PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric LaFleche (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hotaka Yoshifumi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eric LaFleche is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

LaFleche
vs
Yoshifumi

187 cm
19
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Eric LaFleche!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hotaka Yoshifumi!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yoshifumi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Yoshifumi keeps the fight on the outside.
Yoshifumi circles away from the clinch attempt.

LaFleche forces Yoshifumi back against the cage and clinches.
Yoshifumi looking for a takedown.
LaFleche lands a knee to the body.
LaFleche landing knees to the body.
LaFleche is stalling here.
LaFleche landing some nice looking knees to the body.
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!
LaFleche lands a nice knee to the body.
LaFleche scores with a hook to the body.
Yoshifumi goes for a takedown attempt but LaFleche pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Yoshifumi looks gassed!
Yoshifumi keeps the fight on the outside.
LaFleche tries to clinch but Yoshifumi is having none of it.

LaFleche darts in and clinches Yoshifumi up against the cage.
LaFleche landing some nice looking knees to the body.
LaFleche using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
LaFleche landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaFleche lands a knee to the body.
LaFleche scores a nice knee to the body.
LaFleche stalling the fight.
Yoshifumi goes for a takedown in the clinch but LaFleche prevents it.
Eric LaFleche has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hotaka Yoshifumi.
Yoshifumi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Yoshifumi misses with a body punch.
Come on LaFleche - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Yoshifumi is working for takedown but LaFleche is calmly controlling the position for now.
Yoshifumi tries to pull guard but LaFleche holds him up against the cage and eventually Yoshifumi drops back down to his feet.
Stalling in the clinch from LaFleche.
LaFleche landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Yoshifumi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. LaFleche gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
LaFleche just leaning against Yoshifumi, taking a breather.
LaFleche scores with a shoulder strike.
Yoshifumi looking to stall.
Stalling in the clinch from LaFleche.
Knees to the body from LaFleche.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshifumi stalls.
LaFleche crunches a lovely knee into Yoshifumi's ribcage.
LaFleche lands a nice knee to the body.
Nice body punch from LaFleche.
Knees to the body from LaFleche.
LaFleche lands a nice knee to the body.
Yoshifumi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from LaFleche.

Yoshifumi jumps guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yoshifumi looking for a sweep. Not yet Yoshifumi, not yet.

Yoshifumi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yoshifumi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yoshifumi trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Yoshifumi is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshifumi thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Yoshifumi wants to sweep but no luck.
Yoshifumi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

LaFleche gets to his feet - Yoshifumi follows without any prompting.
LaFleche keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

LaFleche instigates a clinch.
LaFleche gets underhooks to prevent Yoshifumi's takedown attempt.

Yoshifumi pulls LaFleche into guard.
LaFleche trying to control but Yoshifumi is working from the bottom.
Yoshifumi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshifumi controls LaFleche momentarily but LaFleche frees himself.
LaFleche knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yoshifumi on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
LaFleche wants to stand but Yoshifumi is controlling his posture from full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
LaFleche throws a sloppy head kick and Yoshifumi moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric LaFleche dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

LaFleche shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yoshifumi as he avoids it easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stalling in the clinch from LaFleche.
Knees to the body from LaFleche.
LaFleche content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Yoshifumi can't break the clinch.
LaFleche scores a nice knee to the body.
Yoshifumi is working for takedown but LaFleche is calmly controlling the position for now.
LaFleche is stalling here.
Yoshifumi trying to stall but LaFleche improves his position.
LaFleche content to slow the pace in the clinch.
LaFleche landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Yoshifumi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Yoshifumi misses with a short punch on the inside.
LaFleche using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Yoshifumi wants to stall.
Come on LaFleche - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
LaFleche using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Yoshifumi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. LaFleche gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Knees in the clinch landing for LaFleche.
Eric LaFleche has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Yoshifumi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. LaFleche just stands there and leans against the cage.
Eric LaFleche has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hotaka Yoshifumi.
Yoshifumi tries to pull guard but LaFleche won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshifumi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but LaFleche pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
LaFleche prevents the takedown attempt.
Yoshifumi is stalling here.
Yoshifumi has had enough of the clinch but LaFleche keeps him there for the moment.
LaFleche softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
LaFleche misses with a knee strike.
Yoshifumi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Yoshifumi goes for a takedown attempt but LaFleche pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
LaFleche tries to clinch there but Yoshifumi circles away.
LaFleche moves in looking to clinch but Yoshifumi pushes him off.
Yoshifumi keeps the fight on the outside.
LaFleche throws a left that rocks Yoshifumi and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! LaFleche dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Yoshifumi regain composure!

Yoshifumi is rocked!
LaFleche tries to move to mount but Yoshifumi blocks the move with his legs.
Yoshifumi is still on wobbly legs! Can LaFleche finish him?
LaFleche takes a little break here. Yoshifumi wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshifumi tries to buck LaFleche off but LaFleche is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
LaFleche cracks Yoshifumi with a big right hand but Yoshifumi just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Yoshifumi seems to have recovered his senses.
Yoshifumi is trying to improve his position.
LaFleche wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yoshifumi keeps working.
Yoshifumi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yoshifumi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshifumi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

LaFleche stands up and beckons Yoshifumi to his feet.

LaFleche clinches with his opponent.
LaFleche is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Yoshifumi is keeping busy.
LaFleche content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with LaFleche for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Yoshifumi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but LaFleche pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshifumi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
LaFleche has Yoshifumi pushed against the cage.
LaFleche is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yoshifumi can do to turn this around?
Yoshifumi jumps guard but LaFleche stands there with Yoshifumi around his waist. Yoshifumi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
LaFleche missing with knees to the body.
Yoshifumi tries to pull guard but LaFleche won't allow it.
LaFleche is pressed up against the cage. Yoshifumi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag LaFleche down to the mat. LaFleche avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Eric LaFleche is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yoshifumi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Yoshifumi.
LaFleche tries to clinch but Yoshifumi is having none of it.
Yoshifumi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yoshifumi circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from LaFleche.
LaFleche wants to clinch.
LaFleche doesn't manage to clinch there - Yoshifumi circles away.
LaFleche tries to clinch up.

LaFleche rushes Yoshifumi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric LaFleche dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Yoshifumi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Yoshifumi wants to lay and pray for a moment but LaFleche keeps working.

Yoshifumi stands up and beckons LaFleche to his feet.
LaFleche feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yoshifumi's calf.
LaFleche doesn't manage to clinch there - Yoshifumi circles away.
Yoshifumi keeps the fight on the outside.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yoshifumi steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from LaFleche. That one must have hurt.
Yoshifumi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but LaFleche swivels and escapes.

LaFleche moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshifumi can't break the clinch.
Yoshifumi slows down the pace here.
Yoshifumi has LaFleche pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. LaFleche manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Yoshifumi tries a body shot but LaFleche blocks it.
LaFleche tries to stall but Yoshifumi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Yoshifumi goes for a takedown in the clinch but LaFleche prevents it.
Eric LaFleche has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hotaka Yoshifumi.
Yoshifumi fails to pull guard.
Yoshifumi is trying to break free.
LaFleche slows down the pace here.
Yoshifumi wants to break free but LaFleche has control.
Yoshifumi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
LaFleche stalling the fight.
Yoshifumi jumps guard but LaFleche stands there with Yoshifumi around his waist. Yoshifumi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
LaFleche scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees to the body from LaFleche.
Knees in the clinch landing for LaFleche.
Nice elbow from LaFleche.
LaFleche using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaFleche stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
LaFleche scores a nice knee to the body.
LaFleche lands a knee to the head.
LaFleche connects with a nasty looking knee right to Yoshifumi's face.
LaFleche scores a nice knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
LaFleche is stalling here.

LaFleche escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Eric LaFleche seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LaFleche has his takedown stuffed

and Yoshifumi counters by moving into the clinch.
Yoshifumi looking to stall.
LaFleche lands a knee to the body.
LaFleche scores with a hook to the body.
Yoshifumi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A hook to the body from LaFleche.
LaFleche leaning against his opponent.
Yoshifumi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but LaFleche has him pressed against the cage.
Yoshifumi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. LaFleche smiles and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Yoshifumi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshifumi is looking to land body kicks.
Yoshifumi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around LaFleche's waist but LaFleche gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Yoshifumi off to one side.
Yoshifumi has a takedown stuffed.

LaFleche has closed the distance and engaged Yoshifumi in a clinch.
LaFleche with a knee to the head.
LaFleche stalling the fight.
LaFleche lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
LaFleche stalling.
LaFleche connects with a knee to the head.
LaFleche lands a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for LaFleche.
LaFleche lands a nice knee to the body.
LaFleche scores with a knee to the head.
LaFleche trying to land knees to the body.
LaFleche throws a knee to the head but misses.
Yoshifumi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
LaFleche using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Yoshifumi letting LaFleche take a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshifumi tries to break the clinch but LaFleche is controlling the position.
LaFleche using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
LaFleche stalling the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yoshifumi is trying to stall.
LaFleche slows down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Eric LaFleche.
Yoshifumi looks for a takedown but LaFleche sprawls well.
LaFleche tries to clinch
and Yoshifumi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Yoshifumi darts in and clinches LaFleche up against the cage.
LaFleche landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
LaFleche avoiding damage as Yoshifumi throws knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A bit of stalling here from LaFleche.
LaFleche landing knees to the body.
LaFleche's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
LaFleche seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Hotaka Yoshifumi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
LaFleche looking to slow down the pace here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric LaFleche showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for LaFleche, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric LaFleche!