PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yenker Rian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takashi Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Rian
vs
Yamamoto

170 cm
25
141 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
28
140 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yenker Rian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takashi Yamamoto!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamamoto misses with a series of wild punches.
Yamamoto goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rian swings widly with a right hand
and Yamamoto counters with a two punch combo.
Yamamoto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Yamamoto pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rian back to the cage. Yamamoto follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yamamoto has had enough of the clinch but Rian keeps him there for the moment.
Rian drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Yamamoto gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rian is stalling here.
Yamamoto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rian's defenses.

It looks like Yenker Rian has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rian has Yamamoto pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Rian pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Yamamoto tumbling to the mat - Rian dives into Yamamoto's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rian working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Yamamoto's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rian stands up and waves to Yamamoto to follow him.
Yamamoto cracks a nice hook into Rian's ribs.
Rian shoots in but Yamamoto avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Rian moves into the clinch successfully.
Yamamoto avoids the elbow strike from Rian, against the cage.
Yamamoto connects with a knee to the head.
Yamamoto can't break the clinch.

Yamamoto has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rian uses from the top position.
Rian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rian's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Yamamoto looking for a sweep. Not yet Yamamoto, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yamamoto is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Yamamoto pulls Rian in to control the position.

Takashi Yamamoto has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rian shoots in and drives through. Yamamoto sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yenker Rian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Yamamoto clinches with his opponent.
Rian throws an elbow but it misses.

Rian gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Yamamoto pushes Rian off looking to stand but Rian dives back in and keeps control.
Rian 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.
Rian thows a huge punch but Yamamoto dodges it nicely.

Rian is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rian seems to be looking for submissions.
Rian lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rian gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Rian fails with a takedown attempt.
Rian is breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rian.
Rian fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rian tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yamamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rian somewhat.

Yamamoto instigates a clinch.

Yamamoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Yamamoto closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch combination from Yamamoto misses.

Yamamoto gets a clinch.
Rian throws an elbow but it misses.

Rian lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are battling for position here. Yamamoto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Rian avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rian working some strikes from top position.
Rian working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rian is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rian wanted to stand there but Yamamoto had control of the position.
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 Yenker Rian will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yenker Rian's cut.
That's time! Rian's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rian misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yenker Rian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamamoto fails with a takedown attempt.

Yamamoto clinches up with Rian and pushes him back against the cage.
Rian goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yamamoto prevents it.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yamamoto looks for a takedown but Rian sprawls well.
Rian throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yamamoto's waist but Yamamoto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rian off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yenker Rian. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rian instigates a clinch.
Yamamoto jumps guard but Rian stands there with Yamamoto around his waist. Yamamoto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rian misses with an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto is trying to stall.
Yamamoto blocks an elbow strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Yamamoto as Rian tries to tie him up.
Rian throws an elbow that misses.
Yamamoto using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Yamamoto tries to break free but Rian pushes him back against the cage.
Yamamoto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Yamamoto has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rian is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Yamamoto blocks the elbow strike.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rian instigates a clinch.
Yamamoto stops a takedown attempt from Rian.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rian misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Yamamoto is trying to maintain a safe position but Rian gets an underhook and turns Yamamoto into the cage.
Rian is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Yamamoto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rian is trying to drag Yamamoto to the mat but Yamamoto just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Yamamoto managing to block the knees to the body from Rian.
Yamamoto slows down the pace here.
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!

Yamamoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rian fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yamamoto fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yamamoto gets caught napping as Rian dives in and scores a takedown. Yamamoto manages to retain guard.
Rian stops Yamamoto from standing up.
Yamamoto trying to control the position.
Rian trying to control but Yamamoto is working from the bottom.
Yamamoto wants to sweep here but Rian controlling him for the moment.
Rian prevents Yamamoto from getting back to his feet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Yamamoto stuffs the takedown attempt from Rian. Rian gets slowly back to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rian. Yamamoto does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yamamoto closes the distance and pushes Rian back into the cage.
Rian tries for a takedown but Yamamoto manages to get underhooks.
Rian is trying to drag Yamamoto to the mat but Yamamoto just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
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!
Rian tries to land knees in the clinch but Yamamoto avoids the damage to the body.
Yamamoto looking to throw knees to the head but Rian is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rian takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rian prevents Yamamoto from breaking the clinch.
Rian is working for takedown but Yamamoto is calmly controlling the position for now.
Yamamoto displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rian up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takashi Yamamoto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Yenker Rian'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!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rian.

Yamamoto forces Rian back against the cage and clinches.
Yamamoto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rian.
Yamamoto working hard to break the clinch.
Rian is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yenker Rian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rian is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yamamoto pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rian changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yamamoto fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rian shoots in and drives through. Yamamoto sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yamamoto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yamamoto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Yamamoto avoiding damage as Rian throws knees to the body.
Rian misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto lands an elbow inside.
Yamamoto connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rian's face.
Yamamoto pressing his opponent against the cage.
Rian has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yamamoto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Yamamoto is stalling here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rian tries to score a body lock takedown but Yamamoto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yamamoto putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rian in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rian throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yamamoto blocks it with crossed arms.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rian rushes Yamamoto and presses him up against the cage.
Rian misses with an elbow strike.

Rian has picked Yamamoto up - he's going for a ride! Rian dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Yamamoto regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rian won't allow Yamamoto to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto trying to control the position here.
Yenker Rian overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rian in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rian cracks Yamamoto with a solid left hand.
Rian looking to pass the guard.
Rian trying to control the position from guard on top but Yamamoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yamamoto wants to stand up but Rian is controlling him.
Yamamoto keeping full guard, as Rian tries to pass.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Yamamoto lands with a nice combination. Rian backs away looking to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rian will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Yamamoto moves into the clinch successfully.
Rian tries to score a body lock takedown but Yamamoto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yamamoto lands a knee to the head.

Yamamoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Yamamoto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rian sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yamamoto somewhat.

Yamamoto moves into the clinch successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yamamoto pressing his opponent against the cage.
Yamamoto stops a takedown attempt from Rian.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takashi Yamamoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yamamoto 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takashi Yamamoto!
In his post fight interview, Takashi Yamamoto started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.