PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oleg Romanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandr Yuotkonakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Romanov
vs
Yuotkonakov

188 cm
21
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
21
267 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Oleg Romanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksandr Yuotkonakov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yuotkonakov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Romanov to the ground. Yuotkonakov is now in Romanov's guard.

Romanov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yuotkonakov with a nice head shot there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Yuotkonakov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Romanov is trying to control the position but Yuotkonakov postures up.
Yuotkonakov scoring with some ground and pound.
Yuotkonakov works over Romanov with some ground and pound from guard.
Yuotkonakov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Yuotkonakov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Romanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Romanov pulls Yuotkonakov in close to his closed guard and prevents Yuotkonakov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Yuotkonakov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Yuotkonakov landing with the ground and pound.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Romanov holds on and takes a little breather.
Yuotkonakov stands up over Romanov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yuotkonakov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanov is trying to keep Yuotkonakov in close.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Yuotkonakov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Romanov is trying to control the position but Yuotkonakov postures up.
Romanov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Romanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yuotkonakov is aware though and is defending well.

Romanov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Romanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Romanov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yuotkonakov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Romanov's guard.
Romanov trying to hold on to Yuotkonakov's head to control him but Yuotkonakov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov slows the pace down in half guard.
Yuotkonakov is nestled in close to Romanov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Yuotkonakov working over Romanov with some ground and pound. Romanov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Yuotkonakov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Yuotkonakov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Romanov trying to control from the bottom.
Yuotkonakov content to control rather than advance.

Romanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Romanov actively working from the bottom here.
Romanov trying to control here.
Yuotkonakov trying to control the action but Romanov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romanov trying to control here.
Yuotkonakov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Yuotkonakov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Romanov is trying to control but can't.

Romanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Romanov has hold of Yuotkonakov's hands but Yuotkonakov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Romanov wants to control but Yuotkonakov is keeping busy.
Yuotkonakov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Yuotkonakov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Yuotkonakov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Romanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yuotkonakov controlling the action here.
It looks like Yuotkonakov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Romanov is trying to get back to full guard.
Yuotkonakov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Yuotkonakov trying to control the pace.
Yuotkonakov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Romanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Romanov trying to control but Yuotkonakov postures up.
Romanov tries to get to full guard but Yuotkonakov has control of the leg.
Yuotkonakov content to control rather than advance.

Romanov looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Yuotkonakov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Yuotkonakov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Romanov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Romanov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Yuotkonakov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Yuotkonakov trying to control but Romanov is working from the bottom.

Romanov has his foot on Yuotkonakov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yuotkonakov works his way back into a safe position though.
Romanov is trying to control the position but Yuotkonakov postures up.
Yuotkonakov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yuotkonakov stands up over Romanov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yuotkonakov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Romanov keeping moving, preventing Yuotkonakov from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Romanov looking for a guillotine here but Yuotkonakov defends easily.
Yuotkonakov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Romanov controls Yuotkonakov momentarily but Yuotkonakov frees himself.
Yuotkonakov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Yuotkonakov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Romanov 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.
Romanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Romanov working for a triangle but Yuotkonakov defends it easily.
Yuotkonakov is working Romanov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Yuotkonakov wants to control from the top but Romanov keeps moving.
Yuotkonakov lands a couple of digs.
Yuotkonakov trying to control but Romanov is working from the bottom.
Romanov trying to control the position.
Yuotkonakov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Romanov keeping moving, preventing Yuotkonakov from controlling successfully.
Yuotkonakov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Romanov pulls Yuotkonakov in close to prevent any damage.
Yuotkonakov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Yuotkonakov stays in close to Romanov's body and controls the position.
Yuotkonakov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Romanov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Romanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yuotkonakov working some strikes from top position.
Romanov trying to keep a closed guard but Yuotkonakov is proving a slippery customer.
Yuotkonakov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Romanov looking to control.

Romanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yuotkonakov is aware though and is defending well.
Yuotkonakov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Romanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yuotkonakov is aware though and is defending well.
Yuotkonakov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Yuotkonakov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Romanov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Yuotkonakov has managed to get both his arms back between Romanov's legs - danger averted.

Romanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yuotkonakov defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Yuotkonakov controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romanov has momentary wrist control but Yuotkonakov slips an elbow through the middle.

Romanov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yuotkonakov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Yuotkonakov postures up.
Yuotkonakov trying to control the position from guard on top but Romanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yuotkonakov chips away with some ground and pound.
Yuotkonakov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Romanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Romanov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yuotkonakov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Yuotkonakov content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Yuotkonakov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yuotkonakov stuffs the takedown attempt from Romanov. Romanov gets slowly back to his feet.

Yuotkonakov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Romanov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Romanov wants to control from the top but Yuotkonakov keeps moving.
Yuotkonakov pulls Romanov in close to prevent any damage.
Romanov trying to control but Yuotkonakov is working from the bottom.
Romanov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Yuotkonakov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yuotkonakov pulls Romanov in to control the position.
Romanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Yuotkonakov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yuotkonakov has Romanov pulled in close to control his posture.
Let's hope that Yuotkonakov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanov wants to control from the top but Yuotkonakov keeps moving.

Romanov drops back looking for a leg! Yuotkonakov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Yuotkonakov manages to kick Romanov off! Romanov jumps back into Yuotkonakov's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Yuotkonakov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Romanov trying to control but Yuotkonakov is working from the bottom.
Yuotkonakov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Romanov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Yuotkonakov trying to control but Romanov is working from the bottom.
Yuotkonakov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Romanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Romanov is looking for a triangle but Yuotkonakov pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov lands a couple of elbows.
Yuotkonakov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Yuotkonakov landing with the ground and pound.
Yuotkonakov controlling from the top position.

Romanov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yuotkonakov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yuotkonakov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Yuotkonakov is working Romanov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Yuotkonakov lands a couple of digs.
Romanov has momentary wrist control but Yuotkonakov slips an elbow through the middle.

Romanov looking for a guillotine here but Yuotkonakov defends easily.
Yuotkonakov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Aleksandr Yuotkonakov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romanov looking for a guillotine here but Yuotkonakov defends easily.
Yuotkonakov controlling from the top position.
Yuotkonakov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Yuotkonakov stays in close to Romanov's body and controls the position.
Yuotkonakov scoring with some ground and pound.
Yuotkonakov lands a couple of elbows.

Romanov is looking for a triangle but Yuotkonakov pushes his legs off easily.

Romanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yuotkonakov defends it easily.
Yuotkonakov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Romanov's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov connects with a couple of short punches.
Yuotkonakov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Romanov's head.

Romanov is rocked!
Yuotkonakov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Oh Romanov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Romanov is looking for a triangle but Yuotkonakov pushes his legs off easily.
Yuotkonakov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Yuotkonakov connects with a couple of short punches.
Yuotkonakov arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Romanov's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Aleksandr Yuotkonakov!