PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ruben De La Vega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fudo Hokoyashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

De La Vega
vs
Hokoyashi

178 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ruben De La Vega!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Fudo Hokoyashi!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hokoyashi is looking to clinch but De La Vega is avoiding it.

Hokoyashi moves into the clinch.
Hokoyashi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hokoyashi throws an elbow that misses.
Hokoyashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from De La Vega.
Hokoyashi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. De La Vega just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hokoyashi swings wildly with an uppercut but De La Vega uses good head movement to avoid it.
De La Vega is trying to break the clinch but Hokoyashi is controlling him.
Hokoyashi misses with some punches.
Hokoyashi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
De La Vega blocks the elbow strike.
De La Vega blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hokoyashi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hokoyashi tries to pull guard but De La Vega holds him up against the cage and eventually Hokoyashi drops back down to his feet.
De La Vega gets underhooks to prevent Hokoyashi's takedown attempt.
Ruben De La Vega has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fudo Hokoyashi.
Hokoyashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from De La Vega.
Hokoyashi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and De La Vega avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hokoyashi looking to throw knees to the head but De La Vega is blocking nicely.
De La Vega tries to break free but Hokoyashi pushes him back against the cage.
Hokoyashi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite De La Vega's efforts to push away.
De La Vega is trying to break the clinch but Hokoyashi is controlling him.
De La Vega blocks an elbow strike.
Hokoyashi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
De La Vega has had enough of the clinch but Hokoyashi keeps him there for the moment.
Hokoyashi tries to land knees in the clinch but De La Vega avoids the damage to the body.
Hokoyashi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hokoyashi has a couple of punches blocked by De La Vega.
Hokoyashi is trying to pull guard but De La Vega has him pressed against the cage.
Hokoyashi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
De La Vega tries to break free but Hokoyashi pushes him back against the cage.
De La Vega is trying to break free.
Hokoyashi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but De La Vega has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
De La Vega is trying to break the clinch but Hokoyashi is controlling him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by De La Vega.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hokoyashi misses with a punch on the inside.
Hokoyashi wants a takedown but no success here.
Hokoyashi pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hokoyashi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite De La Vega's efforts to push away.
Hokoyashi can't get the takedown.
Hokoyashi pushes off an throws an elbow but De La Vega leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hokoyashi struggles to land a body shot inside as De La Vega controls his hands.
De La Vega on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hokoyashi can't get the takedown.
De La Vega has had enough of the clinch but Hokoyashi keeps him there for the moment.
Hokoyashi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hokoyashi looking to throw knees to the head but De La Vega is blocking nicely.
Hokoyashi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hokoyashi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but De La Vega has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hokoyashi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hokoyashi fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hokoyashi wants a takedown but no success here.
Hokoyashi tries a knee to the head but De La Vega blocks it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hokoyashi just misses with a elbow thrown towards De La Vega's brow.
Hokoyashi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hokoyashi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hokoyashi has De La Vega pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. De La Vega manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hokoyashi looks gassed!
De La Vega is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hokoyashi tries for a takedown but De La Vega manages to get underhooks.
Hokoyashi misses with an elbow over the top.
De La Vega is trying to break free.
A frustrated look appears on De La Vega's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Hokoyashi pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Hokoyashi keeping moving, preventing De La Vega from controlling successfully.
De La Vega works a leg free and moves into half guard.

De La Vega decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De La Vega avoids the head kick by Hokoyashi.
De La Vega blocks a head kick by Hokoyashi.
De La Vega works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De La Vega displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hokoyashi.
Hokoyashi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around De La Vega's waist but De La Vega gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hokoyashi off to one side.
Hokoyashi tries a head kick but it misses.
De La Vega blocks a head kick by Hokoyashi.
Fudo Hokoyashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hokoyashi misses with a body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

De La Vega closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hokoyashi did well to prevent De La Vega getting side control.

De La Vega is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hokoyashi is just riding it out for now. De La Vega eventually gives up the hold.

De La Vega 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Fudo Hokoyashi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ruben De La Vega's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

De La Vega on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hokoyashi thows a body kick. De La Vega tries to catch it but that hurt him.

De La Vega fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hokoyashi sprawls well initially but De La Vega persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hokoyashi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
De La Vega slips nicely into half guard.
Hokoyashi trying to control but De La Vega postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De La Vega moves nicely into side control.
Hokoyashi is pushing De La Vega's head away, looking to escape. De La Vega manages to hold on to the position though.

De La Vega is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hokoyashi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

De La Vega tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no De La Vega has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
De La Vega in side control, throwing shots but Hokoyashi defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

De La Vega looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

De La Vega is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hokoyashi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
De La Vega tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hokoyashi's legs.

De La Vega wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hokoyashi, who protects the arm well.
Hokoyashi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hokoyashi keeps control of the position for the meantime.
De La Vega is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hokoyashi!
Hokoyashi tries to hold on but De La Vega postures up.
Hokoyashi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
De La Vega moves into full mount! Hokoyashi won't be happy about that!
De La Vega in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hokoyashi tries to hold on but De La Vega postures up.
Ruben De La Vega overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
De La Vega can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hokoyashi is looking to escape.
De La Vega working the ground and pound effectively.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hokoyashi is bucking up trying to escape but De La Vega cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hokoyashi is desperately trying to improve his position but De La Vega has a good base and remains in mount.
The referee warns Hokoyashi that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruben De La Vega dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ruben De La Vega's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hokoyashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hokoyashi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and De La Vega counters with a nice body shot.
Hokoyashi throws a head kick but De La Vega moves out of range.
De La Vega moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
De La Vega scores with a hook.

De La Vega shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than De La Vega was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
De La Vega wants to control the pace but Hokoyashi is squirming around nicely.

De La Vega gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Ruben De La Vega is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
De La Vega misses with a takedown attempt - Hokoyashi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

De La Vega shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hokoyashi's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De La Vega won't allow Hokoyashi to get back to his feet.
Hokoyashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with De La Vega. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hokoyashi keeping moving, preventing De La Vega from controlling successfully.
De La Vega stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hokoyashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
De La Vega wants to control from the top but Hokoyashi keeps moving.
Hokoyashi wants to sweep here but De La Vega controlling him for the moment.
De La Vega content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De La Vega wants to control from the top but Hokoyashi keeps moving.
Hokoyashi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ruben De La Vega.

De La Vega feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
De La Vega trying to control but Hokoyashi is working from the bottom.
De La Vega is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hokoyashi is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hokoyashi trying to control the position here.

Hokoyashi is working an open guard so De La Vega takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hokoyashi shoots for a takedown but De La Vega saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hokoyashi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hokoyashi slaps away a takedown attempt from De La Vega, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hokoyashi walks into a stiff left hand from De La Vega.
De La Vega keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De La Vega lands with a right hand.

Hokoyashi gets caught napping as De La Vega dives in and scores a takedown. Hokoyashi manages to retain guard.
De La Vega tries to free his leg and advance position but Hokoyashi is retaining full guard.
De La Vega wants to control from the top but Hokoyashi keeps moving.

De La Vega drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and De La Vega jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hokoyashi wants to sweep here but De La Vega controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
De La Vega trying to control the position from guard on top but Hokoyashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De La Vega's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruben De La Vega clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ruben De La Vega's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hokoyashi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hokoyashi throws a head kick that misses.
Hokoyashi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hokoyashi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hokoyashi wants it to stay on the feet.
Hokoyashi dives in and grabs De La Vega's left leg, looking for a takedown. De La Vega pushes down on Hokoyashi's head and hops out.
Hokoyashi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. De La Vega defends it nicely.
Hokoyashi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hokoyashi moves into range and clinches up with De La Vega.
Hokoyashi goes for a takedown attempt but De La Vega pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ruben De La Vega has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fudo Hokoyashi.
Hokoyashi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hokoyashi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hokoyashi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No luck for De La Vega with that takedown attempt.
Hokoyashi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and De La Vega counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
De La Vega connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De La Vega tries to free his leg and advance position but Hokoyashi is retaining full guard.
De La Vega passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hokoyashi prevents De La Vega from moving into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

De La Vega decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hokoyashi to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head kick misses from Hokoyashi.
A left lands for De La Vega.
Hokoyashi wants to clinch.
Hokoyashi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De La Vega.
Left hook, right uppercut from De La Vega.
De La Vega lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by De La Vega.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Vega shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hokoyashi scoring well with a low kick there.
Hokoyashi lands a nice looking kick to the body. De La Vega takes a step back to recover.
Hokoyashi fails with a takedown attempt.
De La Vega slaps away a takedown attempt from Hokoyashi, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Hokoyashi pushes De La Vega up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hokoyashi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hokoyashi looking to throw knees to the head but De La Vega is blocking nicely.
De La Vega is trying to force a seperation but Hokoyashi has the dominant position.
Hokoyashi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
De La Vega is pressed up against the cage. Hokoyashi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag De La Vega down to the mat. De La Vega avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hokoyashi wants to clinch.
Hokoyashi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
De La Vega lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hokoyashi lands a head kick. De La Vega smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hokoyashi slaps away a takedown attempt from De La Vega, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hokoyashi tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ruben De La Vega will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ruben De La Vega's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hokoyashi throws a sloppy head kick and De La Vega moves out of range easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from De La Vega.
A looping hook to the body misses from De La Vega. Hokoyashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hokoyashi scores with a kick to the body.
Hokoyashi keeps De La Vega at a distance using the push kick.
De La Vega looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hokoyashi is fending him off so far but De La Vega persists. Nope, Hokoyashi circles away and we're back to standing.
Hokoyashi tries for a takedown but De La Vega circles away easily
and De La Vega counters with a left to the body.
De La Vega looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruben De La Vega. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De La Vega looks to land a combination but Hokoyashi avoids it well.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hokoyashi with a poor takedown

and De La Vega counters with a shoot takedown. Hokoyashi fights it but they end up in guard.
De La Vega stopping the sweep attempt from Hokoyashi.
De La Vega missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
De La Vega wants to pass the guard but Hokoyashi is keeping the position.
Hokoyashi is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
De La Vega trying to control the position from guard on top but Hokoyashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hokoyashi is pulling down on De La Vega's head to control his posture.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Fudo Hokoyashi wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hokoyashi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has De La Vega pinned against the cage. De La Vega gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
De La Vega defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hokoyashi.
Hokoyashi fails with a takedown attempt.
De La Vega takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by De La Vega.
De La Vega wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hokoyashi keeps working.

De La Vega goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hokoyashi has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for De La Vega but great work by Hokoyashi.
You can see the frustration on De La Vega's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hokoyashi misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hokoyashi throws a strike aimed at the side of De La Vega's head but De La Vega avoids it well.
De La Vega is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hokoyashi connects with a decent elbow.
You can see the frustration on De La Vega's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Hokoyashi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but De La Vega is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hokoyashi tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hokoyashi misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
De La Vega can't do much from the bottom here.
De La Vega manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hokoyashi is looking to get back to full guard here but De La Vega has managed to pass to side control instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
De La Vega tries to advance to mount but Hokoyashi instead regains half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ruben De La Vega.
I think De La Vega has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 49:46
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 49:46
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruben De La Vega!