PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kai Yamaguchi (ranked 65 p4p, 12 weight class) and Aharon Sarkisyan (ranked 217 p4p, 29 weight class). Yamaguchi's entrance music is Yama Yama. A fine choice. Sarkisyan comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ara Gevorgyan - Artsakh kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Yamaguchi
vs
Sarkisyan

176 cm
26
160 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

173 cm
25
163 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Urban Fighter

Urban Fighter
Aspire Clothing

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 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Yamaguchi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aharon Sarkisyan!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sarkisyan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sarkisyan there as he acknowledges the shot.
That kick from Yamaguchi tenderised Sarkisyan's leg. Sarkisyan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Yamaguchi looks to land a left hand but Sarkisyan moved out of range nicely.
Sarkisyan throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Yamaguchi throws a shot from downtown. Sarkisyan moves away and avoids it.
Yamaguchi misses with a straight left.
Sarkisyan wants to counter with a clinch but Yamaguchi pushes him away.
Yamaguchi slips under a jab from Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan throws a predictable looking body shot
and Yamaguchi counters with a one-two to the body.
Sarkisyan misses with a low kick.
Yamaguchi tries to clinch but Sarkisyan is having none of it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sarkisyan! But no joy.
Sarkisyan looks to clinch
and Yamaguchi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sarkisyan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Yamaguchi at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circling - Sarkisyan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sarkisyan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yamaguchi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Yamaguchi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi takes a swing at Sarkisyan's ribcage but misses.
Yamaguchi has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Wild Beasts Zoo in the buildup to the fight.
Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan throws out a powerful jab.

Sarkisyan instigates a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Yamaguchi.
Sarkisyan struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Sarkisyan misses with a punch to the body.
Yamaguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Sarkisyan.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi is trying to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yamaguchi.
Sarkisyan misses with the head strike.
Sarkisyan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sarkisyan struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.

Yamaguchi breaks the clinch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Yamaguchi!
Sarkisyan takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarkisyan misses with an uppercut. Yamaguchi saw that one coming.
Yamaguchi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sarkisyan.
Yamaguchi scores with a punch to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamaguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sarkisyan was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamaguchi.
Sarkisyan misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Yamaguchi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yamaguchi lands with a hook. Sarkisyan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Yamaguchi lands a jab to the nose.
Sarkisyan misses with an uppercut.
Yamaguchi throws a lazy uppercut
and Sarkisyan makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Yamaguchi really felt that one!
Aharon Sarkisyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamaguchi throws a jab when Sarkisyan was well out of range.
Yamaguchi jabs at Sarkisyan's body.
Yamaguchi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi lands with a cross.
Yamaguchi misses with a looping right.
Yamaguchi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sarkisyan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A shot to the liver by Sarkisyan. Beautiful body shot.
Sarkisyan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sarkisyan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yamaguchi's sensitive parts.
Sarkisyan thows a body kick. Yamaguchi tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Sarkisyan throws a hook but Yamaguchi blocks it.
Yamaguchi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sarkisyan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Yamaguchi scrambles back to his feet.
Sarkisyan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Sarkisyan has closed the distance and engaged Yamaguchi in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sarkisyan misses with some punches.
Yamaguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Yamaguchi on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Sarkisyan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sarkisyan blocks an uppercut.
Sarkisyan working aggressively here.
Sarkisyan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sarkisyan tries a body shot but Yamaguchi blocks it.
Sarkisyan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sarkisyan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yamaguchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yamaguchi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Sarkisyan.
Yamaguchi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Yamaguchi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Yamaguchi misses with a punch to the body.
Yamaguchi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yamaguchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sarkisyan's elbow.
Sarkisyan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yamaguchi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi blocks a body shot from Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan pushes Yamaguchi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Sarkisyan scores with a nice short uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kai Yamaguchi will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Yamaguchi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sarkisyan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sarkisyan throws out a loose jab but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sarkisyan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sarkisyan throws a hook but Yamaguchi avoids it easily.
Sarkisyan looks to land a right hand but Yamaguchi moved out of range.
Sarkisyan throws a poor cross that misses
and Yamaguchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yamaguchi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan misses with a kick to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sarkisyan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sarkisyan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yamaguchi scores with a shot to the body.
Sarkisyan throws a right hand that misses
and Yamaguchi counters with a nice uppercut.
Sarkisyan blocks a head kick by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi sets himself, and Sarkisyan steps forward looking for the clinch! Yamaguchi avoids it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Yamaguchi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Yamaguchi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yamaguchi lands a body shot.
Sarkisyan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Yamaguchi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Sarkisyan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sarkisyan swings wildly with an uppercut but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Sarkisyan fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Yamaguchi fails to land.
Sarkisyan tries a body shot but Yamaguchi blocks it.
Sarkisyan lands a body shot in the clinch.
Yamaguchi gets through Sarkisyan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi tries to throw a body punch but Sarkisyan avoids it by throwing Yamaguchi back against the cage.
Yamaguchi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch.
Sarkisyan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yamaguchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sarkisyan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Sarkisyan - that landed with a thud.
Yamaguchi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamaguchi throws a head punch that misses.
Yamaguchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi lands with a right to the head.
Sarkisyan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yamaguchi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sarkisyan backwards.
A short body shot lands from Yamaguchi as the two fighters clinch.
Sarkisyan scores with a shot to the side of Yamaguchi's head.
Sarkisyan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Yamaguchi.
Sarkisyan lands a nice shot to the body.
Sarkisyan lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sarkisyan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sarkisyan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sarkisyan tries to work over Yamaguchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yamaguchi lands with a short shot to the head.
A short uppercut from Sarkisyan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarkisyan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sarkisyan pushes Yamaguchi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch.
Yamaguchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yamaguchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yamaguchi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sarkisyan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Sarkisyan.
A short uppercut from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi blocking some punches.
Sarkisyan working aggressively here.
Yamaguchi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Yamaguchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sarkisyan tries to throw a body punch but Yamaguchi avoids it by throwing Sarkisyan back against the cage.
Yamaguchi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sarkisyan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sarkisyan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
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!
Yamaguchi tries a body shot but Sarkisyan blocks it.
Sarkisyan misses with a punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Sarkisyan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi blocks an uppercut.
Yamaguchi throws a head punch that misses.
Still in the clinch, Yamaguchi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sarkisyan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Sarkisyan scores with a nice hook to the head.
Yamaguchi swings wildly with an uppercut but Sarkisyan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aharon Sarkisyan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sarkisyan lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Sarkisyan has a couple of punches blocked by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi lands a nice uppercut.
Yamaguchi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sarkisyan is keeping busy.
Yamaguchi lands an uppercut.
Sarkisyan misses with the head strike.
Yamaguchi lands a nice shot to the body.
Yamaguchi lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yamaguchi digs a right hand underneath Sarkisyan's ribcage. Sarkisyan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Yamaguchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sarkisyan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yamaguchi prevents a body shot from Sarkisyan.
Yamaguchi misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aharon Sarkisyan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Yamaguchi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sarkisyan.
Kai Yamaguchi is winning the standup battle so far.
Yamaguchi thumps Sarkisyan with a low kick.
Yamaguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sarkisyan was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamaguchi.
Sarkisyan misses with a right hand
and Yamaguchi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sarkisyan, right into the meat.
Sarkisyan moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sarkisyan blocks a low kick nicely.
Sarkisyan lands a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sarkisyan lands with a cross.
Yamaguchi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamaguchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sarkisyan moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarkisyan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sarkisyan takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sarkisyan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sarkisyan scores with a leg kick.
Sarkisyan throws a jab when Yamaguchi was well out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Yamaguchi misses its target.
Sarkisyan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Yamaguchi misses with a body kick.
Sarkisyan gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Yamaguchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sarkisyan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sarkisyan misses with a two punch combination.
A lazy left from Sarkisyan finds it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slow jab from Yamaguchi misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarkisyan lands with a shot to the body.
Sarkisyan misses with a lunging right hand
and Sarkisyan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sarkisyan plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sarkisyan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sarkisyan misses the jab.
A slow jab from Yamaguchi misses its intended target.
Sarkisyan connects with a right hand. Yamaguchi shakes it off.
Sarkisyan works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sarkisyan tries to clinch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Yamaguchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Sarkisyan has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sarkisyan working aggressively here.
Yamaguchi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yamaguchi blocking some punches.
Sarkisyan lands an uppercut.
Yamaguchi tries to work over Sarkisyan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sarkisyan's elbow.
Still in the clinch, Yamaguchi scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan prevents a body shot from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sarkisyan's elbow.
Sarkisyan misses with a body punch.
Yamaguchi scores with a shoulder strike.
Sarkisyan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Yamaguchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sarkisyan misses with a punch to the body.
A right hand to the body from Sarkisyan.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sarkisyan scores with a nice hook to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sarkisyan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sarkisyan.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Yamaguchi.
Sarkisyan pushes Yamaguchi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sarkisyan lands a right hand.
Sarkisyan lands a nice uppercut.
Sarkisyan working aggressively here.
Sarkisyan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.

Yamaguchi is rocked!
Sarkisyan lands a hook that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Oh Yamaguchi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sarkisyan scores with a shoulder strike.
Sarkisyan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sarkisyan creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Yamaguchi's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Yamaguchi drops to his knees and Sarkisyan pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Aharon Sarkisyan!
Aharon Sarkisyan is the new lightweight champion!
After winning the bout, Aharon Sarkisyan thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Kai Yamaguchi was interviewed post fight and said 'Arigato gozaimash. My stupid manager didn't let me rest this morning. But no excuses. Well done, I'll be back.'.