PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Portimo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ayabie Yamazaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yamazaki has chosen Heights as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Portimo
vs
Yamazaki

174 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tommy Portimo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ayabie Yamazaki!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Portimo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Portimo shoots for a double leg takedown but Yamazaki sprawls well. He's pushed Portimo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Portimo fails with a takedown attempt.

Portimo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Yamazaki is defending against the submission attempts here by Portimo.

Portimo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Yamazaki is just riding it out for now. Portimo eventually gives up the hold.
Portimo prevents Yamazaki from standing back up.

Portimo is looking for a kimura but Yamazaki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Portimo to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Portimo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Yamazaki defends it well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Portimo is working for a submission of some sort.
Portimo is breathing heavily.
Yamazaki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Portimo stops Yamazaki from getting back to his feet.

Portimo is looking for a kimura but Yamazaki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Portimo to get the leverage.
Portimo stops Yamazaki from getting back to his feet.

Portimo is looking for a kimura here.
Portimo stops Yamazaki from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Portimo wants to work for an arm triangle but Yamazaki is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Yamazaki throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Portimo shoots in for a takedown but Yamazaki shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Portimo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamazaki jabs Portimo right on the nose. Portimo blinks but takes it well.
Yamazaki lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Portimo tries for a takedown but Yamazaki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yamazaki is looking to slow Portimo down with leg kicks.
No luck for Portimo with that takedown attempt.
Yamazaki misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yamazaki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Yamazaki swinging wilding here.
Tommy Portimo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Portimo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yamazaki swivels and escapes.
Yamazaki scores with a one two! Portimo had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamazaki scores with a three punch combo!
Yamazaki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yamazaki throws a right hand that Portimo ducks under and follows up with a left that Portimo also avoids with ease.
Portimo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yamazaki is fending him off so far but Portimo persists. Nope, Yamazaki circles away and we're back to standing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Yamazaki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Portimo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yamazaki's waist but Yamazaki gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Portimo off to one side.
Yamazaki scores with a one two! Portimo had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Yamazaki lands with a hook. Portimo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Yamazaki lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Yamazaki misses with a two punch combination.
Portimo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yamazaki swivels and escapes.
Yamazaki lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portimo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yamazaki as he jumps to the side.
Yamazaki scores with a head kick.
Portimo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Yamazaki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Portimo.
Portimo misses with a takedown attempt - Yamazaki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Yamazaki scores with a one two! Portimo had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nice uppercut there from Yamazaki.
Portimo shoots in and drives through. Yamazaki sprawls well.

Yamazaki moves into the clinch successfully.
Yamazaki crunches a lovely knee into Portimo's ribcage.
Portimo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yamazaki smiles and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ayabie Yamazaki dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yamazaki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Portimo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yamazaki is fending him off so far but Portimo persists. Nope, Yamazaki circles away and we're back to standing.
Portimo shoots in but Yamazaki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Portimo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Portimo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Portimo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yamazaki circles away.
Yamazaki throws out a powerful jab.
Yamazaki misses with a few strikes there.
Yamazaki's corner calls for a 1-2. Yamazaki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamazaki scores with a hook.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Portimo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yamazaki is fending him off so far but Portimo persists. Nope, Yamazaki circles away and we're back to standing.
Portimo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Yamazaki misses with a wild combination.
Yamazaki scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamazaki cracks Portimo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Yamazaki misses with a two punch combination.
Portimo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yamazaki as he jumps to the side.
Yamazaki looks to land a combination but Portimo avoids it well.
Portimo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yamazaki but Yamazaki pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yamazaki looks to land a combination. Portimo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Yamazaki stuffs the takedown attempt from Portimo. Portimo gets slowly back to his feet.
Yamazaki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Portimo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yamazaki connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Portimo momentarily.
Yamazaki scores with a nice right hand.
Tommy Portimo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Yamazaki clinches.
Portimo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yamazaki walks away with a smile on his face. Portimo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Yamazaki scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portimo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yamazaki as he jumps to the side.
Yamazaki scores with a one two! Portimo had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Yamazaki looks to land a combination but Portimo avoids it well.
Yamazaki misses with a few strikes there.

Yamazaki has Portimo up against the cage in a clinch.
Portimo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yamazaki walks away with a smile on his face. Portimo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Portimo dodges the punch combination from Yamazaki.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Portimo.
Yamazaki throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Yamazaki misses with a two punch combination.
Yamazaki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portimo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Yamazaki lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Portimo shoots in but Yamazaki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yamazaki is working the combinations to good effect here.
Portimo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Yamazaki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Portimo.
Yamazaki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Yamazaki displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Portimo shoots in but no luck this time.
Yamazaki moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Yamazaki lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A jab lands there for Yamazaki.
Yamazaki tries to bum rush Portimo with a series of wild strikes but Portimo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Portimo steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Yamazaki. That one must have hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamazaki lands a jab-cross combination.
No luck for Portimo with that takedown attempt.
Yamazaki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Yamazaki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Yamazaki stands up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yamazaki.
Yamazaki throws a head kick but Portimo moves out of range.
Portimo dodges the punch combination from Yamazaki.
Portimo fails with the takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a two punch combo.

Yamazaki looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Portimo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ayabie Yamazaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Yamazaki lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Portimo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Yamazaki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yamazaki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ayabie Yamazaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Portimo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yamazaki counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Yamazaki misses with a head kick.
Yamazaki misses with a few strikes there.
Portimo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Yamazaki counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Portimo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamazaki tries to pass the half guard into mount. Portimo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Portimo actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yamazaki looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Yamazaki stands up from half guard.
Yamazaki throws a nice looking combination but Portimo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamazaki throws a right and a left that Portimo avoids nicely.
Portimo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a series of strikes. Portimo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Yamazaki's corner calls for a 1-2. Yamazaki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Portimo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yamazaki.
Portimo shoots and misses

and Yamazaki moves into the clinch.
Portimo jumps guard but Yamazaki stands there with Portimo around his waist. Portimo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Yamazaki breaks from the clinch.
Portimo shoots and misses

and Yamazaki counters by clinching up.

Yamazaki breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portimo shoots and misses
and Yamazaki counters with a stiff right hand.
Yamazaki misses with a series of wild punches.
Portimo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yamazaki counters with an outside leg kick.
Yamazaki lands a nice looking kick to the body. Portimo takes a step back to recover.
Yamazaki connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yamazaki scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Yamazaki looks to land a combination but Portimo avoids it well.
Portimo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yamazaki makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Yamazaki lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Portimo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Portimo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A left and a right from Yamazaki both land. Nice combination.
Portimo has his takedown stuffed
and Yamazaki counters with a one-two to the body.

Yamazaki pushes Portimo up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yamazaki breaks from the clinch.
Yamazaki goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Yamazaki!
Yamazaki throws a hook but Portimo avoids it easily.
Portimo has his takedown stuffed
and Yamazaki counters with a nice body kick.
Portimo fails with the takedown
and Portimo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Yamazaki lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Yamazaki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Portimo closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Yamazaki to the mat! Yamazaki manages to get full guard.

Portimo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Portimo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Yamazaki manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Tommy Portimo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portimo misses with a takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Portimo fails with the takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a body kick that stops Portimo in his tracks momentarily.
Portimo sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Portimo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a series of strikes. Portimo will be more careful next time no doubt.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Yamazaki.
Portimo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a one-two to the body.
Portimo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a one-two to the body.
Yamazaki scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Portimo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ayabie Yamazaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yamazaki 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ayabie Yamazaki!