PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Yakubiskaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Lindberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Yakubiskaya
vs
Lindberg

160 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
26
154 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kenji Yakubiskaya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kyle Lindberg!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindberg throws a sloppy head kick and Yakubiskaya moves out of range easily.
Yakubiskaya uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lindberg.
Yakubiskaya tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Lindberg manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Yakubiskaya throws a wild body kick that Lindberg sees coming a mile off.
Yakubiskaya pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Yakubiskaya clinches.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lindberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Yakubiskaya has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Yakubiskaya has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lindberg after a bit of a struggle.
Lindberg tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lindberg is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Lindberg lands a nice knee to the body.
Yakubiskaya tries to break free but Lindberg pushes him back against the cage.
Yakubiskaya is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lindberg gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Yakubiskaya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lindberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Yakubiskaya has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lindberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yakubiskaya blocks it with crossed arms.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Yakubiskaya misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lindberg connects with a nasty looking knee right to Yakubiskaya's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakubiskaya tries for a takedown but Lindberg manages to get underhooks.
Yakubiskaya looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Yakubiskaya is trying to push Lindberg away but Lindberg has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lindberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yakubiskaya blocks it with crossed arms.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Yakubiskaya blocks it.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lindberg looks gassed!
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lindberg lands a good knee to the midsection. Yakubiskaya won't want to take too many of those.
Yakubiskaya looking for a takedown.
Yakubiskaya tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lindberg misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg misses with a knee to the head.
Lindberg gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Yakubiskaya.
Yakubiskaya tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Yakubiskaya wants a takedown but no success here.
Lindberg is trying to break the clinch but Yakubiskaya has him pressed against the cage.
Lindberg misses with a knee to the head.
Yakubiskaya is trying to break the clinch but Lindberg has him pressed against the cage.
Lindberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yakubiskaya blocks it with crossed arms.
Yakubiskaya has had enough of the clinch but Lindberg keeps him there for the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yakubiskaya is trying to break the clinch but Lindberg has him pressed against the cage.
Yakubiskaya taking a breather.
Lindberg stops a takedown attempt from Yakubiskaya.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yakubiskaya's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lindberg throws a sloppy head kick and Yakubiskaya moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yakubiskaya tries to circle away but Lindberg has him pinned against the cage.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Yakubiskaya blocks it.
Yakubiskaya unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Yakubiskaya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kyle Lindberg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice cross by Yakubiskaya.
Yakubiskaya doesn't manage to clinch there - Lindberg circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Yakubiskaya is defended easily by Lindberg.
Yakubiskaya misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakubiskaya misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lindberg connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Yakubiskaya throws a nice looking combination but Lindberg bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yakubiskaya swats away the attempt to clinch by Lindberg.
Lindberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Lindberg circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yakubiskaya tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Lindberg manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yakubiskaya moves in looking to clinch but Lindberg pushes him off.
Lindberg is looking to clinch.
Yakubiskaya fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kyle Lindberg will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Yakubiskaya avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yakubiskaya swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lindberg throws a sloppy head kick and Yakubiskaya moves out of range easily.
A big right from Lindberg misses.
Yakubiskaya shoots in but Lindberg avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yakubiskaya wants to clinch.
Yakubiskaya has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yakubiskaya there as he acknowledges the shot.
Yakubiskaya wants to clinch.
Kyle Lindberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakubiskaya shoots in looking for a takedown but Lindberg manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yakubiskaya's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lindberg connects with a high kick.
Lindberg lands with a slapping head kick.
Lindberg is breathing heavily.
Jab by Lindberg.
Lindberg displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Yakubiskaya.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Yakubiskaya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lindberg throws a nice head kick!
Lindberg keeps the fight on the outside.
Yakubiskaya moves in looking to clinch but Lindberg pushes him off.
Yakubiskaya motions for Lindberg to come forward. Yakubiskaya throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yakubiskaya misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yakubiskaya fails with an attempt to clinch.
A head kick by Lindberg misses

and Yakubiskaya holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Yakubiskaya tries to score a body lock takedown but Lindberg shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yakubiskaya tries for a takedown but Lindberg manages to get underhooks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Lindberg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kyle Lindberg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yakubiskaya tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lindberg paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yakubiskaya fails to land with a series of punches.
Lindberg throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yakubiskaya is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Yakubiskaya pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lindberg connects with a high kick.

Lindberg tries to keep at a distance but Yakubiskaya has taken the fight into the clinch.
Yakubiskaya has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Yakubiskaya breaks the clinch.
Yakubiskaya blocks a head kick by Lindberg.
Yakubiskaya looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lindberg is fending him off so far but Yakubiskaya persists. Nope, Lindberg circles away and we're back to standing.
Lindberg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yakubiskaya swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yakubiskaya shoots in but Lindberg avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A big right from Lindberg misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakubiskaya fails in his attempt to clinch.
Yakubiskaya misses with a double jab.
Yakubiskaya misses with a few strikes there.
Lindberg with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Lindberg has Yakubiskaya up against the cage in a clinch.
Kyle Lindberg seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lindberg is pressed up against the cage. Yakubiskaya has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lindberg down to the mat. Lindberg avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Yakubiskaya wants to clinch but Lindberg slips to the side
and Lindberg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yakubiskaya tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yakubiskaya tries to clinch but Lindberg moves out of range.
Lindberg misses with a lunging right hand
and Yakubiskaya counters with a big head kick but Lindberg shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kyle Lindberg will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Yakubiskaya tries for a takedown but Lindberg sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yakubiskaya walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lindberg swats away the attempt to clinch by Yakubiskaya.
Lindberg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lindberg throws a shot from downtown. Yakubiskaya moves away and avoids it.
Lindberg might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Yakubiskaya wants to clinch.
Yakubiskaya blocks a head kick by Lindberg.
Lindberg takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lindberg looks to land a right hand but Yakubiskaya moved out of range.
Yakubiskaya scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kenji Yakubiskaya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Lindberg moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindberg prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lindberg tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Yakubiskaya tries to work over Lindberg's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yakubiskaya tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Yakubiskaya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yakubiskaya drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lindberg gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Lindberg's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yakubiskaya tries to clinch but Lindberg is having none of it.
Lindberg lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Yakubiskaya shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lindberg as he jumps to the side.
Yakubiskaya moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindberg circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yakubiskaya is looking to clinch.
Lindberg lands a head kick!
Yakubiskaya shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lindberg defends it nicely.
Yakubiskaya throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Lindberg gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lindberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yakubiskaya blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakubiskaya is trying to maintain a safe position but Lindberg gets an underhook and turns Yakubiskaya into the cage.
Yakubiskaya is looking to break free of the clinch but Lindberg has double underhooks.
Lindberg lands a knee to the head.

Lindberg breaks from the clinch.
Yakubiskaya wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yakubiskaya looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yakubiskaya looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A left and a right from Yakubiskaya both land. Nice combination.
Yakubiskaya tries to clinch up but Lindberg circles away and keeps his distance.
Yakubiskaya throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakubiskaya closes the distance looking to clinch
and Lindberg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
No luck for Yakubiskaya with that takedown attempt.

Lindberg has Yakubiskaya up against the cage in a clinch.
Kenji Yakubiskaya has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Lindberg breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lindberg misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yakubiskaya blocks a jab.
Yakubiskaya shoots in but Lindberg avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kyle Lindberg is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yakubiskaya throws a wild body kick that Lindberg sees coming a mile off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyle Lindberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lindberg has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyle Lindberg!