PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joeli Babitu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Too Much Information. Joeli Babitu has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Igor Yakovchenko's chin.

Yakovchenko
vs
Babitu

177 cm
34
172 lbs
33 - 17 - 0

188 cm
35
180 lbs
31 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joeli Babitu!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Jorge Garcia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Babitu tries to land a front kick but Yakovchenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook.
Yakovchenko blocks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko avoids the body shot from Babitu.
Yakovchenko throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Babitu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A head kick misses from Yakovchenko.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yakovchenko. Babitu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Babitu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yakovchenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yakovchenko throws a leg kick but Babitu sees it coming and moves out of range.
Joeli Babitu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Babitu manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Babitu has taken the fight to the clinch.
Yakovchenko blocks a body shot from Babitu.
Babitu misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Babitu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babitu can't find room to land a body shot as Yakovchenko controls the action.
Babitu misses with an elbow over the top.
Babitu lands a nice knee to the body.
Babitu lands a body shot.
Babitu lands a right hand.
Babitu swings wildly with an uppercut but Yakovchenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Babitu.
Still in the clinch, Babitu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.
Babitu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yakovchenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knees in the clinch landing for Babitu.
Yakovchenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Yakovchenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Babitus head.
Babitu pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Yakovchenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Yakovchenko connects with a nasty looking knee right to Babitu's face.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yakovchenko misses with a body punch.
Babitu misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Yakovchenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Babitu throws an elbow but misses.
Yakovchenko blocks an uppercut.
Babitu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Yakovchenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Babitu lands an uppercut.
Babitu tries to stall but Yakovchenko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A right hook to the body lands for Babitu.
Babitu pushes Yakovchenko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Babitu lands an elbow inside that Yakovchenko shrugs off.
Babitu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yakovchenko pushes Babitu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Babitu lands a right hand.
Babitu misses with some punches.
Yakovchenko misses with a punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Babitu.
A nice right hand lands inside from Babitu.
Yakovchenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yakovchenko lands with a left to the head.
A right hand to the body from Babitu.
Babitu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yakovchenko's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko lands a right hand.
Babitu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yakovchenko backwards.
Yakovchenko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Babitu backwards.
Yakovchenko lands a nice uppercut.
Yakovchenko tries to work over Babitu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Yakovchenko manages to pull guard.
Babitu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Yakovchenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yakovchenko can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Babitu controls the pace.
My spies in Mello MMA inform me that Babitu has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Yakovchenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Babitu wants to control from the top but Yakovchenko keeps moving.
Babitu showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Babitu's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Babitu fakes the leg kick and cracks Yakovchenko in the body.
Babitu on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yakovchenko. Yakovchenko obviously looking to wear him down.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakovchenko.
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!
Babitu checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joeli Babitu 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 misses the shot to the body.
Babitu throws the left hand but Yakovchenko avoids the punch easily.
Yakovchenko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yakovchenko on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Babitu feints a jab promting Yakovchenko to slip. Babitu then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Yakovchenko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Yakovchenko seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Yakovchenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice shot lands for Yakovchenko.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Yakovchenko crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Babitu - the referee stops the clock and Yakovchenko gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Babitu. Yakovchenko manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Babitu lands with a slapping head kick.
Babitu looks to clinch
enabling Yakovchenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Yakovchenko is looking to wear down Babitu with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Babitu cracks the inside of Yakovchenko's front leg.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice cross by Yakovchenko.
Babitu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yakovchenko can pounce on him.
Yakovchenko misses with a looping right.
A big left from Babitu misses.
Yakovchenko missing with a left hand there. Babitu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Babitu manages to avoid it.
Babitu closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Yakovchenko missing with a left hand there. Babitu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Babitu moves out of range of the body kick from Yakovchenko.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yakovchenko takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Yakovchenko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Babitu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yakovchenko. That did some damage!
Babitu throws a sloppy head kick and Yakovchenko moves out of range easily.
And Yakovchenko counters with a quick kick to the body but Babitu blocks it.
Babitu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
Joeli Babitu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Babitu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Babitu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Babitu misses with a looping left.
Yakovchenko feinted with a counter takedown.
Yakovchenko tries to land a front kick but Babitu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babitu tries to land a front kick but Yakovchenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Babitu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yakovchenko manages to avoid it.
Babitu misses with a right hand
and Yakovchenko counters with a nice body shot.
Babitu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Babitu manages to avoid it.
Babitu scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Good standup being displayed there by Babitu as he connects with a hook.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Babitu avoids it easily.
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.
A big right from Babitu misses.
Babitu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yakovchenko will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Babitu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yakovchenko stuns Babitu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babitu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A head kick misses from Babitu.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yakovchenko jabs Babitu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Yakovchenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A clash of legs there as Babitu blocks the low kick.
Babitu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yakovchenko checks a low kick from Babitu.
Yakovchenko avoids the head kick by Babitu.
Babitu works Yakovchenko's body with a nice hook.
Babitu finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Yakovchenko closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Joeli Babitu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Babitu missing with a left hand there. Yakovchenko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yakovchenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Babitu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babitu throws out a powerful jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yakovchenko connects with a crisp jab.
Yakovchenko takes one to the side of the head.
Yakovchenko goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Babitu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yakovchenko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice body kick from Babitu.
Babitu walks into a left hand.
Yakovchenko looks to land a left hand but Babitu moved out of range nicely.
Babitu lands a jab to Yakovchenko's midsection.
Babitu connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Yakovchenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Babitu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yakovchenko's calf.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Babitu misses with a hook.
It looked like Yakovchenko was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Babitu.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joeli Babitu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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 avoids a kick to the body.
Yakovchenko swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Babitu misses with an uppercut.
Yakovchenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the body kick.
Babitu stalks Yakovchenko and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Yakovchenko's face. Yakovchenko staggers backwards, shaken.
Babitu fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yakovchenko is out of range.
Yakovchenko blocks a head kick by Babitu.
Yakovchenko is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Babitu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovchenko moves away.
A jab from Babitu does it's job there.
Yakovchenko cracks Babitu with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko blocks a low kick nicely.
A jab from Yakovchenko misses.
A head kick by Babitu misses
and Yakovchenko counters with a nice body shot.
Babitu lands with an uppercut that bounces Yakovchenko off the cage and back into range.
Yakovchenko misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babitu blocks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Babitu looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Babitu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Yakovchenko dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Babitu. That did some damage!
Yakovchenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Babitu lands with a slapping head kick.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses.
Babitu misses with a low kick.
Babitu throws a low kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range easily.
Yakovchenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
A jab lands there for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babitu slips a jab from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko slips a straight right by Babitu.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Babitu blocks it.
Babitu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Good standup being displayed there by Yakovchenko as he connects with a hook.
Babitu avoids the body shot from Yakovchenko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Babitu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Babitu looks to land a left hand but Yakovchenko moved out of range nicely.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Babitu moves away.
Babitu misses with a kick to the body.
Babitu is looking to land body kicks.
Yakovchenko swings for the body but Babitu moves out of range.
Yakovchenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little jabbing left from Babitu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Yakovchenko throws a sloppy head kick
and Babitu counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yakovchenko lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Babitu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Babitu throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Yakovchenko on the side of the head.
Babitu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yakovchenko scores with a body shot.
Babitu connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Yakovchenko's hands.
Babitu throws a low kick but Yakovchenko avoids it.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Babitu.
Babitu throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yakovchenko.
Babitu swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Babitu scores with a jab to the head.
Babitu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice cross by Babitu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovchenko throws a sloppy head kick and Babitu moves out of range easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Babitu! But no joy.
Babitu throws a body kick that misses.
Babitu tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko throws a front kick that sends Babitu stumbling back into the cage.
Yakovchenko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Yakovchenko pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yakovchenko blocks a head kick by Babitu.
Babitu uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Babitu has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yakovchenko.
A jab from Babitu misses.
Yakovchenko looks to land a left hand but Babitu moved out of range nicely.
Babitu misses with an uppercut.
Yakovchenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Joeli Babitu just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Yakovchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Babitu.
Babitu misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Yakovchenko misses its intended target.
Yakovchenko blocks a head kick by Babitu.
Yakovchenko swinging wildly here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yakovchenko. Babitu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Babitu swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Yakovchenko clobbers Babitu with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Yakovchenko feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Babitu's calf.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babitu slips a straight right by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko avoids the head kick by Babitu.
Babitu scores with a punch to the head.
Yakovchenko looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Babitu looks to throw a body kick

and Yakovchenko counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko wants to pass the guard but Babitu is keeping the position.
Babitu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yakovchenko is one step ahead there.
Yakovchenko throws a big right hand that misses.

Babitu uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Yakovchenko swings for the body but Babitu moves out of range.
Babitu was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babitu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Babitu tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Yakovchenko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Babitu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Babitu tries a head kick but it misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Yakovchenko misses the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Babitu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Babitu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Yakovchenko counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Babitu thinking.
A solid body kick from Babitu.
Yakovchenko missing with a left hand there. Babitu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No joy there for Babitu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Babitu throws a right hand that Yakovchenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Yakovchenko also avoids with ease.
Babitu throws a shot to the body.
Babitu needs to keep his hands up - Yakovchenko had a free shot at his head there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babitu connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Yakovchenko momentarily.
Yakovchenko checks a leg kick.
Yakovchenko will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Yakovchenko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Babitu scoring well with a low kick there.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yakovchenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yakovchenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Babitu moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Babitu. Yakovchenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Babitu is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A swing and a miss from Babitu.
Yakovchenko tries to counter with a takedown but Babitu is quick to defend against it.
Yakovchenko throws a wild body kick that Babitu sees coming a mile off.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Yakovchenko throws a body punch but Babitu moves out of range.
Yakovchenko staying out of range there.
Babitu throws a body kick that misses
and Yakovchenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Babitu throws a head kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yakovchenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Babitu swinging wildly here.
Babitu misses with a kick to the body.
Babitu checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut. Babitu saw that one coming.
Babitu throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Yakovchenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut. Babitu saw that one coming.
Yakovchenko misses with a wild body shot.
Babitu takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Yakovchenko walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Babitu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yakovchenko moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko had his way with Joeli Babitu in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Yakovchenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fighters circling - Babitu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Babitu connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Babitu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Babitu misses with a few strikes there.
Yakovchenko feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Babitu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Yakovchenko looks to land a left hand but Babitu moved out of range nicely.
A big right from Babitu misses.
Yakovchenko is looking for a counter combo.
An inside leg kick lands from Babitu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babitu throws a leg kick which misses Yakovchenko's front leg but catches the back leg as Yakovchenko tries to avoid it.
Babitu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Yakovchenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Babitu throws out the jab.
Nice defenses there by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yakovchenko bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Babitu's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Babitu. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Babitu.
A head kick misses from Yakovchenko.
Good shot there by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko swings for the body but Babitu moves out of range.
Babitu is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Babitu tries to score with a low kick but Yakovchenko moves his leg out of the way.
Babitu finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
An inside leg kick from Yakovchenko misses.
Babitu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice shot lands for Babitu.
Babitu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Babitu throws a big shot that misses.
Yakovchenko throws a quick counter head kick but Babitu was just out of range.
Yakovchenko misses the jab.
A lazy left from Babitu finds it's target.
Igor Yakovchenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Yakovchenko as he checks the leg kick.
Yakovchenko throws a wild body kick that Babitu sees coming a mile off.
Nice defenses there by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBabitu.
Babitu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
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!
Babitu throws a leg kick
and Yakovchenko counters with an inside leg kick.
Babitu misses with a head kick.
Babitu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Babitu tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko swings for the body but Babitu moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Babitu - just one landing.
A shot to the liver by Yakovchenko. Beautiful body shot.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Babitu.
Good exchange - Yakovchenko coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babitu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Babitu throws a body punch but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Babitu manages to avoid it.
Babitu throws a leg kick that is checked
and Babitu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Babitu tries to land a front kick but Yakovchenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yakovchenko swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Babitu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Babitu swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Yakovchenko counter with a right hand.
A right-left combo lands from Yakovchenko.
Babitu cracks Yakovchenko with an open hand slap.
Babitu lands with a good body shot.
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Babitu manages to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Yakovchenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yakovchenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Babitu has Yakovchenko up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Babitu works on Yakovchenko's body with a couple of short punches.

Yakovchenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Babitu ducks right into an uppercut from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses the shot to the body.
Yakovchenko misses with a wild body shot.
Babitu lands a jab to the nose.
Babitu moves into range and connects with a jab.

Babitu darts in and clinches Yakovchenko up against the cage.
Babitu has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Yakovchenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Babitu misses with a punch to the body.
Babitu tries a body shot but Yakovchenko blocks it.
Babitu digs a right hand underneath Yakovchenko's ribcage. Yakovchenko let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Babitu missing with knees to the body.
Babitu lands with a short head shot on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joeli Babitu.
I think Babitu 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joeli Babitu!
Joeli Babitu tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.