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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Yaj (ranked 1597 p4p, 168 weight class) and Boi Johnson (ranked 1567 p4p, 165 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
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| 170 cm
25
146 lbs
4 - 2 - 0 |
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160 cm
25
140 lbs
6 - 2 - 0 |
BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine |
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Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ilya Yaj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Boi Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Yaj.
Yaj with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Yaj lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Johnson at a distance.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yaj counters with a left to the body.
Yaj scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ilya Yaj seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yaj smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Johnson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Yaj with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Yaj connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Yaj counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaj lunges at Johnson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Johnson's hand.
Yaj connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands.
Yaj connects with a nice looking jab.
Yaj lands with a hook. Johnson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Johnson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice shot lands for Yaj.
Yaj misses the shot to the body.
Yaj comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaj with a hook.
Yaj looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yaj defends it nicely.
Yaj throws a big counter combination but Johnson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ilya Yaj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boi Johnson.
Yaj lands a right hook to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Yaj!
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Yaj finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaj throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Johnson fails with the takedown
and Yaj counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Yaj lands with a nice body punch.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Yaj finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Yaj keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Yaj scores with a jab to the jaw.
Yaj is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Yaj lands with a shot to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaj ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Yaj had a free shot at his head there.
Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Yaj to the mat! Yaj manages to get full guard.
Yaj wants to get back to his feet but Johnson passes into half guard.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Yaj wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ilya Yaj dominated that round.
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.
Yaj lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A left lands for Yaj.
Ilya Yaj is winning the standup battle so far.
Yaj fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johnson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
and Yaj counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Yaj scores with a nice strike.
Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Yaj had a free shot at his head there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yaj throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johnson on the side of the head.
Yaj goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Yaj counters with a nice uppercut.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaj scores with a nice strike.
Yaj connects with a looping right hand.
Yaj throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Yaj lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ilya Yaj is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yaj is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Yaj cracks Johnson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yaj ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaj lands a nice shot that snaps Johnson's head back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yaj rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Yaj.
Yaj breaks from the clinch.
Yaj scores with a nice right hand.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Yaj looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yaj's waist but Yaj gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.
Ilya Yaj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boi Johnson.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaj throws a shot to the body.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
and Yaj counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Yaj uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Yaj sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yaj cracks Johnson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Yaj is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaj lands with an overhand left.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yaj is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Yaj circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Yaj connects with a right hand. Johnson shakes it off.
Yaj ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Johnson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Yaj works Johnson's body with a nice hook.
Yaj tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ilya Yaj dominated that second round.
That's time! Yaj's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Yaj moved out of range nicely.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Yaj tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Yaj manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yaj fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Yaj avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Yaj continues to drive forward.
Yaj digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Johnson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Yaj throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johnson on the side of the head.
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice shot lands for Yaj.
Yaj digs a good body shot into Johnson's ribs.
Yaj connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaj connects with a looping right hand.
Johnson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Yaj's guard.
Yaj working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Yaj keeps moving.
Yaj controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson scoring with some ground and pound.
Johnson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yaj works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Yaj is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Yaj lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yaj counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ilya Yaj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boi Johnson.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Yaj sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Yaj on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Johnson misses with a takedown
and Yaj counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Johnson thinking.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yaj punishes Johnson's body with a nice straight punch.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yaj.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ilya Yaj clearly takes that round.
That's time! Yaj's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Nice cross by Yaj.
Yaj with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
and Yaj counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Johnson walks into a stiff left hand from Yaj.
Yaj with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Johnson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson with a poor takedown
and Yaj connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yaj swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown. Yaj fights it but they end up in guard.
Boi Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Yaj is keeping the position.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson trying to control but Yaj is working from the bottom.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson passes Yaj's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Yaj is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Yaj is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
Johnson throwing shots but Yaj is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Johnson not doing much here.
Yaj is staying active underneath Johnson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Yaj avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Yaj avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yaj defending well though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Yaj is defending the position.
Ground and pound from Johnson.
Johnson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Johnson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Yaj controlling the position well.
Johnson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Yaj is working away.
Johnson is taking a breather. Yaj says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Yaj throws a big shot that misses.
Yaj connects with the punch.
Yaj throws a poor cross that misses
and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Yaj won't be happy with that.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Yaj is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson throws a strike aimed at the side of Yaj's head but Yaj avoids it well.
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 Ilya Yaj will probably get the nod.
That's time! Yaj's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Yaj lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yaj darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Yaj slips a straight right by Johnson.
Yaj jabs at Johnson's body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaj misses with a body shot.
Johnson feints the counter takedown.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Yaj lands a jab to the nose.
Yaj scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yaj fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yaj lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Yaj comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaj fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Johnson on the side of the head.
Yaj scores with a jab to the jaw.
Yaj catches Johnson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson misses with a left hand
and Yaj counters with a straight right hand.
Johnson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Yaj lands with a nice body punch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Yaj.
A jab from Yaj finds it's way through Johnson's defenses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Yaj counters with a series of strikes. Johnson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Johnson looking to score a takedown here. Yaj is defending well but Johnson drives through and ends up in Yaj's guard.
Ilya Yaj is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson trying to control but Yaj is working from the bottom.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to control. Yaj wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Johnson controlling the pace.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yaj defending well though.
Johnson is nestled in close to Yaj, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Johnson is controlling the pace.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Yaj showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yaj, 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 50:44
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 50:43
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:43
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Yaj!
An out of breath Ilya Yaj thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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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
55% |
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