PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toshiro Montero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko comes to the cage accompanied by Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone. Montero comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Danzig - Mother kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Yakovchenko
vs
Montero

177 cm
25
160 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

180 cm
26
168 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Hellbent

Meet the Future
Merciless Gladiators

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Toshiro Montero!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko misses with an attempted mid kick.
Yakovchenko looks for the body kick but Montero saw that one coming.
Yakovchenko throws a lazy body kick

and Montero counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Montero slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Montero working away.
Yakovchenko is looking for a sweep.
Montero wants to control but Yakovchenko is keeping him busy.

Montero tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Montero has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Yakovchenko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Yakovchenko wants to free his trapped foot but Montero is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakovchenko throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Montero to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko looking to pass the guard.
Yakovchenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Yakovchenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Montero works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yakovchenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Montero looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Yakovchenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Montero works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yakovchenko wants to control from the top but Montero keeps moving.
Yakovchenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Montero is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Montero looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Yakovchenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Montero has wrist control.
Yakovchenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Our spies down at at DJs Locker inform us that Montero has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Montero wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Montero wants to sweep here but Yakovchenko controlling him for the moment.
Yakovchenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Montero looking for a guillotine here but Yakovchenko defends easily.
Montero is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Montero has his hands on Yakovchenko's head, controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yakovchenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Yakovchenko wants to control from the top but Montero keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montero is trying to hold Yakovchenko in close to prevent damage but Yakovchenko has managed to pass into half guard.
Yakovchenko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Montero with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Yakovchenko throwing shots but Montero is blocking nicely.

Montero looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yakovchenko perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Yakovchenko is working for a submission of some sort.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Montero wants to control but Yakovchenko is keeping busy.
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 Igor Yakovchenko will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Yakovchenko staying out of range there.
Montero lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Montero swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko missing with a left hand there. Montero was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Montero shoots in for a takedown but Yakovchenko shows good takedown defense.
Montero chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yakovchenko can pounce on him.
Montero takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice straight punches there by Yakovchenko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a hook to the side of Montero's head but Montero sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Montero drops his hands momentarily and Yakovchenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
An inside leg kick lands from Montero.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yakovchenko tries to land a body kick

and Montero counters with a shoot takedown. Yakovchenko fights it but they end up in guard.
Yakovchenko 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.
Montero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yakovchenko working for a triangle but Montero defends it easily.
Montero content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Montero stopping the sweep attempt from Yakovchenko.
Montero not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Montero is looking to work some ground and pound but Yakovchenko has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montero trying to control the position from guard on top but Yakovchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Montero engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Montero trying to control the position from guard on top but Yakovchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Yakovchenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Montero defends it easily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yakovchenko looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Montero passes into side control.
Yakovchenko tries to bench press Montero off him but Montero keeps the position.
Montero moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Yakovchenko is trying to improve his position.
Yakovchenko taking a bit of punishment here - Montero scoring with strikes.
Yakovchenko is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Montero's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Montero is looking to advance position but Yakovchenko won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yakovchenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Montero working the head and body with strikes.
Montero stalling away here and it's allowed Yakovchenko to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Yakovchenko controls Montero momentarily but Montero frees himself.
Yakovchenko wants to sweep here but Montero controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yakovchenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yakovchenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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 Igor Yakovchenko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Montero uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Yakovchenko.
Montero misses with a two punch combination.
Montero connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Yakovchenko's hands.
Yakovchenko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Yakovchenko looks for the body kick but Montero saw that one coming.

Montero shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Montero showed some decent athleticism there.

Yakovchenko actively working from the bottom here.
Montero thows a huge punch but Yakovchenko dodges it nicely.
Montero winds up and cracks Yakovchenko with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Yakovchenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yakovchenko regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yakovchenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Montero defends it easily.
Yakovchenko looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Montero puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Yakovchenko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Montero scores with a couple of nice shots.
Yakovchenko wants to improve his position but Montero is controlling well.
Yakovchenko moves into full guard.

Yakovchenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Montero keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Yakovchenko's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montero pushing down on Yakovchenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Yakovchenko is staying active underneath Montero, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Yakovchenko is doing well to control the position and prevent Montero from advancing to side control.

Montero seems to be working for a kimura but Yakovchenko defends the submission attempt.
Toshiro Montero has got the better of the ground game so far.
Montero wants to control but Yakovchenko is keeping him busy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakovchenko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Montero's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Montero's back!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Yakovchenko's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Montero can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yakovchenko working for a choke but Montero reverses nicely into Yakovchenko 's guard.
Montero wants to control from the top but Yakovchenko keeps moving.
Montero content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Montero is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Montero postures up.
Montero won't allow Yakovchenko to sweep him here.
Montero wants to pass the guard but Yakovchenko is keeping the position.

Yakovchenko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montero trying to control but Yakovchenko is working from the bottom.
Montero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yakovchenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Yakovchenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Montero looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Toshiro Montero just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yakovchenko looks to land a left hand but Montero moved out of range nicely.

Montero shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Montero was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Yakovchenko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Montero wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Montero tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Montero has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Yakovchenko takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Montero passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Yakovchenko!
Montero scoring with strikes but Yakovchenko is staying in there.
Yakovchenko is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at RNC Sport Club, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Montero has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Yakovchenko's face.
Yakovchenko is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko is in a horrible position here. Montero smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Yakovchenko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Montero postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Yakovchenko looks a forlorn figure.
Montero wants to control the pace but Yakovchenko is squirming around nicely.
Montero content just to control the position here.
Montero is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Yakovchenko can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko is wriggling around trying to escape.
Montero trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Yakovchenko is looking to improve his position but Montero isn't that keen on the idea.
Montero working the ground and pound effectively.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Montero fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Montero lands with some strikes.
Montero trying to control but Yakovchenko is having none of it.
Yakovchenko is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montero pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Yakovchenko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Yakovchenko defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Montero.
Montero looking to control but Yakovchenko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Montero prevents Yakovchenko from getting the reversal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yakovchenko is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko is in a horrible position here. Montero smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Yakovchenko regains half guard.
Montero wants to pass to mount but Yakovchenko is defending the position.
Yakovchenko trying to control here.
Montero is nestled in close to Yakovchenko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Montero wants to control but Yakovchenko is keeping him busy.
Montero is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Montero might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Yakovchenko haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toshiro Montero dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Yakovchenko connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Yakovchenko looks to land a combination but Montero avoids it well.
Yakovchenko misses with a low kick.
Montero takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yakovchenko throws a shot from downtown. Montero moves away and avoids it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Montero.

Montero shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Montero showed some decent athleticism there.
Montero misses with a head shot. Yakovchenko uses the momentum to regain guard.
Yakovchenko looking to control but Montero passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montero not doing much here.
Montero throwing shots but Yakovchenko is blocking nicely.
Yakovchenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Yakovchenko.

Montero got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yakovchenko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Montero has managed to get both his arms back between Yakovchenko's legs - danger averted.
Yakovchenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Yakovchenko, not yet.
Montero looking to sit in guard and control but Yakovchenko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Yakovchenko throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montero looking to control.

Montero looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Montero is pulling down on Yakovchenko's head to control his posture.
Yakovchenko stands up over Montero, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yakovchenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Montero has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Montero has wrist control.
Yakovchenko looking to sit in guard and control but Montero gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Montero is working Yakovchenko over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Yakovchenko keeping moving, preventing Montero from controlling successfully.

Yakovchenko working for a triangle but Montero defends it easily.
Montero passes Yakovchenko's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Montero passes to side control.
Yakovchenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Yakovchenko's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Montero scoring with punches from side control.
Yakovchenko tries to bench press Montero off him but Montero keeps the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Toshiro Montero.
I think Montero 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 47:49
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:49
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toshiro Montero!
Toshiro Montero is the new lightweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Toshiro Montero started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.