PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lath Hoy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tadamasa Yamada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Hoy might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Go Ninja-Vanilla Ice. 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.

Hoy
vs
Yamada

190 cm
21
197 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

186 cm
21
195 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Knock Out Artistry
[MMABR] SOLID Nutritional - Tokyo's Best!!

Buzzkill
Buzzkill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lath Hoy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tadamasa Yamada!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hoy closes the distance and clinches up with Yamada, looking for a takedown. Hoy pushes Yamada against the cage but Yamada circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yamada cracks Hoy with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hoy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Yamada circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hoy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yamada as he jumps to the side.
Yamada lands a slapping body shot.
Hoy shoots in for a takedown but Yamada shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lath Hoy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yamada works the jab nicely.
Hoy tries for a takedown but Yamada sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yamada digs a good body shot into Hoy's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoy tries to clinch up.
Yamada lands a jab to the head.
Lath Hoy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hoy tries to clinch up but Yamada circles away and keeps his distance.
Yamada misses with a wild body shot.
Hoy fails to land the takedown.
Hoy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yamada swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yamada dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yamada bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hoy slips a straight right by Yamada.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Hoy scores with a takedown into Yamada's guard.
Yamada looking for a sweep. Not yet Yamada, not yet.
Yamada is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hoy stopping the sweep attempt from Yamada.
Hoy trying to control but Yamada is working from the bottom.
Hoy looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamada looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hoy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yamada swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hoy is pushing down on Yamada's leg trying to pass to half guard. Yamada is fighting to maintain full guard but Hoy has managed to sneak the leg through.
Yamada trying to hold on to Hoy's head to control him but Hoy postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice cross by Yamada.
Yamada just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamada misses with a hook.
Yamada misses with an uppercut. Hoy saw that one coming.
Tadamasa Yamada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hoy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yamada misses with a body shot.
Hoy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hoy doesn't manage to clinch there - Yamada circles away.
Yamada's corner calls for a 1-2. Yamada obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Yamada swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoy.
Hoy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yamada.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tadamasa Yamada dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Yamada shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hoy defending well as Yamada loads up on a big left hand.
Hoy tries to clinch but Yamada moves out of range.
Yamada misses with a looping left.
Yamada scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Yamada scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hoy doesn't seem bothered though.
Hoy tries to close the distance and clinch but Yamada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Yamada!
Hoy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hoy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamada lands a glancing blow to the side of Hoy's head.
Hoy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yamada sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Yamada lands with a straight right. Hoy didn't see that one coming.
Hoy tries to close the distance and clinch but Yamada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Yamada misses the jab.
Tadamasa Yamada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hoy is defended easily by Yamada.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lath Hoy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoy fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoy closes the distance and clinches up with Yamada, looking for a takedown. Hoy pushes Yamada against the cage but Yamada circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hoy doesn't manage to clinch there - Yamada circles away.
Hoy moves in looking to clinch but Yamada pushes him off.
Hoy takes one to the side of the head.
Nice jab there from Yamada.
Nice jab there from Yamada.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hoy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hoy moves out of range as Yamada throws a body kick.
Hoy tries to close the distance and clinch but Yamada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamada throws a right hand that Hoy ducks under and follows up with a left that Hoy also avoids with ease.
Hoy misses with a takedown attempt - Yamada sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hoy shoots in but Yamada avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hoy is looking to clinch.
Nice shot by Yamada.
Hoy looks for a takedown but Yamada sprawls well.
Hoy tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
An inside leg kick from Yamada misses.
Hoy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yamada's waist but Yamada gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hoy off to one side.

Hoy is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Yamada's half guard.
Yamada gets back to full guard.
Yamada wants to sweep here but Hoy controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tadamasa Yamada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hoy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A bone on bone clash there as Hoy blocks the leg kick.
Hoy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hoy tries to clinch up but Yamada circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamada defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hoy.
Yamada misses with a looping left.
Hoy doesn't manage to clinch there - Yamada circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoy closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

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

Yamada is defending against the submission attempts here by Hoy.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hoy is working for a kimura but Yamada is defending it quite comfortably.
Hoy trying to pass the guard but Yamada defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamada is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hoy's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hoy's back!
You can see the frustration on Hoy's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Yamada is trying to stick to Hoy's back but Hoy is turning into Yamada. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Yamada's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hoy.
Hoy wants to pass the guard but Yamada is keeping the position.
Hoy trying to control the position from guard on top but Yamada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoy postures up.
Hoy advances position into side control!
Hoy tries to advance to mount but Yamada instead regains half guard.
Yamada gets back to full guard.
Hoy tries to free his leg and advance position but Yamada is retaining full guard.

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.
Yamada pulls Hoy in to control the position.
Hoy wants to control from the top but Yamada keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yamada swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hoy is working hard here to advance position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Yamada keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Tadamasa Yamada just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Yamada slips a straight right by Hoy.
Hoy tries to close the distance and clinch but Yamada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hoy tries to clinch but Yamada moves out of range.
Hoy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hoy wants to clinch.

Hoy clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamada wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hoy has him pressed against the cage.
Hoy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoy tries to pull guard but Yamada holds him up against the cage and eventually Hoy drops back down to his feet.

Hoy has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Yamada uses from the top position.
Yamada preventing the sweep.

Hoy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Hoy working for a triangle but Yamada defends it easily.
Yamada must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Hoy has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Yamada is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Hoy.

Yamada decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hoy is defended easily by Yamada.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lath Hoy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoy blocks a low kick nicely.
Hoy looks for a takedown but Yamada sprawls well.
Yamada scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hoy in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamada scores with a jab.
Hoy moves out of range as Yamada strikes.
Hoy tries to clinch but Yamada moves out of range.
Yamada misses with a looping left.
No luck for Hoy with that takedown attempt.
Hoy shoots in looking for a takedown. Yamada tries to sprawl out of it but Hoy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Yamada manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Yamada thows a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yamada misses with a low kick.
Yamada misses the shot to the body.
Yamada looks to land a left hand but Hoy moved out of range nicely.
Hoy tries to clinch but Yamada moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hoy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hoy takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoy ducks under a wild hook from Yamada.
Hoy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yamada as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tadamasa Yamada dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hoy just misses with a punch to the body.
Hoy tries to clinch up but Yamada circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice defenses there by Hoy.
Yamada swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoy.
Yamada throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Yamada throws out a loose jab but Hoy uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hoy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hoy tries to close the distance and clinch but Yamada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoy is looking to clinch.
Hoy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yamada's waist but Yamada gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hoy off to one side.
Hoy defending well as Yamada loads up on a big left hand.
A big right from Yamada misses.
Hoy closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yamada circles away.
Yamada misses with a looping left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamada. Hoy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yamada throws the left hand but Hoy avoids the punch easily.
Yamada needs to keep his hands up - Hoy had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Yamada lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Yamada wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hoy takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Yamada loads up on a big right hand but Hoy slips the punch.
Hoy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lath Hoy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamada paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Yamada misses with a low kick as Hoy jumps back.
Yamada jabs at Hoy's body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamada. Hoy does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yamada paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hoy doesn't manage to clinch there - Yamada circles away.
Yamada misses with a wild body shot.
Tadamasa Yamada is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hoy fails with a takedown attempt.
Yamada misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hoy takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Yamada moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hoy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yamada avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yamada slaps away a takedown attempt from Hoy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hoy slips under a jab.
Yamada misses with a low kick.
Yamada misses the jab.
Hoy throws a predictable looking body shot
and Yamada counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hoy tries to clinch
letting Yamada counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tadamasa Yamada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yamada 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 45:50
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 45:50
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tadamasa Yamada! Tadamasa Yamada retains his middleweight title!