PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mukhtar Sirawazi (ranked 2027 p4p, 228 weight class) and Gasan Yakolev (ranked 1481 p4p, 174 weight class). On his way into the ring it seems that Mukhtar Sirawazi has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Mukhtar Sirawazi seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Sirawazi
vs
Yakolev

170 cm
22
167 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

183 cm
23
171 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mukhtar Sirawazi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gasan Yakolev!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sirawazi misses with a hook.
Yakolev throws a nice looking combination but Sirawazi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sirawazi throws a shot from downtown. Yakolev moves away and avoids it.
Sirawazi just misses with a punch to the body.
Yakolev lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sirawazi throws a hook but Yakolev blocks it.
A big right from Sirawazi misses.
Yakolev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sirawazi misses with a looping left.
A head kick misses from Yakolev.
Yakolev throws a nice looking combination but Sirawazi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yakolev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sirawazi misses with a double jab.
Sirawazi missing with a left hand there. Yakolev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yakolev lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sirawazi looks to throw the jab but Yakolev is out of range.
Yakolev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yakolev feints a jab promting Sirawazi to slip. Yakolev then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sirawazi slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters circling - Sirawazi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sirawazi misses with a hook. Yakolev ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sirawazi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Yakolev doesn't seem bothered though.
Yakolev staying out of range there.
Yakolev throws a nice looking combination but Sirawazi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yakolev misses with a combination
and Sirawazi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sirawazi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakolev moves away.
Yakolev is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Yakolev's coach down at UnderGround Training Facility was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Yakolev's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Yakolev throws a right and a left that Sirawazi avoids nicely.
Sirawazi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yakolev was well out of range. Poor timing from Sirawazi.
As Sirawazi backs off Yakolev throws a huge counter combo but Sirawazi manages to avoid it all.
Sirawazi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mukhtar Sirawazi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sirawazi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yakolev.
Yakolev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sirawazi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've been hearing reports that Sirawazi has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Yakolev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sirawazi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yakolev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Yakolev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sirawazi throws a hook to the side of Yakolev's head but Yakolev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No joy there for Yakolev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sirawazi attempts a counter takedown but Yakolev avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sirawazi throws out a loose jab but Yakolev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yakolev throws a right and a left that Sirawazi avoids nicely.
Yakolev throws a nice looking combination but Sirawazi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Yakolev tries to sprawl but Sirawazi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Sirawazi landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sirawazi is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sirawazi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Yakolev with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sirawazi in particular looking to stall.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sirawazi connects with a nice short shot to Yakolev's temple.
Sirawazi working Yakolev over with strikes.
Sirawazi working the head and body with strikes.
Sirawazi is trying to control. Yakolev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev gets full guard.
Sirawazi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sirawazi looking to sit in guard and control but Yakolev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sirawazi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sirawazi keeping moving, preventing Yakolev from controlling successfully.
Sirawazi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sirawazi seems keen to control Yakolev's posture.
Sirawazi keeping full guard, as Yakolev tries to pass.
Yakolev trying to control the position from guard on top but Sirawazi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sirawazi controlling Yakolev's posture.

Sirawazi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yakolev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Yakolev throws a big right hand that misses.
Yakolev trying to control but Sirawazi is working from the bottom.
Sirawazi is trying to control the position but Yakolev postures up.
Yakolev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sirawazi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sirawazi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Yakolev.
A slow jab from Sirawazi misses its intended target.
Yakolev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sirawazi misses with a looping left.
Sirawazi dodges the punch combination from Yakolev.
Sirawazi misses the shot to the body.
Gasan Yakolev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sirawazi misses the jab.
Yakolev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sirawazi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Yakolev.
Sirawazi throws a hook but Yakolev avoids it easily.
Sirawazi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yakolev.
Yakolev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sirawazi circles away quickly and effectively.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yakolev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sirawazi loads up on a big right hand but Yakolev slips the punch.
As Sirawazi backs off Yakolev throws a huge counter combo but Sirawazi manages to avoid it all.
Yakolev swinging wildly here.
Yakolev slips under a jab.
As Sirawazi backs off Yakolev throws a huge counter combo but Sirawazi manages to avoid it all.
Sirawazi misses with a hook. Yakolev ducked under it nicely.
Yakolev is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Sirawazi thuds a left hand into Yakolev's body.
Sirawazi is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Yakolev's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Yakolev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sirawazi circles away quickly and effectively.
Sirawazi scores with a hook to the body. Yakolev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sirawazi. Yakolev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sirawazi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yakolev is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
No joy there for Yakolev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yakolev throws a series of punches but Sirawazi moves out of range.
Sirawazi missing with a left hand there. Yakolev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yakolev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sirawazi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Yakolev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sirawazi looks to throw the jab but Yakolev is out of range.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev staying out of range there.
Sirawazi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Yakolev blocks a jab.
Yakolev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sirawazi is looking to counter punch.

Sirawazi dives in and scores a takedown into Yakolev's guard.
Sirawazi cracks Yakolev with a solid left hand.
Sirawazi is stalling in the full guard.
Sirawazi trying to control the position from guard on top but Yakolev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sirawazi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sirawazi won't allow Yakolev to sweep him here.
Sirawazi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sirawazi wants to control from the top but Yakolev keeps moving.
Sirawazi distracts Yakolev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Yakolev keeping moving, preventing Sirawazi from controlling successfully.
Sirawazi landing some decent shots from guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Yakolev is on top in guard.

Yakolev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yakolev throws an elbow that misses. Sirawazi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Yakolev's guard. Nice move by Sirawazi!

Sirawazi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sirawazi trying to control but Yakolev is working from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Yakolev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sirawazi is one step ahead there.
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 Mukhtar Sirawazi will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yakolev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sirawazi.
Yakolev throws a head kick that misses.
Sirawazi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sirawazi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yakolev.
Yakolev slips under a jab.
Sirawazi misses with an uppercut. Yakolev saw that one coming.
Gasan Yakolev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yakolev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Yakolev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A swing and a miss from Sirawazi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakolev takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sirawazi throws a right hand that Yakolev ducks under and follows up with a left that Yakolev also avoids with ease.
As Sirawazi backs off Yakolev throws a huge counter combo but Sirawazi manages to avoid it all.
Sirawazi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Yakolev.
Yakolev misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sirawazi misses the shot to the body.
Sirawazi dives in for a single leg takedown but Yakolev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Sirawazi with a jab.
Yakolev lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sirawazi backs up against the ropes.
Sirawazi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yakolev is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Yakolev's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Yakolev duly obliges.
Sirawazi throws a jab when Yakolev was well out of range.
Yakolev tries to bum rush Sirawazi with a series of wild strikes but Sirawazi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sirawazi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yakolev was well out of range. Poor timing from Sirawazi.
Sirawazi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sirawazi misses with a straight right.
Sirawazi throws a hook to the side of Yakolev's head but Yakolev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakolev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Yakolev throws a series of punches but Sirawazi moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sirawazi just misses with a punch to the body.
No joy there for Yakolev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sirawazi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sirawazi throws a jab when Yakolev was well out of range.
Yakolev misses with the combination.
Yakolev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sirawazi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sirawazi throws a jab when Yakolev was well out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Sirawazi misses the target.
A telegraphed right hand from Sirawazi misses the target.
Despite the aggression on Yakolev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Yakolev throws a one two combo.
Yakolev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yakolev lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sirawazi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakolev moves away.
Sirawazi throws a hook but Yakolev avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirawazi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yakolev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sirawazi.
A jab from Sirawazi misses.
Yakolev is looking for the big counter here.
Yakolev slips a jab from Sirawazi.
Sirawazi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yakolev swivels and escapes.
Yakolev misses with a jab, cross combination.
A nice combination there by Yakolev.
Yakolev throws a head kick that misses.
Yakolev misses with a double jab.
Yakolev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sirawazi.
Yakolev unleashes a big counter combination but Sirawazi bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Yakolev misses with the combination.
Yakolev is breathing heavily.
Sirawazi scores with a body shot.
Sirawazi misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sirawazi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakolev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Despite the aggression on Yakolev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sirawazi throws a series of strikes that have Yakolev backpedaling.
Yakolev scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sirawazi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sirawazi throws a hook to the side of Yakolev's head but Yakolev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sirawazi throws a big shot that misses.
Sirawazi missing with a left hand there. Yakolev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sirawazi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Yakolev doesn't seem bothered though.
Yakolev moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Yakolev scores with a one two! Sirawazi had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sirawazi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yakolev was well out of range. Poor timing from Sirawazi.
Sirawazi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sirawazi looks to throw the jab but Yakolev is out of range.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev throws a series of punches but Sirawazi moves out of range.
Sirawazi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yakolev.
Yakolev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sirawazi.
Sirawazi misses with a body shot.
Yakolev unleashes a big counter combination but Sirawazi bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Yakolev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice combination there by Yakolev.
Sirawazi lands a nice shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Yakolev.
Yakolev is working the combinations to good effect here.
Yakolev avoids the body shot from Sirawazi.
Yakolev unleashes a big counter combination but Sirawazi bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Sirawazi misses with an uppercut.
Sirawazi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakolev moves away.
Sirawazi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Yakolev.
Sirawazi misses with a looping left.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sirawazi swings for the body but Yakolev moves out of range.
Sirawazi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yakolev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sirawazi throws out the jab.
Yakolev throws a series of punches but Sirawazi moves out of range.
Sirawazi lands a nice hook to Yakolev's body. Yakolev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A punch combination from Sirawazi misses.
Yakolev misses with a series of wild punches.
Sirawazi attempts a counter takedown but Yakolev avoids it well and moves away.
Gasan Yakolev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sirawazi looks to score with a jab to the body but Yakolev is just out of range.
Sirawazi lands a right hook to the body.
Yakolev misses with a wild combination.
Sirawazi missing with a left hand there. Yakolev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yakolev dodges the punch combination from Sirawazi.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev misses with a wild combination.
Sirawazi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sloppy strikes from Yakolev. Those never looked like landing.
Yakolev slips under a jab from Sirawazi.
Sirawazi looks to land a combination but Yakolev avoids it well.
Yakolev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sirawazi.
Yakolev blocks a jab.
Sirawazi misses with an uppercut.
Sirawazi misses with a body shot.
Yakolev misses with a double jab
and Sirawazi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sirawazi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
No joy there for Yakolev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sirawazi.
Yakolev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yakolev misses with a double jab.
Yakolev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sirawazi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yakolev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sirawazi throws a jab when Yakolev was well out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sirawazi. Yakolev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yakolev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sirawazi swinging wildly here.
Yakolev pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sirawazi back to the ropes. Yakolev follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Sirawazi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Yakolev throws a right hand that Sirawazi ducks under and follows up with a left that Sirawazi also avoids with ease.
Sirawazi tries to counter with a takedown but Yakolev is quick to defend against it.
Yakolev throws a sloppy head kick and Sirawazi moves out of range easily.
It looked like Sirawazi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yakolev slips under a jab from Sirawazi.
Yakolev fails to land with a series of punches.
Sirawazi digs a good hook to Yakolev's body.
Sirawazi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sirawazi throws a body shot but no joy.
Sirawazi shoots in for a takedown but Yakolev shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mukhtar Sirawazi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yakolev throws a head kick but Sirawazi moves out of range.
Yakolev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sirawazi.
Yakolev throws a right hand that Sirawazi ducks under and follows up with a left that Sirawazi also avoids with ease.
Sirawazi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Yakolev blocks a jab.
Sirawazi looks to land a right hand but Yakolev moved out of range.
Yakolev is looking for the big counter here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gasan Yakolev.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Mukhtar Sirawazi!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Mukhtar Sirawazi!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Mukhtar Sirawazi!

Mukhtar Sirawazi wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Mukhtar Sirawazi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.