PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Asa Sharp (ranked 2325 p4p, 250 weight class) and Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 3746 p4p, 359 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sharp
vs
Yakovchenko

175 cm
37
168 lbs
30 - 18 - 2

177 cm
41
169 lbs
39 - 28 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
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 30 - 18 - 2, fighting out of New York, Asa Sharp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Yakovchenko!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko throws out a powerful jab.
Sharp misses with a takedown attempt - Yakovchenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Yakovchenko throws a right hand that Sharp ducks under and follows up with a left that Sharp also avoids with ease.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that misses.
Yakovchenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Sharp shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Yakovchenko slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sharp wants to control from the top but Yakovchenko keeps moving.

Yakovchenko has his foot on Sharp's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sharp works his way back into a safe position though.
Sharp is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sharp stopping the sweep attempt from Yakovchenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sharp gets to his feet. Yakovchenko looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A looping hook to the body misses from Yakovchenko. Sharp does a little dance to reset his feet.
Igor Yakovchenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Sharp shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Yakovchenko's guard.

Yakovchenko scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Yakovchenko. Those never looked like landing.
Sharp misses with a body kick.
Sharp keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yakovchenko.
Sharp looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sharp avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sharp misses with an attempted mid kick.
Yakovchenko raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Sharp dives in and scores a takedown into Yakovchenko's guard.

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 not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Yakovchenko isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Sharp stacks Yakovchenko on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Sharp!
Yakovchenko is looking to regain half guard here but Sharp keeps moving and retains side control.
Yakovchenko wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Sharp decides to stand back up.
Sharp jabs at Yakovchenko's body.
Sharp looks to throw a body kick
letting Yakovchenko counter with a right hand.
Sharp shoots in for a double leg but Yakovchenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Asa Sharp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yakovchenko tries to clinch up.
Yakovchenko just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromSharp.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharp tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yakovchenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sharp somewhat.
Sharp uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yakovchenko.
Sharp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Yakovchenko pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sharp is out of range and Yakovchenko settles back down.
Sharp looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Yakovchenko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jab by Yakovchenko.
Sharp avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko wants to clinch.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sharp moves away.
Sharp shoots in looking for a takedown but Yakovchenko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sharp's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sharp looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that Sharp semi-blocks.
Yakovchenko throws a sloppy head kick and Sharp moves out of range easily.
Sharp throws a big counter combination but Yakovchenko scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Yakovchenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Yakovchenko misses with a head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sharp has a takedown stuffed.
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.

Sharp clinches up against the cage.
Sharp wants a takedown but no success here.
Yakovchenko taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Yakovchenko misses with the head strike.
Yakovchenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sharp blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sharp.
Sharp is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Yakovchenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Yakovchenko throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Asa Sharp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yakovchenko is pressed up against the cage. Sharp has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yakovchenko down to the mat. Yakovchenko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sharp gets a clinch.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sharp blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharp blocking some punches.
Sharp just leaning against Yakovchenko, taking a breather.
Sharp being controlled against the cage.
Sharp looking for a takedown.
Yakovchenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Yakovchenko avoids the elbow strike from Sharp, against the cage.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.
Sharp blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sharp is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Yakovchenko tries to throw a body punch but Sharp avoids it by throwing Yakovchenko back against the cage.
Yakovchenko has a couple of punches blocked by Sharp.

Sharp's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Yakovchenko gets caught flat footed, as Sharp shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharp's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sharp wanted to stand there but Yakovchenko had control of the position.

Yakovchenko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Yakovchenko is trying to keep Sharp in close.
Yakovchenko keeping moving, preventing Sharp from controlling successfully.
Yakovchenko keeping full guard, as Sharp tries to pass.

Yakovchenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharp throws a big right hand that misses.
Sharp postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sharp sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Yakovchenko's guard.
Yakovchenko is refusing to be controlled, as Sharp sits in half guard.

Sharp looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Sharp prevents Yakovchenko from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Yakovchenko has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sharp is working away from the top position though.
Sharp looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sharp prevents Yakovchenko from improving his position.
Sharp is trying to control the action in half guard but Yakovchenko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yakovchenko wants to get back to full guard.
Yakovchenko is trying to stand up here but Sharp is controlling him well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Asa Sharp is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yakovchenko lands with a good body shot.
Sharp shoots in but Yakovchenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Igor Yakovchenko 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. This is the final round!

Yakovchenko scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Yakovchenko lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sharp.
Sharp tries to clinch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Sharp shoots in looking for a takedown. Yakovchenko tries to sprawl out of it but Sharp keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Yakovchenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sharp slips a straight right by Yakovchenko.
Sharp half committed to a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sharp throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yakovchenko's waist but Yakovchenko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sharp off to one side.
Sharp is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yakovchenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Asa Sharp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sharp throws a series of punches but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Sharp doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Yakovchenko keeps the fight on the outside.
Yakovchenko appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yakovchenko has Sharp up against the cage in a clinch.
Yakovchenko stalling in the clinch.
Yakovchenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Yakovchenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sharp's elbow.
Yakovchenko tries to throw a body punch but Sharp avoids it by throwing Yakovchenko back against the cage.
Yakovchenko can't find room to land a body shot as Sharp controls the action.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.
Yakovchenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Sharp scores with a nice short uppercut.
Yakovchenko throws a punch but it's blocked by Sharp.
Yakovchenko trying to control the position but instead, Sharp has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yakovchenko into the cage.
Yakovchenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sharp's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko prevents Sharp from breaking the clinch.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Yakovchenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sharp's elbow.

Sharp breaks from the clinch.
Sharp shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yakovchenko as he jumps to the side.
Sharp misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sharp is defended easily by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with the combination.
Yakovchenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sharp was well out of range. Poor timing from Yakovchenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharp defending well as Yakovchenko loads up on a big left hand.
A head kick misses from Yakovchenko.
Sharp looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yakovchenko is fending him off so far but Sharp persists. Nope, Yakovchenko circles away and we're back to standing.
Sharp fails with a takedown attempt.
Yakovchenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sharp slips a straight right by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Yakovchenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Sharp counters with a nice body shot.
Igor Yakovchenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yakovchenko throws a series of punches but Sharp avoids them all with ease.
Yakovchenko pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sharp back to the cage. Yakovchenko follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Yakovchenko takes a swing at Sharp's ribcage but misses.
Sharp seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Sharp tries to clinch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Sharp moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromYakovchenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko throws a one two combo.

Yakovchenko gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sharp to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sharp controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sharp wants to pass the guard but Yakovchenko is keeping the position.

Yakovchenko working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sharp has passed into half guard!
Yakovchenko wants to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Yakovchenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yakovchenko winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Yakovchenko!
Our winner, Igor Yakovchenko, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.