PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alik Yaqhar (ranked 3150 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Gonzalez (ranked 5998 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yaqhar
vs
Gonzalez

171 cm
25
163 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alik Yaqhar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mario Gonzalez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, David Hoff and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gonzalez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yaqhar defends it nicely.
Gonzalez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yaqhar throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yaqhar misses with a body shot
and Gonzalez counters with a three punch combo that has Yaqhar backing up. Yaqhar nods at Gonzalez to acknowledge the strikes.
Gonzalez throws a half hearted mid kick.

Yaqhar tries to keep at a distance but Gonzalez has taken the fight into the clinch.

Gonzalez manages to pull guard.

Gonzalez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gonzalez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gonzalez has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Yaqhar decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaqhar throws a hook but Gonzalez avoids it easily.
A big right from Yaqhar misses.
Good shot there by Yaqhar.

It looks like Mario Gonzalez has been cut.
Yaqhar throws a lazy right hand but Gonzalez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gonzalez is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Yaqhar moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Yaqhar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gonzalez was well out of range. Poor timing from Yaqhar.
Gonzalez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yaqhar sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Yaqhar lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gonzalez at a distance.
Yaqhar connects with a right hand. Gonzalez shakes it off.
Yaqhar throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gonzalez counters with a thumping low kick.

Gonzalez clinches with his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yaqhar drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yaqhar blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaqhar avoiding damage as Gonzalez throws knees to the body.
Yaqhar stops a takedown attempt from Gonzalez.
Alik Yaqhar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Gonzalez.
Gonzalez controlling the action here for a moment.
Yaqhar is looking to take this one to the mat.
Yaqhar looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Yaqhar lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Gonzalez has one foot on Yaqhar's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Alik Yaqhar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez shoots in for a takedown but Yaqhar shows good takedown defense.
Yaqhar throws a body shot but no joy.
Yaqhar misses with a body shot.
Yaqhar lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gonzalez fails with a takedown attempt.
Yaqhar stuffs the takedown.
Gonzalez looks winded!
Yaqhar throws a push kick but Gonzalez slaps the foot to one side.
Gonzalez replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Yaqhar blocks it well.
Yaqhar avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Yaqhar misses the target.
Gonzalez with the counter takedown but Yaqhar avoids it easily.
Gonzalez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yaqhar tries to avoid it but Gonzalez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yaqhar to the ground. Yaqhar escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yaqhar lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gonzalez. Yaqhar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yaqhar with a jab.
Yaqhar fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gonzalez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yaqhar drops Gonzalez with a beautiful combination! Gonzalez stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Yaqhar is looking for the KO!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yaqhar throws a series of punches but Gonzalez avoids them all with ease.

Yaqhar pushes Gonzalez up against the cage in a clinch.
Gonzalez tries to break the clinch but Yaqhar is controlling the position.
Gonzalez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gonzalez tries for a takedown but Yaqhar manages to get underhooks.
Gonzalez tries to pull guard but Yaqhar won't allow it.
Yaqhar looking for a takedown.
Gonzalez prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alik Yaqhar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mario Gonzalez's cut.
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.

Gonzalez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Yaqhar throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Good leg kick by Gonzalez there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Yaqhar misses with a left hand
and Gonzalez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Yaqhar misses with a wild body shot.
Yaqhar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yaqhar misses with a jab to the body
and Gonzalez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gonzalez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yaqhar as he avoids it easily.
Yaqhar scores with a decent looking hook.
Gonzalez ducks under a wild hook from Yaqhar.
Gonzalez shoots in and drives through. Yaqhar sprawls well.
Yaqhar misses with a body kick.
Gonzalez shoots in for a takedown but Yaqhar shows good takedown defense.
Alik Yaqhar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Gonzalez.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gonzalez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yaqhar.
Gonzalez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Yaqhar to score with a decent uppercut.
Yaqhar throws a jab when Gonzalez was well out of range.
Gonzalez moves in looking to clinch but Yaqhar pushes him off.
Alik Yaqhar is winning the standup battle so far.
Gonzalez moves in looking to clinch but Yaqhar pushes him off.
Yaqhar throws the left hand but Gonzalez avoids the punch easily.
Yaqhar throws a hook but Gonzalez avoids it easily.
Yaqhar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gonzalez.
Gonzalez wants to counter with a clinch but Yaqhar pushes him away.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Yaqhar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gonzalez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Yaqhar with a jab.
Yaqhar throws a body shot but no joy.
Yaqhar throws out a loose jab but Gonzalez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yaqhar throws a jab when Gonzalez was well out of range.
As Yaqhar backs off Gonzalez throws a huge counter combo but Yaqhar manages to avoid it all.
Yaqhar looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Yaqhar throws the left hand but Gonzalez avoids the punch easily.
Gonzalez slips a straight right by Yaqhar.
Yaqhar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gonzalez can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gonzalez pushes Yaqhar up against the cage in a clinch.

Gonzalez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gonzalez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Yaqhar trying to control but Gonzalez is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yaqhar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gonzalez is keeping the position for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yaqhar forces his way into half guard.

Yaqhar is looking for a kimura here.

Yaqhar is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaqhar throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gonzalez holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Gonzalez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Yaqhar is working away from the top position though.
Gonzalez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Yaqhar throws a strike but Gonzalez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Yaqhar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gonzalez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gonzalez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gonzalez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaqhar is looking to stand up but Gonzalez isn't so interested in that idea.
Gonzalez tries to free his leg and advance position but Yaqhar is retaining full guard.

Yaqhar pushes Gonzalez off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Gonzalez clinches up against the cage.
Yaqhar avoids the elbow strike from Gonzalez, against the cage.
Gonzalez is stalling here.
Gonzalez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gonzalez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Yaqhar gets the underhooks and prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alik Yaqhar dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mario Gonzalez's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yaqhar just misses with a punch to the body.
Yaqhar throws a big shot that misses.
Gonzalez wants to clinch.
Yaqhar throws a big shot that misses.
Yaqhar misses with the combination.
Gonzalez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yaqhar. Gonzalez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gonzalez shoots in looking for a takedown but Yaqhar manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gonzalez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gonzalez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gonzalez lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gonzalez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yaqhar avoids it really well and circles away.
Gonzalez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yaqhar takes a swing at Gonzalez's ribcage but misses.
Gonzalez steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Yaqhar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yaqhar moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Yaqhar or perhaps it was just good defense by Gonzalez, which made it look bad.
Gonzalez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yaqhar misses with a two punch combination.
A punch combination from Yaqhar misses.
Nice takedown defense from Yaqhar. No joy for Gonzalez on that attempt.
Alik Yaqhar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Gonzalez.
Yaqhar swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gonzalez counters with a two punch combo.

Yaqhar pushes Gonzalez up against the cage in a clinch.
Gonzalez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gonzalez prevents the takedown attempt.

Gonzalez pulls guard successfully.
Alik Yaqhar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaqhar wants to get up but he can't break Gonzalez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Gonzalez trying to control the position.

Yaqhar decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gonzalez, up you get!
Gonzalez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gonzalez blocks a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gonzalez moves to clinch but Yaqhar breaks away
and Yaqhar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yaqhar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yaqhar lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gonzalez circles away quickly and effectively.
Gonzalez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Yaqhar fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gonzalez takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez feints and then cracks Yaqhar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yaqhar down.
Yaqhar uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gonzalez has time to react.
Yaqhar misses with a wild combination.
Gonzalez thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Yaqhar if he has to take too many more of those.
Yaqhar swings for the body but Gonzalez moves out of range.
Yaqhar throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Yaqhar does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gonzalez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gonzalez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yaqhar is fending him off so far but Gonzalez persists. Nope, Yaqhar circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Gonzalez with that takedown attempt.
Yaqhar shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Yaqhar looks to score with a jab to the body but Gonzalez is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaqhar throws a leg kick which misses Gonzalez's front leg but catches the back leg as Gonzalez tries to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Gonzalez.
Yaqhar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gonzalez.
A little feinted left hand from Yaqhar on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Yaqhar throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yaqhar with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Yaqhar connects with a crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gonzalez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Yaqhar.
Nice body punch from Yaqhar.
Yaqhar looks to land a left hand but Gonzalez moved out of range nicely.
Gonzalez swats away the attempt to clinch by Yaqhar.
Mario Gonzalez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gonzalez fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alik Yaqhar showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yaqhar, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alik Yaqhar!
Alik Yaqhar decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.