PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Esponosa (ranked 964 p4p, 1645 weight class) and Kotetsu Yama (ranked 144 p4p, 225 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Esponosa
vs
Yama

181 cm
22
163
5 - 1 - 0

168 cm
20
159
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Shadow Realm NYC

Champion Apparel
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricardo Esponosa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kotetsu Yama!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Yama.
Esponosa tries to move into range but Yama moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Yama misses with a hook.
No luck for Esponosa with that takedown attempt.

Esponosa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Yama is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Let's hope that Yama has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esponosa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Esponosa slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esponosa perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Yama is trying to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Esponosa seems content to control.
Yama desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Yama is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Esponosa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Esponosa's back!
Yama not allowing Esponosa to control his hands.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yama not allowing Esponosa to control his hands.
I would not like to be Esponosa right now.
Esponosa just trying to survive but Yama is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Yama controlling well, preventing Esponosa from escaping the position.
Yama slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Yama is looking to control Esponosa but Esponosa is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Esponosa right now.
Yama keeps control of the position easily here as Esponosa tries to buck him off.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Yama's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Esponosa trying to control the hands but Yama won't let him.
Esponosa manages to reverse the position and now he's in Yama's guard. Nice work there by Esponosa.
Esponosa wants to control from the top but Yama keeps moving.
Esponosa will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponosa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Esponosa being controlled here momentarily.
Esponosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Yama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yama trying to control the position here.
Esponosa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yama swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kotetsu Yama 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.

Esponosa slips under a jab from Yama.
Esponosa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Yama as Esponosa shoots in.

Esponosa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Esponosa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yama is trying to force a seperation but Esponosa has the dominant position.
Esponosa tries to pull guard but Yama won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Esponosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esponosa is trying to pull guard but Yama has him pressed against the cage.
Esponosa tries to pull guard but Yama won't allow it.
Esponosa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Esponosa jumps guard.

Esponosa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Esponosa has his foot on Yama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yama works his way back into a safe position though.
Yama looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Esponosa looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yama avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Yama got a little sloppy there for a moment and Esponosa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Yama has managed to get both his arms back between Esponosa's legs - danger averted.
Yama wants to pass the guard but Esponosa is keeping the position.
Yama stays in close to Esponosa's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kotetsu Yama has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Yama keeps the fight on the outside.
Esponosa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yama's waist but Yama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Esponosa off to one side.
Yama throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Esponosa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Yama scores with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yama lands a nice looking body shot.

Esponosa closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Yama did well to prevent Esponosa getting side control.
Yama is concentrating on defense, preventing Esponosa from advancing position.
Yama is looking to control Esponosa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Yama avoid being mounted?
Esponosa tries to pass to full mount but Yama defends it.
Yama controlling the position for now.

Esponosa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Esponosa is trying to work for a kimura but Yama is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponosa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Yama has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Esponosa is working away from the top position though.
Esponosa working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Esponosa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Yama sees it coming and defends easily.
Yama is staying active underneath Esponosa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Esponosa.
Esponosa looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kotetsu Yama will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Esponosa takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Esponosa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Esponosa shoots in for a takedown but Yama shows good takedown defense.
Yama looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Esponosa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yama circles away.

Esponosa looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Yama kicks Esponosa off and gets back to his feet.
Kotetsu Yama seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yama on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Esponosa moves into range and clinches up with Yama.
Esponosa is trying to pull guard but Yama has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Esponosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esponosa jumps guard but Yama stands there with Esponosa around his waist. Esponosa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Yama slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yama prevents the takedown attempt.
Yama is struggling to control the position.
Esponosa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yama smiles and moves away.
Yama lands a jab to the nose.
Yama looks to score with a jab to the body but Esponosa is just out of range.
Yama throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yama throws a hook but Esponosa blocks it.
Esponosa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yama throws out the jab.
Esponosa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yama as he avoids it easily.
Yama has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esponosa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Yama ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esponosa moves away.
Esponosa drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yama sprawls and moves away.
No luck for Esponosa with that takedown attempt.
Esponosa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yama sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Esponosa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Yama to the mat! Yama manages to get full guard.
Yama keeping full guard, as Esponosa tries to pass.
Yama pulls Esponosa in close to prevent any damage.
Yama is continuing to stall.
Yama is trying to keep Esponosa in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yama looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Esponosa controlling from the top position.
Yama has Esponosa pulled in close to control his posture.
Esponosa controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Esponosa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Yama tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Esponosa is in Yama's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yama has his hands on Esponosa's head, controlling the position.
Esponosa tries to free his leg and advance position but Yama is retaining full guard.
Esponosa prevents Yama from getting back to his feet.
Yama pulls Esponosa in close to his closed guard and prevents Esponosa from doing any damage or advancing position.
Esponosa postures up.
Esponosa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Yama is adopting a defensive guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kotetsu Yama really 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.

Esponosa darts in trying to clinch
and Yama counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Esponosa is defended easily by Yama.
Esponosa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yama defends well and Esponosa ends up having to push Yama into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Esponosa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yama just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Esponosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esponosa tries to pull guard but Yama holds him up against the cage and eventually Esponosa drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esponosa is trying to pull guard but Yama turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Esponosa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yama walks away with a smile on his face. Esponosa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Esponosa throws a shot from downtown. Yama moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Esponosa is defended easily by Yama.
Esponosa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yama's waist but Yama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Esponosa off to one side.
Kotetsu Yama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Esponosa doesn't manage to clinch there - Yama circles away.
It seemed like Yama was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Yama catches Esponosa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nice jab there from Yama.
Esponosa misses with a takedown
and Yama counters with a nice uppercut.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Esponosa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Esponosa shoots in but no luck this time.
Esponosa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yama defends well and Esponosa ends up having to push Yama into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yama gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Esponosa.

Yama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yama has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Nice takedown defense from Yama. No joy for Esponosa on that attempt.
Esponosa fails with a takedown attempt.
Yama throws out a counter right but Esponosa avoids it with no problem.
Esponosa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Esponosa tries for a takedown but Yama sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Esponosa shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Yama has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Esponosa has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Esponosa pulls Yama into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yama is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Esponosa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yama defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Yama is stalling in the full guard.

Esponosa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Yama defends well.
Yama wants to pass the guard but Esponosa is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esponosa working a defensive guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice shot lands for Yama.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kotetsu Yama dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice cross by Yama.
Esponosa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Yama pinned against the cage. Yama gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Esponosa closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Yama did well to prevent Esponosa getting side control.
Yama wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yama is looking to control Esponosa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Yama avoid being mounted?
Yama gets full guard.
Yama pulls Esponosa in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yama keeping moving, preventing Esponosa from controlling successfully.
Yama trying to control the position here.
Esponosa looking to pass the guard.
Yama trying to control the position.
Esponosa trying to control but Yama is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Esponosa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Yama is trying to defend but Esponosa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yama is looking for a sweep. Esponosa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yama wants to control but Esponosa is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Esponosa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Yama controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yama wants to improve his position but Esponosa is controlling well.
Esponosa stalling away here and it's allowed Yama to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kotetsu Yama is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Esponosa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yama swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Yama trying to keep a closed guard but Esponosa is proving a slippery customer.
Yama keeping full guard, as Esponosa tries to pass.
Yama keeping moving, preventing Esponosa from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A punch lands to the side of Esponosa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Esponosa tries to clinch but Yama is having none of it.
Esponosa tries to clinch
and Yama counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Yama paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Yama thuds a left hand into Esponosa's body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yama scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Esponosa doesn't seem bothered though.
Esponosa closes the distance and clinches up with Yama, looking for a takedown. Esponosa pushes Yama against the cage but Yama circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ricardo Esponosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Esponosa throws a jab but it's blocked by Yama.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kotetsu Yama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yama winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 45:50
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kotetsu Yama!
Kotetsu Yama is the new lightweight champion!
In defeat, Ricardo Esponosa stepped up to the mic, saying 'We’ll get it next time '.