PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Toby Keith Yrkje (ranked 1136 p4p, 1126 weight class) and Korben Dallas (ranked 159 p4p, 158 weight class). Yrkje comes to the cage accompanied by As Good As I Once Was. Korben Dallas acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Yrkje
vs
Dallas

187 cm
21
180
5 - 1 - 0

182 cm
19
180
5 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Hardcore Alchemy
HARDCORE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Toby Keith Yrkje!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Korben Dallas!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yrkje scores with a hook.

Dallas looking to score a takedown here. Yrkje is defending well but Dallas drives through and ends up in Yrkje's guard.
Dallas throws an elbow that misses. Yrkje uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dallas's guard. Nice move by Yrkje!

Yrkje stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dallas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dallas working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dallas looking for a sweep. Not yet Dallas, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yrkje is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Dallas looking to control but Yrkje passes into half guard.
Dallas trying to control but Yrkje postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dallas looking for a kimura from the bottom but Yrkje passes into side control!
Dallas tries to buck Yrkje off but Yrkje is having none of it.
Dallas sneaks back into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dallas is looking to improve his position.
Dallas works his way to full guard. Good work.

Dallas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yrkje doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yrkje manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje trying to control but Dallas is working from the bottom.
Yrkje trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dallas working a defensive guard but Yrkje manages to pass into side control anyway.
Dallas tries to buck Yrkje off but Yrkje is having none of it.
Dallas manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Dallas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yrkje defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dallas.
Dallas takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Dallas is keen to just control but Yrkje is a slippery customer.

Yrkje is defending against the submission attempts here by Dallas.
Yrkje keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dallas is trying to control. Yrkje wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dallas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dallas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Yrkje is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Yrkje blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dallas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dallas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dallas throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Yrkje to regain full guard.
Dallas wants to control from the top but Yrkje keeps moving.
Dallas is looking to work some ground and pound but Yrkje has wrist control.
Dallas wants to control from the top but Yrkje keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fighters circling - Yrkje throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yrkje with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Dallas to score with a decent uppercut.
Dallas tries to move into range but Yrkje moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dallas walks into a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Korben Dallas will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yrkje missing with a left hand there. Dallas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dallas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yrkje was well out of range. Poor timing from Dallas.
Dallas throws a body punch but Yrkje moves out of range.
Dallas looks to land a left hand but Yrkje moved out of range nicely.
Yrkje fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dallas manages to avoid it.
Dallas is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Yrkje moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Yrkje fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yrkje throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Dallas counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Yrkje wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Yrkje is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yrkje managing to control the position.
Yrkje preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dallas looking to pass the guard.
Yrkje utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dallas is pushing down on Yrkje's leg trying to pass to half guard. Yrkje is fighting to maintain full guard but Dallas has managed to sneak the leg through.
Korben Dallas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dallas controlling the action here.
Dallas throwing shots but Yrkje is blocking nicely.
Dallas thows a huge punch but Yrkje dodges it nicely.
Dallas content to control rather than advance.
Yrkje keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dallas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dallas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yrkje keeps working.
Dallas is just content to waste time from the top position. Yrkje takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Dallas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dallas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yrkje keeping moving, preventing Dallas from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yrkje throws a body shot but no joy.
Yrkje thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yrkje throws an overhand right that lands on Dallas's shoulder, as Dallas tries to avoid the shot.
Yrkje misses with a looping left.
Toby Keith Yrkje is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yrkje misses with a hook.
Dallas throws a body shot but no joy.
Yrkje throws a hook to the side of Dallas's head but Dallas sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yrkje swings for the body but Dallas moves out of range.
Dallas changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Yrkje throws an off balance right hand

and Dallas counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Yrkje avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dallas.
Dallas tries to pass the half guard into mount. Yrkje knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Dallas wants to take a breather but Yrkje is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dallas misses with a head shot. Yrkje uses the momentum to regain guard.
Dallas throws a strike but Yrkje rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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!
Dallas looking to control.
Yrkje slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Dallas throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Yrkje escapes and throws Dallas's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dallas struggling a bit here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Korben Dallas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Dallas scores with a jab to the head.
Dallas misses with a straight left.
Yrkje sizes up Dallas with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Yrkje thuds his right hand into Dallas's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Dallas throws a jab but it's blocked by Yrkje.
Yrkje lands a jab to the nose.
Dallas misses with a straight right.
Dallas moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Dallas shoots for a double leg takedown but Yrkje sprawls well. He's pushed Dallas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A swing and a miss from Dallas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dallas looks to land a left hand but Yrkje moved out of range nicely.
Yrkje was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Donk. Yrkje catches Dallas right on the button with a cross.

Dallas is rocked!
Dallas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dallas is still on wobbly legs! Can Yrkje finish him?
Yrkje looks to throw the jab but Dallas is out of range.
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!
Nice body punch from Dallas.
Dallas seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yrkje on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Dallas shoots in but no luck this time.
Dallas has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Dallas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yrkje takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Yrkje looks to throw the jab but Dallas is out of range.
Dallas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yrkje sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Yrkje loads up on a big right hand but Dallas slips the punch.
Dallas with the counter takedown but Yrkje avoids it easily.
Toby Keith Yrkje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yrkje bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yrkje swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A slow jab from Yrkje misses its intended target.
Dallas cracks Yrkje with an open hand slap.
Dallas blocks a jab.
Yrkje fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yrkje throws a lazy uppercut

and Dallas counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Yrkje!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dallas lands a few punches from side control.
Toby Keith Yrkje has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dallas working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Yrkje can't do much from the bottom here.
An elbow from Dallas crashes against the mat.
Dallas is putting a hurting on Yrkje here, landing some big shots from side control.

Dallas thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dallas is looking to take a break and control but Yrkje is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dallas in side control, throwing shots but Yrkje defends.
Korben Dallas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Dallas taking a breather here.
Let's hope that Dallas has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Yrkje is looking to regain half guard here but Dallas keeps moving and retains side control.

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.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
You can see the frustration on Yrkje's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Yrkje is trying to escape the position but Dallas is controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A jab from Yrkje misses.
Dallas throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Yrkje on the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Korben Dallas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dallas 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Korben Dallas!
An out of breath Korben Dallas thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.