PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Crabby Iron (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko's entrance music is Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone. A fine choice. 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.

Yakovchenko
vs
Iron

177 cm
30
160 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

169 cm
27
162 lbs
16 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

REAR NAKED CHOKE NUTRITION

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Crabby Iron!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Iron throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Iron throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Iron scores with a nice right hand.
Yakovchenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Iron throws a sloppy head kick and Yakovchenko moves out of range easily.
Iron throws a leg kick that misses.
A quick step to the side and Yakovchenko tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Iron lands with a shot to the body.
Yakovchenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The fighters circling - Iron throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Iron misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Iron misses.
Iron throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Iron misses with the combination.
Yakovchenko feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Iron misses.
Crabby Iron seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yakovchenko connects with the punch.
Iron tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yakovchenko is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Iron.
Yakovchenko lands a nice looking body kick.
Yakovchenko fakes the leg kick and cracks Iron in the body.
Yakovchenko throws the kick towards the body but Iron avoids it.
Iron swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Yakovchenko checks a low kick from Iron.
Iron checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Iron.
Iron scores with a body shot.
Yakovchenko blocks a head kick by Iron.
Iron chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Good standup being displayed there by Iron as he connects with a hook.
Yakovchenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with a wild body shot.
Iron throws a quick inside leg kick.
Iron with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
An inside leg kick from Iron misses.
Iron has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Yakovchenko works the jab nicely.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick but Iron moves out of range.
Iron connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Iron throws a hook but Yakovchenko blocks it.
Iron throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yakovchenko connects with a single shot there.
Iron blocks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Iron can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iron lands a nice shot to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Iron lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Yakovchenko has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Yakovchenko and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Yakovchenko slips under a jab from Iron.
Yakovchenko seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Iron moves in looking to clinch but Yakovchenko pushes him off.
Yakovchenko blocks a head kick by Iron.
A telegraphed right hand from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Iron throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot.
A good leg kick by Iron.
Iron scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Yakovchenko misses with a low kick.
Iron lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iron connects with a solid leg kick.
Iron throws a leg kick that misses.
Yakovchenko quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Iron dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yakovchenko. That did some damage!
Yakovchenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Iron.
Iron tries to land a body kick
enabling Yakovchenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Iron dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yakovchenko. That did some damage!
Yakovchenko loads up on a big right hand but Iron slips the punch.
Yakovchenko misses the jab.
A slow jab from Yakovchenko misses its intended target.
Iron throws a body kick that misses.
A big right from Iron misses.
Iron lands a body shot.
Yakovchenko takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crabby Iron dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Yakovchenko needs to keep his hands up - Iron had a free shot at his head there.
Iron getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Iron lands a really nice looking cross but Yakovchenko seems unphased.
Yakovchenko looks for the body kick but Iron saw that one coming.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.
Yakovchenko throws out a loose jab but Iron uses good head movement to avoid it.
Iron connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Iron looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yakovchenko scores with a kick to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Iron on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
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!
Iron throws a looping overhand right but Yakovchenko ducks down to avoid it.
Iron misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Yakovchenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko throws a wild body kick that Iron sees coming a mile off.
Iron fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Yakovchenko.
Iron blocks the body kick.
Iron motions for Yakovchenko to come forward. Iron throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Iron tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Yakovchenko is able to avoid easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Iron checks a leg kick.
Crabby Iron seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yakovchenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yakovchenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice strike.
Iron motions for Yakovchenko to come forward. Iron throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yakovchenko misses with a low kick.
Yakovchenko steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Iron. That one must have hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko blocks a leg kick.
Iron throws a low kick but Yakovchenko avoids it.
Yakovchenko half committed to a counter leg kick.
Iron scores with a body shot.
A good leg kick by Iron.
Iron lands a right hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Iron dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Iron fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Yakovchenko.
Iron throws a shot from downtown. Yakovchenko moves away and avoids it.
A big left from Iron misses.
Yakovchenko looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Yakovchenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Iron is just out of range.
Iron lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yakovchenko's sensitive parts.
Iron misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko fires out a quick counter leg kick but Iron just manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iron tries to score with a low kick but Yakovchenko moves his leg out of the way.
Iron throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yakovchenko appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Iron misses the shot to the body.
Yakovchenko sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Yakovchenko avoids the body shot from Iron.
Iron throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.

Yakovchenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Yakovchenko is trying to pull guard but Iron has him pressed against the cage.
The referee calls for Iron to work.
Iron misses with some punches.
Yakovchenko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Iron backwards.
Iron takes a shot to the head.
Iron is trying to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iron lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Iron.

Iron's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yakovchenko takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Iron scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Iron throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Iron throws a head kick that misses.
Iron throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Yakovchenko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Iron throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yakovchenko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Iron takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yakovchenko scores with a crisp jab that stopped Iron in his tracks.
Yakovchenko scores with a leg kick.
Yakovchenko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Yakovchenko swats away the attempt to clinch by Iron.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crabby Iron showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yakovchenko keeps the fight on the outside.
A chopping leg kick lands by Iron.
Iron throws a low kick, looking for Yakovchenko's leg but Yakovchenko calmly moves out of range.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook.
Iron misses with a looping right.
A clash of legs there as Yakovchenko blocks the low kick.
Yakovchenko blocks a jab.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Iron.
Yakovchenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Iron instigates a clinch.
Iron lands a shoulder strike.
Iron working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Yakovchenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Iron fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iron misses with a low kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Yakovchenko checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Iron ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Iron throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Iron lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Iron has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Iron lands a nice looking kick to the body. Yakovchenko takes a step back to recover.
Yakovchenko throws a lazy right hand but Iron sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Iron lands a leg kick that knocks Yakovchenko off balance momentarily.
Iron tries to land a front kick but Yakovchenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yakovchenko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Yakovchenko - that will leave a mark!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iron finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Iron thows a leg kick but Yakovchenko checks it
and Yakovchenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A leg kick checked by Yakovchenko.
Iron cracks the inside of Yakovchenko's front leg.
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!
Iron blocks the body kick.
Iron throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Yakovchenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yakovchenko lands with a cross.
Iron tries to land a leg kick but Yakovchenko saw it coming and moves away.
Iron lands with a nice combination. Yakovchenko backs away looking to recover.
Iron throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko moved away.
Iron is looking to chop away at Yakovchenko's legs.
Iron connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iron thuds a left hand into Yakovchenko's body.
Iron digs a good hook to Yakovchenko's body.
Yakovchenko scoring well with a low kick there.
Iron lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yakovchenko's sensitive parts.
Yakovchenko blocks a low kick nicely.
Iron buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yakovchenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Iron checks the leg kick nicely there.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Iron! But no joy.
Yakovchenko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Iron lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A bone on bone clash there as Iron blocks the leg kick.
Iron looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iron slips a jab from Yakovchenko.
Iron delivers a nice body kick.
Yakovchenko throws a sloppy body shot
and Iron counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Iron, right into the meat.
Yakovchenko has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Iron.
Iron throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yakovchenko tried to counter with a leg kick but Iron avoided it.
Iron tries a low kick but Yakovchenko avoids it.
Yakovchenko feinted with a counter takedown.
Yakovchenko lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Yakovchenko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Iron misses with a two punch combination.
Yakovchenko will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Yakovchenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crabby Iron really dominated that round.
That's time! Yakovchenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Iron fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yakovchenko manages to avoid it.
Iron swings for the body but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook.
Yakovchenko backing away here, and Iron unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut
and Iron makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Iron punishes Yakovchenko's body with a nice straight punch.
Iron pivots, looking for a leg kick but Yakovchenko is out of range and Iron settles back down.
Yakovchenko feinted with a counter takedown.
Iron is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Yakovchenko rather than just go for the knockout.
Good shot there by Iron.
Yakovchenko looks to land a left hand but Iron moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Iron lands a right hook to the body.
Iron misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakovchenko.
Iron uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Yakovchenko has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iron chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Iron.
Iron looks to land a right hand but Yakovchenko moved out of range.
Iron looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Yakovchenko was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Iron takes a swing at Yakovchenko's ribcage but misses.
Iron throws a shot from downtown. Yakovchenko moves away and avoids it.
Iron throws a leg kick
and Yakovchenko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Iron avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Iron misses with a wild body shot.
Yakovchenko misses with a body kick.
Yakovchenko misses with a body kick.
Iron turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko connects with a leg kick. Iron looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Iron scores with a sloppy right hand. Yakovchenko should have avoided that one.
A good leg kick by Iron.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Iron.
Yakovchenko attempts a counter takedown but Iron avoids it well and moves away.
Iron fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Yakovchenko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
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!
Iron feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Yakovchenkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Iron misses with a leg kick.
Iron takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Iron feints and then cracks Yakovchenko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yakovchenko down.
Yakovchenko moves out of range as Iron throws a body kick.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Iron blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iron throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Iron lands a really nice looking cross but Yakovchenko seems unphased.
Iron swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Iron checks a low kick from Yakovchenko.
Iron lands a nice looking body kick.
Iron throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Yakovchenko connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Iron scores with a leg kick.
Yakovchenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Iron misses with a low kick.
It appears Yakovchenko was looking to counter with a kick there.
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Iron manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko lands a nice hook to Iron's body. Iron takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Yakovchenko's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Yakovchenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Iron is able to avoid easily.
Yakovchenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jab, jab by Iron - just one landing.
Iron lets loose with a powerful body kick. Yakovchenko will feel that in the morning.
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!
Iron lands the left hand.
A cross from Iron lands.

Yakovchenko is rocked!
Yakovchenko is looking to slow Iron down with leg kicks.
Oh Yakovchenko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Yakovchenko misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crabby Iron dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Iron lands a front kick.
Yakovchenko seems to have got his legs back now.
Iron throws the left hand but Yakovchenko avoids the punch easily.
Yakovchenko scores with a shot to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Iron.
Iron connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Iron is looking to clinch.
Yakovchenko looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iron looks to land a body kick but Yakovchenko moved away.
Iron misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yakovchenko looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Iron throws a low kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range easily.
Yakovchenko on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iron tests Yakovchenko's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Iron ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
Yakovchenko swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Yakovchenko walks into a stiff left hand from Iron.
Iron throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Iron is looking to land body kicks.
Yakovchenko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Iron can pounce on him.
Iron throws the kick towards the body but Yakovchenko avoids it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Iron.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Iron.
Yakovchenko tries to clinch up.
Igor Yakovchenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko misses with the combination.
Yakovchenko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Good leg kick by Iron there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Yakovchenko avoids the body shot from Iron.
A slapping leg kick lands for Iron.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Iron tried to score with a low kick but Yakovchenko checks it.
Iron takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Iron looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Iron misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Iron.
A clash of legs there as Iron blocks the low kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Iron, right into the meat.
A solid body kick from Iron.

Yakovchenko feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Yakovchenko trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Iron manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Iron's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Iron won't allow Yakovchenko to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iron looking to pass the guard.

Iron avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Yakovchenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Iron is aware though and is defending well.
Iron preventing the sweep.
Iron sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Iron stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yakovchenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Crabby Iron comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Iron winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Crabby Iron! Crabby Iron retains his lightweight title!
After the fight, Crabby Iron was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.