PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ji Yong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takanori Ryuugoro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takanori Ryuugoro acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Yong
vs
Ryuugoro

175 cm
20
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ji Yong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takanori Ryuugoro!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Yong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ryuugoro tries to clinch

and Yong counters by clinching up.
Ryuugoro is trying to force a seperation but Yong has the dominant position.

Ryuugoro manages to pull guard.
Yong throws a strike but Ryuugoro rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Yong on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Yong tries to get out of the position.
Yong keeping moving, preventing Ryuugoro from controlling successfully.
Ryuugoro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yong is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryuugoro wants to control from the top but Yong keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ryuugoro thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ryuugoro advances position into side control!
Yong is not content to let Ryuugoro control the position.
Ryuugoro tries to advance to mount but Yong denies him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

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

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ryuugoro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yong circles away.
Ryuugoro tries to clinch but Yong moves away

and Yong counters by clinching up.
Ryuugoro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yong just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ryuugoro jumps guard but Yong stands there with Ryuugoro around his waist. Ryuugoro gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ji Yong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takanori Ryuugoro.

Ryuugoro manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yong postures up in Ryuugoro's guard and throws a big left but Ryuugoro blocks it.
Yong postures up in Ryuugoro's guard and throws a big left but Ryuugoro blocks it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yong trying to control the position from guard on top but Ryuugoro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yong trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ryuugoro's guard.
Yong working some strikes from top position.
Yong chips away with some ground and pound.
Ryuugoro striking off his back.
Yong throws and elbow that misses. Ryuugoro uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Yong's guard. Nice move by Ryuugoro!
Ryuugoro forces his way into half guard.
Yong is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ryuugoro is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Yong is just riding it out for now. Ryuugoro eventually gives up the hold.
Ryuugoro is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Yong!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ryuugoro trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Takanori Ryuugoro will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ryuugoro moves into the clinch successfully.
Yong changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ryuugoro fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Yong tries to keep at a distance but Ryuugoro has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ryuugoro 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.
Yong keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yong is looking for a sweep. Ryuugoro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yong is staying active underneath Ryuugoro, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ryuugoro is taking a breather. Yong 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.
Yong is in trouble now - Ryuugoro has advanced to mount!
Ryuugoro tries to control but Yong wriggling away.

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.

Yong defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Ryuugoro.
Ryuugoro trying to control but Yong is having none of it.

Ryuugoro has hold of Yong's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Yong manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryuugoro trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Yong working to try and regain half guard.
Yong is squirming around, avoiding Ryuugoro's attempts to control the action.

That's four 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.

Ryuugoro looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Ryuugoro looking to secure an arm triangle but Yong defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ryuugoro looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takanori Ryuugoro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Yong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Yong lands the left hand.
Ryuugoro shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yong defends it nicely.
Yong moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

It looks like Takanori Ryuugoro has been cut.
Ryuugoro fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yong tries to clinch but Ryuugoro moves away

and Ryuugoro counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ryuugoro.
Yong on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryuugoro tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yong smiles and moves away.
Ji Yong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takanori Ryuugoro.
Ryuugoro shoots and misses

and Yong counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Yong turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Yong working the body and head with strikes.
Ryuugoro tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Yong cracks Ryuugoro with a big elbow.
Ryuugoro seems a little lost for a moment, as Yong dominates the positioning.
Ryuugoro taking a bit of punishment here - Yong scoring with strikes.
Yong controls the position from side control.
Ryuugoro regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yong is looking to pass Ryuugoro's guard but actually Ryuugoro recovers to full guard.
Yong throwing strikes but missing.
Yong landing some decent shots from guard.
Yong throws a strike but Ryuugoro rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ryuugoro passes Yong's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ryuugoro looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Ryuugoro seems to be looking for submissions.

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.
Ryuugoro is trying to control. Yong wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ji Yong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ryuugoro is controlling the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ji Yong showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ryuugoro has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takanori Ryuugoro!