PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yoko Yagami (ranked 5421 p4p, 529 weight class) and Cu Chulainn (ranked 6428 p4p, 562 weight class). 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.

Yagami
vs
Chulainn

200 cm
25
204 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoko Yagami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Cu Chulainn!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jonathan Paton and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yagami takes a swing at Chulainn's ribcage but misses.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yagami but Yagami pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yagami throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chulainn avoids a punch combination nicely.
Chulainn avoids the head kick by Yagami.
The fighters circling - Yagami throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Chulainn shoots for a takedown but Yagami saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Yagami misses with a straight left.
Chulainn avoids the body shot from Yagami.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yagami throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yagami misses the shot to the body.
Yagami just misses with a punch to the body.
Yagami throws a head kick but Chulainn moves out of range.
Yagami throws a shot from downtown. Chulainn moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yoko Yagami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cu Chulainn.

Chulainn rushes Yagami and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Yagami wants to break the clinch but can't.
Yagami misses with a hook from the clinch.

Chulainn has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Yagami is trying to keep an underhook but Chulainn manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Well, if Chulainn is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Yagami is in trouble now - Chulainn has advanced to mount!
Chulainn controlling the pace for now.
Chulainn blocks Yagami's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Yagami blocking the ground and pound.
Yagami looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yagami throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Yagami is trying desperately to improve position.

Chulainn is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Yagami to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Yagami shrugs it off.
Yagami is trying to stand.
Chulainn thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Yagami knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Chulainn on the ground.
Yagami is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
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!
Chulainn throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Yagami tries to buck Chulainn off but he can't manage it.
Yagami swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chulainn looking to secure an arm triangle but Yagami defends it well.
You get the feeling that Yagami really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Yagami throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Yagami is trying to stand.
Chulainn tries to control but Yagami wriggling away.
Yagami's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Chulainn looking to finish with strikes here!
Yagami in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn landing strikes from the mount.
Yagami flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Yagami really wants to buck Chulainn off and get back to his feet.
Yagami takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Yagami really wants to buck Chulainn off and get back to his feet.
Chulainn wants to control the pace but Yagami is squirming around nicely.
Chulainn controlling from the full mount.
Chulainn looking to ground and pound but Yagami is blocking nicely.
Yagami is trying to reverse the position but instead Chulainn has taken his back - oops!
Yagami wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cu Chulainn dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yagami throws a hook but Chulainn blocks it.
Yagami misses with an uppercut
and Chulainn counters with a stiff right hand.
Chulainn pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Yagami back to the cage. Chulainn follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Yagami throws a shot from downtown. Chulainn moves away and avoids it.
Chulainn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yagami jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Chulainn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Chulainn is looking for the big counter here.
Yagami keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Chulainn shoots in looking for a takedown. Yagami tries to sprawl out of it but Chulainn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Yagami manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chulainn ducks under a wild hook from Yagami.

Chulainn darts in and clinches Yagami up against the cage.
Yagami wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Chulainn has him pressed against the cage.
Yagami working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chulainn successfully pulls guard.
Chulainn has a closed guard, preventing Yagami from standing up.
Yagami wants to stand and escape but instead Chulainn has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Yagami is looking to sweep but instead, Chulainn has passed into half guard.
Yagami is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.

Chulainn stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Chulainn looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Chulainn misses with a takedown attempt - Yagami sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Yoko Yagami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cu Chulainn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yagami misses the jab.
Yagami throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chulainn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Chulainn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cu Chulainn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yagami throws a jab but it's blocked by Chulainn.
Yagami misses with a straight left.
Yagami rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chulainn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Chulainn throws a counter combo.
Yagami cracks Chulainn with a good jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yagami throws a sloppy head kick and Chulainn moves out of range easily.
Chulainn shoots in and drives through. Yagami sprawls well.
Chulainn tries to clinch but Yagami is having none of it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Chulainn is defended easily by Yagami.
Yagami was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Yagami throws a head kick that misses.
Chulainn is looking for the big counter here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yagami throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yagami blocks the body kick.
Yagami misses the jab.
Yoko Yagami is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A right-left combo lands from Chulainn.
Yagami swings widly with a right hand
enabling Chulainn to counter with a crisp jab.
Chulainn looks for a takedown but Yagami sprawls well.
Yagami throws a jab when Chulainn was well out of range.
Yoko Yagami seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yagami misses with a body shot.
Yagami takes a swing at Chulainn's ribcage but misses.
Yagami throws a right hand that misses
and Chulainn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
No luck for Chulainn with that takedown attempt.
Chulainn is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn is looking to clinch.

Chulainn has closed the distance and engaged Yagami in a clinch.
Yagami fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Chulainn has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yagami is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Yagami misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yagami dodges an elbow strike from Chulainn.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yagami wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Chulainn has him pressed against the cage.
Yagami wants to break free but Chulainn has control.

Chulainn has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Yagami uses from the top position.
Chulainn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Yagami wants to stand but Chulainn is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Cu Chulainn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A decent looking cross lands there for Yagami.
Yagami throws a sloppy head kick and Chulainn moves out of range easily.
Yagami pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yagami misses with a body kick.
Yagami throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yagami rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Chulainn counters with a nice body shot.
Yagami looks to land a right hand but Chulainn moved out of range.
Chulainn unleashes a big counter combination but Yagami bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Yagami thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yagami throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chulainn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chulainn looks for a takedown but Yagami sprawls well.
Yagami swings widly with a right hand
and Chulainn counters with a one-two to the body.
Yagami throws a hook but Chulainn avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn ducks under a wild hook from Yagami.
Yagami misses with a hook
and Chulainn counters with a left and a right that stings Yagami.
Yagami throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yagami misses with a two punch combination.
Chulainn looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Yagami leaves Chulainn with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Yoko Yagami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cu Chulainn.
Chulainn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Chulainn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yagami circles away.
Yagami waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Chulainn.
A big right from Yagami misses.
Chulainn throws a counter combo.
Yagami misses with a straight right.
We've been informed that Chulainn has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Yagami misses the target.
As Yagami backs off Chulainn throws a huge counter combo but Yagami manages to avoid it all.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yagami as he jumps to the side.
Yagami lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Yoko Yagami has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn tries to close the distance and clinch but Yagami swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Chulainn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yagami.
Yagami throws a head kick but Chulainn moves out of range.
Chulainn is looking for the big counter here.
Yagami throws a sloppy head kick
and Chulainn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yagami uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yagami misses with an uppercut
and Chulainn counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Yagami throws a head kick but Chulainn moves out of range.

Chulainn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Chulainn is stalling here.

Chulainn manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Chulainn is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yagami has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chulainn is proving hard to escape from.
Yagami working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yagami working hard to break the clinch.
Yagami is trying to break the clinch but Chulainn has him pressed against the cage.
Yagami wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Yagami wants to break the clinch but can't.

Chulainn pulls guard.
Yagami wants to stand but Chulainn is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yagami is looking to work some ground and pound but Chulainn has wrist control.
Cu Chulainn has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yagami throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chulainn works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Chulainn controlling the position.
Chulainn preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Chulainn manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Yagami manages to get himself to full guard.

Chulainn wants to control from the top but Yagami keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yoko Yagami.
I think Chulainn 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cu Chulainn!