PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jerome Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaliy Yakimenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Yakimenko

180 cm
22
180 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

187 cm
20
186 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jerome Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitaliy Yakimenko!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, John Roberts and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yakimenko wants to clinch.

Yakimenko clinches up against the cage.
Yakimenko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Johnson up against the cage.
A short right from Yakimenko.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Yakimenko won't allow it.
Yakimenko lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Jerome Johnson has been cut.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Yakimenko holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jerome Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike from Yakimenko.
Yakimenko comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Johnson jumps guard but Yakimenko turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yakimenko just stands there and leans against the cage.
Yakimenko lands a damaging elbow.
Yakimenko comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Yakimenko lands a damaging elbow.

Jerome Johnson's cut is getting worse.
Yakimenko lands an elbow inside.
Yakimenko throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yakimenko smiles and moves away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakimenko wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yakimenko has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Johnson looking to slow down the pace here.
Yakimenko lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Yakimenko throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Yakimenko turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Yakimenko working Johnson over with knees to the body.
Yakimenko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Yakimenko.

Jerome Johnson's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Yakimenko landing knees to the body.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakimenko lands a nice elbow.
Yakimenko'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.
Johnson avoids the elbow strike from Yakimenko, against the cage.
Yakimenko landing knees to the body.
Yakimenko misses with an elbow strike.
Yakimenko lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.

Jeez, Jerome Johnson's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Nice elbow from Yakimenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakimenko misses with an elbow strike.
Nice body punch from Yakimenko.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Yakimenko won't allow it.
Yakimenko lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Jerome Johnson's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Vitaliy Yakimenko!