PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jaden King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandr Yuotkonakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

King
vs
Yuotkonakov

190 cm
21
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
21
267 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jaden King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksandr Yuotkonakov!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King closes the distance and clinches up with Yuotkonakov, looking for a takedown. King pushes Yuotkonakov against the cage but Yuotkonakov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
King will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Yuotkonakov dives in and grabs King's left leg, looking for a takedown. King pushes down on Yuotkonakov's head and hops out.
King is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Yuotkonakov.
King shoots in looking for a takedown but Yuotkonakov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing King's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaden King. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Yuotkonakov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Yuotkonakov trying to control the pace.
Yuotkonakov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

King looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yuotkonakov working King over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
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.
Yuotkonakov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

King is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Yuotkonakov pulls his head out easily.
Yuotkonakov drops an elbow to the side of King's head.

That's two 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.
Yuotkonakov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Yuotkonakov thows a huge punch but King dodges it nicely.
Yuotkonakov trying to control the pace.
Yuotkonakov lands strikes from half guard.
Yuotkonakov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Yuotkonakov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King is looking to improve his position.
Yuotkonakov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Yuotkonakov trying to pass the guard but King defending well.
Yuotkonakov winds up and cracks King with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
King is looking to improve his position.
Yuotkonakov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Yuotkonakov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with King. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

King looking for submissions off his back.
King is breathing heavily.
Yuotkonakov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

King looking for submissions off his back.
Yuotkonakov stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
King stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and King wants it to stay on the feet.
Yuotkonakov shoots in for a takedown but King shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Aleksandr Yuotkonakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yuotkonakov shoots in looking for a takedown but King manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yuotkonakov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Yuotkonakov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. King defends it nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
King dives in for a single leg takedown but Yuotkonakov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Yuotkonakov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Yuotkonakov drops an elbow to the side of King's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Yuotkonakov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

King gets a clinch.
King scores a nice knee to the body.
King prevents a takedown attempt there.
Yuotkonakov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
King has Yuotkonakov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yuotkonakov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Yuotkonakov is trying to drag King to the mat but King just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Yuotkonakov tries for a takedown but King manages to get underhooks.
Jaden King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksandr Yuotkonakov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yuotkonakov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but King is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov wants a takedown.

King breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

King closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Yuotkonakov quickly recovers to half guard.
Yuotkonakov is controlling King's trapped leg to prevent King from advancing to side control.
Yuotkonakov is not content to let King control the position.
Yuotkonakov is concentrating on defense, preventing King from advancing position.
King wants to take a breather but Yuotkonakov is having none of it.
Aleksandr Yuotkonakov has got the better of the ground game so far.

King is trying to work for a kimura but Yuotkonakov is defending well.

King is working for a kimura but Yuotkonakov is defending it quite comfortably.
Yuotkonakov keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov is trying to maintain the position but King is very close to passing his half guard.

King is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Yuotkonakov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time King.
Yuotkonakov won't allow King to pass to mount.
Yuotkonakov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Yuotkonakov wants to improve his position but King is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

King is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Yuotkonakov wants to improve his position but King is controlling well.
Yuotkonakov is controlling King's trapped leg to prevent King from advancing to side control.

King is trying to work for a kimura but Yuotkonakov is defending well.
Yuotkonakov trying to hold on to King's head to control him but King postures up.
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.
Yuotkonakov controlling the position for now.
King is trying to control the action in half guard but Yuotkonakov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

King is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Yuotkonakov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time King.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Yuotkonakov holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

King is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Yuotkonakov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Yuotkonakov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. King is working away from the top position though.
Yuotkonakov controlling the position well.

King is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Yuotkonakov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time King.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yuotkonakov connecting with a few gentle strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaden King dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Yuotkonakov tries for a takedown but King sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
King is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yuotkonakov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
King fails with a takedown attempt.
King changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yuotkonakov tries to avoid it but King manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yuotkonakov to the ground. Yuotkonakov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yuotkonakov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaden King. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from King as Yuotkonakov shoots in.
Yuotkonakov fails with the takedown.
Yuotkonakov fails with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from King.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King shoots in and drives through. Yuotkonakov sprawls well.
King shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
King defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Yuotkonakov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yuotkonakov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

King closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Yuotkonakov quickly recovers to half guard.
Yuotkonakov is refusing to be controlled, as King sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

King is trying to work for a kimura but Yuotkonakov is defending well.
King is looking to take a break and control but Yuotkonakov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Yuotkonakov is defending against the submission attempts here by King.
Yuotkonakov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
King is looking to stand up but Yuotkonakov won't let him.
Yuotkonakov pulls King in to control the position.
Yuotkonakov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Yuotkonakov is pulling down on King's head. It's preventing any offense from King, at least for the moment.
King in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
King wants to control from the top but Yuotkonakov keeps moving.
King is really struggling to control Yuotkonakov but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yuotkonakov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? King is fending him off so far but Yuotkonakov persists. Nope, King circles away and we're back to standing.

Yuotkonakov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
King is trying to escape the position but Yuotkonakov is controlling the position.
King wants to control but Yuotkonakov postures up.
King being controlled for a moment.
You can see the frustration on King's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yuotkonakov in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Yuotkonakov scores with punches from side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
King wants to control but Yuotkonakov postures up.
Yuotkonakov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
King fails with a takedown attempt.
King thumps Yuotkonakov with a low kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Yuotkonakov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for King!
Yuotkonakov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused King some visible discomfort.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aleksandr Yuotkonakov.
I think Yuotkonakov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Aleksandr Yuotkonakov!
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Jaden King!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Aleksandr Yuotkonakov!

Aleksandr Yuotkonakov wins by split decision!