PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Derek Lilley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kai Yamaguchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yamaguchi has chosen Yama Yama as his entrance music. Kai Yamaguchi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lilley
vs
Yamaguchi

178 cm
23
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

176 cm
23
167 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Derek Lilley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Yamaguchi!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamaguchi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lilley.
Yamaguchi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lilley.
Yamaguchi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lilleys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Yamaguchi throws a hook but Lilley blocks it.
Yamaguchi blocks a low kick nicely.
Lilley checks a low kick from Yamaguchi.
Lilley half committed to a counter leg kick.
We've been informed that Yamaguchi has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Lilley steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Yamaguchi. That one must have hurt.
Lilley misses with an uppercut
and Yamaguchi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lilley takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Yamaguchi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yamaguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
Yamaguchi tries a low kick but Lilley avoids it.
Lilley takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Yamaguchi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lilley at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lilley gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lilley makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Yamaguchi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lilley backwards.
Yamaguchi blocks a body shot from Lilley.
Yamaguchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Yamaguchi scores with a hook to the body.
Lilley is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Yamaguchi is defending well for now.
Yamaguchi misses with a punch to the body.
Lilley blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi tries a body shot but Lilley blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lilley.
Yamaguchi tries to work over Lilley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yamaguchi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lilley backwards.
Lilley tries to throw a body punch but Yamaguchi avoids it by throwing Lilley back against the cage.
Lilley blocking some punches.
Yamaguchi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lilley lands a body punch.
Yamaguchi throws a punch but it's blocked by Lilley.
Lilley misses with a punch to the body.
Lilley makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short left from Lilley.
Lilley lands with a right to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Lilley fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lilley lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Lilley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yamaguchi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Yamaguchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Yamaguchi struggles to land a body shot inside as Lilley controls his hands.
Lilley working aggressively here.
Yamaguchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lilley scores with a shot to the side of Yamaguchi's head.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Lilley controls the action.
Yamaguchi gets through Lilley's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lilley cracks Yamaguchi with a nice body shot.
Lilley misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Yamaguchi.
Lilley misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yamaguchi avoiding damage as Lilley throws knees to the body.
Lilley fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lilley as Yamaguchi tries to tie him up.
Lilley lands with a short shot to the head.
A body shot lands from Lilley.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lilley.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Lilley controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yamaguchi digs a right hand into Lilley's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lilley's gas tank.
Yamaguchi prevents a body shot from Lilley.
Lilley misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yamaguchi blocks an uppercut.
Lilley working aggressively here.
Lilley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Lilley.
Yamaguchi blocks a body shot from Lilley.
Lilley lands a right hand that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Lilley softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yamaguchi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yamaguchi.
Lilley swings wildly with an uppercut but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lilley misses with some punches.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch.
Lilley softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lilley is leaning against Yamaguchi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lilley lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lilley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lilley misses with a body punch.
Lilley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yamaguchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lilley blocks an uppercut.
Lilley tries a body shot but Yamaguchi blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lilley.
Yamaguchi tries to throw a body punch but Lilley avoids it by throwing Yamaguchi back against the cage.
Lilley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lilley lands an uppercut.
Yamaguchi lands a nice uppercut.
Yamaguchi tries a body shot but Lilley blocks it.
Yamaguchi struggles to land a body shot inside as Lilley controls his hands.
Lilley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lilley scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yamaguchi.
A left hand lands to the body for Lilley.
Lilley prevents a body shot from Yamaguchi.
Lilley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lilley's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Derek Lilley will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Yamaguchi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lilley is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Lilley drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The fighters circling - Yamaguchi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lilley swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Yamaguchi counters with a stiff right hand.
Yamaguchi scores with a nice right hand.
Lilley throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Yamaguchi.

It looks like Kai Yamaguchi has been cut.
Lilley feints and then cracks Yamaguchi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yamaguchi down.
Yamaguchi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lilley counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lilley fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lilley throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yamaguchi digs a good hook to Lilley's body.
Yamaguchi looks to land a right hand but Lilley moved out of range.
Lilley has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lilley checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lilley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamaguchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Lilley.
Lilley throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lilley takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Lilley throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch
and Yamaguchi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Yamaguchi throws a chopping leg kick but Lilley manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lilley throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good standup being displayed there by Yamaguchi as he connects with a hook.
A big right from Yamaguchi misses.
Lilley was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Yamaguchi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Lilley has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lilley and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Yamaguchi lands a head shot.
Lilley is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Yamaguchi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lilley's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi takes a swing at Lilley's ribcage but misses.
Yamaguchi misses with a wild body shot.
Yamaguchi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Lilley counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lilley dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yamaguchi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Lilley checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lilley throws a counter high kick but Yamaguchi was just alert enough to avoid it.
Lilley tried to score with a low kick but Yamaguchi checks it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Yamaguchi, as that shot connected.
Yamaguchi lands with a hook. Lilley tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but Lilley sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lilley connects with a jab.
Kai Yamaguchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yamaguchi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lilley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yamaguchi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lilley moves out of range of the body kick.
Lilley is looking to counter with head kicks.
Yamaguchi throws a poor cross that misses
and Lilley connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yamaguchi misses the jab.
Yamaguchi throws a lazy right hand but Lilley sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yamaguchi misses with a kick to the body.
Lilley feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yamaguchi's calf.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lilley is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Yamaguchi takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Yamaguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
Yamaguchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yamaguchi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yamaguchi swings for the body but Lilley moves out of range.
Lilley throws a sloppy body shot
and Lilley takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi throws a body punch but Lilley moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Lilley misses the target.
Yamaguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice defenses there by Yamaguchi.
Lilley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lilley takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamaguchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lilley closes the distance but Yamaguchi moves to the side
enabling Yamaguchi to counter with a crisp jab.
Lilley gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lilley closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yamaguchi.
Lilley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Yamaguchi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kai Yamaguchi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lilley takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Yamaguchi works the jab nicely.
Lilley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamaguchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Lilley.
Yamaguchi avoids the head kick by Lilley.
Yamaguchi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Lilley with a body shot.
Yamaguchi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lilley's sensitive parts.
Lilley misses with a body punch
and Yamaguchi counters with a nice body kick.
Lilley misses with a body shot
and Yamaguchi counters with a right hand to the body.
Lilley walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Yamaguchi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lilley throws a leg kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi throws a big shot that misses.
Lilley misses with a straight right.
Yamaguchi digs a good hook to Lilley's body.
Yamaguchi swats away the attempt to clinch by Lilley.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lilley throws a combination that misses
and Yamaguchi counters with a nice uppercut.
Lilley pivots, looking for a leg kick but Yamaguchi is out of range and Lilley settles back down.
Yamaguchi lands a slapping body shot.
Yamaguchi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lilley doesn't seem bothered though.
Kai Yamaguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lilley takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Yamaguchi scores with a shot to the body.
Yamaguchi cracks a nice hook into Lilley's ribs.
Yamaguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lilley was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi looks to land a left hand but Lilley moved out of range nicely.
Lilley ducks under a wild hook from Yamaguchi.
Nice body punch from Yamaguchi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Yamaguchi misses the target.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Yamaguchi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lilley misses with a low kick.
Lilley darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lilley is looking to wear down Yamaguchi with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Yamaguchi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A telegraphed right hand from Yamaguchi misses the target.
Lilley scoring well with a low kick there.
Yamaguchi is looking to slow Lilley down with leg kicks.
Yamaguchi stuns Lilley with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lilley drops his hands momentarily and Yamaguchi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Yamaguchi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lilley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lilley was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lilley.
Yamaguchi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lilley counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Yamaguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lilley.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook.
Lilley scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yamaguchi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lilley fires out a quick counter leg kick but Yamaguchi just manages to avoid it.
Yamaguchi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yamaguchi.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamaguchi. Lilley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lilley moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi avoids the body shot from Lilley.
Yamaguchi flicks out a counter leg kick but Lilley steps away.
Yamaguchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Lilley is just out of range.
Yamaguchi misses with a straight right.
Yamaguchi misses with a lunging right hand
and Lilley counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yamaguchi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yamaguchi avoids the body shot from Lilley.
Yamaguchi thuds a left hand into Lilley's body.
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!
Lilley tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Yamaguchi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lilley throws a head kick that misses.
Yamaguchi avoids the head kick by Lilley.
Yamaguchi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Yamaguchi, right into the meat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kai Yamaguchi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yamaguchi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kai Yamaguchi!
A victorious Kai Yamaguchi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.