PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yamasaki Mishimoto (ranked 3667 p4p, 4830 weight class) and Raiki Awasaki (ranked 343 p4p, 246 weight class). Awasaki is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Gurenge. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Mishimoto
vs
Awasaki

179 cm
25
145
2 - 2 - 0

172 cm
25
140
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yamasaki Mishimoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raiki Awasaki!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Columbo Gatti and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Awasaki clinches up against the cage.
Awasaki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mishimoto just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mishimoto lands with a light punch inside.
I was talking to Mishimoto's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Mishimoto pushes off an throws an elbow but Awasaki leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mishimoto.
Mishimoto lands a right hand that snaps the head of Awasaki backwards.
Awasaki blocks an elbow strike from Mishimoto.
Awasaki goes for a takedown attempt but Mishimoto pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Mishimoto closes the distance and clinches.
A short uppercut from Mishimoto.
Mishimoto lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Awasaki tries to score a body lock takedown but Mishimoto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yamasaki Mishimoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raiki Awasaki.
Mishimoto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mishimoto breaks the clinch.
Awasaki fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Awasaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Mishimoto circles away.
Awasaki tries to clinch but Mishimoto moves out of range.
Mishimoto feints and then cracks Awasaki's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Awasaki down.
Mishimoto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Awasaki moves away.
Awasaki fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mishimoto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Awasaki blocks a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mishimoto. Awasaki does a little dance to reset his feet.

Mishimoto closes the distance and clinches.
Awasaki throws an elbow but it misses.
Mishimoto scores with a knee to the head.
Mishimoto scores a nice knee to the body.
Awasaki is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mishimoto creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mishimoto effectively controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Awasaki is trying to pull guard but Mishimoto turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short left from Mishimoto.
Awasaki tries to score a body lock takedown but Mishimoto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mishimoto can't find room to land a body shot as Awasaki controls the action.
Mishimoto keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Awasaki's efforts to push away.
Awasaki trying to control the position but instead, Mishimoto has worked for underhooks and has pushed Awasaki into the cage.
Awasaki dodges an elbow strike from Mishimoto.
Mishimoto lands a body punch in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mishimoto tries to work over Awasaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mishimoto lands a damaging elbow.
Mishimoto connects with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Awasaki takes an elbow to the forehead.
Awasaki is trying to drag Mishimoto to the mat but Mishimoto just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mishimoto with a knee to the head.
Awasaki fails to pull guard.
Mishimoto has Awasaki pressed against the cage, preventing Awasaki from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mishimoto tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Awasaki tries to pull guard but Mishimoto forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Awasaki looks winded!
Mishimoto gets underhooks to prevent Awasaki's takedown attempt.
Awasaki is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mishimoto to keep the fight standing.
Mishimoto cracks Awasaki with a nice body shot.

Mishimoto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mishimoto throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mishimoto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Awasaki shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mishimoto works the jab nicely.
Mishimoto throws a low kick but Awasaki moves out of range easily.
Mishimoto scores with a spinning back kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mishimoto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mishimoto misses with a head kick.
Awasaki checks a leg kick nicely.
Despite the aggression on Awasaki's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Mishimoto drives through and clinches with Awasaki against the cage.
Mishimoto lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mishimoto digs a right hand underneath Awasaki's ribcage. Awasaki let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short uppercut from Mishimoto.

Mishimoto manages to break the clinch.
Awasaki blocks a head kick by Mishimoto.
As Mishimoto backs off Awasaki throws a huge counter combo but Mishimoto manages to avoid it all.
Yamasaki Mishimoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mishimoto leaves Awasaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yamasaki Mishimoto dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mishimoto throws a body kick that misses.
Awasaki throws a head kick that Mishimoto semi-blocks.
Yamasaki Mishimoto is winning the standup battle so far.
Awasaki blocks a leg kick.
Mishimoto throws a lazy right hand but Awasaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Awasaki is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Awasaki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Mishimoto.
Mishimoto takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Mishimoto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Awasaki can do to turn this around?
Mishimoto lands with a nice body kick.
A right-left combo lands from Mishimoto.
Mishimoto throws a head kick that misses.

Mishimoto gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mishimoto misses with a body punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mishimoto misses with a knee strike.
Awasaki is struggling to control the position.
Awasaki is trying to push Mishimoto away but Mishimoto has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Awasaki missing with knees to the body.
Mishimoto lands an elbow inside.

Mishimoto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Awasaki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mishimoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Awasaki looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Mishimoto gets a clinch.
Awasaki takes an elbow to the temple.
Mishimoto stops a takedown attempt from Awasaki.
Awasaki is breathing heavily.
Mishimoto tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mishimoto avoiding damage as Awasaki throws knees to the body.
Awasaki trying to land knees to the body.
Mishimoto lands with a left to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mishimoto can't find room to land a body shot as Awasaki controls the action.
Awasaki taking a breather.
Mishimoto 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.
Mishimoto works on Awasaki's body with a couple of short punches.
Awasaki blocks an elbow strike from Mishimoto.
Mishimoto lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mishimoto as Awasaki tries to tie him up.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mishimoto.
Mishimoto scores with a nice hook to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mishimoto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Awasaki tries to pull guard but Mishimoto won't allow it.
Yamasaki Mishimoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raiki Awasaki.
Awasaki dodges an elbow strike from Mishimoto.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mishimoto.
Awasaki wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Awasaki wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mishimoto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Mishimoto misses with a knee to the head.
Awasaki is trying to stall.
Mishimoto lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Raiki Awasaki has been cut.
Good body shot from Mishimoto.
Awasaki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mishimoto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nice body punch from Mishimoto - that landed with a thud.
Mishimoto lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mishimoto tries a knee to the head but Awasaki blocks it.
Mishimoto working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A left hand lands to the body for Mishimoto.
Nice body punch from Mishimoto - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Awasaki trying to land knees to the body.
Awasaki avoids the elbow strike from Mishimoto, against the cage.
Mishimoto lands a body shot.
Awasaki throws an elbow that misses.
Mishimoto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
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!
Mishimoto landing knees to the body.
Awasaki managing to block the knees to the body from Mishimoto.
Mishimoto with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Mishimoto lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mishimoto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Awasaki's defenses.
Mishimoto throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mishimoto scores with a hook to the body.
Mishimoto misses with a knee strike.
Mishimoto lands a right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yamasaki Mishimoto dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Raiki Awasaki's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Awasaki tries to clinch there but Mishimoto circles away.
Mishimoto throws a head kick but Awasaki moves out of range.
Awasaki shoots for a double leg takedown but Mishimoto sprawls well. He's pushed Awasaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mishimoto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mishimoto rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Awasaki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Awasaki tries to pull guard but Mishimoto forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mishimoto as Awasaki tries to tie him up.
Mishimoto is leaning against Awasaki and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Yamasaki Mishimoto has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mishimoto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mishimoto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yamasaki Mishimoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Awasaki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Awasaki is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mishimoto has Awasaki up against the cage in a clinch.
Mishimoto lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mishimoto landing knees to the head.
Awasaki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Awasaki is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mishimoto to keep the fight standing.
Yamasaki Mishimoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raiki Awasaki.
Mishimoto with a knee to the head.
Good body shot from Mishimoto.
Mishimoto lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mishimoto lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Awasaki.
Mishimoto will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Awasaki up against the cage.
Mishimoto lands with a right to the head.
Yamasaki Mishimoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mishimoto makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Mishimoto.
Awasaki wants to get back to striking at distance but Mishimoto won't allow it.
Awasaki fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mishimoto manages to break the clinch.

Mishimoto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Awasaki, pushing him back against the cage.
Mishimoto scores with a hook to the body.
Mishimoto lands a damaging elbow.
Awasaki misses with a knee to the head.
Awasaki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mishimoto gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mishimoto with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mishimoto lands a knee to the body.
Awasaki fails to pull guard.
Awasaki is trying to pull guard but Mishimoto turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mishimoto lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Awasaki taking a breather.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mishimoto lands a nice elbow.
Mishimoto lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mishimoto lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mishimoto lands a nice shot to the body.
Mishimoto tries to throw a body punch but Awasaki avoids it by throwing Mishimoto back against the cage.
Mishimoto lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mishimoto works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Mishimoto lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mishimoto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Awasaki's defenses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Awasaki has a couple of punches blocked by Mishimoto.
Awasaki wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mishimoto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Raiki Awasaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice right hand lands inside from Mishimoto.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yamasaki Mishimoto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mishimoto 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:25
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:25
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yamasaki Mishimoto!
A relieved looking Yamasaki Mishimoto thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.