of range as Morgan throws a body kick.
Morgan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yakovchenko tries to avoid it but Morgan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yakovchenko to the ground. Yakovchenko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Morgan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakovchenko displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Morgan.
Yakovchenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Morgan is looking to land body kicks.
A big right from Yakovchenko misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Morgan checks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Morgan avoids it easily.
Morgan misses with a looping left.
Morgan lands a nice shot to the body.
Yakovchenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Yakovchenko cracks Morgan with an open hand slap.
Yakovchenko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Morgan's head.
Morgan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Morgan blocks a low kick nicely.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.
Yakovchenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yakovchenko throws a lazy body kick
letting Morgan counter with a right hand.
Morgan takes a swing at Yakovchenko's ribcage but misses.
Yakovchenko misses with a right hand
and Morgan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakovchenko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Morgan pulls his head out easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Morgan seems to be looking for submissions.
Morgan wants to control but Yakovchenko is keeping him busy.
Morgan working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Yakovchenko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Morgan scores with a couple of nice shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morgan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Yakovchenko wants to get back to full guard.
Morgan seems to be looking for submissions.
Morgan trying to control from Yakovchenko's half guard. Yakovchenko has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morgan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yakovchenko trying to keep a closed guard but Morgan is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Igor Yakovchenko will probably get the nod.
That's time! Yakovchenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Yakovchenko misses with a hook.
Yakovchenko moves away from the strike by Morgan.
Nice shot by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko just misses with a punch to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Yakovchenko.
A telegraphed right hand from Morgan misses the target.
Morgan walks forward, straight into a front kick from Yakovchenko.
Morgan swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Morgan misses with a wild body shot.
Yakovchenko throws a jab when Morgan was well out of range.
Morgan throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko checks it.
Morgan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yakovchenko misses with a body kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan slips a straight right by Yakovchenko.
Morgan looks to land a right hand but Yakovchenko moved out of range.
Morgan works Yakovchenko's body with a nice hook.
Morgan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Morgan moves out of range of the body kick from Yakovchenko.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yakovchenko.
Morgan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yakovchenko tries to land a front kick but Morgan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Morgan checks a leg kick.
Morgan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
Morgan thuds a left hand into Yakovchenko's body.
Yakovchenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Morgan motions for Yakovchenko to come forward. Morgan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Morgan throws a combination that misses
and Yakovchenko counters with a nice body shot.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko drops his hands momentarily and Morgan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Yakovchenko stuffs the takedown attempt from Morgan. Morgan gets slowly back to his feet.
Morgan is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Morgan misses with an uppercut.
Virgil Morgan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Morgan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Morgan ducks under a wild hook from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko thuds his right hand into Morgan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
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!
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick which misses Morgan's front leg but catches the back leg as Morgan tries to avoid it.
Yakovchenko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Morgan misses with a wild body shot.
A swing and a miss from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with a double jab.
Morgan throws a body kick that misses.
Morgan scores with a jab. Yakovchenko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko tests Morgan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yakovchenko sprawls well. Yakovchenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Morgan gets slowly back to his feet.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick but Morgan sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yakovchenko throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Morgan on the side of the head.
Morgan sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Morgan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
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.
Morgan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yakovchenko throws a good cross that connects.
Morgan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yakovchenko manages to avoid it.
Yakovchenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan connects with a nice looking jab.
Yakovchenko looks to land a right hand but Morgan moved out of range.
A punch combination from Morgan misses.
Morgan looks to land a combination but Yakovchenko avoids it well.
Morgan connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Yakovchenko ducks under a wild hook from Morgan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakovchenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Morgan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that misses.
Morgan misses the jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yakovchenko misses with a straight left.
Yakovchenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Morgan is able to avoid easily.
Igor Yakovchenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Yakovchenko, as that shot connected.
And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Yakovchenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yakovchenko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 50:45
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 50:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Yakovchenko!
Igor Yakovchenko is the new lightweight champion!
After winning the bout, Igor Yakovchenko thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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