PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Iaspero Yalixqua (ranked 1892 p4p, 1766 weight class) and Ubaldo Cortez (ranked 224 p4p, 215 weight class). Yalixqua comes to the ring accompanied by Stop This Flame. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Yalixqua
vs
Cortez

183 cm
37
184
42 - 23 - 2

186 cm
34
180
24 - 17 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

Conquer
Conviction

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 42 - 23 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Iaspero Yalixqua!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ubaldo Cortez!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cortez lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Iaspero Yalixqua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cortez cracks Yalixqua with a good jab.
Yalixqua has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Catch Wrestling L.A. in the buildup to the fight.
Yalixqua throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cortez throws a shot from downtown. Yalixqua moves away and avoids it.
Cortez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cortez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yalixqua manages to avoid it.
We've been informed that Cortez has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Cortez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Yalixqua with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Yalixqua misses with the body kick
and Cortez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cortez lands with an overhand left.
Yalixqua looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yalixqua just misses with a punch to the body.
Yalixqua backing away here, and Cortez unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Yalixqua looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cortez throws out a counter right but Yalixqua avoids it with no problem.
Yalixqua scores with a nice right hand.
Cortez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yalixqua blocks a jab.
A nice leg kick from Yalixqua, right into the meat of the thigh.
A jab lands there for Cortez.
Yalixqua misses with a hook
and Cortez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick misses from Cortez.
Cortez tries a low kick but Yalixqua avoids it.
Cortez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yalixqua.
Cortez doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yalixqua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cortez misses with a looping right.
Cortez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yalixqua connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Yalixqua throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cortez tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cortez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cortez throws out a leg kick but Yalixqua moves out of range and Cortez only half commits.
Yalixqua connects with a right hand. Cortez shakes it off.
Yalixqua throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cortez slips a straight right by Yalixqua.
Cortez is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Yalixqua with a body shot.
Yalixqua throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A jab from Cortez finds it's way through Yalixqua's defenses.
A bone on bone clash there as Yalixqua blocks the leg kick.
Cortez throws a jab when Yalixqua was well out of range.
Yalixqua throws a big shot that misses.
Yalixqua has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cortez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cortez throws a leg kick which misses Yalixqua's front leg but catches the back leg as Yalixqua tries to avoid it.
Yalixqua scores with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Yalixqua.
Cortez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yalixqua misses with the body kick
and Cortez counters with a left to the body.
A shot to the liver by Yalixqua. Beautiful body shot.
Yalixqua tests Cortez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cortez throws a body punch but Yalixqua moves out of range.
Yalixqua's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Yalixqua duly obliges.
Cortez lands a glancing blow to the side of Yalixqua's head.
Cortez avoids the body shot from Yalixqua.
Cortez moves out of range of the body kick.
Cortez steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Yalixqua misses with a looping right.
A little jabbing left from Cortez on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Yalixqua throws a body shot but no joy.
Yalixqua lands a right hook to the body.
Cortez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cortez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yalixqua.
Cortez blocks a jab.
Cortez tries a quick counter leg kick but Yalixqua is wise to it.
Yalixqua throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Cortez misses with an uppercut. Yalixqua saw that one coming.
Yalixqua misses with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Iaspero Yalixqua will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cortez throws a quick inside leg kick.
Yalixqua misses with an uppercut. Cortez saw that one coming.
Cortez tries a quick counter leg kick but Yalixqua is wise to it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Cortez.
Yalixqua ducks under a wild hook from Cortez.
Yalixqua is looking to score with low kicks.
Yalixqua takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Cortez drops his hands momentarily and Yalixqua takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cortez misses with an uppercut. Yalixqua saw that one coming.
Yalixqua fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yalixqua with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Yalixqua tries to land a front kick but Cortez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yalixqua.
Cortez with the inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yalixqua lands with a hook. Cortez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cortez takes a swing at Yalixqua's ribcage but misses.
Yalixqua swings widly with a right hand
and Cortez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
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!
Cortez throws a hook but Yalixqua blocks it.
Yalixqua's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cortez connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Yalixqua scrambles back to his feet.
Cortez moves out of range of the body kick from Yalixqua.
Cortez misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yalixqua throws out the jab.
Yalixqua throws a jab when Cortez was well out of range.
Yalixqua throws a body shot but no joy.
Yalixqua moves out of range as Cortez strikes.
A shot to the liver by Yalixqua. Beautiful body shot.
Yalixqua swings for the body but Cortez moves out of range.
Cortez only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Cortez takes a swing at Yalixqua's ribcage but misses.
Yalixqua throws a right hand that misses
and Cortez counters with a straight right hand.
Yalixqua misses with an uppercut. Cortez saw that one coming.
Cortez loads up on a big right hand but Yalixqua slips the punch.
Yalixqua throws the kick towards the body but Cortez avoids it.
Yalixqua throws a body punch but Cortez moves out of range.
Yalixqua moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cortez cracks a nice hook into Yalixqua's ribs.
Yalixqua misses with a body kick.
Yalixqua thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yalixqua fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cortez manages to avoid it.
Yalixqua lands a nice looking body shot.
Yalixqua ducks under a wild hook from Cortez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yalixqua throws a jab but it's blocked by Cortez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yalixqua dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cortez. That did some damage!
Yalixqua misses with a low kick.
Yalixqua jabs Cortez to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cortez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick by Yalixqua misses
and Cortez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cortez throws a body punch but Yalixqua moves out of range.
Cortez throws a looping overhand right but Yalixqua ducks down to avoid it.
Cortez scores with a punch to the head.
Cortez lands a nice shot that snaps Yalixqua's head back.
Cortez connects with a solid leg kick.
Cortez misses with a straight left.
An attempted straight right counter from Yalixqua misses the target.
Cortez throws out a powerful jab.
Yalixqua misses with a looping right.
A countering left hand to the body from Cortez misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yalixqua throws a wild body kick that Cortez sees coming a mile off.
Good exchange - Cortez coming out on top.
Yalixqua misses with a looping right.
Cortez appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Yalixqua slips a straight right by Cortez.
Yalixqua's corner calls for a 1-2. Yalixqua obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ubaldo Cortez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Yalixqua blocks a jab.
Iaspero Yalixqua is winning the standup battle so far.
Cortez ducks under a wild hook from Yalixqua.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yalixqua.
Cortez throws out a loose jab but Yalixqua uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cortez throws out a leg kick but Yalixqua moves out of range and Cortez only half commits.
Cortez fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Yalixqua has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Yalixqua tries to land a front kick but Cortez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cortez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cortez ducks under a wild hook from Yalixqua.
Cortez keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Yalixqua with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cortez to score with a decent uppercut.
Yalixqua takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Yalixqua on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cortez. Cortez obviously looking to wear him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cortez looks to land a right hand but Yalixqua moved out of range.
Yalixqua throwing a counter right hand but Cortez manages to avoid it.
Yalixqua tests Cortez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yalixqua blocks a jab.
Cortez throws a leg kick which misses Yalixqua's front leg but catches the back leg as Yalixqua tries to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Cortez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
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!
Yalixqua scores with the left hand. Cortez knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez throws a hook to the side of Yalixqua's head but Yalixqua sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cortez misses with a straight right.
Yalixqua digs a good hook to Cortez's body.
Cortez misses the shot to the body.
Cortez throws a body punch but Yalixqua moves out of range.
Yalixqua misses with a wild body shot.
Cortez lands with a shot to the body.
Yalixqua throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cortez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cortez. That's going to slow Yalixqua down.
Cortez blocks the body kick.
Cortez blocks the body kick.
Cortez attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Cortez scoring well with a low kick there.
Cortez throws an overhand right that lands on Yalixqua's shoulder, as Yalixqua tries to avoid the shot.
Cortez throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yalixqua looks for the body kick but Cortez saw that one coming.
Cortez swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Donk. Yalixqua catches Cortez right on the button with a cross.
Yalixqua lands with a straight right. Cortez didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yalixqua throws an overhand right that lands on Cortez's shoulder, as Cortez tries to avoid the shot.
Cortez throws a solid leg kick but Yalixqua takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cortez.
Cortez attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Cortez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yalixqua pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cortez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yalixqua manages to avoid it.
Cortez is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Yalixqua throws an off balance right hand
and Cortez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cortez throws a looping overhand right but Yalixqua ducks down to avoid it.
Yalixqua throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yalixqua buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Good exchange - Cortez coming out on top.
A swing and a miss from Yalixqua.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cortez! But no joy.
Cortez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yalixqua.
Cortez blocks the body kick.
Yalixqua misses with a hook.
Cortez with the inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yalixqua throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Cortez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ubaldo Cortez really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Yalixqua blocks a leg kick.
Yalixqua is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cortez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cortez throws a hook but Yalixqua blocks it.
Yalixqua uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cortez.
Cortez works the jab nicely.
Yalixqua looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Cortez slips under a jab from Yalixqua.
Cortez moves out of range as Yalixqua throws a body kick.
Yalixqua thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cortez looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Yalixqua scores with a kick to the midsection.
Cortez misses the shot to the body.
Cortez scores with a nice head shot.
Cortez lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Yalixqua thows a body kick. Cortez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cortez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Yalixqua swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yalixqua scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yalixqua looks to land a body kick but Cortez moved away.
Cortez throws a hook but Yalixqua avoids it easily.
Cortez sizes up Yalixqua with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Iaspero Yalixqua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yalixqua dips to his left and cracks Cortez with an uppercut!
A big left from Yalixqua misses.
Yalixqua checks a leg kick.
Yalixqua tries to land a body kick
and Cortez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cortez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice body punch from Cortez.
Yalixqua pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yalixqua bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cortez's head.
Cortez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cortez missing with a left hand there. Yalixqua was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cortez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yalixqua misses with a body punch
and Cortez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cortez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yalixqua.
Yalixqua staying out of range there.
Yalixqua swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Yalixqua tries a low kick but Cortez avoids it.
Cortez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yalixqua swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cortez scores with a nice right hand.

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!
Cortez scores with a jab.
Yalixqua moves away from the strike by Cortez.
Yalixqua bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yalixqua went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Yalixqua tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cortez was well out of range. Poor timing from Yalixqua.
Cortez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yalixqua misses with a head kick.
Yalixqua just misses with a punch to the body.
Cortez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cortez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cortez connects with a looping right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Cortez.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yalixqua.
Yalixqua uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cortez.
Yalixqua throws a body shot but no joy.
Cortez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A big left from Cortez misses.
Yalixqua appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Yalixqua throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cortez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cortez plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ubaldo Cortez dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yalixqua misses with a kick to the body
and Cortez counters with a stiff right hand.
Cortez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Yalixqua slips under a jab from Cortez.
Yalixqua throws an overhand right that lands on Cortez's shoulder, as Cortez tries to avoid the shot.
Cortez swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cortez staying out of range there.
Cortez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Cortez lands a jab.
Yalixqua misses with a kick to the body
letting Cortez counter with a right hand.
Yalixqua throws a hook to the side of Cortez's head but Cortez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cortez throws out a loose jab but Yalixqua uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yalixqua throws a poor cross that misses
and Cortez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A bone on bone clash there as Yalixqua blocks the leg kick.
Yalixqua looks to land a body kick but Cortez moved away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cortez stuns Yalixqua with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cortez connects with a crisp jab.
Yalixqua ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cortez moves away.
A shot to the body from Yalixqua misses
and Cortez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yalixqua throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cortez on the side of the head.
Yalixqua catches Cortez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cortez has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Yalixqua.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yalixqua misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cortez.
Yalixqua throws a body shot but no joy.
Cortez lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Cortez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Yalixqua to score with a decent uppercut.
Cortez scores with a hook.
A good leg kick by Cortez.
Jab, jab by Cortez - just one landing.
Cortez moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cortez moves out of range as Yalixqua strikes.
Yalixqua throws a combination that misses
and Cortez counters with a low kick, right behind Yalixqua 's knee.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yalixqua. Cortez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice uppercut lands for Cortez. That snapped Yalixqua's head back.
Cortez connects with a solid leg kick.
Cortez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yalixqua misses with an attempted mid kick.
Cortez is looking for the big counter here.
Yalixqua scores with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yalixqua throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cortez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Yalixqua's head.
Cortez slips a jab from Yalixqua.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yalixqua takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Yalixqua misses the jab.
Yalixqua throws a predictable looking body shot
and Cortez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Yalixqua with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cortez to score with a decent uppercut.
Yalixqua rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cortez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Cortez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yalixqua.
Cortez moves out of range of the body kick.
Cortez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Yalixqua misses with a looping left.
Jab, jab by Cortez - just one landing.
Yalixqua looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yalixqua just misses with a punch to the body.
Yalixqua takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Crunch! Cortez slams his shin into Yalixqua's torso.
Nice body punch from Cortez.
Yalixqua connects with a right hand. Cortez shakes it off.
Ubaldo Cortez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cortez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yalixqua. That did some damage!
Yalixqua throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ubaldo Cortez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cortez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 46:49
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 46:49
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ubaldo Cortez!
Ubaldo Cortez is the new welterweight champion!
A relieved looking Ubaldo Cortez thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.