PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kustaa Pohjanala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masahura Yakisoba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pohjanala comes into the arena with AC/DC - Hard as a Rock blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pohjanala
vs
Yakisoba

168 cm
38
157 lbs
28 - 26 - 0

175 cm
38
140 lbs
27 - 27 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kustaa Pohjanala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Masahura Yakisoba!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pohjanala feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Yakisobas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Pohjanala throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Yakisoba stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Yakisoba looks to land a right hand but Pohjanala moved out of range.
A jab from Pohjanala misses.
Yakisoba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pohjanala.
Pohjanala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakisoba.
Yakisoba thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice defenses there by Pohjanala.
Yakisoba uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yakisoba. Pohjanala does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab lands there for Pohjanala.
Yakisoba avoids the head kick by Pohjanala.
Pohjanala just misses with a punch to the body.
Yakisoba works the jab nicely.
Pohjanala throws the left hand but Yakisoba avoids the punch easily.
Pohjanala misses with an attempted mid kick.
Pohjanala with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pohjanala misses with an uppercut. Yakisoba saw that one coming.
Pohjanala moves away from the strike by Yakisoba.
Yakisoba misses with a few strikes there.
Masahura Yakisoba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pohjanala throws a looping overhand right but Yakisoba ducks down to avoid it.
Masahura Yakisoba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pohjanala connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Pohjanala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakisoba.
Pohjanala misses with a head kick.
Pohjanala closes the distance but Yakisoba moves to the side
and Yakisoba counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pohjanala throws a body punch but Yakisoba moves out of range.
Yakisoba swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Pohjanala counters with a stiff right hand.
Yakisoba throws a series of punches but Pohjanala avoids them all with ease.
Pohjanala ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yakisoba swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yakisoba scores with a body shot.
Pohjanala pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pohjanala tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakisoba scores with a jab. Pohjanala acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Yakisoba throws a big shot that misses.
Yakisoba lands a jab to Pohjanala's midsection.
Pohjanala ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pohjanala throws a looping overhand right but Yakisoba ducks down to avoid it.
Yakisoba tried to score with a low kick but Pohjanala checks it.
Yakisoba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Yakisoba throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakisoba slaps away a takedown attempt from Pohjanala, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pohjanala throws out a powerful jab.
Pohjanala looks to land a left hand but Yakisoba moved out of range nicely.
Pohjanala tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yakisoba swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pohjanala takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pohjanala. Yakisoba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pohjanala avoids the body shot from Yakisoba.
Pohjanala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yakisoba was well out of range. Poor timing from Pohjanala.
Nice defenses there by Pohjanala.
Yakisoba paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Pohjanala misses with a wild body shot.
Yakisoba throws an overhand right that lands on Pohjanala's shoulder, as Pohjanala tries to avoid the shot.
Yakisoba loads up on a big right hand but Pohjanala slips the punch.
Yakisoba misses with a straight left.
Yakisoba connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Yakisoba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yakisoba misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yakisoba lands a right hook to the body.
Pohjanala swings for the body but Yakisoba moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakisoba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pohjanala swings for the body but Yakisoba moves out of range.
Pohjanala misses with an uppercut. Yakisoba saw that one coming.
Yakisoba has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yakisoba there as he acknowledges the shot.
Yakisoba moves into range and connects with a jab.
Yakisoba connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Pohjanala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pohjanala avoids the body shot from Yakisoba.
Pohjanala misses with a wild body shot.
Yakisoba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pohjanala sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Yakisoba thows a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big left from Pohjanala misses.
Pohjanala connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Pohjanala tries for a takedown but Yakisoba sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pohjanala throws a lazy right hand but Yakisoba sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Masahura Yakisoba will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yakisoba misses with a straight left.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Pohjanala.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Pohjanala is trying to get an arm triangle but Yakisoba is defending well.
Yakisoba is trying to control Pohjanala's posture but Pohjanala avoids it.

Pohjanala is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Yakisoba knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
An elbow from Pohjanala crashes against the mat.
Pohjanala misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pohjanala goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Yakisoba has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Pohjanala but great work by Yakisoba.
Yakisoba wants to stand but Pohjanala is controlling his arm.
Pohjanala is trying to improve his position.
Pohjanala sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pohjanala looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Yakisoba is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakisoba wants to pass to mount but Pohjanala is defending the position.
Pohjanala is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yakisoba is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Pohjanala manages to get to full guard.

Yakisoba stands up from Pohjanala's guard - Yakisoba perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakisoba is looking to slow Pohjanala down with leg kicks.
Yakisoba looks to land a right hand but Pohjanala moved out of range.
Yakisoba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pohjanala was well out of range. Poor timing from Yakisoba.
Masahura Yakisoba seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yakisoba stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Yakisoba misses with a wild body shot.
Pohjanala blocks a jab.
Yakisoba defending well as Pohjanala loads up on a big left hand.
Pohjanala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pohjanala looks to land a left hand but Yakisoba moved out of range nicely.
Pohjanala throws a big shot that misses.
Yakisoba paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pohjanala ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Yakisoba lands a nice shot that snaps Pohjanala's head back.
Yakisoba lands with a nice body punch.
Yakisoba ducks under a wild hook from Pohjanala.
Yakisoba misses with a looping left.
Nice defenses there by Pohjanala.

Pohjanala shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pohjanala showed some decent athleticism there.
Yakisoba is trying to get back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Pohjanala is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Yakisoba defends it well.

Pohjanala is working for a kimura here but Yakisoba manages to reverse the position and he's now in Pohjanala's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kustaa Pohjanala will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Yakisoba throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pohjanala.
Yakisoba throws a big shot that misses.
Pohjanala misses with a lunging right hand
and Yakisoba counters with a straight right hand.
A head kick misses from Pohjanala.

Pohjanala has taken the fight to the clinch.
Yakisoba just leaning against Pohjanala, taking a breather.
Yakisoba wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A nice right hand lands inside from Yakisoba.
Yakisoba lands with a light punch inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Yakisoba.
Yakisoba creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Pohjanala tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Pohjanala.
Pohjanala struggles to land a body shot inside as Yakisoba controls his hands.
Pohjanala throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Pohjanala looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Yakisoba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pohjanala lands with a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Yakisoba.
Pohjanala looks to land a body kick but Yakisoba moved away.
Yakisoba throws a left and a right that both miss
and Pohjanala counters with a left to the body.
Pohjanala shoots in looking for a takedown. Yakisoba tries to sprawl out of it but Pohjanala keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Yakisoba manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Yakisoba staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakisoba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pohjanala lands a nice looking body shot.
Yakisoba misses with an uppercut.
Yakisoba misses with a straight right.
Yakisoba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pohjanala.
Pohjanala avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yakisoba scores with a sloppy right hand. Pohjanala should have avoided that one.
Pohjanala connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Yakisoba momentarily.
Yakisoba misses with a hook.
Pohjanala misses with a looping right.
Pohjanala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yakisoba.
Yakisoba tries to score with a low kick but Pohjanala moves his leg out of the way.
Yakisoba throws a lazy right hand but Pohjanala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakisoba looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pohjanala avoids the head kick by Yakisoba.
Yakisoba falls off balance throwing a combination
and Pohjanala counters with a lovely straight right hand!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Yakisoba enables Pohjanala to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Yakisoba manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Pohjanala has gone for a leg lock! Yakisoba slips out almost immediately though and dives into Pohjanala's guard.

Yakisoba decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pohjanala, up you get!
Pohjanala slips a jab from Yakisoba.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Pohjanala.
Pohjanala tries to clinch up but Yakisoba circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakisoba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yakisoba throws a hook but Pohjanala avoids it easily.
Yakisoba rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Pohjanala counters with a nice body shot.
Yakisoba throws a body punch but Pohjanala moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Yakisoba throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pohjanala thows a body shot but no joy.
Yakisoba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Horrible takedown by Pohjanala or perhaps it was just good defense by Yakisoba which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kustaa Pohjanala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yakisoba connects with a right hand. Pohjanala shakes it off.
Yakisoba swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pohjanala looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Pohjanala with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Yakisoba to score with a decent uppercut.
Pohjanala scores with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Masahura Yakisoba.
I think Yakisoba has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masahura Yakisoba!