PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Condit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Yamazaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Condit
vs
Yamazaki

189 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Carlos Condit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ken Yamazaki!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamazaki avoids the body shot from Condit.
Yamazaki avoids the body shot from Condit.
Condit looks to clinch
and Yamazaki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Condit keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Condit misses with a wild body shot.
Condit throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yamazaki.
Yamazaki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Condit sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Condit tries to clinch there but Yamazaki circles away.
Condit misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamazaki.
Condit throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Yamazaki counter with a right hand.
Yamazaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Condit sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yamazaki somewhat.
Carlos Condit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Yamazaki.
Yamazaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Condit misses the shot to the body.
Yamazaki swats away the attempt to clinch by Condit.

Condit darts in and clinches Yamazaki up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Condit throws an elbow but misses.
Condit throws an elbow that misses.
Yamazaki slows down the pace here.
Condit swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yamazaki dodges an elbow strike from Condit.
Condit creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Yamazaki's defenses.

It looks like Ken Yamazaki has been cut.
Condit is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Yamazaki is defending well for now.
Condit throws a punch but it's blocked by Yamazaki.
Condit content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Condit throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Yamazaki tries to break the clinch but Condit is controlling the position.
Yamazaki tries to break the clinch but Condit is controlling the position.
Condit lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamazaki jumps guard but Condit stands there with Yamazaki around his waist. Yamazaki gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Condit lands an elbow inside that Yamazaki shrugs off.
Condit working aggressively here.
Condit lands an elbow that stopped Yamazaki in his tracks for a moment.
Condit misses with an elbow over the top.
Condit has a couple of punches blocked by Yamazaki.
Condit lands an elbow inside.
Condit throws an elbow that misses.

Yamazaki pulls guard successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Yamazaki is on top in guard.
Yamazaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Condit is looking to stand back up but Yamazaki counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Condit.
Condit is breathing heavily.
Well, if Yamazaki 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamazaki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ken Yamazaki was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Yamazaki dives in and grabs Condit's left leg, looking for a takedown. Condit pushes down on Yamazaki's head and hops out.
Yamazaki throws a head kick that misses.
Condit is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Condit closes the distance but Yamazaki moves to the side
and Yamazaki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Condit thinking.
Condit is looking to wear down Yamazaki with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice takedown defense from Condit. No joy for Yamazaki on that attempt.
Condit misses with a body shot.
Condit misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Yamazaki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Yamazaki.

Yamazaki successfully pulls guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Carlos Condit will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ken Yamazaki's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Condit closes the distance looking to clinch
and Yamazaki counters with a head kick.
Condit thows a body shot but no joy.
Carlos Condit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Condit rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yamazaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yamazaki misses with a few strikes there.
Yamazaki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Condit's waist but Condit gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Yamazaki off to one side.

Yamazaki gets tackled into the cage by Condit. Condit maintains the clinch.
Yamazaki is trying to break the clinch but Condit is controlling him.
Yamazaki tries a knee to the head but Condit blocks it.
Condit lands an elbow just above Yamazaki 's eye.
Nice elbow from Condit.
Condit tries a knee to the head but Yamazaki blocks it.
Condit comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Yamazaki is trying to pull guard but Condit turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamazaki tries to score a body lock takedown but Condit shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Carlos Condit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Yamazaki.
Yamazaki is breathing heavily.
Condit taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Condit seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Condit stalling in the clinch but Yamazaki improves position.
Yamazaki has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Yamazaki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Condit smiles and moves away.

Yamazaki gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Condit lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Yamazaki blocking some punches.
Yamazaki jumps guard but Condit turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Condit working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Yamazaki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Condit smiles and moves away.
Condit looks to score with a jab to the body but Yamazaki is just out of range.

Yamazaki closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Condit pushes off an throws an elbow but Yamazaki leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Condit doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Condit fails to land.
Yamazaki blocks the elbow strike.
Yamazaki is trying to pull guard but Condit turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Yamazaki tries to pull guard but Condit won't allow it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Condit is pressed up against the cage. Yamazaki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Condit down to the mat. Condit avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Condit throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Yamazaki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Condit tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamazaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Condit.
Nice takedown defense from Condit. No joy for Yamazaki on that attempt.
Condit tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamazaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Condit.
Yamazaki shoots in and drives through. Condit sprawls well.

Condit clinches.
Condit content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Yamazaki wants to get back to striking at distance but Condit won't allow it.
Condit throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Yamazaki tries to pull guard but Condit forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Carlos Condit has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Yamazaki tries to score a body lock takedown but Condit shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Condit throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Condit misses with an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Condit just misses with a elbow thrown towards Yamazaki's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Condit manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Yamazaki avoids a wild elbow strike from Condit.
Yamazaki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Condit avoids it.
Condit throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Yamazaki working Condit over with knees to the body.
Yamazaki is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Yamazaki trying to control the position but instead, Condit has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yamazaki into the cage.
Yamazaki blocks an elbow strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Yamazaki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Yamazaki clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Condit dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ken Yamazaki'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!

Condit tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Yamazaki manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Yamazaki tries to land a leg kick but Condit saw it coming and moves away.
Yamazaki shoots in but no luck this time.
Condit misses with a body shot.
Yamazaki shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Yamazaki has closed the distance and engaged Condit in a clinch.
Yamazaki blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Yamazaki can't break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Condit fails to land.
Condit gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Condit lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Yamazaki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Condit just stands there and leans against the cage.
Yamazaki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yamazaki is trying to pull guard but Condit has him pressed against the cage.
Carlos Condit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Yamazaki.
Condit lands a damaging elbow.
Condit creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamazaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Condit gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Condit lands a nice elbow.
Condit comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the fighters up against the cage, Condit throws an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Condit just misses with a elbow thrown towards Yamazaki's brow.
Condit lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Yamazaki avoiding damage as Condit throws knees to the body.
Yamazaki trying to stall but Condit improves his position.
Condit tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Yamazaki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Yamazaki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Condit after a bit of a struggle.
Condit throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Condit using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Yamazaki has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Condit creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Yamazaki's defenses.
Condit creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Condit stops a takedown attempt from Yamazaki.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Yamazaki pulls guard.
Yamazaki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yamazaki manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Condit manages to get himself to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamazaki is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Condit keeping moving, preventing Yamazaki from controlling successfully.
Carlos Condit is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ken Yamazaki hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Condit misses with a body shot.
Yamazaki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Condit is fending him off so far but Yamazaki persists. Nope, Condit circles away and we're back to standing.
Yamazaki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Condit fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yamazaki manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Condit misses with a wild combination.
Yamazaki pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Condit back to the cage. Yamazaki follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Condit tries to clinch up.

Condit clinches up against the cage.
Yamazaki jumps guard but Condit stands there with Yamazaki around his waist. Yamazaki gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Yamazaki wants to break free but Condit has control.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Condit throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Yamazaki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ken Yamazaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Yamazaki is defended easily by Condit.

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 Carlos Condit.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Condit, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Condit!