PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Fernandes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuki Zaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Fernandes
vs
Zaki

167 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

173 cm
27
145 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pedro Fernandes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuki Zaki!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernandes misses with a takedown attempt

and Zaki counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Zaki lands with a right to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Zaki.
Fernandes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zaki gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zaki stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Zaki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Fernandes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zaki.
Zaki lands a nice shot to the body.
Zaki lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
Fernandes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Fernandes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaki lands a nice shot to the body.
Fernandes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zaki controlling the action here for a moment.
Fernandes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandes tries a body shot but Zaki blocks it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Zaki as Fernandes tries to tie him up.
Fernandes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaki just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fernandes is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Zaki is defending well.
Zaki working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zaki gets through Fernandes's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fernandes is trying to break the clinch but Zaki has him pressed against the cage.
Fernandes swings wildly with an uppercut but Zaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zaki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zaki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fernandes goes for a takedown attempt but Zaki pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fernandes doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zaki counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right hand to the body from Zaki.
A short left from Zaki.
Fernandes looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zaki lands a body shot.
The referee is keeping an eye on Zaki - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Zaki presses Fernandes against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fernandes has a couple of punches blocked by Zaki.
Fernandes working hard to break the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Zaki.
A short uppercut from Zaki.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fernandes wants to break free but Zaki has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Zaki.
Fernandes is trying to pull guard but Zaki turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zaki lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zaki lands a left hand.
Zaki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zaki stalling in the clinch.
Zaki lands with a short shot to the head.
Zaki lands a nice uppercut.

Fernandes breaks the clinch.
Pedro Fernandes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fernandes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zaki lands with an uppercut that bounces Fernandes off the cage and back into range.
Fernandes misses with a combination

and Zaki counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaki stalls.
Zaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
Zaki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zaki is leaning against Fernandes and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Zaki will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fernandes up against the cage.
Zaki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zaki lands with a left to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fernandes is trying to break the clinch but Zaki has him pressed against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zaki lands with a short shot to the head.
Zaki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fernandes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stalling in the clinch from Zaki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Zaki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fernandes moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Yuki Zaki has been cut.
Fernandes shoots in for a takedown but Zaki shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zaki lunges at Fernandes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Fernandes's hand.
Fernandes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zaki darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice defenses there by Zaki.
Fernandes with a poor takedown
letting Zaki counter with a right hand.
Fernandes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zaki counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fernandes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zaki counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandes shoots for a double leg takedown but Zaki sprawls well. He's pushed Fernandes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Fernandes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandes shoots for a double leg takedown but Zaki sprawls well. He's pushed Fernandes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zaki slips a jab from Fernandes.
Fernandes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zaki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fernandes throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zaki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Fernandes thinking.
Fernandes will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Fernandes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zaki counters with a nice uppercut.

Zaki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fernandes, pushing him back against the cage.
Zaki working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaki lands a hook that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Zaki.
Zaki has Fernandes pressed against the cage, preventing Fernandes from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A body shot lands from Zaki.
Nice body punch from Zaki.
Zaki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fernandes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zaki lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fernandes tries to circle away but Zaki has him pinned against the cage.
Fernandes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fernandes is trying to break free.
A short right from Zaki on the inside.
Zaki lands a shot to the body.
Zaki lands a body shot.
Fernandes looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Zaki.
Fernandes wants to break the clinch but can't.
A right hand to the body from Zaki.
Zaki lands with a right to the head.
Still in the clinch, Zaki scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zaki lands with a right to the head.
Zaki lands with a short shot to the head.
Zaki lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fernandes is trying to break the clinch but Zaki has him pressed against the cage.
Zaki lands a right hand.
Fernandes tries to break the clinch but Zaki is controlling the position.
Zaki lands a body shot.
Fernandes takes a shot to the head.
Fernandes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zaki lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zaki walks away with a smile on his face. Fernandes gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fernandes with a poor takedown
and Zaki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fernandes throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Zaki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zaki.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stalling in the clinch from Zaki.
Fernandes can't break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Zaki scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fernandes is trying to force a seperation but Zaki has the dominant position.
Zaki is leaning against Fernandes and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Zaki lands a shot to the body.
Fernandes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaki just stands there and leans against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandes is trying to push Zaki away but Zaki has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short body shot lands from Zaki as the two fighters clinch.
Zaki lands a shot to the body.
Zaki lands a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Zaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Yuki Zaki's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Fernandes misses with a takedown
and Zaki cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fernandes tries for a takedown but Zaki circles away easily
and Zaki counters with a nice body shot.
Fernandes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zaki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Zaki clinches up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Zaki.
Fernandes can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Fernandes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zaki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A left hand lands to the body for Zaki.
A shot in the inside from Zaki.
A right hook to the body lands for Zaki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaki lands a nice uppercut.
Fernandes is trying to force a seperation but Zaki has the dominant position.
Zaki lands a nice shot to the body.
Zaki working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zaki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zaki is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fernandes tries to break free but Zaki pushes him back against the cage.
Zaki taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Zaki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zaki is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Zaki lands a right hand.
A nice left hand lands by Zaki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short right from Zaki.
Zaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fernandess head.
Fernandes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zaki to keep the fight standing.
Zaki lands with a left to the head.
A short left from Zaki.
Zaki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Yuki Zaki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A nice left hand lands by Zaki.
Zaki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zaki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zaki gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fernandes.
Zaki lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zaki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
Pedro Fernandes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Zaki.
Fernandes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zaki avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zaki lands a body punch.
A body shot lands from Zaki.
Zaki is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zaki lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zaki taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Zaki lands an uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Zaki.
Fernandes is trying to break the clinch but Zaki is controlling him.
Nice body punch from Zaki.
Yuki Zaki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zaki is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Fernandes is trying to pull guard but Zaki has him pressed against the cage.
Fernandes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zaki to keep the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes throws a punch but it's blocked by Zaki.
Fernandes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fernandes tries for a takedown. No joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fernandes is trying to break free.
Fernandes can't break the clinch.
Fernandes is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Zaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zaki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
Fernandes misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuki Zaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zaki 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuki Zaki!
A relieved looking Yuki Zaki thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.