PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tony Jaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Berik Yawoka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Yawoka's choice of entrance music: keep running up that hill. Tony Jaa could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Berik Yawoka's chin.

Jaa
vs
Yawoka

180 cm
31
180 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

180 cm
32
187 lbs
11 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tony Jaa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Berik Yawoka!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jaa fails to land the takedown.

Yawoka gets a clinch.
Yawoka controlling the action here for a moment.
Jaa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yawoka fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Yawoka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Jaa is trying to drag Yawoka to the mat but Yawoka just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Jaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yawoka tries to circle away but Jaa has him pinned against the ropes.
Yawoka's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Yawoka pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Yawoka tries to break the clinch but Jaa is controlling the position.
Jaa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jaa tries to pull guard but Yawoka holds him up against the ropes and eventually Jaa drops back down to his feet.
Yawoka tries to stall but Jaa uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Jaa has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Yawoka after a bit of a struggle.
Jaa crunches a lovely knee into Yawoka's ribcage.
Yawoka pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Yawoka trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Jaa.
Yawoka is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jaa is keeping busy.
Knees in the clinch landing for Jaa.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Jaa pulls guard.
Jaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Jaa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yawoka defends it easily.
Yawoka is pushing down on Jaa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jaa is fighting to maintain full guard but Yawoka has managed to sneak the leg through.
Yawoka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Jaa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yawoka is looking to take a break and control but Jaa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yawoka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jaa has managed to free his arm - good work.
Yawoka is trying to control the action in half guard but Jaa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Jaa wants to improve his position but Yawoka is controlling well.
Yawoka takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Yawoka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Jaa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Yawoka pulls his head out easily.
Yawoka is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Jaa bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yawoka wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Jaa stops Yawoka from standing up.
Jaa wants to get up but he can't break Yawoka's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Jaa won't allow Yawoka to sweep him here.
Jaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yawoka swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jaa pushing down on Yawoka's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jaa wants to control but Yawoka is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Yawoka looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Yawoka tries to roll over but Jaa keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tony Jaa will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Yawoka has managed to clinch.

Jaa successfully pulls guard.
Yawoka stays in close to Jaa's body and controls the position.

Jaa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yawoka pushing down on Jaa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
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.
Jaa is not content to let Yawoka control the position.
Yawoka stalling away here and it's allowed Jaa to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Yawoka works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Yawoka is keen to just control but Jaa is a slippery customer.
Yawoka lands with a punch from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaa wants to control but Yawoka is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Yawoka wants to work for an arm triangle but Jaa is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Jaa is trying to control but Yawoka manages to pass to mount!
Jaa is just holding on here. Yawoka manages to take his back.
Yawoka controlling well, preventing Jaa from escaping the position.

Yawoka working for the choke.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Yawoka controlling the positon.
Jaa wants to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaa trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Jaa tries to escape the position.
Will Yawoka go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Jaa covering up well under a series of strikes from Yawoka.
Jaa can't escape the position.
Yawoka trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Jaa doesn't escape.
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!
Jaa staying busy and making it hard for Yawoka to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yawoka is hanging on to Jaa's back as he tries to escape.
Well, with Yawoka on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Jaa is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Jaa is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Jaa manages to reverse the position and now he's in Yawoka's guard. Nice work there by Jaa.
Yawoka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Yawoka looking for a guillotine here but Jaa defends easily.
Yawoka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Yawoka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Yawoka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jaa manages to get himself to full guard.
Jaa controls Yawoka momentarily but Yawoka frees himself.
Yawoka trying to control but Jaa is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yawoka lands a couple of digs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Jaa working for a triangle but Yawoka defends it easily.
Yawoka passes Jaa's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Berik Yawoka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Yawoka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Yawoka unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A right hook to the body lands for Yawoka.
Yawoka is trying to stall.

Jaa pulls guard.
Yawoka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jaa is keeping the position for now.
Yawoka trying to control but Jaa is working from the bottom.
Yawoka works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jaa trying to control from the bottom.
Jaa trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Yawoka manages to pass to mount!
Yawoka is trying to control here but Jaa has managed to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yawoka seems to be looking for submissions.
Jaa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Jaa.
Yawoka trying to control the position from guard on top but Jaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yawoka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jaa wants to sweep here but Yawoka controlling him for the moment.
Jaa looking to control.
Yawoka trying to control the position from guard on top but Jaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yawoka postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jaa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Yawoka clinches with his opponent.
Jaa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yawoka pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Yawoka forces Jaa back against the ropes and clinches.
Jaa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Jaa tries to land a knee to the head but Yawoka blocks with his arms.
Yawoka tries to land a knee to the head but Jaa blocks with his arms.
Jaa missing with knees to the body.
Jaa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yawoka blocks it with crossed arms.
Yawoka scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yawoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jaa is defending well for now.
Jaa looking to throw knees to the head but Yawoka is blocking nicely.
Jaa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yawoka is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Jaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jaa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Jaa jumps guard but Yawoka turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Jaa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yawoka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Yawoka misses with the head strike.
Jaa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yawoka controlling the action here for a moment.
Yawoka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Jaa missing with knees to the body.
Yawoka stalling.
Jaa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yawoka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jaa's elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jaa obliges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jaa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yawoka walks away with a smile on his face. Jaa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yawoka is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yawoka can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Berik Yawoka really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Yawoka takes the fight into the clinch.
Jaa tries to land knees in the clinch but Yawoka avoids the damage to the body.
Jaa looking for a takedown.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Yawoka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yawoka stalling in the clinch but Jaa improves position.
Jaa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Jaa trying to land knees to the body.
Jaa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Yawoka breaks from the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yawoka blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Yawoka stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yawoka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Yawoka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Yawoka stalling in the clinch but Jaa improves position.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Yawoka is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Jaa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Yawoka lands a knee to the head.

Jaa manages to pull guard.
Yawoka wants to control from the top but Jaa keeps moving.
Jaa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yawoka is one step ahead there.
Berik Yawoka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jaa keeping moving, preventing Yawoka from controlling successfully.

Yawoka postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jaa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Yawoka, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jaa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jaa trying to control but Yawoka is working from the bottom.
Jaa postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jaa stops Yawoka from standing up.
Yawoka trying to keep a closed guard but Jaa is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Yawoka working for a triangle but Jaa defends it easily.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Yawoka holds on and takes a little breather.
Yawoka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jaa passes Yawoka's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jaa trying to control the action but Yawoka is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jaa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Yawoka wants to improve his position but Jaa is controlling well.
Jaa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yawoka trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Berik Yawoka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yawoka rushes Jaa and presses him up against the ropes.
Jaa tries to land knees in the clinch but Yawoka avoids the damage to the body.
Yawoka tries to stall but Jaa uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Yawoka is trying to break the clinch but Jaa is controlling him.
Jaa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Yawoka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Jaa.
Yawoka managing to block the knees to the body from Jaa.
Yawoka misses with a punch to the body.
Yawoka slows down the pace here.
Jaa goes for a takedown attempt but Yawoka pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jaa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yawoka sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yawoka moves into the clinch successfully.
Yawoka stalling in the clinch but Jaa improves position.
Jaa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Yawoka is fighting off a takedown attempt but Jaa is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Yawoka to the mat. Yawoka regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Jaa wants to pass the guard but Yawoka is keeping the position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Yawoka working for a triangle but Jaa defends it easily.
Jaa stopping the sweep attempt from Yawoka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yawoka controls Jaa momentarily but Jaa frees himself.
Yawoka has control of Jaa's left arm, preventing Jaa from doing any damage.
Jaa looking to pass the guard.
Yawoka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jaa is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Berik Yawoka.
Jaa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yawoka is fending him off so far but Jaa persists. Nope, Yawoka circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Jaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jaa fails with the takedown.

Yawoka darts in and clinches Jaa up against the ropes.
Yawoka trying to land knees to the body.
Yawoka is looking to break free of the clinch but Jaa has double underhooks.
Yawoka is trying to maintain a safe position but Jaa gets an underhook and turns Yawoka into the ropes.
Yawoka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jaa is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Yawoka gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Yawoka trying to control the position but instead, Jaa has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yawoka into the ropes.
Yawoka prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaa fails to pull guard.
Jaa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Yawoka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jaa misses with a knee strike.
Jaa can't get the takedown.
Yawoka trying to land knees to the body.
Tony Jaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jaa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The referee calls for Yawoka to work.
Jaa scores with a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Yawoka working hard to break the clinch.
Yawoka looking to stall.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jaa obliges.

And that's the end of the fight!
Berik Yawoka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yawoka 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight for Berik Yawoka!
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Berik Yawoka!
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Berik Yawoka!

Berik Yawoka wins by unanimous decision!
Berik Yawoka is the new welterweight champion!
Post fight, Berik Yawoka took to the microphone: 'I take you down I tap you out I help you up and send you home '.