PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ritchie Gonzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuki Okamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gonzo comes into the arena with Pinoy Pinoy blaring out of the sound system. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gonzo
vs
Okamoto

170 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ritchie Gonzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuki Okamoto!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gonzo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Okamoto lands a head shot.
Gonzo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A jab lands there for Okamoto.
Gonzo on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Okamoto looks to land a combination but Gonzo avoids it well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gonzo.
Gonzo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Okamoto counters with a nice body shot.
Okamoto cracks Gonzo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A jab from Okamoto does it's job there.
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!
Okamoto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gonzo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gonzo dives in for a single leg takedown but Okamoto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ritchie Gonzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gonzo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
It seemed like Okamoto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Okamoto lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gonzo doesn't seem phased though.
Gonzo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice shot lands for Okamoto.
Okamoto moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gonzo has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gonzo there as he acknowledges the shot.
Okamoto digs a good body shot into Gonzo's ribs.
Gonzo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Okamoto throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gonzo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Yuki Okamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot by Okamoto.
Okamoto cracks Gonzo with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Okamoto coming out on top.
Yuki Okamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Okamoto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Okamoto fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Okamoto lands with a straight right. Gonzo didn't see that one coming.
Okamoto is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Okamoto connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gonzo's hands.
Okamoto keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Good exchange - Okamoto coming out on top.
Gonzo takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Gonzo looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Okamoto lands with a straight right. Gonzo didn't see that one coming.
Okamoto misses with a series of wild punches.
Gonzo gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gonzo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
As Okamoto looks to move away, Gonzo throws a big counter combo but Okamoto just gets out of the way.
Gonzo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Okamoto lands with a cross.

Gonzo clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Okamoto's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gonzo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Okamoto gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Okamoto is pressed up against the cage. Gonzo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Okamoto down to the mat. Okamoto avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gonzo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Okamoto as he jumps to the side.
Okamoto swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Okamoto lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gonzo. Gonzo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Okamoto comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Okamoto is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Gonzo had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Okamoto lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Gonzo walks into a stiff left hand from Okamoto.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gonzo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Okamoto misses with the combination.
Okamoto lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Okamoto throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gonzo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A shot to the liver by Okamoto. Beautiful body shot.
A shot to the liver by Okamoto. Beautiful body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Okamoto dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Okamoto scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Okamoto with a hook.
Jab, jab by Okamoto - just one landing.
Okamoto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Okamoto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Okamoto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Okamoto connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gonzo's hands.
Good shot there by Okamoto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gonzo drives through and clinches with Okamoto against the cage.
Gonzo has Okamoto pressed against the cage, preventing Okamoto from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Okamoto can't break the clinch.
Okamoto tries to break the clinch but Gonzo is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzo fails to pull guard.
Okamoto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gonzo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Okamoto just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ritchie Gonzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okamoto wants to get back to striking at distance but Gonzo won't allow it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Gonzo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Gonzo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gonzo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Okamoto gets to his feet - Gonzo follows without any prompting.
Okamoto lands a jab to the head.
Okamoto connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Okamoto jabs at Gonzo's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Okamoto does no damage.
Okamoto fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gonzo takes one to the side of the head.
Gonzo walks into a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okamoto defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gonzo.
Okamoto comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Okamoto. No joy for Gonzo on that attempt.
Ritchie Gonzo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Okamoto lands a jab.
Gonzo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Okamoto throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Okamoto with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Gonzo eats them both and turns towards Okamoto to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Okamoto getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Okamoto lands a two punch combo.
Okamoto moves into range and connects with a jab.
Yuki Okamoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Okamoto, as that shot connected.
Okamoto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A cross from Okamoto lands.
Gonzo takes one to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Okamoto changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Okamoto throws a combination. Gonzo tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Okamoto scores with a sloppy right hand. Gonzo should have avoided that one.
Okamoto scores with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Okamoto counters with a straight right hand.
Okamoto lands a jab to the nose.
Okamoto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gonzo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gonzo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Okamoto as he jumps to the side.
Okamoto has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Okamoto lands with a nice body punch.
Okamoto misses with a double jab.
Gonzo goes for a double leg but Okamoto avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Okamoto continues to drive forward.
Gonzo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Okamoto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Okamoto paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Okamoto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

The crowd cheers as Okamoto lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gonzo doesn't seem phased though.
Gonzo takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A punch combination from Okamoto misses.
Okamoto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gonzo.
Gonzo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Okamoto misses with a wild combination.
Okamoto getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okamoto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gonzo takes one to the chin there.
Okamoto smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Okamoto lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzo moves in looking to clinch but Okamoto pushes him off.
Okamoto throws out a counter right but Gonzo avoids it with no problem.
Okamoto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gonzo counters with a straight right hand.
Gonzo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Okamoto with a jab.
Okamoto scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Okamoto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gonzo.
Okamoto is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Okamoto cracks Gonzo with an open hand slap.
Okamoto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Okamoto scores with a three punch combo!
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!
Okamoto throws a shot to the body.
Okamoto lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo moves in looking to clinch but Okamoto pushes him off.
Okamoto throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gonzo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Gonzo misses its target.
A big left from Okamoto misses.

Gonzo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Gonzo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Okamoto is just riding it out for now. Gonzo eventually gives up the hold.
Gonzo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Okamoto's head.

Okamoto manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Nice shot lands for Okamoto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto jabs at Gonzo's body.
Okamoto dips to his left and cracks Gonzo with an uppercut!
Okamoto keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Okamoto jabs at Gonzo's body.
Gonzo tries for a takedown but Okamoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Okamoto throws a body shot but no joy.
Gonzo avoids the body shot from Okamoto.
Okamoto lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gonzo shoots for a double leg takedown but Okamoto sprawls well. He's pushed Gonzo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Okamoto misses with a two punch combination.
Okamoto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A cross from Okamoto lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto throws out a powerful jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Okamoto takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Good shot there by Okamoto.
Gonzo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Okamoto connects with a jab.
Okamoto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gonzo.
Okamoto throws a series of punches but Gonzo moves out of range.
Ritchie Gonzo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice cross by Okamoto.
Okamoto connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gonzo. Gonzo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good standup being displayed there by Okamoto as he connects with a hook.
Yuki Okamoto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Okamoto takes a swing at Gonzo's ribcage but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuki Okamoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Okamoto 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 24:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 24:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuki Okamoto!
Yuki Okamoto thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Ritchie Gonzo stepped up to the mic, saying 'i'll be back'.