PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John YJ (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoshiriro Itsuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

YJ
vs
Itsuma

200 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

158 cm
22
135 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Brawler
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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John YJ!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshiriro Itsuma!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Itsuma tries to bum rush YJ with a series of wild strikes but YJ uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Itsuma dives in and scores a takedown into YJ's guard.
YJ will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

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

Itsuma clinches.
Itsuma working some nice short punches in the clinch.
YJ changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Itsuma fights it off and pushes away nicely.
YJ really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Itsuma throws an overhand right that lands on YJ's shoulder, as YJ tries to avoid the shot.
YJ with a lazy takedown attempt

and Itsuma counters by moving into the clinch.
Itsuma jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as YJ walks away with a smile on his face. Itsuma gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Itsuma gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Itsuma in particular looking to stall.
Itsuma really doesn't want to stay on the ground with YJ. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Itsuma has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Itsuma is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
YJ is looking for a sweep. Itsuma is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Itsuma seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but YJ does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Yoshiriro Itsuma was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Itsuma darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
YJ is breathing heavily.
Itsuma not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Itsuma keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
YJ wants to control but Itsuma is keeping busy and won't allow it.
YJ is refusing to be controlled, as Itsuma sits in half guard.
Itsuma controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yoshiriro Itsuma has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Itsuma shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Itsuma is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Itsuma is working for a kimura but YJ is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Itsuma not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itsuma wants to take a breather but YJ is having none of it.
YJ keeping hold of Itsuma's head, controlling as best he can.

Itsuma is sneakily working for an arm triangle but YJ sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Itsuma sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. YJ defending well though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Itsuma is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshiriro Itsuma dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Itsuma throws out a leg kick but YJ moves out of range and Itsuma only half commits.
YJ moves to clinch but Itsuma breaks away

and Itsuma counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Itsuma lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Itsuma accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
YJ keeping full guard, as Itsuma tries to pass.
Itsuma slips nicely into half guard.

Itsuma wants to work for an arm triangle but YJ is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
YJ pushes Itsuma off looking to stand but Itsuma dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itsuma tries to stand but his hand is stuck under YJ.

Itsuma is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Still in half guard, Itsuma seems content to control.
Itsuma not landing any meaningful shots this time.
YJ is not content to let Itsuma control the position.
Itsuma is pressing down on YJ's thigh, looking to free his foot. YJ is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Itsuma is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so YJ is just riding it out for now. Itsuma eventually gives up the hold.
Itsuma performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Itsuma lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itsuma stops YJ from getting back to his feet.

Itsuma is looking for a kimura but YJ is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Itsuma to get the leverage.
YJ trying to control but Itsuma postures up.
Itsuma is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Itsuma trying to pass the guard but YJ defending well.
YJ tries to roll over but Itsuma keeps him under control.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Yoshiriro Itsuma.

Itsuma closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
YJ tries to buck Itsuma off but Itsuma is having none of it.
Itsuma lands a nice forearm strike.
Itsuma landing a few strikes.
Itsuma tries to advance to mount but can't.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
YJ wants to control but Itsuma postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshiriro Itsuma showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Itsuma looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Itsuma gets a takedown into half guard.
Itsuma thows a huge punch but YJ dodges it nicely.
Itsuma is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Itsuma is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Itsuma uses his free foot to push down on YJ's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for YJ.
Itsuma lands a big elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Itsuma has control of YJ's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and YJ regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Itsuma landing shots from mount.
YJ is trying to stand up.
Itsuma trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Itsuma controlling his opponent.
Itsuma working the ground and pound effectively.
Yoshiriro Itsuma has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itsuma is landing with some decent strikes but YJ is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Itsuma gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
YJ shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Itsuma as he jumps to the side.
Itsuma throws a hook but YJ avoids it easily.

Itsuma clinches up against the cage.
Itsuma has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Itsuma pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Itsuma misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Itsuma forces YJ back against the cage and clinches.

Itsuma jumps guard.

YJ got a little sloppy there for a moment and Itsuma has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, YJ has managed to get both his arms back between Itsuma's legs - danger averted.
YJ scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Itsuma 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.
YJ wanted to stand there but Itsuma had control of the position.
Itsuma seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Itsuma is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
YJ won't allow Itsuma to get back to his feet.

Itsuma throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Itsuma wants to stand and escape but YJ is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Itsuma is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Itsuma looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoshiriro Itsuma comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Itsuma has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshiriro Itsuma!