PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Farboleous Ricard (ranked 20 p4p, 4 weight class) and Kai Yamaguchi (ranked 17 p4p, 2 weight class). Ricard's entrance music is Vibe Killer. A fine choice. Yamaguchi has chosen Yama Yama as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Kai Yamaguchi has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Ricard
vs
Yamaguchi

172 cm
34
155 lbs
28 - 15 - 1

176 cm
35
160 lbs
34 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Farboleous Ricard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Yamaguchi!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ricard ducks under a wild hook from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a push kick but Ricard slaps the foot to one side.
Yamaguchi throws the kick towards the body but Ricard avoids it.
Yamaguchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ricard moves away.
It looked like Ricard wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ricard throws a body punch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
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 Ricard has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ricard and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Yamaguchi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ricard misses with a low kick as Yamaguchi jumps back.
Yamaguchi raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ricard has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Chakuriki LA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Nice cross by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ricard.
Yamaguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Yamaguchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ricard connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricard with a jab.
Good exchange - Ricard coming out on top.
Ricard throws a nice inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamaguchi ducks under a wild hook from Ricard.
Yamaguchi throws a hook but Ricard avoids it easily.
Ricard moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Yamaguchi.
Ricard with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Yamaguchi to score with a decent uppercut.
Ricard tries to land a leg kick but Yamaguchi saw it coming and moves away.
Yamaguchi walks into a straight right hand from Ricard.
Kai Yamaguchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ricard fails with the takedown
and Yamaguchi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Ricard shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Yamaguchi has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Ricard is on him like a limpet, forcing Yamaguchi back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ricard makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ricard takes a shot to the head.
Yamaguchi misses with the head strike.
Yamaguchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Ricard on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ricard.
Yamaguchi prevents a body shot from Ricard.
A short right from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ricard's elbow.

Ricard has picked Yamaguchi up - he's going for a ride! Ricard dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricard trying to control from Yamaguchi's half guard. Yamaguchi has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ricard wants to control from the top but Yamaguchi keeps moving.
Ricard looking to sit in guard and control but Yamaguchi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ricard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yamaguchi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Yamaguchi tries to stand but Ricard is controlling from the bottom.
Ricard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Yamaguchi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ricard wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yamaguchi gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A jab from Yamaguchi does it's job there.
Ricard misses the jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ricard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yamaguchi lands with an overhand left.
Yamaguchi leaves Ricard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ricard connects with a jab.
Yamaguchi throws a front kick that sends Ricard stumbling back into the cage.
Yamaguchi throws a sloppy body shot
and Ricard counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ricard looks to land a body kick but Yamaguchi moved away.
Yamaguchi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamaguchi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ricard tries to counter with a takedown but Yamaguchi is quick to defend against it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ricard, right into the meat.
Yamaguchi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ricard takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Yamaguchi blocks the body kick.
Yamaguchi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ricard.
Ricard throws a front kick aimed at Yamaguchi's knee but Yamaguchi avoids it well.
Yamaguchi misses with a lunging right hand
and Ricard counters with a nice uppercut.
Ricard walks into a left hand.
Farboleous Ricard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ricard throws a leg kick that misses.
Ricard misses with a kick to the body.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ricard throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yamaguchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Yamaguchi scores with a kick to the midsection.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ricard fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Yamaguchi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ricard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ricard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yamaguchi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ricard misses with a kick to the body.
Ricard misses with a body kick.
A little jabbing left from Yamaguchi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kai Yamaguchi will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ricard tries to clinch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Farboleous Ricard is winning the standup battle so far.
Yamaguchi with a nice cross.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ricard.
Yamaguchi misses with an uppercut. Ricard saw that one coming.
Yamaguchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ricard moves away.
Yamaguchi moves out of range of the leg kick from Ricard.
Nice uppercut there from Ricard.
Yamaguchi misses with a leg kick.
Yamaguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
Yamaguchi is looking to land body kicks.
Yamaguchi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Yamaguchi misses.
Ricard scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Yamaguchi is looking to score with low kicks.
Yamaguchi thuds his right hand into Ricard's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yamaguchi connects with an inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ricard has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yamaguchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricard tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yamaguchi throws a body punch but Ricard moves out of range.
Yamaguchi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ricard tries to land a front kick but Yamaguchi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ricard checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A telegraphed right hand from Ricard misses the target.
Ricard scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ricard getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ricard lands with a nice body punch.
Yamaguchi misses with a body shot.
Ricard throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ricard bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Yamaguchi's head.
Yamaguchi misses with a low kick.
Yamaguchi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ricard throws a solid leg kick but Yamaguchi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ricard.
Ricard throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yamaguchi scores with a hook to the body. Ricard takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Yamaguchi blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yamaguchi manages to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ricard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yamaguchi blocks the body kick.

Ricard closes the distance and clinches.
Ricard throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yamaguchis head.
Yamaguchi blocks a body shot from Ricard.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ricard's elbow.

Ricard breaks the clinch.
Ricard misses with a low kick.
Ricard doesn't manage to clinch there - Yamaguchi circles away.
Yamaguchi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Yamaguchi throws a push kick but Ricard slaps the foot to one side.
Ricard looks for the body kick but Yamaguchi saw that one coming.
Yamaguchi throws out a counter right but Ricard avoids it with no problem.
Ricard is looking to chop away at Yamaguchi's legs.
Ricard scores with a hook.
Ricard closes the distance but Yamaguchi moves to the side
and Yamaguchi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ricard thinking.
Ricard looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricard staying out of range there.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the side of Ricard's head but Ricard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ricard quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Ricard takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yamaguchi misses with a body kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Ricard. That snapped Yamaguchi's head back.
Yamaguchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ricard.
A big left from Yamaguchi misses.
Yamaguchi swings for the body but Ricard moves out of range.
Ricard moves away from the strike by Yamaguchi.
Ricard pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yamaguchi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ricard lands with a cross.
Ricard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yamaguchi.
It looked like Ricard wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yamaguchi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ricard is out of range and Yamaguchi settles back down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ricard. That's going to slow Yamaguchi down.
A big left from Ricard misses.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch
and Ricard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi blocks a jab.
Yamaguchi throws a hook but Ricard blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice body punch from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi misses with a body kick.
Yamaguchi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ricard staying out of range there.
Ricard lands a nice looking body kick.
Yamaguchi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ricard pushes Yamaguchi away with a front kick.
The fighters circling - Yamaguchi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yamaguchi throws a chopping leg kick but Ricard manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Yamaguchi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Yamaguchi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Yamaguchi throws a shot from downtown. Ricard moves away and avoids it.
Ricard looks to land a left hand but Yamaguchi moved out of range nicely.
Ricard just misses with a punch to the body.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but Ricard sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Farboleous Ricard will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ricard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yamaguchi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yamaguchi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Yamaguchi misses with a left hand
and Ricard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Donk. Ricard catches Yamaguchi right on the button with a cross.
Ricard throws a jab but it's blocked by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi moves out of range as Ricard throws a body kick.
Yamaguchi cracks a nice hook into Ricard's ribs.
Yamaguchi throws a hook but Ricard avoids it easily.
Ricard moves into range and connects with a jab.
Yamaguchi looks to land a right hand but Ricard moved out of range.
Ricard fires out a quick counter leg kick but Yamaguchi just manages to avoid it.
Good work by Ricard as he checks the leg kick.
Yamaguchi throws a push kick but Ricard slaps the foot to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamaguchi.
Ricard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ricard misses with a hook.
Yamaguchi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Yamaguchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Crunch! Ricard slams his shin into Yamaguchi's torso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricard loads up on a big right hand but Yamaguchi slips the punch.
Ricard scores with a leg kick.
A big left from Yamaguchi misses.
A big left from Yamaguchi misses.
Ricard seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Yamaguchi scores with a jab to the body.
Ricard throws a head kick but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
A big left from Yamaguchi misses.
Ricard listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ricard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yamaguchi is looking to land body kicks.
Ricard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yamaguchi moves away.
Ricard connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ricard checks a leg kick.
Ricard checks a low kick from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ricard misses with a body shot.
Ricard scores with a nice body kick.
Ricard shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick that misses.
Yamaguchi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ricard throws out a leg kick but Yamaguchi moves out of range and Ricard only half commits.
Ricard looks to land a right hand but Yamaguchi moved out of range.
A head kick misses from Yamaguchi.
Ricard tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yamaguchi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ricard lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ricard - that will leave a mark!
Ricard tries a low kick but Yamaguchi avoids it.
Ricard takes a swing at Yamaguchi's ribcage but misses.
Ricard has a takedown stuffed.
Yamaguchi moves out of range of the body kick.
Yamaguchi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

Ricard darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ricard looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi is refusing to be controlled, as Ricard sits in half guard.

Ricard is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Yamaguchi defends it well.
Yamaguchi tries to roll over but Ricard keeps him under control.
Ricard trying to control the action but Yamaguchi is working from the bottom.
Yamaguchi felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Yamaguchi is trying to stand up here but Ricard is controlling him well.
Ricard content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Yamaguchi is looking to improve his position.
Ricard wants to take a breather but Yamaguchi is having none of it.
Ricard perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Yamaguchi wants to control but Ricard is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Yamaguchi tries to get to full guard but Ricard has control of the leg.
Yamaguchi is staying active underneath Ricard, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Donk. Yamaguchi catches Ricard right on the button with a cross.
Ricard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yamaguchi moves away.
Ricard scores with the left hand. Yamaguchi knows he should have avoided that one.

Ricard gets the takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Farboleous Ricard clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yamaguchi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ricard.
Yamaguchi throws a head kick that misses.
Ricard misses with a body kick.
Yamaguchi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ricard takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A clash of legs there as Yamaguchi blocks the low kick.
Yamaguchi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yamaguchi moves out of range as Ricard strikes.
Yamaguchi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yamaguchi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Ricard drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Yamaguchi tries to buck Ricard off but Ricard is having none of it.
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Ricard prevents Yamaguchi from escaping the position.
Ricard trying to control the action but Yamaguchi is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi is pushing Ricard's head away, looking to escape. Ricard manages to hold on to the position though.
Yamaguchi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ricard off and has taken his back!
Ricard is really stuck here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ricard turns into Yamaguchi and is now in his guard.
Ricard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yamaguchi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ricard controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Yamaguchi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ricard trying to control but Yamaguchi is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricard looking to sit in guard and control but Yamaguchi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ricard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yamaguchi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Yamaguchi stopping the sweep attempt from Ricard.
Kai Yamaguchi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yamaguchi passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Yamaguchi stands up.
Yamaguchi moves out of range as Ricard strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ricard takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice straight punches there by Ricard. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ricard.
Ricard loads up on a big right hand but Yamaguchi slips the punch.
Yamaguchi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Ricard lands a jab to the nose.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ricard moves away.
Ricard takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ricard chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yamaguchi can pounce on him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ricard. Yamaguchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ricard throws a low kick, looking for Yamaguchi's leg but Yamaguchi calmly moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as Yamaguchi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ricard doesn't seem phased though.
A telegraphed right hand from Ricard misses the target.
Ricard throws a front kick that sends Yamaguchi stumbling back into the cage.
Ricard tries a low kick but Yamaguchi avoids it.
Yamaguchi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ricard blocks the body kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ricard. Yamaguchi shrugs it off though.
Ricard checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Yamaguchi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ricard swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricard throws a push kick but Yamaguchi slaps the foot to one side.
Ricard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yamaguchi's sensitive parts.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yamaguchi ducks under a wild hook from Ricard.
Yamaguchi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Yamaguchi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yamaguchi tried to score with a low kick but Ricard checks it.
Yamaguchi throws a looping overhand right but Ricard ducks down to avoid it.
Ricard takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ricard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yamaguchi.
Ricard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice combination there by Ricard.
Yamaguchi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yamaguchi doesn't manage to clinch there - Ricard circles away.
Ricard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yamaguchi tries to work over Ricard's front leg with a kick but Ricard checks it.
Ricard attempts a counter takedown but Yamaguchi avoids it well and moves away.
Yamaguchi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Kai Yamaguchi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but Ricard moved away.
Yamaguchi throws a looping overhand right but Ricard ducks down to avoid it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ricard. That's going to slow Yamaguchi down.
Ricard lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Donk. Yamaguchi catches Ricard right on the button with a cross.
Yamaguchi with a nice cross.
Ricard looks to score with a jab to the body but Yamaguchi is just out of range.
Ricard slips a jab and a cross from Yamaguchi.
Ricard feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Ricard fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Yamaguchi on the side of the head.
Yamaguchi throws a head kick that misses.
Yamaguchi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ricard. That did some damage!
Ricard walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Yamaguchi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Yamaguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ricard was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamaguchi.
Ricard scores with a jab to the head.
Ricard's jab looks to have found its range, popping Yamaguchi under the eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi moves away from the strike by Ricard.
Ricard misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ricard. Yamaguchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yamaguchi tries to clinch up.
Ricard scores with a crisp jab that stopped Yamaguchi in his tracks.
A big right from Yamaguchi misses.
Ricard throws a nice outside leg kick.
A big right from Ricard misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Ricard.
Ricard throws a big shot that misses.
Ricard throws a series of punches but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Ricard works Yamaguchi's body with a nice hook.
Yamaguchi tries to land a leg kick but Ricard saw it coming and moves away.
Yamaguchi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Yamaguchi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ricard. That did some damage!
Ricard takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi throws a front kick aimed at Ricard's knee but Ricard avoids it well.
Yamaguchi tried to score with a low kick but Ricard checks it.
Yamaguchi misses with a two punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamaguchi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ricard lands a lovely overhand right.
Ricard moves into range and connects with a jab.
Jab from Yamaguchi.
Ricard blocks a head kick by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi misses with an attempted mid kick.

Ricard feints and as Yamaguchi raises his hands in defense, Ricard changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Yamaguchi is pulling down on Ricard's head. It's preventing any offense from Ricard, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi is looking to sweep but instead, Ricard has passed into half guard.
Ricard moves nicely into side control.
Ricard tries to move into full mount but can't pass Yamaguchi's legs.
Yamaguchi wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Ricard scoring with punches and elbows.
Ricard throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ricard wants to control but Yamaguchi is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricard content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Yamaguchi tries to buck Ricard off but Ricard is having none of it.
What's Yamaguchi going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Yamaguchi is not content to let Ricard control the position.
Ricard is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Yamaguchi will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

And that's the end of the fight!
Farboleous Ricard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ricard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 49:47
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Farboleous Ricard!
A very excited looking Farboleous Ricard made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.