PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Fantuzzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adeeb Yaqqut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fantuzzi's entrance music is Alexia - Dimmi Come.... A fine choice. 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.

Fantuzzi
vs
Yaqqut

174 cm
27
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

184 cm
23
193 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Roberto Fantuzzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Adeeb Yaqqut!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yaqqut tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fantuzzi swivels and escapes.
Yaqqut on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fantuzzi enables Yaqqut to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fantuzzi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Fantuzzi controls Yaqqut momentarily but Yaqqut frees himself.
Yaqqut scoring with punches to the head and body.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fantuzzi holds on and takes a little breather.
Fantuzzi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yaqqut in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fantuzzi can't keep his opponent in guard - Yaqqut advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Yaqqut is trying to control the action in half guard but Fantuzzi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Yaqqut is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yaqqut wants to pass to mount but Fantuzzi is defending the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fantuzzi is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantuzzi trying to control from the bottom.
Fantuzzi keeping hold of Yaqqut's head, controlling as best he can.
Yaqqut not doing much here.
Fantuzzi trying to hold on to Yaqqut's head to control him but Yaqqut postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Roberto Fantuzzi.
Yaqqut shoots in looking for a takedown. Fantuzzi tries to sprawl out of it but Yaqqut keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fantuzzi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed right hand from Fantuzzi misses the target.
Yaqqut shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fantuzzi as he avoids it easily.
Roberto Fantuzzi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adeeb Yaqqut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaqqut shoots in and drives through. Fantuzzi sprawls well.
Fantuzzi clobbers Yaqqut with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fantuzzi. Yaqqut does a little dance to reset his feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Yaqqut.
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!

Yaqqut is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Fantuzzi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Yaqqut sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Fantuzzi is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Fantuzzi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Fantuzzi is staying active underneath Yaqqut, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Yaqqut scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Yaqqut missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yaqqut seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantuzzi is refusing to be controlled, as Yaqqut sits in half guard.
Fantuzzi tries to get to full guard but Yaqqut has control of the leg.

Yaqqut is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fantuzzi keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Fantuzzi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Yaqqut.
Fantuzzi trying to control here.
Fantuzzi is trying to stand up here but Yaqqut is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaqqut trying to control from Fantuzzi's half guard. Fantuzzi has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Fantuzzi working a defensive guard here.
Fantuzzi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yaqqut is one step ahead there.
Yaqqut postures up.
Yaqqut content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Yaqqut has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fantuzzi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Yaqqut controls the pace.

Fantuzzi has his foot on Yaqqut's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yaqqut works his way back into a safe position though.
Fantuzzi looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yaqqut throws a big elbow that misses.
Fantuzzi working a defensive guard here.
Fantuzzi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Yaqqut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Adeeb Yaqqut will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Fantuzzi misses with a straight right.

Yaqqut forces Fantuzzi back against the cage and clinches.
Yaqqut has Fantuzzi pressed against the cage, preventing Fantuzzi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Fantuzzi has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Yaqqut clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Fantuzzi missing with punches from the back.
Fantuzzi struggling to keep hold of the position.
Fantuzzi doesn't have the hooks in and Yaqqut manages to turn into his guard.
Fantuzzi wants to stand up but Yaqqut is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yaqqut accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fantuzzi working a defensive guard here.
Yaqqut wants to control from the top but Fantuzzi keeps moving.
Yaqqut postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fantuzzi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fantuzzi tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantuzzi is trying to keep Yaqqut in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Roberto Fantuzzi.
Fantuzzi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fantuzzi tries to clinch up but Yaqqut circles away and keeps his distance.
Yaqqut has a takedown stuffed.
A jab from Fantuzzi finds it's way through Yaqqut's defenses.
Yaqqut fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yaqqut takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Yaqqut fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantuzzi throws a jab when Yaqqut was well out of range.
Fantuzzi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Yaqqut.
Roberto Fantuzzi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adeeb Yaqqut.
Fantuzzi throws a poor cross that misses

and Yaqqut counters by clinching up.

Yaqqut breaks the clinch.
Yaqqut tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fantuzzi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yaqqut somewhat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Fantuzzi. Yaqqut does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantuzzi scores with a nice head shot.
Yaqqut shoots in for a takedown but Fantuzzi shows good takedown defense.
Fantuzzi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yaqqut moves away.
Roberto Fantuzzi is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaqqut slips under a jab.
Roberto Fantuzzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantuzzi lands a jab to the head.
Yaqqut blocks a low kick nicely.
Fantuzzi lands a body shot.
Fantuzzi misses with a low kick.
Fantuzzi scores with the left hand. Yaqqut knows he should have avoided that one.
Yaqqut takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fantuzzi has a takedown stuffed.
Fantuzzi misses with a straight right.
Fantuzzi is looking to slow Yaqqut down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantuzzi just misses with a punch to the body.

Yaqqut closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Yaqqut lands in his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fantuzzi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Yaqqut trying to control the position from guard on top but Fantuzzi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yaqqut slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Fantuzzi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fantuzzi regains half guard.
Yaqqut throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Fantuzzi dominated that second 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Yaqqut shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fantuzzi defends it nicely.
Donk. Fantuzzi catches Yaqqut right on the button with a cross.
Fantuzzi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Yaqqut doesn't seem bothered though.
Fantuzzi misses with a few strikes there.
Yaqqut shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fantuzzi but Fantuzzi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fantuzzi misses with a wild body shot.
Fantuzzi stuffs the takedown.
Roberto Fantuzzi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adeeb Yaqqut.
Fantuzzi stuffs the takedown.
Yaqqut slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yaqqut misses with a hook to the body
and Fantuzzi counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantuzzi connects with a single shot there.
Fantuzzi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Fantuzzi scores with a hook to the body. Yaqqut takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Yaqqut takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantuzzi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Yaqqut ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fantuzzi throws a body kick that misses.
Yaqqut takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big left from Fantuzzi misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fantuzzi. Yaqqut does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantuzzi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Yaqqut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantuzzi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yaqqut manages to avoid it.
Fantuzzi lands with an uppercut that bounces Yaqqut off the cage and back into range.

Yaqqut tries to keep at a distance but Fantuzzi has taken the fight into the clinch.

Fantuzzi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fantuzzi shoots in looking for a takedown. Yaqqut tries to sprawl out of it but Fantuzzi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Yaqqut manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Yaqqut avoids the head kick by Fantuzzi.
Yaqqut on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Fantuzzi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaqqut shoots for a double leg takedown but Fantuzzi sprawls well. He's pushed Yaqqut's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Yaqqut keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yaqqut uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fantuzzi.
Fantuzzi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fantuzzi throws out a loose jab but Yaqqut uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yaqqut checks a leg kick.
Fantuzzi shoots in for a takedown but Yaqqut shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fantuzzi lands with a cross.
Fantuzzi is looking to clinch.
Fantuzzi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantuzzi looks to score with a jab to the body but Yaqqut is just out of range.
Fantuzzi misses the shot to the body.
Yaqqut fails to land the takedown.
Yaqqut attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Yaqqut fails with the takedown
and Fantuzzi counters with a straight right hand.
Fantuzzi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Adeeb Yaqqut is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fantuzzi misses with a looping left.
Fantuzzi misses with a wild body shot.
Fantuzzi throws a jab but it's blocked by Yaqqut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roberto Fantuzzi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fantuzzi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roberto Fantuzzi!
Roberto Fantuzzi thanked the fans post fight for their support.