PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lionel Goodwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Yabuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Yabuki will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Goodwin
vs
Yabuki

221 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lionel Goodwin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joe Yabuki!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yabuki gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Goodwin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Knees to the body from Yabuki.

Yabuki has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Goodwin uses from the top position.
Goodwin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Yabuki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Goodwin throws a big elbow that misses.
Goodwin 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.
Goodwin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Yabuki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goodwin preventing the sweep.
Goodwin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yabuki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yabuki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Goodwin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Goodwin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yabuki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Goodwin.

Yabuki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yabuki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Goodwin is defended easily by Yabuki.
A lazy body kick from Yabuki
and Goodwin counters with a thumping low kick.
Yabuki looks for the body kick but Goodwin saw that one coming.

Yabuki shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Yabuki was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Goodwin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goodwin is staying active underneath Yabuki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Goodwin is trying to control but can't.
Goodwin is refusing to be controlled, as Yabuki sits in half guard.
Yabuki is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Goodwin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Goodwin is trying to control but can't.
Goodwin is refusing to be controlled, as Yabuki sits in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Goodwin swats away the attempt to clinch by Yabuki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yabuki throws a sloppy head kick and Goodwin moves out of range easily.
Joe Yabuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yabuki tries to clinch up.
Goodwin circles away from the clinch attempt

and Goodwin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Goodwin slips a nice elbow through Yabuki's hands, connecting with Yabuki's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goodwin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Yabuki is trying to get back to full guard.
Goodwin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yabuki's head.
Yabuki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Goodwin wants to control but Yabuki is keeping him busy.
Yabuki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Goodwin.
Goodwin is trying to control. Yabuki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yabuki trying to control here.
Yabuki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joe Yabuki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Goodwin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Goodwin takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Lionel Goodwin has been cut.
Yabuki throws a sloppy head kick and Goodwin moves out of range easily.

Yabuki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Yabuki wants to stand up but Goodwin is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Goodwin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goodwin 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.
Joe Yabuki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Goodwin trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yabuki stopping the sweep attempt from Goodwin.
Yabuki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Yabuki wants to stand but Goodwin is controlling his posture from full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Yabuki trying to control but Goodwin is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Goodwin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Yabuki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Goodwin shoots in and bounces Yabuki off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Yabuki looking to control.

Yabuki working for a triangle but Goodwin defends it easily.
Goodwin throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yabuki 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.
Goodwin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Goodwin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Yabuki trying to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Goodwin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Yabuki throws out a powerful jab.

Yabuki shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Yabuki was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Yabuki is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goodwin can't do much from the bottom here.

Yabuki decides to stand back up.
Joe Yabuki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Goodwin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Yabuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Goodwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Goodwin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yabuki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yabuki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Yabuki. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Goodwin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Yabuki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lionel Goodwin's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Yabuki gets a double leg takedown into Goodwin's guard.
Goodwin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Goodwin has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Yabuki has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Yabuki is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Goodwin can't fight it off and eventually Yabuki manages to take the fight to the floor. Goodwin looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Goodwin managing to control the position.
Goodwin looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yabuki throwing strikes from guard but Goodwin blocks nicely.
Goodwin is trying to control the position but Yabuki postures up.
Yabuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Goodwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Goodwin working for a triangle but Yabuki defends it easily.
Yabuki postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Goodwin keeping moving, preventing Yabuki from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Yabuki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Yabuki creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Goodwin sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Goodwin stops Yabuki from passing to mount.
Goodwin is trying to control Yabuki's posture but Yabuki avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goodwin is not content to let Yabuki control the position.
Goodwin is looking to regain half guard here but Yabuki keeps moving and retains side control.
Goodwin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Goodwin is not content to let Yabuki control the position.

Goodwin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Yabuki pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yabuki is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Goodwin wants to hold on but Yabuki pushes him away.
Yabuki looking to control but Goodwin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Goodwin tries to lock up and control but Yabuki gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Yabuki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yabuki 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Yabuki!