PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Masahura Yakisoba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobo Plata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Plata has chosen Master of Puppets as his entrance music. The key to victory for Masahura Yakisoba has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Yakisoba
vs
Plata

175 cm
22
137 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
143 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masahura Yakisoba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bobo Plata!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Yakisoba or perhaps it was just good defense by Plata which made him look bad.

Plata gets caught flat footed, as Yakisoba shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Plata is trying to control the position but Yakisoba postures up.
Plata looking for a sweep. Not yet Plata, not yet.
Yakisoba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Plata is keeping the position for now.

Plata manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Plata stuffs the takedown.
Yakisoba throws a nice looking combination but Plata bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Yakisoba.
Yakisoba will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masahura Yakisoba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yakisoba wants to clinch up but Plata keeps it at a distance.
Yakisoba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yakisoba is breathing heavily.
Plata will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Plata closes the distance and clinches.

Plata drags the fight down to the ground.

Plata looking for a guillotine here but Yakisoba defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakisoba looking to pass the guard.
Plata really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Yakisoba. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Plata looking for a guillotine here but Yakisoba defends easily.

Plata looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Plata not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yakisoba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yakisoba wants to control from the top but Plata keeps moving.

Plata looking for a guillotine here but Yakisoba defends easily.
Yakisoba would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Yakisoba works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Plata is trying is best to control the position here.
Plata is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Plata looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Yakisoba is trying to work for a kimura but Plata is defending well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yakisoba working over Plata with some ground and pound. Plata looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Plata makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Nice sprawl there from Plata as Yakisoba shoots in.
Yakisoba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Plata but Plata pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Horrible takedown by Plata or perhaps it was just good defense by Yakisoba which made him look bad.
Yakisoba swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Plata counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Plata turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Plata manages to end up in side control.

Plata decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Plata scores with a punch to the head.

Yakisoba gets caught flat footed, as Plata shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Yakisoba wants to sweep but no luck.

Yakisoba had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Plata is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Yakisoba Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Plata's back instead.
Yakisoba throwing sloppy strikes.
Plata tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Plata can't escape the position.
Yakisoba wants to take his opponent's back but instead Plata manages to regain half guard.
Yakisoba is looking to advance position but Plata won't allow it.
Plata wants to control but Yakisoba is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakisoba prevents Plata from improving his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Plata holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Plata wants to get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Yakisoba fails with the takedown

and Plata counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Plata gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Yakisoba dodges the punch combination from Plata.
Yakisoba misses with a few strikes there.

Plata scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Plata working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Plata wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yakisoba keeps working.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Plata thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobo Plata 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.

Yakisoba gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Yakisoba has a closed guard, preventing Plata from standing up.
Plata stopping the sweep attempt from Yakisoba.

Plata avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Plata slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Plata decides to stand back up. Plata steps back and let's Yakisoba get back to his feet.
Masahura Yakisoba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yakisoba with a lazy takedown attempt

and Plata counters with a single leg into guard. Yakisoba didn't expect that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Plata decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Yakisoba, up you get!
Yakisoba tries for a takedown but Plata circles away easily

so Plata counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plata wants to stand but Yakisoba is controlling his posture from full guard.
Yakisoba throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Yakisoba is trying to keep Plata in close.
Yakisoba striking off his back but it's not causing Plata any problems.
Yakisoba wants to sweep but no luck.
Plata has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Yakisoba is proving hard to escape from.
Yakisoba keeping full guard, as Plata tries to pass.

Yakisoba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Plata avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Plata pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yakisoba is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yakisoba has a closed guard, preventing Plata from standing up.

Yakisoba had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Plata is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Yakisoba Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Plata's back instead.
Bobo Plata has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yakisoba not allowing Plata to control his hands.
Plata turns into Yakisoba and is now in his guard.

Plata 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.
Plata wants to control from the top but Yakisoba keeps moving.
Plata might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Yakisoba kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Plata drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Plata jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Plata wants to control from the top but Yakisoba keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Plata stands and throws Yakisoba's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Plata is looking to take a break and control but Yakisoba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Yakisoba is looking to regain half guard here but Plata keeps moving and retains side control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Plata fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Yakisoba sprawls well initially but Plata persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Plata is keen to just control but Yakisoba is a slippery customer.
Yakisoba is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Plata's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Plata's back!
Plata is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Plata trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Yakisoba keeps control of the position as Plata tries to break free.
Plata is taking damage to the body and head.
Plata is trapped and Yakisoba is scoring with shots to the head and body.

Yakisoba is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Plata knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Plata for a finish.
Yakisoba landing with strikes.

Plata is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Plata defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Yakisoba missing with strikes from the back.
Yakisoba scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Plata is looking for a way out.
Plata holding both Yakisoba 's hands and preventing any damage.

Yakisoba is persistently looking for the submission but Plata is defending it well.
Plata tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Yakisoba is working for a guillotine from mount but Plata frees his head quite easily.
Plata is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Masahura Yakisoba will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Yakisoba with a poor takedown

and Plata counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Plata stands up and waves to Yakisoba to follow him.
Plata slips a jab and a cross from Yakisoba.
Yakisoba wants to clinch but Plata slips to the side

and Plata decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yakisoba's guard.
Yakisoba will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Yakisoba working a defensive guard here.
Plata trying to control the position from guard on top but Yakisoba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Plata would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Yakisoba working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Plata doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Plata manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Plata drops back looking for a leg! Yakisoba is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Yakisoba manages to kick Plata off! Plata jumps back into Yakisoba's guard.
Plata pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yakisoba is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yakisoba looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Plata trying to control but Yakisoba is working from the bottom.
Yakisoba working a defensive guard but Plata manages to pass into side control anyway.

Plata looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Plata takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
You can see the frustration on Yakisoba's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Yakisoba is looking for a sweep.
Yakisoba manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Yakisoba is trying to work for a kimura but Plata is defending well.
Plata is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plata is looking to control Yakisoba's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Plata avoid being mounted?

Yakisoba is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yakisoba wants to pass to mount but Plata is defending the position.

Yakisoba wants to work for an arm triangle but Plata is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Yakisoba seems to be looking for submissions.

Plata looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Yakisoba wants to pass the guard but Plata is defending well.

Plata looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Plata manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yakisoba avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Plata working for a triangle but Yakisoba defends it easily.
Yakisoba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Plata is keeping the position for now.

Yakisoba drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Yakisoba jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Yakisoba stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Plata swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Plata is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yakisoba working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakisoba passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Plata manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Plata is trying to control but can't.
Plata tries to get to full guard but Yakisoba has control of the leg.
Yakisoba works his way into side control.
Plata is looking for a sweep.

Yakisoba looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Plata struggling a bit here.
Plata tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Yakisoba tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Yakisoba has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Plata is not content to let Yakisoba control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bobo Plata.
Well Plata 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Bobo Plata!