PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Plamen Todorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takashi Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Todorov
vs
Yamamoto

170 cm
18
133 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
26
140 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Plamen Todorov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Takashi Yamamoto!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Todorov shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Todorov fails with the takedown.
Todorov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yamamoto but Yamamoto pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Plamen Todorov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Todorov fails to land the takedown.

Yamamoto clinches up with Todorov and pushes him back against the cage.
Todorov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Todorov is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Yamamoto manages to pull guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Todorov wants to control from the top but Yamamoto keeps moving.
Todorov tries to free his leg and advance position but Yamamoto is retaining full guard.
Yamamoto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Yamamoto uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Todorov moves into the clinch successfully.
Yamamoto is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Todorov shoots in looking for a takedown but Yamamoto manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Todorov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Todorov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yamamoto as he jumps to the side.

Yamamoto rushes Todorov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Todorov being controlled against the cage.

Yamamoto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Yamamoto has taken the fight to the clinch.
Todorov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yamamoto smiles and moves away.

Yamamoto rushes Todorov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto avoiding damage.
Todorov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Yamamoto gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Todorov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Todorov wants a takedown.
Yamamoto digs a right hand underneath Todorov's ribcage. Todorov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Yamamoto.
Todorov is working for takedown but Yamamoto is calmly controlling the position for now.
Todorov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yamamoto just stands there and leans against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Yamamoto - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Todorov jumps guard but Yamamoto turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto scores with a shoulder strike.
Yamamoto is looking to take this one to the mat.
Todorov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yamamoto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Yamamoto stalling in the clinch.
Todorov is trying to pull guard but Yamamoto turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Todorov is looking for a takedown.
Todorov is breathing heavily.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Yamamoto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Todorov.
Yamamoto stops a takedown attempt from Todorov.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Todorov looks for a takedown but Yamamoto sprawls well.
Yamamoto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Todorov sprawls well. Todorov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Yamamoto gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Todorov tries for a takedown but Yamamoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yamamoto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Todorov's defenses.
Come on Yamamoto - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Yamamoto lands a damaging elbow.
Yamamoto with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Todorov looking for a takedown.
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 keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Todorov's efforts to push away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Todorov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Yamamoto is defending well.
Yamamoto displaying some good clinch control by pressing Todorov up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takashi Yamamoto dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Horrible takedown by Yamamoto or perhaps it was just good defense by Todorov which made him look bad.

Todorov moves into the clinch successfully.
Yamamoto is pressed up against the cage. Todorov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yamamoto down to the mat. Yamamoto avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Todorov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Todorov fails with a takedown attempt.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yamamoto moves into the clinch successfully.
Todorov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yamamoto fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Plamen Todorov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Yamamoto darts in and clinches Todorov up against the cage.
Takashi Yamamoto seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Todorov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Yamamoto after a bit of a struggle.

Yamamoto manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Todorov or perhaps it was just good defense by Yamamoto which made him look bad.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Todorov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Yamamoto darts in and clinches Todorov up against the cage.

Yamamoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Todorov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yamamoto swivels and escapes.
Yamamoto shoots in but Todorov avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Todorov clinches up against the cage.
Yamamoto is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Yamamoto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Yamamoto clinches with his opponent.
Todorov has Yamamoto pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yamamoto manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Yamamoto stops a takedown attempt from Todorov.
The referee is keeping an eye on Yamamoto - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Todorov is trying to drag Yamamoto to the mat but Yamamoto just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Todorov takes a knee to the side of the body.

Yamamoto pulls guard effortlessly.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamamoto is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Yamamoto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Todorov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Yamamoto kicks Todorov off and gets to his feet.
Todorov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yamamoto tries to avoid it but Todorov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yamamoto to the ground. Yamamoto escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yamamoto drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Todorov gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Todorov wants a takedown.

Yamamoto drags the fight down to the ground.
Yamamoto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Todorov trying to control but Yamamoto is working from the bottom.
Todorov with a flurry of punches that miss.

Todorov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Yamamoto, up you get!

Todorov moves into the clinch.
Todorov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yamamoto is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yamamoto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Todorov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yamamoto misses with a wild combination.
Yamamoto lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Yamamoto.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Todorov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Todorov clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yamamoto stalling in the clinch.
Yamamoto taking a breather.

Yamamoto pulls Todorov into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Yamamoto pushes Todorov off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takashi Yamamoto 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! This is the final round!

Todorov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yamamoto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Yamamoto tries to keep at a distance but Todorov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Todorov wants a takedown.
Yamamoto with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Yamamoto utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Todorov tries to land knees in the clinch but Yamamoto avoids the damage to the body.
Todorov is trying to maintain a safe position but Yamamoto gets an underhook and turns Todorov into the cage.
Yamamoto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Todorov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Plamen Todorov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamamoto stalls.
Yamamoto is pressed up against the cage. Todorov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yamamoto down to the mat. Yamamoto avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Todorov moves into range and clinches up with Yamamoto.
Yamamoto wants a takedown.
Yamamoto with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Yamamoto breaks from the clinch.
Yamamoto leaves Todorov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Yamamoto forces Todorov back against the cage and clinches.
Todorov is looking to take this one to the mat.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Yamamoto takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Yamamoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Todorov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yamamoto as he avoids it easily.
Plamen Todorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Todorov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Todorov fails with the takedown.

Yamamoto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Todorov, pushing him back against the cage.

Yamamoto breaks the clinch.

Todorov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Yamamoto napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Who's going to make the next move?
Yamamoto manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Yamamoto regains full guard. Nicely done.

Yamamoto pushes Todorov off and gets back to his feet.

Todorov gets tackled into the cage by Yamamoto. Yamamoto maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto is pushing Todorov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Todorov is trying to drag Yamamoto to the mat but Yamamoto just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Yamamoto breaks from the clinch.
Todorov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Todorov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yamamoto is fending him off so far but Todorov persists. Nope, Yamamoto circles away and we're back to standing.
Yamamoto cracks Todorov with a good jab.

Yamamoto drives through and clinches with Todorov against the cage.
Yamamoto will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Todorov up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Todorov tries to break the clinch but Yamamoto is controlling the position.
Yamamoto lands a nice knee to the body.
Yamamoto is pressed up against the cage. Todorov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yamamoto down to the mat. Yamamoto avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Yamamoto displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Todorov.
Yamamoto misses with a two punch combination.
Takashi Yamamoto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Yamamoto moves into the clinch successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Yamamoto breaks the clinch.
Plamen Todorov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A swing and a miss from Todorov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takashi Yamamoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yamamoto 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takashi Yamamoto!
After the fight, Takashi Yamamoto was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.