PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chocolate Al (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko comes to the cage accompanied by Too Much Information. Al has chosen Finnish National Anthem as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Yakovchenko
vs
Al

177 cm
31
173 lbs
27 - 13 - 0

188 cm
28
180 lbs
16 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Grand Champion Apparel
KnockOut

HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps
KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Chocolate Al!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've been hearing reports that Yakovchenko has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Al is looking to clinch but Yakovchenko is avoiding it.
Yakovchenko throws a big counter combination but Al scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Al feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yakovchenko's calf.
Al throws a solid leg kick but Yakovchenko takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Al.
Yakovchenko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Yakovchenko throws a low kick, looking for Al's leg but Al calmly moves out of range.
Al goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Al throws a low kick, looking for Yakovchenko's leg but Yakovchenko calmly moves out of range.
Yakovchenko looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
A big right from Al misses.
Al scoring well with a low kick there.
Chocolate Al seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot lands for Al.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yakovchenko.
Al lands with a straight right. Yakovchenko didn't see that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Yakovchenko misses the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al is looking to slow Yakovchenko down with leg kicks.
The crowd cheers as Al lands an impressive looking overhand right. Yakovchenko doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Yakovchenko.
Al takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Yakovchenko scores with a sloppy right hand. Al should have avoided that one.

It looks like Chocolate Al has been cut.
Al tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yakovchenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Al throws a wild body kick that Yakovchenko sees coming a mile off.
Al lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Al just misses with a punch to the body.
Al lands a body shot.
Yakovchenko lands a nice shot that snaps Al's head back.
Al throws the kick towards the body but Yakovchenko avoids it.
A shot to the liver by Al. Beautiful body shot.
Al misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovchenko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Al swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Yakovchenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yakovchenko half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Yakovchenko takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Al takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Good leg kick by Yakovchenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Al throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Yakovchenko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Al is looking to clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Yakovchenko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Yakovchenko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Al has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Al misses with a straight left.
Yakovchenko slips a straight right by Al.
Al throws a body shot but no joy.
Yakovchenko tried to counter with a leg kick but Al avoided it.
Yakovchenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al. Al obviously looking to wear him down.
Yakovchenko avoids the body shot from Al.
Yakovchenko throws the left hand but Al avoids the punch easily.
A solid body kick from Yakovchenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al pushes Yakovchenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Yakovchenko tries to throw a body punch but Al avoids it by throwing Yakovchenko back against the cage.
Al misses with some punches.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Al.
Al lands a nice uppercut.
Al blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yakovchenko throws a head punch that misses.
Al misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yakovchenko prevents a body shot from Al.
Al lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Yakovchenko backwards.
Al lands an uppercut.
Yakovchenko blocking some punches.
Al struggles to land a body shot inside as Yakovchenko controls his hands.
Yakovchenko tries a body shot but Al blocks it.
Yakovchenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Al tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Al swings wildly with an uppercut but Yakovchenko uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yakovchenko's elbow.
Yakovchenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Al doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Al scores with a shot to the side of Yakovchenko's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Yakovchenko breaks from the clinch.
Nice shot lands for Al.
Both fighters circling a little - Al finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Al slips under a jab.
Al lands a leg kick that knocks Yakovchenko off balance momentarily.
Al scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fight stays on the outside here - Al looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yakovchenko swings widly with a right hand
and Al counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Jab by Al.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chocolate Al dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chocolate Al's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A leg kick checked by Yakovchenko.
Al keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yakovchenko.
Al has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Al pivots, looking for a leg kick but Yakovchenko is out of range and Al settles back down.
Al is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yakovchenko.
Al lands a slapping body shot.
Yakovchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Yakovchenko gets tackled into the cage by Al. Al maintains the clinch.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.
Yakovchenko looking to stall.
Al has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Yakovchenko seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Al can turn it around.
Yakovchenko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Yakovchenko's efforts to push away.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Al misses with a short punch on the inside.
Al misses with some punches.
Yakovchenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko stalling against the cage.
Al lands a knee to the head.
Yakovchenko is trying to break the clinch but Al is controlling him.
Al throws a knee to the head but misses.
Yakovchenko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Yakovchenko.
Al keeps control of Yakovchenko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Al misses with a punch on the inside.
Yakovchenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Al working aggressively here.
Al makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Yakovchenko fails to land.
Yakovchenko throws a head punch that misses.
Yakovchenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Al can't find room to land a body shot as Yakovchenko controls the action.
Al throws a punch but it's blocked by Yakovchenko.
Al lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yakovchenko.

That's two 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!

Yakovchenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Al works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Chocolate Al is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Al instigates a clinch.
Yakovchenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Al controls his hands.
Al misses with a hook from the clinch.
Al misses with a hook from the clinch.
Al blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yakovchenko jumps guard but Al turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Yakovchenko misses with some punches.
Chocolate Al seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Yakovchenko scores with a shoulder strike.
A frustrated look appears on Yakovchenko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Al throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yakovchenkos head.
Al tries to work over Yakovchenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Al scores a nice knee to the body.
Al blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yakovchenko misses with the head strike.
Yakovchenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Yakovchenko.
Al throws a head punch that misses.

Yakovchenko ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Yakovchenko no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al trying to control but Yakovchenko is working from the bottom.
Al is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Al forces his way into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yakovchenko is looking for a sweep. Al is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Al wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yakovchenko keeps working.
Yakovchenko has his hands clasped together around Al's back. He's all about the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko regains full guard. Nicely done.
Yakovchenko is pulling down on Al's head to control his posture.
Al pushes down on Yakovchenko's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Al looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chocolate Al showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chocolate Al's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Al uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Al lands with a kick to the ribs.
Al pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Al. Yakovchenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Al checks a low kick from Yakovchenko.
Al walks into a stiff left hand from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko cracks a nice hook into Al's ribs.
Al walks into a jab.
Yakovchenko blocks a low kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Al moves away from the strike by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a body punch but Al moves out of range.
Al scores with the left hand. Yakovchenko knows he should have avoided that one.
A jab lands there for Yakovchenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al tries to score with a low kick but Yakovchenko moves his leg out of the way.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook.
A slow jab from Al misses its intended target.
Al connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
An inside leg kick from Al misses.
Yakovchenko is looking to counter with a body kick.
Yakovchenko takes one on the button.
Al throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko checks it.
An inside leg kick lands from Al.
Al looks for the body kick but Yakovchenko saw that one coming.
Al tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yakovchenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Al. That's going to slow Yakovchenko down.
Chocolate Al seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Al, right into the meat.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Yakovchenko checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yakovchenko throws out the jab.
Yakovchenko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Yakovchenko pivots, looking for a leg kick but Al is out of range and Yakovchenko settles back down.
A telegraphed right hand from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Yakovchenko throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yakovchenko 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.
Yakovchenko tries to land a front kick but Al steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A little jabbing left from Al on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko has a takedown stuffed.
Al appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yakovchenko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Yakovchenko looks to land a body kick but Al moved away.
Al tries to clinch there but Yakovchenko circles away.
Yakovchenko throws a quick counter head kick but Al was just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Al.
Al looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Al fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yakovchenko manages to avoid it.
Yakovchenko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Yakovchenko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Yakovchenko doesn't seem bothered though.
Al tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook. Al ducked under it nicely.
Yakovchenko is looking to clinch.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Al has closed the distance and engaged Yakovchenko in a clinch.
Al tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Al swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short left from Yakovchenko.
Al has a couple of punches blocked by Yakovchenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al blocking some punches.
Al misses with a short punch on the inside.
Al tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Al creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yakovchenko is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Yakovchenko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Al backwards.
Yakovchenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al's elbow.
Yakovchenko misses with a punch to the body.
Yakovchenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Yakovchenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Al checks a leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Yakovchenko.
Al misses with a wild body shot.
Yakovchenko looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Al lands a leg kick that knocks Yakovchenko off balance momentarily.
Al dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Al misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chocolate Al really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chocolate Al's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Al goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook.
Al fails with an attempt to clinch.
Al throws a head kick that misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Al 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.
Al takes one to the side of the head.
Al throws a nice looking combination but Yakovchenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yakovchenko is looking to counter punch.
Al throws a front kick aimed at Yakovchenko's knee but Yakovchenko avoids it well.
Yakovchenko lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Yakovchenko misses its intended target.
Al rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Yakovchenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Al connects with a crisp jab.
Al misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the leg kick from Al.
A low kick from Al misses
and Yakovchenko counters with a good, hard body kick but Al shrugs it off.
Al checks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko misses with a low kick.
Al throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Yakovchenko tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Al manages to circle out of the way.
Yakovchenko looks to land a body kick but Al moved away.
Yakovchenko tried to score with a low kick but Al checks it.
A bone on bone clash there as Yakovchenko blocks the leg kick.
Al throws a left and a right that both miss

and Yakovchenko counters by clinching up.
Al lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Yakovchenko or not.
A head punch on the inside from Al fails to land.
Al lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Yakovchenko is trying to pull guard but Al turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Al misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al misses with the head strike.
Al lands with a short shot to the head.
Al throws a punch but it's blocked by Yakovchenko.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Al as Yakovchenko tries to tie him up.
Al misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Al.
Yakovchenko goes for a takedown attempt but Al pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
An inside leg kick from Yakovchenko misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A clash of legs there as Yakovchenko blocks the low kick.
Yakovchenko tries to clinch there but Al circles away.
Al buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Al throws a leg kick

and Yakovchenko counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Yakovchenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yakovchenko postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yakovchenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Al is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yakovchenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Al is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Al is on top in guard.

Al trying to control but Yakovchenko is working from the bottom.
Al looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Yakovchenko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Al can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Al trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yakovchenko pulls Al in close to prevent any damage.
Al slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Chocolate Al will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Chocolate Al's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Yakovchenko throws a low kick but Al avoids it.
Al throws a quick inside leg kick.
Yakovchenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Al tries to clinch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Al swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Yakovchenko.
Nice straight punches there by Al. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Al.
Al tries to clinch there but Yakovchenko circles away.
A good leg kick by Al.
Yakovchenko lands a leg kick that knocks Al off balance momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yakovchenko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Al is out of range.
Al throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Yakovchenko defending well as Al loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko sizes up Al with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Yakovchenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Al.
Yakovchenko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Al is fending him off so far but Yakovchenko persists. Nope, Al circles away and we're back to standing.
Al throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Al lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Yakovchenko takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Yakovchenko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Al connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Al lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yakovchenko's sensitive parts.
Yakovchenko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Yakovchenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yakovchenko works Al's body with a nice hook.
Igor Yakovchenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Al, right into the meat.
Yakovchenko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Al to score with a decent uppercut.
Yakovchenko walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Al throws a low kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range easily.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the leg kick from Al.
Yakovchenko takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Al throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yakovchenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yakovchenko throws a solid leg kick but Al takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yakovchenko.
A nice inside leg kick there by Al. That's going to slow Yakovchenko down.
Al wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al throws a lazy right hand but Yakovchenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yakovchenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Al.
Al looks to score with a jab to the body but Yakovchenko is just out of range.
Yakovchenko scores with a spinning back kick!
Al throws out a loose jab but Yakovchenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yakovchenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yakovchenko misses the jab.
Al takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Al connects with a solid leg kick.
Chocolate Al is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Al throws out a leg kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range and Al only half commits.
Yakovchenko looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Al is predictable there
and Yakovchenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Al is rocked!
Good leg kick by Yakovchenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Al is still on wobbly legs! Can Yakovchenko finish him?
Al cracks Yakovchenko with a good jab.
Yakovchenko ducks under a wild hook from Al.
Are you kidding me?! Yakovchenko ducked down and unloaded an uppercut from hell that sent Al clean off his feet! Someone make me a GIF - that's knockout of the night for sure!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Igor Yakovchenko!
Igor Yakovchenko retains his welterweight title!
Post fight, Igor Yakovchenko stared into the camera and said 'Wake up Al! Wake up. Your mma career, it was just a dream. It's time to go to work. Get up!'.
Chocolate Al was interviewed post fight and said 'I'll go back into isolation for a while and rethink my career path. It's always hard to lose a fight, but this one sucks .'.