PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yamaoka Yukinobu (ranked 3060 p4p, 1976 weight class) and Gervais Lavigne (ranked 292 p4p, 192 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Yukinobu
vs
Lavigne

170 cm
34
148
15 - 15 - 0

169 cm
32
144
21 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Heavy handed

Conviction

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 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yamaoka Yukinobu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gervais Lavigne!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lavigne is looking to clinch.
Lavigne has a takedown stuffed.
Lavigne avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lavigne looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yukinobu is fending him off so far but Lavigne persists. Nope, Yukinobu circles away and we're back to standing.
Yukinobu misses with a hook. Lavigne ducked under it nicely.
Lavigne fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lavigne changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yukinobu tries to avoid it but Lavigne manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yukinobu to the ground. Yukinobu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yamaoka Yukinobu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gervais Lavigne.

Yukinobu shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Lavigne wants to improve his position but Yukinobu is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yukinobu prevents Lavigne from standing back up.
Yukinobu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yukinobu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Yukinobu controlling the pace.
Yukinobu lands strikes from half guard.
Lavigne is looking for a sweep. Yukinobu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lavigne has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Yukinobu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Yukinobu is taking a breather. Lavigne says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu winds up and cracks Lavigne with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Yukinobu has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Lavigne is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yukinobu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Yukinobu seems to be looking for submissions.
Lavigne tries to get to full guard but Yukinobu has control of the leg.
Yukinobu thows a huge punch but Lavigne dodges it nicely.
Lavigne is looking to escape.
Lavigne manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu content to stall in guard here.
Yukinobu is in close to Lavigne's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Yukinobu trying to control but Lavigne is working from the bottom.
Yukinobu cracks Lavigne with a solid left hand.
Lavigne is trying to keep Yukinobu in close.
Lavigne is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Yukinobu with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Yukinobu is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Yukinobu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lavigne controls Yukinobu momentarily but Yukinobu frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lavigne connects with a body shot that sends Yukinobu's belly button to the back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lavigne on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Yukinobu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lavigne.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yukinobu. Lavigne does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yamaoka Yukinobu dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice body kick from Yukinobu.
Gervais Lavigne is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lavigne throws a head kick but Yukinobu moves out of range.
Yukinobu sizes up Lavigne with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Yukinobu lands a nice looking body kick.
Lavigne shoots in for a takedown but Yukinobu shows good takedown defense.
Yukinobu misses with a straight right.

Yukinobu feints and as Lavigne raises his hands in defense, Yukinobu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Yukinobu trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Lavigne manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Lavigne avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lavigne seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavigne tries to free his leg and advance position but Yukinobu is retaining full guard.
Lavigne prevents Yukinobu from getting back to his feet.
Yukinobu looking to control.

Yukinobu has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lavigne off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Yukinobu misses with a body shot.
Yukinobu misses with a body shot.
Lavigne drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Yukinobu defends it well.
Yukinobu misses with a body kick.
Yukinobu looks to land a combination. Lavigne sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Lavigne wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavigne shoots for a takedown but Yukinobu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Yukinobu fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lavigne avoids it really well and circles away.
Lavigne takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Lavigne tries a head kick but it misses.
Lavigne tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yukinobu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lavigne somewhat.
Yamaoka Yukinobu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gervais Lavigne.
Yukinobu misses with a kick to the body.
Yukinobu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Lavigne. Lavigne circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yukinobu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lavigne shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yukinobu sprawls well. Yukinobu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lavigne gets slowly back to his feet.
Yukinobu appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavigne has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Yukinobu throws a head kick that Lavigne semi-blocks.
Lavigne shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yukinobu but Yukinobu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yukinobu scores with a shot to the body.
Yukinobu lands a nice shot that snaps Lavigne's head back.
Lavigne tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yukinobu defends well and Lavigne ends up having to push Yukinobu into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lavigne misses with a body kick.
Yukinobu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A lazy left from Yukinobu finds it's target.
Lavigne has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Yukinobu finds it's way round the side to connect with Lavigne's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavigne looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lavigne takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yukinobu tries a head kick but it misses.
Lavigne avoids the head kick by Yukinobu.
Yukinobu slaps away a takedown attempt from Lavigne, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Yukinobu swings widly with a right hand
and Lavigne counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lavigne steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Yukinobu. That one must have hurt.
Yukinobu thuds his shin into the meat of Lavigne's side.
Yukinobu throws a head kick but Lavigne moves out of range.
Yukinobu delivers a nice body kick.

Yukinobu feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yukinobu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yukinobu trying to control but Lavigne is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yamaoka Yukinobu dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yukinobu jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lavigne takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lavigne is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lavigne changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yukinobu tries to avoid it but Lavigne manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yukinobu to the ground. Yukinobu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yamaoka Yukinobu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lavigne swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Lavigne clinches up with Yukinobu and pushes him back against the cage.
Yukinobu wants to get back to striking at distance but Lavigne won't allow it.
Yukinobu can't get the takedown.

Yukinobu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lavigne fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lavigne fails with a takedown attempt.
Lavigne blocks the body kick.
Lavigne is looking for the big counter here.

Yukinobu shoots in and gets a takedown into Lavigne's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yukinobu trying to control but Lavigne is working from the bottom.
Yukinobu tries to free his leg and advance position but Lavigne is retaining full guard.
Yukinobu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lavigne wants to sweep here but Yukinobu controlling him for the moment.
Yukinobu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lavigne wants to sweep but no luck.
Lavigne trying to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Yukinobu won't allow Lavigne to sweep him here.
Yamaoka Yukinobu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two 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.
Yukinobu lands a couple of elbows.
Yukinobu sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Yukinobu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lavigne swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Yukinobu wants to control from the top but Lavigne keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yukinobu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lavigne looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lavigne takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Yukinobu misses with a low kick.
Lavigne tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Yukinobu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavigne misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yamaoka Yukinobu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gervais Lavigne.
Nice straight punches there by Yukinobu. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Yukinobu.
Yukinobu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lavigne has a takedown stuffed.
Yukinobu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A combination from Yukinobu does no damage.
Yukinobu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lavigne can do to turn this around?
Lavigne looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yukinobu is fending him off so far but Lavigne persists. Nope, Yukinobu circles away and we're back to standing.
Yukinobu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yukinobu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lavigne tries to clinch up.
A jab from Yukinobu misses.
Yukinobu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yukinobu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lavigne is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Yukinobu.
Lavigne moves in looking to clinch but Yukinobu pushes him off.
Lavigne is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yukinobu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Yukinobu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lavigne shoots in for a double leg but Yukinobu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lavigne closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yukinobu circles away.
Lavigne takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A lazy left from Yukinobu finds it's target.
Yukinobu throws a jab when Lavigne was well out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yukinobu misses the shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yukinobu shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Lavigne shoots in for a takedown but Yukinobu shows good takedown defense.
Gervais Lavigne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lavigne is defended easily by Yukinobu.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yamaoka Yukinobu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yukinobu, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yamaoka Yukinobu!