PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyron Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arashi Yamada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Gracie
vs
Yamada

180 cm
23
162 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

178 cm
27
165 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyron Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Arashi Yamada!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamada.
Gracie ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A left lands for Yamada.
Gracie getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Yamada looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gracie misses with a hook. Yamada ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kyron Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamada misses with a low kick.
Gracie connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yamada works the jab nicely.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyron Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot by Yamada.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws an overhand right that lands on Yamada's shoulder, as Yamada tries to avoid the shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Yamada.
Yamada slips a straight right by Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Yamada circles away and keeps his distance.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Yamada sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yamada moves out of range as Gracie strikes.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie connects with a body shot.
Gracie misses with a jab to the body
and Yamada counters with a solid body kick.
Gracie swings widly with a right hand
and Yamada counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie scores a takedown into full mount!
Gracie throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Yamada blocking the ground and pound.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Gracie wants to control the pace but Yamada is squirming around nicely.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie unloads with some shots from mount but Yamada bucks and avoids them well.
Gracie misses with a head shot.
Gracie connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Gracie thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Gracie throwing strikes here but Yamada is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Yamada wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Yamada'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.
Gracie looking to control but Yamada is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Yamada really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Yamada is blocking nicely.
Gracie lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Gracie takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gracie lands a nice shot to the head.
Yamada blocking the ground and pound.
Gracie with good strikes from the mount here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Gracie punching from mount but Yamada doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Yamada is blocking nicely.
Gracie lands a big elbow.
Gracie punching from mount but Yamada doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Gracie lands with some strikes.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount.
Gracie misses with a head shot.
Yamada takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Yamada holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gracie tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gracie looking to finish with strikes here!
Gracie landing shots from mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie unloads with some shots from mount but Yamada bucks and avoids them well.
Gracie raining down hammerfists from mount.
Yamada is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Yamada is bucking up trying to escape but Gracie cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gracie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Gracie is landing with some decent strikes but Yamada is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Yamada is blocking nicely.
Gracie trying to control but Yamada is having none of it.
Gracie looking to finish with strikes here!
Gracie lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yamada is bucking up trying to escape but Gracie cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyron Gracie dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Gracie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gracie misses with a head shot. Yamada uses the momentum to regain guard.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gracie looking to sit in guard and control but Yamada gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gracie has his hands on Yamada's head, controlling the position.
Yamada must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yamada gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Yamada stopping the sweep attempt from Gracie.
Yamada has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gracie is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Yamada postures up.
Kyron Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yamada would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gracie wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Yamada preventing the sweep.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Yamada is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamada circles away from the clinch attempt.

Gracie is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Yamada's half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie wants to control but Yamada is keeping him busy.
Gracie takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ground and pound from Gracie.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Yamada is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.
Gracie is trying to control. Yamada wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie passes the guard and advances to mount!
Gracie punching from mount but Yamada doing a good job of avoiding damage.
A nice elbow there by Gracie.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Yamada is trying desperately to improve position.
Gracie looking to land elbow strikes but Yamada uses the position to regain half guard.
Gracie tries to pass the half guard into mount. Yamada knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gracie thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yamada's head.
Gracie is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Gracie is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Yamada can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Yamada is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Yamada avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gracie.
Gracie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Gracie punching from mount but Yamada doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Gracie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yamada can do to turn this around?
Gracie scoring with strikes but Yamada is staying in there.
Yamada is breathing heavily.
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!
Gracie lands a heavy elbow.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Yamada blocking the ground and pound.
Gracie with a couple of short strikes.
Gracie raining down hammerfists from mount.
Yamada tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.
Gracie unloading with bombs!
Yamada is squirming around, avoiding Gracie's attempts to control the action.
Yamada taking shots to the head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie looking to finish with strikes here!

Gracie has hold of Yamada's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Yamada manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
BOOM! Gracie connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Yamada blocking the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Yamada can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gracie punishing his opponent with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie scoring with strikes but Yamada is staying in there.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands with some strikes.
Gracie tries to control but Yamada wriggling away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gracie cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gracie with good strikes from the mount here!

Yamada is rocked!
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Yamada because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie unloads with some shots from mount but Yamada bucks and avoids them well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie with good strikes from the mount here!
Gracie working away from the top, dropping strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyron Gracie dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie tries for a takedown but Yamada circles away easily
letting Yamada counter with a right hand.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Yamada manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyron Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the body from Yamada misses

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yamada's guard.
Yamada avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Yamada blocks nicely.
Gracie postures up in Yamada's guard and throws a big left but Yamada blocks it.
Yamada takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Yamada working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Yamada keeps moving.
Gracie throws and elbow that misses. Yamada uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gracie's guard. Nice move by Yamada!

Gracie working for a triangle but Yamada defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Yamada is now in half guard.
Gracie is trying to maintain the position but Yamada is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gracie tries to roll over but Yamada keeps him under control.
Yamada is keen to just control but Gracie is a slippery customer.
Gracie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Yamada's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Yamada's back!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Even with his hooks in, Gracie manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Yamada has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie misses with a punch to the head.
Gracie keeps control of the position easily here as Yamada tries to buck him off.
Yamada covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gracie misses with punches from the back.
Gracie is working the ground and pound. Can Yamada escape?
Yamada is trying to remain composed but Gracie is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Gracie thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Gracie throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Yamada has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie scores with punches and elbows.

Gracie looking for the choke but no joy.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands with a hammerfist to the side of Yamada's head.
Gracie misses with punches from the back.
Gracie trying to control momentarily.
Gracie throwing wild punches that miss their target.

Gracie patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking to break Yamada's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Yamada remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Gracie will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes.
Yamada is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Gracie off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Gracie punches the canvas rather than the man.
The referee is taking a good look at Yamada as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Gracie!
Arashi Yamada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie has Yamada flattened out and is raining down punches.
Gracie scores with punches from the back.
Gracie misses with a punch to the head.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is cranking Yamada's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Yamada! He's tightened the choke and Yamada is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kyron Gracie!