PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Power (ranked 98 p4p, 16 weight class) and Sambulo Yeboah (ranked 62 p4p, 12 weight class). Yeboah has chosen Lionel Richie - All Night Long as his entrance music. 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.

Power
vs
Yeboah

168 cm
29
149 lbs
20 - 12 - 1

172 cm
34
147 lbs
28 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Arcticus University: London

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Power!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sambulo Yeboah!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Power's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Yeboah connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Power scrambles back to his feet.
Good work by Power as he checks the leg kick.
Yeboah wants to clinch.
Yeboah lands a high kick!
Yeboah throws a front kick that sends Power stumbling back into the cage.
Yeboah misses with a straight left.
Power connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Yeboah keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yeboah tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick from Power lands but Yeboah takes it in his stride.

Yeboah gets a clinch.

Yeboah jumps guard and drags Power to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Power has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Power stands up from Yeboah's guard - Power perhaps looking for a knockout.
Yeboah is trying hard to land a takedown here. Power sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power scores with the left hand. Yeboah knows he should have avoided that one.
Yeboah lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Power attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Power lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Yeboah steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Power.
Power misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yeboah.
Yeboah follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A jab from Yeboah misses.
Yeboah takes one on the button.
Yeboah tries a low kick but Power avoids it.
Yeboah pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Power takes one to the side of the head.
Yeboah paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've been told by Power's head coaches at Total Impact MMA/KT that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Power throws a hook but Yeboah avoids it easily.
Power swats away the attempt to clinch by Yeboah.
Power lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Yeboah looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yeboah goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Power throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Power.
Power uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yeboah.
Power is looking to counter punch.
Yeboah wants to clinch
and Power counters with a stiff right hand.
Power throws the left hand but Yeboah avoids the punch easily.
Power misses with a jab to the body
letting Yeboah counter with a right hand.
Yeboah misses with a body shot.
Yeboah scores with a jab.
Yeboah looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Power was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Power moves out of range as Yeboah throws a body kick.
Yeboah's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Power connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Yeboah scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah lands a glancing blow to the side of Power's head.
Decent striking displayed by Power there.
Yeboah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Power.
Thomas Power is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yeboah dodges the punch combination from Power.
Yeboah walks into a jab.
Yeboah lands with a hook. Power tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Power rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Yeboah counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Yeboah tries to free his leg and advance position but Power is retaining full guard.
Yeboah forces his way into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Yeboah wants to free his trapped foot but Power is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Power is trying to stand back up but Yeboah is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah controlling the pace.
Yeboah is trying to control the action in half guard but Power is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Power tries to kick Yeboah off but Yeboah keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Yeboah seems to be working for a kimura but Power defends the submission attempt.
Yeboah wants to take a breather but Power is having none of it.
Yeboah wants to pass the guard but Power is defending well.
Yeboah works his way into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sambulo Yeboah dominated that round.
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.

Yeboah ducks under a wild hook from Power.
Thomas Power is winning the standup battle so far.
Power looks to land a left hand but Yeboah moved out of range nicely.
Power listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Power, right into the meat.
Power walks forward, straight into a front kick from Yeboah.
Power throws a head kick that misses.
Yeboah misses with a hook. Power ducked under it nicely.
Yeboah throws a lazy head kick
and Power counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Power.
A head kick misses from Yeboah.
Yeboah avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Power blocks a head kick by Yeboah.
A head kick by Yeboah misses
and Power counters with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Power throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Power misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yeboah swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Power there as he acknowledges the shot.
Power misses with a shot to the body
and Yeboah counters with a solid body kick.
Power lands with a nice body kick.
Power lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Yeboah cracks Power with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yeboah wants to clinch up but Power keeps it at a distance.
A little feinted left hand from Power on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Yeboah lands a nice looking body shot.
Yeboah tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yeboah throws a head kick that misses.
Power connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Yeboah momentarily.
Yeboah sizes up Power with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donk. Yeboah catches Power right on the button with a cross.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Yeboah.
Power connects with a crisp jab.
Yeboah cracks Power with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah throws a jab but it's blocked by Power.
Yeboah lands with a straight right. Power didn't see that one coming.
Yeboah throws an off balance right hand
and Power counters with a thumping low kick.
Yeboah connects with a single shot there.
Yeboah fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Power is looking for a counter combo.
Power lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yeboah's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Yeboah throws a sloppy head kick and Power moves out of range easily.
Power steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yeboah.
Power checks a leg kick nicely.
Power throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Yeboah on the side of the head.
Yeboah misses with a head kick.

Yeboah fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Power, pushing him back against the cage.
Power pushes Yeboah back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah goes for a takedown in the clinch but Power prevents it.
Yeboah misses with a punch to the body.
Power tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Power blocking some punches.
Power scores with a shoulder strike.
Yeboah working aggressively here.
Yeboah struggles to land a body shot inside as Power controls his hands.
Yeboah can't find room to land a body shot as Power controls the action.
Yeboah has a couple of punches blocked by Power.

Power breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Yeboah slips a straight right by Power.
Yeboah throws a big shot that misses.
Power takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Yeboah scores with a jab. Power acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A head kick from Yeboah lands but Power takes it in his stride.
A head kick misses from Power.
Yeboah ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Power's hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Power misses with a looping left.
Power buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yeboah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Power.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Yeboah is defended easily by Power.
Thomas Power has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sambulo Yeboah.
Yeboah stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Power.
Power throws a lazy head kick
and Yeboah counters with a thumping low kick.
Power pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Power is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yeboah.
Power lands with a hook. Yeboah tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yeboah misses with a kick to the body.
It looked like Power was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sambulo Yeboah will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Yeboah feints and then cracks Power's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Power down.
Yeboah connects with a body shot that sends Power's belly button to the back.
Power fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Yeboah looks to land a right hand but Power moved out of range.
Yeboah connects with a leg kick. Power looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Power slips a jab from Yeboah.
Power jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yeboah scores with a jab. Power acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Yeboah throws a nice head kick!
Yeboah shoots in for a takedown but Power shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Power misses.
It seemed like Yeboah was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Power takes one on the button.
Power misses with a low kick as Yeboah jumps back.
Power lands a nice shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yeboah darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yeboah misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Power throwing a counter right hand but Yeboah manages to avoid it.
Yeboah takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Power takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Yeboah jabs Power right on the nose. Power blinks but takes it well.
Yeboah darts in looking for a takedown but Power gets double underhooks and turns Yeboah into the cage.
A head kick misses from Yeboah.
Power ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Power connects with a looping right hand.
Yeboah throws a wild body kick that Power sees coming a mile off.
Power lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yeboah checks a leg kick nicely.
A jab from Power misses.
Power slips a jab from Yeboah.
Power was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Power staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Power. Yeboah does a little dance to reset his feet.
Power looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Power misses with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yeboah takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Power swats away the attempt to clinch by Yeboah.
Power throws a hook to the side of Yeboah's head but Yeboah sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Power throws a head kick that misses
and Yeboah counters with a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yeboah. Power does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yeboah throws a head kick but Power moves out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Power misses its target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Power.
Yeboah swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yeboah lands with an overhand left.
Power listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Power throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah throws a head kick that misses.
A left and a right from Yeboah both land. Nice combination.
Power cracks the inside of Yeboah's front leg.
Yeboah lands with an overhand left.
Power lands with a slapping head kick.
Power takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Yeboah tries to clinch up.
Power feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yeboah's calf.
Yeboah has a takedown stuffed.
Thomas Power has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sambulo Yeboah.
Power finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Power throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yeboah throws a head kick but Power moves out of range.
Yeboah slips a jab and a cross from Power.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Power throws a head kick but Yeboah moves out of range.
Yeboah looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Power fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yeboah is out of range.
Yeboah throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Power stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Yeboah takes a swing at Power's ribcage but misses.
Yeboah swings for the body but Power moves out of range.
Power ducks right into an uppercut from Yeboah.
Yeboah is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Power.
Yeboah throws a push kick but Power slaps the foot to one side.
Power throws a leg kick
letting Yeboah counter with a right hand.
Power scoring well with a low kick there.
Power bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Yeboah's head backwards.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yeboah darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Power takes a swing at Yeboah's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Sambulo Yeboah just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

A low kick from Yeboah misses
enabling Power to counter with a crisp jab.
Power moves out of range of the body kick from Yeboah.
Yeboah takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yeboah scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Power chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Power throws a nice outside leg kick.
Power fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Power throws a shot to the body.
Yeboah connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Power lands a nice shot to the body.
Yeboah ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Power moves away.
Power looks to land a right hand but Yeboah moved out of range.
Yeboah scoring well with a low kick there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yeboah throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And Yeboah responds with a good body kick, but Power manages to step out the way in time.
Jab from Yeboah.
Yeboah scores with a head kick.
Power throws a body shot but no joy.
Yeboah unleashes a big counter combination but Power bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Power thows a left - swing and a miss!
A head kick misses from Power.
Power on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Power takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Power slips under a jab.
Yeboah fakes the leg kick and cracks Power in the body.
Yeboah connects with a leg kick. Power looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Power walks into a left hand.
Yeboah uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Power.
Power cracks Yeboah with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Power uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yeboah.
Yeboah rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Power cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yeboah moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yeboah throws a sloppy head kick
letting Power counter with a right hand.
Power throws a leg kick
and Yeboah counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yeboah is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Yeboah chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Power scores with a jab. Yeboah acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Yeboah tries to move into range but Power moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Yeboah misses with a body punch
and Power counters with a nice uppercut.
Power misses with a jab, cross combination.
Power looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Yeboah throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power throws a leg kick that is checked

so Yeboah counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Power keeping moving, preventing Yeboah from controlling successfully.
Power is trying to control the position but Yeboah postures up.
Yeboah pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Power is keeping the position for now.
Yeboah won't allow Power to get back to his feet.
Power keeping moving, preventing Yeboah from controlling successfully.
Yeboah advances to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Yeboah is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Power has managed to free his arm - good work.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah tries to pass the half guard into mount. Power knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Yeboah trying to control from half guard but Power is working away.
Yeboah works his foot free and advances to mount.
Power is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Sambulo Yeboah will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Power staying out of range there.
Power moves out of range of the body kick from Yeboah.
Yeboah shoots in looking for a takedown. Power tries to sprawl out of it but Yeboah keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Power manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Power lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nice defenses there by Power.
A thudding body kick lands there by Yeboah!
Power is looking to slow Yeboah down with leg kicks.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Yeboah - that will leave a mark!
Power scores with a nice head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yeboah.
Yeboah slips a straight right by Power.
Yeboah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Power.
Power misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yeboah just misses with a punch to the body.
Power swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Power takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Yeboah scores with a kick to the body.
Yeboah throws a half hearted mid kick.
Power lands a jab.
Yeboah shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Power but Power pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yeboah stuns Power with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Power cracks the inside of Yeboah's front leg.
Power throws a jab but it's blocked by Yeboah.
Power takes one to the side of the head.
Yeboah looks to land a left hand but Power moved out of range nicely.
Thomas Power has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yeboah throws a quick inside leg kick.
Power ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Power throws a sloppy head kick and Yeboah moves out of range easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Power misses with an uppercut.
Yeboah looks for the body kick but Power saw that one coming.
Power scores with a hook to the body. Yeboah takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A low kick from Power is predictable there
and Yeboah counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Yeboah throws a body shot but no joy.
Power with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Power throws a big shot that misses.
Power swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Good shot there by Yeboah.
Yeboah closes the distance and clinches up with Power, looking for a takedown. Yeboah pushes Power against the cage but Power circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thomas Power has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sambulo Yeboah.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah misses the jab.
Power was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A big right from Power misses.
Power scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Power sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yeboah darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Power checks the leg kick.
Yeboah throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yeboah showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Power.
Power misses with a straight left.
Yeboah drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Power defends it well.
Power will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Power tries a head kick but it misses.
Power throws a sloppy head kick

so Yeboah counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Power keeping full guard, as Yeboah tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yeboah wants to control from the top but Power keeps moving.
Yeboah passes into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Power won't allow Yeboah to pass to mount.
Sambulo Yeboah is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yeboah wants to control but Power is keeping him busy.
Power flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Sambulo Yeboah has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yeboah is trying to control. Power wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Power is trying to stand up here but Yeboah is controlling him well.

Power actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sambulo Yeboah comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yeboah 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 46:50
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sambulo Yeboah!
Sambulo Yeboah is the new featherweight champion!
A relieved looking Sambulo Yeboah thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.