PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Igor Yakovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Severi Turpaansaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yakovchenko comes into the arena with Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone blaring out of the sound system. Turpaansaaja is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rage Against The Machine - Bulls On Parade. Igor Yakovchenko had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Yakovchenko
vs
Turpaansaaja

177 cm
30
160 lbs
22 - 11 - 0

170 cm
37
160 lbs
33 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

REAR NAKED CHOKE NUTRITION
//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Yakovchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Severi Turpaansaaja!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yakovchenko throws out a loose jab but Turpaansaaja uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Turpaansaaja.
Yakovchenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakovchenko.
Turpaansaaja moves out of range of the body kick from Yakovchenko.
Turpaansaaja connects with a leg kick. Yakovchenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Yakovchenko tries to land a front kick but Turpaansaaja steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Turpaansaaja instigates a clinch.
Turpaansaaja stalling in the clinch but Yakovchenko improves position.
Turpaansaaja throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yakovchenkos head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turpaansaaja drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yakovchenko is trying to break the clinch but Turpaansaaja is controlling him.
Yakovchenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Turpaansaaja has him pressed against the cage.

Yakovchenko pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Turpaansaaja got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yakovchenko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Turpaansaaja has managed to get both his arms back between Yakovchenko's legs - danger averted.

Yakovchenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Turpaansaaja defends well.
Turpaansaaja is stalling in the full guard.
Turpaansaaja won't allow Yakovchenko to sweep him here.
Turpaansaaja stays in close to Yakovchenko's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Turpaansaaja trying to control but Yakovchenko is working from the bottom.

Yakovchenko looking for a guillotine here but Turpaansaaja defends easily.
Turpaansaaja sitting in guard here, content to control.
Yakovchenko keeping moving, preventing Turpaansaaja from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Turpaansaaja throws a shot from downtown. Yakovchenko moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turpaansaaja fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Yakovchenko scores with a sloppy right hand. Turpaansaaja should have avoided that one.
Turpaansaaja takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Yakovchenko looks to land a left hand but Turpaansaaja moved out of range nicely.
Turpaansaaja moves in looking to clinch but Yakovchenko pushes him off.
Turpaansaaja misses with a head kick.
Turpaansaaja looks to score with a jab to the body but Yakovchenko is just out of range.
Yakovchenko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Yakovchenko tries to keep at a distance but Turpaansaaja has taken the fight into the clinch.
Yakovchenko scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Severi Turpaansaaja has been cut.
Turpaansaaja doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Turpaansaaja wants a takedown.
Turpaansaaja lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yakovchenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Turpaansaaja has Yakovchenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yakovchenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Igor Yakovchenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Severi Turpaansaaja.
Yakovchenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Yakovchenko wants a takedown.
Turpaansaaja takes a shot to the head.
Turpaansaaja blocks a body shot from Yakovchenko.
Turpaansaaja has a couple of punches blocked by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Turpaansaaja breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Yakovchenko. That snapped Turpaansaaja's head back.
Turpaansaaja on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that misses.
Turpaansaaja shoots in and drives through. Yakovchenko sprawls well.
Yakovchenko clobbers Turpaansaaja with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Severi Turpaansaaja's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Turpaansaaja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yakovchenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Turpaansaaja waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko looks to land a right hand but Turpaansaaja moved out of range.
Yakovchenko looks to land a left hand but Turpaansaaja moved out of range nicely.
Turpaansaaja throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yakovchenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Yakovchenko seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Yakovchenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Turpaansaaja looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Turpaansaaja lands a nice looking body kick.
Yakovchenko misses with a left hand
and Turpaansaaja counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab to the body.
Turpaansaaja tries to close the distance and clinch but Yakovchenko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice right hand.
Yakovchenko scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko thuds a left hand into Turpaansaaja's body.
Yakovchenko misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Turpaansaaja to counter with a crisp jab.
Turpaansaaja misses with a wild body shot.
Turpaansaaja throws a low kick but Yakovchenko avoids it.
Igor Yakovchenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Yakovchenko is looking to score with low kicks.
A jab from Yakovchenko misses.
Turpaansaaja connects with an inside leg kick.
Turpaansaaja swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Yakovchenko to counter with a crisp jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yakovchenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yakovchenko throws a body punch but Turpaansaaja moves out of range.
Turpaansaaja is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Yakovchenko lands a head kick!
Yakovchenko misses with an uppercut

and Turpaansaaja counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovchenko is not content to let Turpaansaaja control the position.
Yakovchenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yakovchenko is refusing to be controlled, as Turpaansaaja sits in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Turpaansaaja lands a nice short elbow.
Turpaansaaja has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Turpaansaaja wants to control the pace but Yakovchenko is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yakovchenko wants to control but Turpaansaaja is having none of it.
Turpaansaaja looking to finish Yakovchenko with some ground and pound. This is bad for Yakovchenko!
Turpaansaaja trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Yakovchenko tries to hold on but Turpaansaaja postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turpaansaaja with the ground and pound from mount.
Yakovchenko is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Turpaansaaja with a couple of short strikes.
Turpaansaaja in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Turpaansaaja controlling from mount.
Turpaansaaja lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Turpaansaaja sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Severi Turpaansaaja has got the better of the ground game so far.
Turpaansaaja prevents Yakovchenko from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Severi Turpaansaaja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Severi Turpaansaaja's cut.
That's time! Yakovchenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yakovchenko misses with a low kick.

Turpaansaaja takes the fight into the clinch.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.
Yakovchenko working aggressively here.
Turpaansaaja jumps guard but Yakovchenko turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Yakovchenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Turpaansaaja backwards.
Yakovchenko prevents a body shot from Turpaansaaja.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Yakovchenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Turpaansaaja controls his hands.
Yakovchenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Turpaansaaja has a couple of punches blocked by Yakovchenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Yakovchenko fails to land.
Yakovchenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Yakovchenko lands with a short shot to the head.
Yakovchenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Turpaansaaja lands a left hand.
Yakovchenko blocks a body shot from Turpaansaaja.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Turpaansaaja controls his hands.
Turpaansaaja misses with a body punch.
Yakovchenko has a couple of punches blocked by Turpaansaaja.
Turpaansaaja tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Turpaansaaja is looking for a takedown.
Turpaansaaja can't get the takedown.
Igor Yakovchenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Severi Turpaansaaja.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Turpaansaaja.

Turpaansaaja drags the fight down to the ground.
Turpaansaaja looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Turpaansaaja keeping moving, preventing Yakovchenko from controlling successfully.
Yakovchenko wants to pass the guard but Turpaansaaja is keeping the position.
Yakovchenko is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Yakovchenko stops Turpaansaaja from standing up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Yakovchenko passes into half guard.
Yakovchenko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yakovchenko is trying to control. Turpaansaaja wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Turpaansaaja keeping control of the position.
Yakovchenko keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Turpaansaaja tries to roll over but Yakovchenko keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turpaansaaja is trying to stand back up but Yakovchenko is controlling him

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Yakovchenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Turpaansaaja misses with a takedown attempt - Yakovchenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Yakovchenko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Turpaansaaja tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yakovchenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yakovchenko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Yakovchenko connects with a body shot that sends Turpaansaaja's belly button to the back.
Yakovchenko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Turpaansaaja looks to throw a body kick
and Yakovchenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Turpaansaaja pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yakovchenko pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Yakovchenko scores with a four punch combination!
Yakovchenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Turpaansaaja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yakovchenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yakovchenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Yakovchenko lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yakovchenko misses with a wild body shot.
A head kick from Turpaansaaja lands but Yakovchenko takes it in his stride.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick that misses.
Yakovchenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Turpaansaaja was well out of range. Poor timing from Yakovchenko.
Turpaansaaja slips under a jab.
Yakovchenko misses the body punch

and Turpaansaaja holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Severi Turpaansaaja's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Turpaansaaja stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yakovchenko.
Turpaansaaja tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yakovchenko defends well and Turpaansaaja ends up having to push Yakovchenko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Yakovchenko feinted with a counter takedown.
Yakovchenko throws a hook but Turpaansaaja blocks it.
Turpaansaaja keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yakovchenko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Turpaansaaja's head.
Yakovchenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Turpaansaaja uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Turpaansaaja takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turpaansaaja swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Turpaansaaja uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko swats away the attempt to clinch by Turpaansaaja.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turpaansaaja shoots in looking for a takedown but Yakovchenko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Turpaansaaja's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Turpaansaaja throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yakovchenko throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Turpaansaaja stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Yakovchenko throws a lazy right hand but Turpaansaaja sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Turpaansaaja is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Yakovchenko with a body shot.
Yakovchenko lands with a thumping leg kick.

Turpaansaaja closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Turpaansaaja lands in his opponent's guard.
Turpaansaaja is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Turpaansaaja looking to sit in guard and control but Yakovchenko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Yakovchenko trying to control but Turpaansaaja is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turpaansaaja wants to sweep here but Yakovchenko controlling him for the moment.
Turpaansaaja is still trying to improve position.
Turpaansaaja is trying to keep Yakovchenko in close.
Yakovchenko wants to control from the top but Turpaansaaja keeps moving.
Yakovchenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Turpaansaaja is retaining full guard.
Turpaansaaja controls Yakovchenko momentarily but Yakovchenko frees himself.
Turpaansaaja wants to stand and escape but Yakovchenko is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Turpaansaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Turpaansaaja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Yakovchenko drops back looking for a leg! Turpaansaaja is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Turpaansaaja manages to kick Yakovchenko off! Yakovchenko jumps back into Turpaansaaja's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yakovchenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Turpaansaaja can do to turn this around?
A telegraphed right hand from Yakovchenko misses the target.
Yakovchenko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A good leg kick by Yakovchenko.

Turpaansaaja fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Yakovchenko to the ground. Turpaansaaja is now in Yakovchenko's guard.

Turpaansaaja avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Turpaansaaja not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Yakovchenko can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Turpaansaaja controls the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Yakovchenko had his way with Severi Turpaansaaja in that round.
The cut man is working on Severi Turpaansaaja's cut.
That's time! Yakovchenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Yakovchenko. Turpaansaaja does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yakovchenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Turpaansaaja misses with a low kick.
Yakovchenko connects with a single shot there.
Igor Yakovchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Turpaansaaja avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yakovchenko.
Turpaansaaja fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Yakovchenko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Yakovchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Turpaansaaja.
Yakovchenko backing away here, and Turpaansaaja unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovchenko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yakovchenko punishes Turpaansaaja's body with a nice straight punch.
Yakovchenko throws a front kick that sends Turpaansaaja stumbling back into the cage.
Turpaansaaja works Yakovchenko's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovchenko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Turpaansaaja is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Turpaansaaja fails with a takedown attempt.
Turpaansaaja throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yakovchenko.
Igor Yakovchenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yakovchenko misses with a head kick.
Yakovchenko on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Yakovchenko thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Turpaansaaja if he has to take too many more of those.
Yakovchenko is looking to slow Turpaansaaja down with leg kicks.
Turpaansaaja throws a head kick but Yakovchenko moves out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Turpaansaaja. That snapped Yakovchenko's head back.
Yakovchenko feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Turpaansaaja's calf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakovchenko looks to throw the jab but Turpaansaaja is out of range.
Turpaansaaja now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Yakovchenko lands a nice looking body kick.
Yakovchenko misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Turpaansaaja counter with a right hand.
Yakovchenko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Turpaansaaja looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yakovchenko lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Yakovchenko throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Turpaansaaja looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Yakovchenko throws a head kick but Turpaansaaja moves out of range.
Turpaansaaja keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws a sloppy head kick and Turpaansaaja moves out of range easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yakovchenko.
Severi Turpaansaaja has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turpaansaaja shoots in looking for a takedown. Yakovchenko tries to sprawl out of it but Turpaansaaja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Yakovchenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Turpaansaaja fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yakovchenko manages to avoid it.
Yakovchenko bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Turpaansaaja's head backwards.
Yakovchenko delivers a nice body kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Yakovchenko.
Yakovchenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yakovchenko clobbers Turpaansaaja with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Turpaansaaja lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turpaansaaja lands a nice looking body shot.
Yakovchenko loads up on a big right hand but Turpaansaaja slips the punch.
Yakovchenko throws a nice outside leg kick.
Igor Yakovchenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Turpaansaaja lands with a nice body punch.
Nice uppercut lands for Yakovchenko. That snapped Turpaansaaja's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Turpaansaaja throws a right hand that misses
and Yakovchenko counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Yakovchenko slips a jab and a cross from Turpaansaaja.
Yakovchenko's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Yakovchenko duly obliges.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yakovchenko.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Yakovchenko - that will leave a mark!
Yakovchenko takes a swing at Turpaansaaja's ribcage but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Yakovchenko showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Yakovchenko has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 49:46
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Yakovchenko!
An out of breath Igor Yakovchenko thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Severi Turpaansaaja stepped up to the mic, saying 'Igor Yakovchenko, you're one hell of a fighter and I thank you for pushing this old war dog to his limits! I'm not sure how much more I have left in the tank but you better be damn sure I'm going to find out. Don't write me off just yet!'.