PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pookoo Yamagachi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Greenway (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.

Yamagachi
vs
Greenway

170 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Pookoo Yamagachi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Greenway!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yamagachi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Greenway to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Yamagachi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Greenway passes into side control.
Greenway in side control lands a decent elbow.
Yamagachi tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Greenway presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Greenway looking to control but Yamagachi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Greenway has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Yamagachi is trying to reverse the position but instead Greenway has taken his back - oops!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamagachi is trying to remain composed but Greenway is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Yamagachi is trying to remain composed but Greenway is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Greenway keeps control of the position as Yamagachi tries to break free.
Yamagachi turns into Greenway and is now in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamagachi tries to stand but Greenway is controlling from the bottom.
Yamagachi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Yamagachi trying to control the position from guard on top but Greenway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yamagachi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Greenway's guard.

Yamagachi seems to be working for a kimura but Greenway defends the submission attempt.

Yamagachi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Greenway is just riding it out for now. Yamagachi eventually gives up the hold.
Yamagachi is breathing heavily.
Yamagachi is trying to control the action in half guard but Greenway is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

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.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Yamagachi in particular looking to stall.
Greenway preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Yamagachi is trying to work for a kimura but Greenway is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Greenway can do anything to dispel that myth.
Greenway trying to control from the bottom.
Greenway works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Greenway keeping moving, preventing Yamagachi from controlling successfully.
Greenway is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Greenway is trying to control the position but Yamagachi postures up.
Yamagachi looking to sit in guard and control but Greenway gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Yamagachi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Greenway defends well.

Greenway drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Greenway jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Greenway gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Matt Greenway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamagachi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Greenway is fending him off so far but Yamagachi persists. Nope, Greenway circles away and we're back to standing.

Greenway shoots in and gets a takedown into Yamagachi's guard.
Greenway chips away with some ground and pound.
Greenway controlling from the top position.

Yamagachi kicks Greenway off and gets to his feet.

Yamagachi tries to sprawl but Greenway drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Greenway moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Yamagachi.

Greenway tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Greenway 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.

Greenway closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Yamagachi's guard.
Yamagachi wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Greenway controlling from the top position.
Yamagachi working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamagachi can't keep his opponent in guard - Greenway advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Yamagachi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Yamagachi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Greenway pulls his head out easily.

Yamagachi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Greenway pulls his head out easily.
Greenway moves nicely into side control.
Greenway working the ground and pound from side control.
Greenway wants to control but Yamagachi is keeping him busy.
Yamagachi pushes Greenway away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Greenway gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamagachi is not content to let Greenway control the position.

Greenway is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Yamagachi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Greenway wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yamagachi keeps working.
Greenway working away.
Yamagachi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Greenway off and has taken his back!

Yamagachi looking for the choke from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Greenway trying to control but not successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Greenway rolls, trying to escape but Yamagachi keeps control of the position.

Yamagachi is persistently looking for the submission but Greenway is defending it well.
Greenway trying to control but not successfully.
Greenway breaks Yamagachi's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamagachi is trying to keep Greenway in close.
Greenway has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Greenway drops back looking for a leg! Yamagachi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Yamagachi manages to kick Greenway off! Greenway jumps back into Yamagachi's guard.
Greenway works over Yamagachi with some ground and pound from guard.

Greenway thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Yamagachi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Yamagachi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Greenway trying to control but Yamagachi is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Greenway showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Yamagachi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Greenway sprawls well initially but Yamagachi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Yamagachi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Greenway doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yamagachi.
Greenway moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamagachi wants to control from the top but Greenway keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Greenway preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yamagachi trying to control the position from guard on top but Greenway is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yamagachi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Greenway is keeping the position for now.
Greenway pulls Yamagachi in close to his closed guard and prevents Yamagachi from doing any damage or advancing position.
Greenway 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.
Greenway keeping full guard, as Yamagachi tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.

Greenway looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Greenway is looking for a kimura but Yamagachi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Greenway to get the leverage.
Yamagachi trying to control here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Greenway in particular looking to stall.
Greenway thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yamagachi's head.
Yamagachi tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamagachi trying to control but Greenway postures up.

Greenway is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Yamagachi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Yamagachi tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Greenway is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Greenway looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Yamagachi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Greenway scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamagachi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Greenway not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Yamagachi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Greenway pulls his head out easily.

Greenway seems to be looking for submissions.

Greenway is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Yamagachi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Greenway pulls his head out easily.
Pookoo Yamagachi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matt Greenway is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Yamagachi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Greenway pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Greenway comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Greenway 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Greenway!