PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Norifumi Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Bariles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bariles is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Thriller by Michael Jackson. Erik Bariles has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Yamamoto
vs
Bariles

160 cm
21
134 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

170 cm
27
135 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Norifumi Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Erik Bariles!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
and Bariles counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bariles goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bariles.
Bariles scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bariles scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Yamamoto misses with a two punch combination.
Yamamoto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A head kick by Yamamoto misses
and Bariles counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bariles lands with an uppercut that bounces Yamamoto off the ropes and back into range.
Yamamoto throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bariles counters with a right hand to the body.
Yamamoto tries to score with a low kick but Bariles moves his leg out of the way.
Bariles bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Yamamoto's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bariles connects with a body shot.
Yamamoto falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bariles counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bariles lands a slapping body shot.
Bariles lands a two punch combo.
Yamamoto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Yamamoto doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bariles moves out of range as Yamamoto throws a body kick.
Yamamoto misses with a combination
and Bariles counters with a series of strikes. Yamamoto will be more careful next time no doubt.
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
and Bariles counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Bariles coming out on top.
Yamamoto takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Yamamoto throws a leg kick
and Bariles cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yamamoto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Bariles counter with a right hand.
Yamamoto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bariles darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bariles moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Yamamoto misses its intended target.
Bariles keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Yamamoto dodges the punch combination from Bariles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bariles scores with a decent looking hook.
Yamamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Bariles moves out of range easily.
Yamamoto takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Yamamoto misses with a combination
and Bariles counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bariles avoids the head kick by Yamamoto.
Bariles is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Yamamoto had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Bariles slips a straight right by Yamamoto.
Bariles is working the combinations to good effect here.
A head kick by Yamamoto misses
and Bariles cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bariles blocks a head kick by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto misses with a double jab
and Bariles counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bariles lands a right hook to the body.
Bariles lands the left hand.
Bariles scores with a one two! Yamamoto had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Yamamoto takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bariles lands a nice hook to Yamamoto's body. Yamamoto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bariles throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Yamamoto on the side of the head.
Bariles moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bariles lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Yamamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Bariles moves out of range easily.
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
and Bariles counters with a two punch combo.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice body punch from Bariles.
Yamamoto takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bariles throws a combination. Yamamoto tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Erik Bariles seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bariles feints a jab promting Yamamoto to slip. Bariles then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Yamamoto slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Bariles closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Bariles has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Yamamoto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Yamamoto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bariles connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Yamamoto walks into a straight right hand from Bariles.
Bariles blocks a head kick by Yamamoto.
Bariles throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bariles lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Yamamoto throws a left and a right that both miss
and Yamamoto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bariles scores with a crisp jab that stopped Yamamoto in his tracks.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yamamoto falls off balance throwing a combination
and Yamamoto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bariles throws out a powerful jab.
Yamamoto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bariles lands a jab.
Yamamoto looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Yamamoto throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bariles counters with a nice uppercut.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bariles.
Yamamoto throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Bariles to counter with a crisp jab.
Yamamoto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Bariles to counter with a crisp jab.
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
letting Bariles counter with a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bariles feints a jab promting Yamamoto to slip. Bariles then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Yamamoto slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Norifumi Yamamoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bariles slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto misses with a double jab
and Bariles connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bariles takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Yamamoto takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Yamamoto misses with a combination
and Bariles counters with a nice uppercut.
Bariles lands a body shot.
Yamamoto has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Yamamoto on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bariles scores with a three punch combo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bariles works Yamamoto's body with a nice hook.
Bariles scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Yamamoto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Yamamoto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bariles counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bariles lands a jab to the nose.
Yamamoto moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
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!
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
and Bariles counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bariles stuns Yamamoto with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A left lands for Bariles.
Bariles throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Bariles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bariles throws a combination. Yamamoto tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Yamamoto walks into a left hand.
Bariles dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A head kick misses from Yamamoto.
Bariles sizes up Yamamoto with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Yamamoto throws a lazy uppercut
and Bariles counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Yamamoto thinking.
Yamamoto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Yamamoto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bariles throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Yamamoto stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bariles blocks a head kick by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto misses with a combination
and Bariles counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Norifumi Yamamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamamoto falls off balance throwing a combination
and Yamamoto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bariles closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Bariles thuds his right hand into Yamamoto's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bariles listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A left lands for Bariles.
Yamamoto throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bariles counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Yamamoto is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bariles.
Yamamoto swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Yamamoto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto throws a head kick but Bariles moves out of range.
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
and Bariles counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Bariles lands with a right hand.
Yamamoto tries to land a leg kick but Bariles saw it coming and moves away.
Bariles scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bariles works Yamamoto's body with a nice hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Bariles as he connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bariles lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Bariles bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bariles throws a one two combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Bariles.
Bariles scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bariles lands a really nice looking cross but Yamamoto seems unphased.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Yamamoto might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Yamamoto will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Yamamoto swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bariles counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Yamamoto wants to slow Bariles down by chopping away at his legs.
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
and Bariles counters with a nice uppercut.
Bariles shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Yamamoto eats them both and turns towards Bariles to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Bariles connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice shot lands for Bariles.
Bariles shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Yamamoto eats them both and turns towards Bariles to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Yamamoto misses with a straight left.
Yamamoto on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Yamamoto takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Erik Bariles is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yamamoto misses with a right hand
and Bariles counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Norifumi Yamamoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Decent striking displayed by Bariles there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erik Bariles comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bariles 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Bariles!
Erik Bariles opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.