PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Tsehov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryo Yamazaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tsehov comes to the ring accompanied by Ivan Rebroff - Cossack Patrol. Yamazaki has chosen Bounce With Me as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Tsehov
vs
Yamazaki

178 cm
19
163 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

184 cm
23
160 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Tsehov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryo Yamazaki!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsehov shoots for a double leg takedown but Yamazaki sprawls well. He's pushed Tsehov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tsehov looks for a takedown but Yamazaki sprawls well.
Tsehov fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Tsehov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsehov keeps the fight on the outside.
Yamazaki stuffs the takedown attempt from Tsehov. Tsehov gets slowly back to his feet.
Tsehov looks for a takedown but Yamazaki sprawls well.
Yamazaki avoids the head kick by Tsehov.
Tsehov clinches but Yamazaki breaks the clinch
and Yamazaki counters with a good low kick that Tsehov was not able to check.
Yamazaki tries to clinch

and Tsehov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Yamazaki keeping moving, preventing Tsehov from controlling successfully.
Tsehov won't allow Yamazaki to get back to his feet.
Yamazaki keeping full guard, as Tsehov tries to pass.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Yamazaki can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamazaki can't keep his opponent in guard - Tsehov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tsehov prevents Yamazaki from standing back up.
Tsehov trying to control the action but Yamazaki is working from the bottom.
Tsehov stops Yamazaki from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tsehov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yamazaki counters with a thumping low kick.
Ivan Tsehov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tsehov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Yamazaki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Yamazaki.
Yamazaki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tsehov is breathing heavily.
Tsehov wants a takedown.
Yamazaki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamazaki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Yamazaki lands a knee to the body.
Tsehov looking for a takedown.
Yamazaki looking to throw knees to the head but Tsehov is blocking nicely.
Yamazaki with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Yamazaki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tsehov's face.
Yamazaki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tsehov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yamazaki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Yamazaki connects with a knee to the head.
Tsehov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yamazaki pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tsehov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a nice uppercut.
Tsehov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Yamazaki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tsehov shoots and misses
and Yamazaki counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsehov with a poor takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a solid body kick.
Yamazaki scores with a head kick.
Tsehov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Yamazaki holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Yamazaki is trying to maintain a safe position but Tsehov gets an underhook and turns Yamazaki into the ropes.
Tsehov has Yamazaki pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Yamazaki manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tsehov is working for takedown but Yamazaki is calmly controlling the position for now.
Yamazaki with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Yamazaki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tsehov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yamazaki is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tsehov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Yamazaki is trying to maintain a safe position but Tsehov gets an underhook and turns Yamazaki into the ropes.
Yamazaki prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tsehov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yamazaki smiles and moves away.
Yamazaki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsehov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Yamazaki holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tsehov is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Yamazaki is pressed up against the ropes. Tsehov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yamazaki down to the mat. Yamazaki avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tsehov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yamazaki counters with a two punch combo.
Yamazaki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tsehov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yamazaki closes the distance looking to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tsehov misses with a takedown attempt
and Yamazaki counters with a good low kick that Tsehov was not able to check.
Tsehov keeps the fight on the outside.
Yamazaki throws a head kick that misses.
Yamazaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Tsehov circles away.
Yamazaki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Tsehov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryo Yamazaki dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tsehov fails with the takedown.
Tsehov circles away from the clinch attempt.

Yamazaki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tsehov fails to pull guard.
Yamazaki stalling.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tsehov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tsehov is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Tsehov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamazaki lands a nice knee to the body.
Yamazaki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tsehov's face.
Tsehov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yamazaki walks away with a smile on his face. Tsehov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Yamazaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Tsehov circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Yamazaki. No joy for Tsehov on that attempt.
Yamazaki looks to clinch

and Tsehov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Tsehov moves nicely into side control.

Tsehov is trying to get an arm triangle but Yamazaki is defending well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsehov prevents Yamazaki from escaping the position.

Tsehov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Yamazaki pushes Tsehov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Tsehov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Tsehov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Tsehov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Tsehov tries for a takedown but Yamazaki circles away easily
and Yamazaki counters with a solid body kick.

Yamazaki closes the distance and clinches.
Tsehov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Yamazaki connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Yamazaki.
Tsehov tries to break the clinch but Yamazaki is controlling the position.
Yamazaki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tsehov's face.
Yamazaki misses with a knee to the head.
Yamazaki with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tsehov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsehov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Yamazaki gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tsehov.
Yamazaki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Yamazaki lands a knee to the head.
Yamazaki gets underhooks to prevent Tsehov's takedown attempt.
Yamazaki lands a nice knee to the body.
Tsehov is looking to break free of the clinch but Yamazaki has double underhooks.
Yamazaki is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Yamazaki gets underhooks to prevent Tsehov's takedown attempt.
Tsehov wants a takedown but no success here.
Yamazaki is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Yamazaki lands a damaging elbow.
Yamazaki stops a takedown attempt from Tsehov.
Yamazaki misses with a knee to the head.
Yamazaki missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Yamazaki is pressed up against the ropes. Tsehov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yamazaki down to the mat. Yamazaki avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tsehov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Yamazaki counters by clinching up.
Yamazaki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tsehov is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Yamazaki gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Yamazaki crunches a lovely knee into Tsehov's ribcage.
Tsehov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tsehov is trying to drag Yamazaki to the mat but Yamazaki just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Yamazaki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tsehov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tsehov is trying to drag Yamazaki to the mat but Yamazaki just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Tsehov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Tsehov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yamazaki prevents it.
Tsehov looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ryo Yamazaki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Tsehov avoids the head kick by Yamazaki.
Nice sprawl there from Yamazaki as Tsehov shoots in.
Yamazaki tries to clinch but Tsehov moves away

and Tsehov counters by clinching up.
Tsehov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tsehov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yamazaki fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tsehov wants to clinch up but Yamazaki keeps it at a distance.
Yamazaki throws a head kick that misses
and Tsehov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tsehov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yamazaki swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Tsehov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yamazaki closes the distance and pushes Tsehov back into the ropes.
Yamazaki connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yamazaki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tsehov blocks it with crossed arms.
Yamazaki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Yamazaki gets underhooks to prevent Tsehov's takedown attempt.
Yamazaki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Yamazaki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tsehov blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamazaki is pressed up against the ropes. Tsehov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yamazaki down to the mat. Yamazaki avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tsehov fails with the takedown

and Yamazaki counters by clinching up.
Yamazaki misses with a knee to the head.
Tsehov lands with a short shot to the head.
Yamazaki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tsehov wants a takedown but no success here.
Tsehov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Yamazaki gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Yamazaki misses with a knee to the head.
Yamazaki is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Tsehov is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Yamazaki gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Yamazaki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Yamazaki looking to stall.
Tsehov looking for a takedown.
Yamazaki lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Yamazaki tries a knee to the head but Tsehov blocks it.
Tsehov is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Yamazaki trying to control the position but instead, Tsehov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yamazaki into the ropes.
Yamazaki landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Yamazaki gets underhooks to prevent Tsehov's takedown attempt.
Yamazaki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tsehov blocks it with crossed arms.
Yamazaki landing knees to the head.
Tsehov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yamazaki fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Yamazaki wants to clinch up but Tsehov keeps it at a distance.
Tsehov misses with a takedown
and Yamazaki counters with a three punch combo that has Tsehov backing up. Tsehov nods at Yamazaki to acknowledge the strikes.
Tsehov closes the distance and clinches up with Yamazaki, looking for a takedown. Tsehov pushes Yamazaki against the ropes but Yamazaki circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yamazaki moves in looking to clinch but Tsehov pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamazaki tries to clinch there but Tsehov circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Yamazaki as Tsehov shoots in.
Tsehov fails with the takedown.
Tsehov has his takedown stuffed

and Yamazaki counters by moving into the clinch.
Yamazaki stalling against the ropes.
Tsehov can't get the takedown.
Tsehov looking to stall.
Yamazaki unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tsehov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Yamazaki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tsehov is trying to break the clinch but Yamazaki has him pressed against the ropes.
Tsehov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yamazaki smiles and moves away.
Yamazaki clinches but Tsehov breaks the clinch

and Tsehov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Yamazaki!
Ivan Tsehov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamazaki tries to buck Tsehov off but he can't manage it.
Tsehov raining down shots from the mount!

Tsehov looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Tsehov wants to control but instead Yamazaki manages to regain half guard.
Tsehov trying to mount his opponent but Yamazaki defends it.
Ryo Yamazaki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ryo Yamazaki.
I've got Yamazaki winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryo Yamazaki!