PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shoichi Kosugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Yakovchenko
vs
Kosugi

177 cm
19
169 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
24
181 lbs
5 - 4 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Shoichi Kosugi !
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko misses the shot to the body.
Kosugi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yakovchenko.

Kosugi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Yakovchenko quickly recovers to half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Yakovchenko tries to roll over but Kosugi keeps him under control.

Yakovchenko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kosugi pulls his head out easily.
Kosugi prevents Yakovchenko from improving his position.
Kosugi tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Yakovchenko.

Kosugi decides to return to a standing position.
Yakovchenko connects with a nice looking jab.
Yakovchenko avoids the body shot from Kosugi .
Yakovchenko scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovchenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kosugi throws a right and a left that Yakovchenko avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko misses with a leg kick.
Kosugi catches Yakovchenko with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kosugi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Yakovchenko pinned against the cage. Yakovchenko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kosugi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Kosugi closes the distance and clinches.
Yakovchenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kosugi is defending well for now.
Yakovchenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kosugi avoids it.
Yakovchenko throws a head punch that misses.

Kosugi has clasped his hands together around Yakovchenko's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Yakovchenko wants to control but Kosugi postures up.

Kosugi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yakovchenko goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Yakovchenko moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yakovchenko throws a series of punches but Kosugi avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi fails to land with a series of punches.
Kosugi moves out of range of the body kick.
Kosugi lands a nice looking body shot.
Kosugi blocks a jab.
Kosugi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Kosugi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Yakovchenko sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Yakovchenko is trying to control but can't.

Kosugi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Yakovchenko gets full guard.
Kosugi trying to control the position from guard on top but Yakovchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kosugi looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kosugi wants to control from the top but Yakovchenko keeps moving.
Kosugi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Yakovchenko's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Yakovchenko manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kosugi manages to get himself to full guard.
Kosugi has control of Yakovchenko's left arm, preventing Yakovchenko from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Shoichi Kosugi .
Kosugi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick but Kosugi moves out of range.
Yakovchenko just misses with a punch to the body.
That kick from Yakovchenko tenderised Kosugi 's leg. Kosugi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kosugi slips under a jab.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kosugi moves into the clinch.

Kosugi gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Yakovchenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kosugi defends it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yakovchenko trying to keep a closed guard but Kosugi is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Some wild striking there from Kosugi .
Yakovchenko tries to move into range but Kosugi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Kosugi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Yakovchenko's guard now.
Kosugi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yakovchenko manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kosugi manages to get himself to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yakovchenko preventing the sweep.
Kosugi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Yakovchenko's guard.

Kosugi gets to his feet - Yakovchenko follows without any prompting.
Yakovchenko throws a big shot that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kosugi is defended easily by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a push kick but Kosugi slaps the foot to one side.
Igor Yakovchenko is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko throws an overhand right that lands on Kosugi 's shoulder, as Kosugi tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Yakovchenko misses.
Yakovchenko throws a low kick, looking for Kosugi 's leg but Kosugi calmly moves out of range.

Kosugi moves into range and clinches up with Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kosugi 's elbow.
Kosugi blocking some punches.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.
Kosugi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yakovchenko is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Yakovchenko pushes off an throws an elbow but Kosugi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Yakovchenko misses with a body punch.
Kosugi blocks a body shot from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Igor Yakovchenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shoichi Kosugi .
Yakovchenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yakovchenko lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kosugi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yakovchenko is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi lands a shot to the body.
Yakovchenko lands an elbow just above Kosugi 's eye.
Yakovchenko working Kosugi over with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yakovchenko has a couple of punches blocked by Kosugi .
Yakovchenko throws an elbow but it misses.
Kosugi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yakovchenko prevents it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Yakovchenko just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kosugi 's brow.
Yakovchenko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kosugi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kosugi wants a takedown but no success here.
Kosugi is breathing heavily.
Yakovchenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kosugi tries for a takedown but Yakovchenko manages to get underhooks.
Yakovchenko stops a takedown attempt from Kosugi .
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kosugi .
Kosugi dodges an elbow strike from Yakovchenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko pushes off an throws an elbow but Kosugi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Yakovchenko is pressed up against the cage. Kosugi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yakovchenko down to the mat. Yakovchenko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Yakovchenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Kosugi circles away.
Yakovchenko dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kosugi . That did some damage!
Kosugi checks the leg kick.
Kosugi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yakovchenko lands a nice hook to Kosugi 's body. Kosugi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kosugi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Yakovchenko. Yakovchenko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Yakovchenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Kosugi .
Yakovchenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kosugi blocks the body kick.
Igor Yakovchenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yakovchenko cracks a nice hook into Kosugi 's ribs.
Yakovchenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko misses with a head kick.
Kosugi fails to land the takedown.
Kosugi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kosugi jabs Yakovchenko right on the nose. Yakovchenko blinks but takes it well.
Kosugi misses with an uppercut
and Yakovchenko counters with a leg kick.
Kosugi throws a series of punches but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Yakovchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kosugi manages to avoid it.
Kosugi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Yakovchenko lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kosugi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yakovchenko can pounce on him.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Kosugi avoids it easily.
Kosugi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kosugi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yakovchenko throws out the jab.
Kosugi misses with a double jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kosugi tries to bum rush Yakovchenko with a series of wild strikes but Yakovchenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Yakovchenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Kosugi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kosugi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Yakovchenko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kosugi .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Yakovchenko with a nice cross.
Both fighters circling a little - Yakovchenko finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Yakovchenko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yakovchenko wants it to stay on the feet.

Kosugi pushes Yakovchenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Kosugi dodges an elbow strike from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Yakovchenko misses with an elbow strike.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.

Kosugi has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Yakovchenko clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Kosugi is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Yakovchenko trying to control the action but Kosugi just sinks the hooks in.
Kosugi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kosugi 's guard. Nice work there by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Yakovchenko trying to control but Kosugi is working from the bottom.
Kosugi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kosugi is trying to keep Yakovchenko in close.
Yakovchenko wants to pass the guard but Kosugi is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Yakovchenko throws a big shot that misses.
Yakovchenko throws a big shot that misses.
Yakovchenko jabs Kosugi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Yakovchenko throws out a leg kick but Kosugi moves out of range and Yakovchenko only half commits.
Yakovchenko throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yakovchenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Yakovchenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Yakovchenko misses with a looping right.

Oooooh!!! Kosugi has knocked Yakovchenko down with a huge combo! Kosugi steps away and waves a wobbly Yakovchenko back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Yakovchenko is rocked!

It looks like Igor Yakovchenko has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A swing and a miss from Yakovchenko.
Oh Yakovchenko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kosugi scores with a body shot.
Yakovchenko seems to have got his legs back now.
Kosugi digs a good hook to Yakovchenko's body.
Yakovchenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kosugi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Yakovchenko did well to prevent Kosugi getting side control.
Kosugi is thwarting Yakovchenko's attempts to control the position.
Kosugi lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kosugi wants to stand up but Yakovchenko has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Kosugi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Yakovchenko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kosugi .
Yakovchenko manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yakovchenko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yakovchenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kosugi 's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yakovchenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kosugi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Yakovchenko is controlling him.
Yakovchenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Kosugi is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shoichi Kosugi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kosugi 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shoichi Kosugi !