PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kotaro Minamino (ranked 7376 p4p, 4605 weight class) and YaDaruis Queel (ranked 606 p4p, 474 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Minamino
vs
Queel

176 cm
19
155
0 - 2 - 0

160 cm
24
155
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kotaro Minamino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, YaDaruis Queel!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Minamino shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Minamino was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!

Minamino working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Queel struggling a bit here.

Minamino thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Queel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Queel regains half guard.
Queel gets full guard.
Queel looking for a sweep. Not yet Queel, not yet.

Minamino drops back looking for a leg! Queel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Queel manages to kick Minamino off! Minamino jumps back into Queel's guard.

Queel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Minamino is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Queel is on top in guard.

Minamino being controlled here, momentarily.
Queel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Minamino swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Minamino keeping moving, preventing Queel from controlling successfully.
Minamino definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Queel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Minamino can't keep his opponent in guard - Queel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Minamino is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Queel pulls his head out easily.

Minamino looking for submissions off his back.
Queel winds up and cracks Minamino with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Queel has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Tokyo. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Queel seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Queel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Minamino tries to get to full guard but Queel has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Queel is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Queel stalling.
Queel is trying to control the action in half guard but Minamino is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Queel should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Minamino actively working from the bottom here.
Queel content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Minamino looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Queel performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Minamino actively working from the bottom here.
Queel keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Queel is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Minamino!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minamino can't escape the position.
Queel lands a couple of good shots and Minamino has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Queel is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Queel tries to get the hooks in deep but Minamino pushed the leg off.
I really don't envy Minamino right now.
Minamino is trapped and Queel is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Minamino rolls, trying to escape but Queel keeps control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Queel controlling the position well here. Minamino rolled but Queel kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Will Queel go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

YaDaruis Queel dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Minamino shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Queel is trying to defend but Minamino finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Queel slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Queel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Queel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Minamino can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Queel has his foot on Minamino's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Minamino works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Queel looking to control.

Minamino is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Queel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Minamino doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Minamino manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Queel trying to keep a closed guard but Minamino is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minamino won't allow Queel to sweep him here.

Minamino drops back looking for a leg! Queel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Queel manages to kick Minamino off! Minamino jumps back into Queel's guard.
Queel lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Minamino is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Queel passes Minamino's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Minamino is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Queel wants to pass the guard but Minamino is defending well.

Minamino actively working from the bottom here.

Minamino looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Queel has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Minamino defend it? Queel steps over the head and cranks it - Minamino is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Queel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). YaDaruis Queel!