PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vyacheslav Yakovlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Malone (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.

Yakovlev
vs
Malone

184 cm
18
183 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
23
181 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Plays chess

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vyacheslav Yakovlev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Malone!
The judges for this bout are , and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malone tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yakovlev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yakovlev looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
A head kick misses from Malone.
Good leg kick by Malone there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Mark Malone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malone throws a head kick that misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Malone breaks the clinch.
Malone swings for the body but Yakovlev moves out of range.
Yakovlev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Malone fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Yakovlev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Malone pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Malone connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A head kick misses from Malone.
Yakovlev takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Malone connects with a solid leg kick.
Malone throws a head kick that Yakovlev semi-blocks.

Yakovlev is rocked!

It looks like Vyacheslav Yakovlev has been cut.
Malone fails to land with a series of punches.
Malone throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Yakovlev's head.
Oh Yakovlev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone is looking to clinch.

Malone lands a high kick to the side of Yakovlev's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Malone dives into guard, looking to finish.
Malone wants to get up but he can't break Yakovlev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malone passes Yakovlev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Malone is keen to just control but Yakovlev is a slippery customer.
Yakovlev seems to have got his legs back now.
Yakovlev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Malone is working away from the top position though.
Malone frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Yakovlev working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev wants to hold on but Malone pushes him away.
Yakovlev slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Malone prevents Yakovlev from improving his position.
Yakovlev tries to kick Malone off but Malone keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Malone tries to stand but can't do so whilst Yakovlev controls his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yakovlev manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Yakovlev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Malone as he avoids it easily.

Yakovlev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Malone sprawls well initially but Yakovlev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Yakovlev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Malone on the ground.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Yakovlev in particular looking to stall.
Yakovlev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Yakovlev stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone is pressing down on Yakovlev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yakovlev content to stall in guard here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Malone is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Malone dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vyacheslav Yakovlev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Malone tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Malone throws a sloppy head kick and Yakovlev moves out of range easily.
Malone scores with a head kick.
Malone lands with a kick to the temple. Yakovlev shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Malone gets caught flat footed, as Yakovlev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Malone working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yakovlev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yakovlev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Malone is looking for a triangle but Yakovlev pushes his legs off easily.
Malone keeping full guard, as Yakovlev tries to pass.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovlevis looking to pass into half guard but Malone pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Malone is in guard.
Malone won't allow Yakovlev to sweep him here.
Yakovlev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Malone manages to get himself to full guard.
Malone is trying to control the position but Yakovlev postures up.

Yakovlev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Malone looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Malone looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Malone!
Yakovlev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Yakovlev tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev tries to escape but Malone is in control.
Yakovlev can't do much from the bottom here.
Malone advances to full mount.
Yakovlev is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev tries to lock up and control but Malone gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Malone looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Yakovlev tries to hold on but Malone postures up.

Malone goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Yakovlev is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Yakovlev works over Malone with some ground and pound from guard.
Yakovlev passes Malone's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Yakovlev prevents Malone from improving his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Yakovlev in particular looking to stall.
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 Vyacheslav Yakovlev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vyacheslav Yakovlev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yakovlev rushes Malone and presses him up against the cage.

Malone breaks from the clinch.
Malone tries a head kick but it misses.

Yakovlev clinches up against the cage.
Malone is looking to break free of the clinch but Yakovlev has double underhooks.
Malone tries to stall but Yakovlev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Yakovlev is trying to maintain a safe position but Malone gets an underhook and turns Yakovlev into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Malone is trying to break the clinch but Yakovlev has him pressed against the cage.
Malone blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovlev tries for a takedown but Malone manages to get underhooks.
Malone is trying to break the clinch but Yakovlev has him pressed against the cage.

Malone manages to break the clinch.
Yakovlev dodges the punch combination from Malone.

Yakovlev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Yakovlev lands in his opponent's guard.
Yakovlev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Yakovlev has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone wants to sweep but no luck.
Yakovlev pushing down on Malone's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Malone is not content to let Yakovlev control the position.
Yakovlev is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yakovlev trying to mount his opponent but Malone defends it.
Malone has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Yakovlev is working away from the top position though.
Yakovlev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yakovlev with the ground and pound but Malone uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Yakovlev wants to control from the top but Malone keeps moving.
Yakovlev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Yakovlev stands up from Malone's guard - Yakovlev perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malone tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vyacheslav Yakovlev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Yakovlev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vyacheslav Yakovlev!