PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko comes to the cage accompanied by Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone. The crowd seem to be enjoying Ross's choice of entrance music: Show me how to live. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yakovchenko
vs
Ross

177 cm
29
160 lbs
21 - 11 - 0

179 cm
37
168 lbs
28 - 17 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

REAR NAKED CHOKE NUTRITION
//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rick Ross!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Trevor Gratis and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Yakovchenko misses
and Yakovchenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ross takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ross.
Yakovchenko slips under a jab from Ross.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ross.
Yakovchenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Ross makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ross takes one to the chin there.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ross throws a front kick aimed at Yakovchenko's knee but Yakovchenko avoids it well.
Yakovchenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ross on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A clash of legs there as Ross blocks the low kick.
Yakovchenko's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Yakovchenko duly obliges.
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 swing and a miss from Ross.
Yakovchenko looks to land a right hand but Ross moved out of range.
Ross attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice right hand.
Ross moves out of range as Yakovchenko strikes.
Yakovchenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ross.
Ross attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Yakovchenko throws a front kick aimed at Ross's knee but Ross avoids it well.
A countering left hand to the body from Ross misses.
Ross's jab looks to have found its range, popping Yakovchenko under the eye.
Yakovchenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ross connects with a body shot that sends Yakovchenko's belly button to the back.
A head kick misses from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yakovchenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yakovchenko misses with a looping right.
Ross is looking to slow Yakovchenko down with leg kicks.
Yakovchenko blocks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yakovchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Yakovchenko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ross is out of range.
Ross is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Yakovchenko with a body shot.
Ross connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Yakovchenko looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Ross tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A punch lands to the side of Ross 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ross stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yakovchenko.
Ross is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Yakovchenko rather than just go for the knockout.
Yakovchenko dips to his left and cracks Ross with an uppercut!
Ross takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A punch lands to the side of Ross 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Yakovchenko misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ross moves away.
Ross takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Yakovchenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yakovchenko throws a right hand that misses
and Ross counters with an inside leg kick.
Ross tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yakovchenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ross counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ross stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yakovchenko.
Ross throws a head kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range.

Ross gets tackled into the cage by Yakovchenko. Yakovchenko maintains the clinch.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.
Yakovchenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Ross controls his hands.
Yakovchenko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ross lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Yakovchenko or not.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ross lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross blocks an uppercut.
Ross tries to circle away but Yakovchenko has him pinned against the cage.
Ross lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Yakovchenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short body shot lands from Yakovchenko as the two fighters clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Yakovchenko.
Ross throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yakovchenko blocks it with crossed arms.
Ross lands with a short shot to the head.
Yakovchenko misses with a body punch.
Ross wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ross tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yakovchenko's elbow.
Yakovchenko prevents a body shot from Ross.
Yakovchenko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ross backwards.
Yakovchenko misses with some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ross lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ross comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Yakovchenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yakovchenko misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ross throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ross motions for Yakovchenko to come forward. Ross throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ross on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yakovchenko. Yakovchenko obviously looking to wear him down.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot
and Ross connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot.
Ross misses the shot to the body.
Yakovchenko takes a swing at Ross's ribcage but misses.
Ross misses with a low kick.
Yakovchenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ross throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yakovchenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A head kick by Yakovchenko misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ross misses with a low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with a left hand
and Ross counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko misses with a left hand
and Ross counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Yakovchenko 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.
Ross connects with a solid leg kick.
Ross tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ross uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yakovchenko.
Ross throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ross avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yakovchenko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ross throws a body shot but no joy.
Yakovchenko stuns Ross with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Yakovchenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ross counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ross uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Ross swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yakovchenko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Igor Yakovchenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Ross fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko is out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ross.
Ross sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Yakovchenko lands the left hand.
That kick from Ross tenderised Yakovchenko's leg. Yakovchenko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Yakovchenko lands the left hand.
Yakovchenko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ross wants to land a leg kick but Yakovchenko is out of range.
Yakovchenko is looking to chop away at Ross's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Yakovchenko wants to land a leg kick but Ross is out of range.
Ross blocks a head kick by Yakovchenko.
Ross throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Yakovchenko tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yakovchenko tries to clinch there but Ross circles away.
Ross will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Yakovchenko avoids the head kick by Ross.
Yakovchenko jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Yakovchenko throws out a loose jab but Ross uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ross throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yakovchenko misses with a jab to the body
and Ross counters with a low kick, right behind Yakovchenko 's knee.
Ross is looking to slow Yakovchenko down with leg kicks.
A big left from Yakovchenko misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ross displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yakovchenko throws out the jab.
Ross 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 lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ross scores with a nice right hand.
Nice cross by Yakovchenko.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakovchenko lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ross tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ross throws a hook but Yakovchenko blocks it.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that misses.
Yakovchenko looks for the body kick but Ross saw that one coming.
Ross blocks a low kick nicely.
It seemed like Ross was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ross walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Yakovchenko checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rick Ross will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Yakovchenko tries to clinch there but Ross circles away.
Yakovchenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ross throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot.
Ross throws a head kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Ross slips a straight right by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko blocks a low kick nicely.
Ross slips a jab and a cross from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko avoids the head kick by Ross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko misses with a leg kick
and Ross connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick but Ross moved away.

Yakovchenko moves into the clinch successfully.
Yakovchenko tries to work over Ross's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross is trying to break the clinch but Yakovchenko is controlling him.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Yakovchenko.
Ross lands a knee to the body.
Ross misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ross's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Yakovchenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ross tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ross digs a right hand into Yakovchenko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Yakovchenko's gas tank.

Yakovchenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yakovchenko misses the body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ross takes a jab right on the kisser.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick but Ross moves out of range.
Ross moves forwards but Yakovchenko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ross blocks a head kick by Yakovchenko.
Ross looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Yakovchenko closes the distance and pushes Ross back into the cage.
Yakovchenko misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ross lands a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ross tries to work over Yakovchenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ross misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yakovchenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ross comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Yakovchenko lands an uppercut.

Ross manages to break the clinch.
Ross chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yakovchenko can pounce on him.
Ross steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Ross raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ross lands a jab to Yakovchenko's midsection.
Ross lands with a thumping leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Yakovchenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Ross throws a counter combo.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ross with a hook.
Yakovchenko tries to bum rush Ross with a series of wild strikes but Ross uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Yakovchenko throws a shot from downtown. Ross moves away and avoids it.

Yakovchenko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ross, pushing him back against the cage.
Yakovchenko scores with a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko misses with a knee strike.
Yakovchenko misses with some punches.
Yakovchenko tries a body shot but Ross blocks it.
Ross is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Yakovchenko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yakovchenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ross was well out of range. Poor timing from Yakovchenko.
Ross raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ross keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yakovchenko moves out of range as Ross strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Yakovchenko is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ross goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Yakovchenko pushes Ross up against the cage in a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Yakovchenko.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko lands a body shot.
Ross trying to land knees to the body.
Yakovchenko can't find room to land a body shot as Ross controls the action.
Yakovchenko misses with some punches.
Yakovchenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Ross is working Yakovchenko over against the cage.
Yakovchenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yakovchenko tries to land a knee to the head but Ross blocks with his arms.
Ross wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Yakovchenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ross's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A lazy left from Ross finds it's target.
Yakovchenko checks a low kick from Ross.
A jab from Yakovchenko finds it's way through Ross's defenses.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Yakovchenko dips to his left and cracks Ross with an uppercut!
Ross misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ross throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko scores with a leg kick.
Ross swings widly with a right hand
and Yakovchenko counters with a head kick.
Yakovchenko lands a head kick. Ross smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Yakovchenko checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ross has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Yakovchenko finds it's way round the side to connect with Ross's head.
Ross misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ross works the jab nicely.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ross throws a jab but it's blocked by Yakovchenko.
Ross misses with a right hand
and Yakovchenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ross takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Yakovchenko catches Ross with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Yakovchenko pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ross is out of range and Yakovchenko settles back down.
Yakovchenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ross.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakovchenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ross plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick
and Ross counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Yakovchenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Ross makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ross takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ross moves out of range of the body kick from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick
and Ross counters with a low kick, right behind Yakovchenko 's knee.
Ross throws a low kick, looking for Yakovchenko's leg but Yakovchenko calmly moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Ross misses.
Yakovchenko swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Yakovchenko jabs Ross to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Yakovchenko misses with a looping right.
A nice side step and Ross releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ross moves away.
Ross appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
That kick from Ross tenderised Yakovchenko's leg. Yakovchenko is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Yakovchenko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yakovchenko throws a quick counter head kick but Ross was just out of range.
Ross throws a leg kick that is checked

and Yakovchenko counters by moving into the clinch.
Yakovchenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rosss head.
Ross tries to throw a body punch but Yakovchenko avoids it by throwing Ross back against the cage.
Ross tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yakovchenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Ross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yakovchenko cracks Ross with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Yakovchenko scores with the left hand. Ross knows he should have avoided that one.
Yakovchenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Ross appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ross throws a chopping leg kick but Yakovchenko manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ross stuns Yakovchenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ross.
Ross looks to score with a jab to the body but Yakovchenko is just out of range.
A head kick misses from Ross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yakovchenko connects with a crisp jab.
Yakovchenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Ross counters with a nice uppercut.
Ross turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Yakovchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ross throws a low kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range easily.
Yakovchenko wants to slow Ross down by chopping away at his legs.
Ross misses with a low kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yakovchenko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko had his way with Rick Ross in that round.
That's time! Yakovchenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko missing with a left hand there. Ross was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yakovchenko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yakovchenko with a jab.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Yakovchenko wants to clinch
and Ross counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ross takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Ross.
Yakovchenko moves away from the strike by Ross.
Yakovchenko tries to score with a low kick but Ross moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A head kick by Yakovchenko misses
and Ross counters with a nice leg kick.
Ross misses with a left hand
and Yakovchenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yakovchenko blocks a head kick by Ross.
Yakovchenko drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ross misses with a looping left.
Yakovchenko ducks under a wild hook from Ross.
Ross just misses with a punch to the body.
Yakovchenko lunges at Ross with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ross's hand.
Ross avoids the body shot from Yakovchenko.
Ross checks a low kick from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko tried to score with a low kick but Ross checks it.
Ross throws a fast counter high kick but Yakovchenko manages to duck under it in time.
Rick Ross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko is looking to score with low kicks.
Ross flicks out a counter leg kick but Yakovchenko steps away.

Yakovchenko rushes Ross and presses him up against the cage.
Igor Yakovchenko has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Ross manages to break the clinch.
Yakovchenko blocks a head kick by Ross.
Yakovchenko misses with the body kick
and Ross counters with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ross tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yakovchenko misses with a low kick.
Ross showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Ross blocks it.
Yakovchenko checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yakovchenko closes the distance and clinches.
Ross misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko lands a body punch.
Ross can't find room to land a body shot as Yakovchenko controls the action.
Yakovchenko avoiding damage as Ross throws knees to the body.
Ross misses with a body punch.
Ross blocks an uppercut.
Ross throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Yakovchenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ross has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Yakovchenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ross misses with a body punch.
Ross throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ross tries to land knees in the clinch but Yakovchenko avoids the damage to the body.
Ross misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ross lands an elbow inside that Yakovchenko shrugs off.
Yakovchenko misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross is trying to push Yakovchenko away but Yakovchenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ross tries a body shot but Yakovchenko blocks it.
Ross tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ross goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Igor Yakovchenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ross using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ross blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yakovchenko avoiding damage as Ross throws knees to the body.
Ross is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Yakovchenko prevents a body shot from Ross.
Yakovchenko gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ross can't find room to land a body shot as Yakovchenko controls the action.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yakovchenko.
Ross goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Igor Yakovchenko.
Well Yakovchenko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 49:47
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 49:47
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Yakovchenko!
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.