PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksander Yaroslev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Van Kirkland
vs
Yaroslev

194 cm
18
285 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
18
285 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mikhail Van Kirkland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aleksander Yaroslev!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Kirkland misses with a wild body shot.
Yaroslev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Van Kirkland misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yaroslev.
Yaroslev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Van Kirkland circles away from the clinch attempt.
Aleksander Yaroslev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Kirkland throws the left hand but Yaroslev avoids the punch easily.
Yaroslev throws a solid leg kick but Van Kirkland takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yaroslev.
Horrible takedown by Yaroslev or perhaps it was just good defense by Van Kirkland which made him look bad.
Van Kirkland pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Yaroslev shoots in and gets a takedown into Van Kirkland's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Van Kirkland wants to stand and escape but Yaroslev is having none of it.
Yaroslev thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Van Kirkland holds on and takes a little breather.
Yaroslev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Yaroslev prevents Van Kirkland from getting back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Yaroslev shoots for a double leg takedown but Van Kirkland sprawls well. He's pushed Yaroslev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mikhail Van Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Yaroslev.

Yaroslev drives through with a takedown into Van Kirkland's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Yaroslev looks gassed!
Yaroslev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Kirkland is keeping the position for now.
Van Kirkland wants to stand up but Yaroslev is controlling him.
Yaroslev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Van Kirkland wants to stand up but Yaroslev is controlling him.

Van Kirkland wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Kirkland ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yaroslev moves away.
Yaroslev has a takedown stuffed.
Van Kirkland looks to score with a jab to the body but Yaroslev is just out of range.
Van Kirkland swings widly with a right hand

and Yaroslev counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Yaroslev won't allow Van Kirkland to sweep him here.
Van Kirkland wants to get back to his feet but Yaroslev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Van Kirkland is controlling Yaroslev's posture.

Van Kirkland pushes Yaroslev off and gets back to his feet.
Van Kirkland avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev has his takedown stuffed

and Van Kirkland counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Yaroslev's guard now.
Van Kirkland has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Van Kirkland postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Yaroslev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Van Kirkland sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Yaroslev's guard.
Van Kirkland landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Van Kirkland could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Van Kirkland lands a nice short elbow.
Van Kirkland not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Van Kirkland wants to free his trapped foot but Yaroslev is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Van Kirkland wants to advance to full mount but Yaroslev doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Kirkland wants to control from the top but Yaroslev keeps moving.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland with a nice head shot there.
Van Kirkland controlling from the top position.
Van Kirkland postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Van Kirkland distracts Yaroslev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Van Kirkland slips nicely into half guard.
Van Kirkland wants to pass to mount but Yaroslev is defending the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yaroslev regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yaroslev is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Van Kirkland dominated that round.
That's time! Van Kirkland's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yaroslev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van Kirkland tries to avoid it but Yaroslev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van Kirkland to the ground. Van Kirkland escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Van Kirkland fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yaroslev manages to avoid it.
Yaroslev shoots in for a double leg but Van Kirkland sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Yaroslev moves out of range.
Van Kirkland tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yaroslev swivels and escapes.
Van Kirkland is looking to wear down Yaroslev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Van Kirkland throws a big shot that misses.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Yaroslev moves out of range.
Van Kirkland swings for the body but Yaroslev moves out of range.
Yaroslev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Yaroslev moves out of range.
Yaroslev shoots in and drives through. Van Kirkland sprawls well.
Mikhail Van Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Yaroslev.
Yaroslev is breathing heavily.
Van Kirkland blocks a leg kick.
Yaroslev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Yaroslev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Yaroslev moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaroslev avoids the body shot from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland looks to land a left hand but Yaroslev moved out of range nicely.
Van Kirkland lands with a nice body punch.
Yaroslev pivots, looking for a leg kick but Van Kirkland is out of range and Yaroslev settles back down.
Yaroslev throws a low kick but it's checked well by Van Kirkland.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Yaroslev is defended easily by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Yaroslev moves out of range.
Yaroslev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Yaroslev moves out of range.
Yaroslev avoids the body shot from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Yaroslev's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Van Kirkland waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yaroslev.
Van Kirkland throws out a loose jab but Yaroslev uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yaroslev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Yaroslev has his takedown stuffed

and Van Kirkland counters with a shoot takedown. Yaroslev fights it but they end up in guard.
Van Kirkland trying to control but Yaroslev is working from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Kirkland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yaroslev is keeping the position for now.
Yaroslev keeping moving, preventing Van Kirkland from controlling successfully.
Yaroslev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Kirkland is one step ahead there.
Van Kirkland scoring with punches to the head and body.
Van Kirkland passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland tries to advance to mount but Yaroslev denies him.
Van Kirkland content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Yaroslev manages to work his way to half guard, despite Van Kirkland's best efforts.
Yaroslev is looking to control Van Kirkland's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Yaroslev avoid being mounted?
Van Kirkland throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Van Kirkland wants to control but Yaroslev is keeping him busy.
Van Kirkland is looking to stall here but Yaroslev recovers full guard.
Yaroslev keeping moving, preventing Van Kirkland from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland won't allow Yaroslev to get back to his feet.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position from guard on top but Yaroslev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Yaroslev wants to get back to his feet but Van Kirkland is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Yaroslev is trying to keep Van Kirkland in close.
Yaroslev keeping moving, preventing Van Kirkland from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because Mikhail Van Kirkland wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Van Kirkland swings for the body but Yaroslev moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Van Kirkland dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Van Kirkland throws a jab when Yaroslev was well out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Van Kirkland. No joy for Yaroslev on that attempt.
Van Kirkland misses with a body shot.
Van Kirkland throws an overhand right that lands on Yaroslev's shoulder, as Yaroslev tries to avoid the shot.
Van Kirkland takes a swing at Yaroslev's ribcage but misses.
Yaroslev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yaroslev throws a leg kick but Van Kirkland sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yaroslev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yaroslev lands a leg kick that knocks Van Kirkland off balance momentarily.
Yaroslev throws a low kick, looking for Van Kirkland's leg but Van Kirkland calmly moves out of range.
Yaroslev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yaroslev tried to score with a low kick but Van Kirkland checks it.
Van Kirkland throws a hook to the side of Yaroslev's head but Yaroslev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yaroslev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Van Kirkland missing with a left hand there. Yaroslev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mikhail Van Kirkland is winning the standup battle so far.
Yaroslev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Van Kirkland.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaroslev shoots in looking for a takedown but Van Kirkland manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yaroslev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mikhail Van Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Yaroslev.
Van Kirkland looks to score with a jab to the body but Yaroslev is just out of range.
Van Kirkland swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Yaroslev.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Yaroslev moves out of range.

Van Kirkland gets a takedown into half guard.
Van Kirkland trying to control from half guard but Yaroslev is working away.
Mikhail Van Kirkland overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yaroslev taking some punishment here, with Van Kirkland in his half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Yaroslev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Yaroslev is trying to control but can't.
Van Kirkland tries to pass the half guard into mount. Yaroslev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Van Kirkland wants to control but Yaroslev is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev is in trouble now - Van Kirkland has advanced to mount!
Van Kirkland trying to control but Yaroslev is having none of it.
Van Kirkland lands a big shot there that rocks Yaroslev but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Kirkland looking to control but Yaroslev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Van Kirkland has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Yaroslev's face.
Van Kirkland fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev is in a horrible position here. Van Kirkland smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Van Kirkland trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Van Kirkland lands a big elbow.
Van Kirkland tries to control but Yaroslev wriggling away.
Yaroslev holds of for dear life.
Van Kirkland in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Yaroslev tries to hold on but Van Kirkland pushes him away.
Van Kirkland lands a heavy elbow.
Aleksander Yaroslev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Van Kirkland knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yaroslev on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland dominating with strikes here.
Mikhail Van Kirkland is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Van Kirkland looking to control and managing it successfully.
Van Kirkland seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Yaroslev for as long as he can get away with.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Kirkland has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Van Kirkland showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Van Kirkland has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dean Styles scores the fight for Mikhail Van Kirkland!
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight for Mikhail Van Kirkland!
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight for Mikhail Van Kirkland!

Mikhail Van Kirkland wins by unanimous decision!