PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Noriaki Ueyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Joe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Noriaki Ueyama has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ueyama
vs
Joe

168 cm
18
138 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Koffin Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Noriaki Ueyama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jimmy Joe!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ueyama shoots for a double leg takedown but Joe sprawls well. He's pushed Ueyama's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Joe misses with a takedown attempt
and Ueyama counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Joe stuffs the takedown.
Ueyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Joe blocks a head kick by Ueyama.

Ueyama has closed the distance and engaged Joe in a clinch.
Joe tries to pull guard but Ueyama won't allow it.
Ueyama gets underhooks to prevent Joe's takedown attempt.
Noriaki Ueyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Joe.
Joe changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ueyama fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Joe tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Ueyama counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ueyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ueyama stuns Joe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ueyama fails to land with a series of punches.
Joe shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ueyama counters with a body kick that stops Joe in his tracks momentarily.
Joe clinches but Ueyama breaks the clinch

and Ueyama counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ueyama.
Joe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Ueyama stands up from Joe's guard - Ueyama perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ueyama with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe tries to clinch up
and Ueyama counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Joe looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice sprawl there from Joe as Ueyama shoots in.
Ueyama has a takedown stuffed.
Joe with a poor takedown

and Ueyama counters by clinching up.
Joe fails to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ueyama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Joe doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ueyama counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ueyama scores with a head kick.
Ueyama takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Ueyama gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Joe fails to pull guard.
Joe can't get the takedown.
Ueyama landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Joe being controlled against the cage.
Ueyama throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ueyama pulls Joe into guard.
Joe postures up.
Ueyama wants to stand and escape but Joe is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ueyama is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ueyama striking from his own guard.
Joe preventing the sweep.
Ueyama has a closed guard, preventing Joe from standing up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joe trying to control but Ueyama is working from the bottom.

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

Ueyama gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ueyama darts in and clinches Joe up against the cage.
Ueyama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Joe is defending well for now.

Ueyama breaks from the clinch.
Joe tries to clinch
and Ueyama counters with a nice uppercut.
Joe with a poor takedown

and Ueyama moves into the clinch.
Joe misses with a hook from the clinch.

Ueyama gets control of Joe's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ueyama will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ueyama is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ueyama keeping moving, preventing Joe from controlling successfully.
Ueyama is looking to stand back up but Joe counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Ueyama.

Joe is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ueyama is just riding it out for now. Joe eventually gives up the hold.
Joe is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ueyama is looking to control Joe's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ueyama avoid being mounted?
Ueyama pushes Joe off looking to stand but Joe dives back in and keeps control.
Ueyama tries to get to full guard but Joe has control of the leg.
Ueyama manages to get to full guard.
Ueyama controls Joe momentarily but Joe frees himself.

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.

Joe decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ueyama, up you get!

Ueyama rushes Joe and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ueyama content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ueyama prevents the takedown attempt.
Ueyama prevents the takedown attempt.
Noriaki Ueyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Joe.

Ueyama has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Joe uses from the top position.
Ueyama looking for a sweep. Not yet Ueyama, not yet.
Ueyama wants to stand up but Joe is controlling him.
Ueyama controls Joe momentarily but Joe frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ueyama wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ueyama throws a nice inside leg kick.

Ueyama moves into the clinch.
Joe looking for a takedown.
Ueyama manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Ueyama pulls guard effortlessly.
Ueyama is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ueyama is looking to stand up but Joe isn't so interested in that idea.

Ueyama kicks Joe off and gets to his feet.

Ueyama clinches.
A bit of stalling here from Ueyama.
Joe drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ueyama pulls his leg out and moves away.
Joe circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Joe gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ueyama makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ueyama keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Joe takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Jab by Ueyama.
Joe darts in trying to clinch
letting Ueyama counter with a right hand.
Joe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ueyama stalks Joe and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Joe's face. Joe staggers backwards, shaken.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ueyama shoots in and bounces Joe off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ueyama has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ueyama wants to control from the top but Joe keeps moving.

Joe manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Ueyama tries to clinch but Joe is having none of it.
Jimmy Joe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ueyama feints and then cracks Joe's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Joe down.
A head kick from Ueyama lands but Joe takes it in his stride.
Joe misses with a takedown

and Ueyama counters with a nice double leg into side control. Joe won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe is not content to let Ueyama control the position.
Ueyama tries to move into full mount but can't pass Joe's legs.
Joe taking punishment in the form of punches.
Ueyama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joe keeps working.

Ueyama decides to stand back up. Ueyama steps back and let's Joe get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ueyama clinches.
Joe drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Noriaki Ueyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Joe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ueyama lands an elbow inside that Joe shrugs off.

Ueyama manages to break the clinch.

Ueyama shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Joe is trying to defend but Ueyama finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Joe on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Ueyama is working for a submission of some sort.
Ueyama scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ueyama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joe keeps working.
Ueyama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Joe can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ueyama thows a huge punch but Joe dodges it nicely.
Joe wants to get back to full guard.

Ueyama postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Joe to stand up.

Ueyama closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Joe to the mat! Joe manages to get full guard.
Noriaki Ueyama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Joe is looking to stand up but Ueyama isn't so interested in that idea.
Ueyama slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ueyama working the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ueyama stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Ueyama scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Joe doesn't seem bothered though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noriaki Ueyama clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Joe on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Joe tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ueyama counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Joe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Ueyama counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ueyama.
Ueyama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Joe blocks it with crossed arms.
Ueyama drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Joe prevents a takedown attempt there.

Ueyama pulls Joe into guard.

Joe drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ueyama dives on top into guard.
Joe is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Ueyama stands up and waves to Joe to follow him.
Noriaki Ueyama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ueyama instigates a clinch.

Ueyama breaks from the clinch.

Joe tries to keep at a distance but Ueyama has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ueyama breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Ueyama moves into the clinch successfully.

Ueyama manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe tries to clinch
and Ueyama counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Ueyama tries to clinch there but Joe circles away.
Ueyama's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Ueyama duly obliges.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ueyama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ueyama throws a nice head kick!
Joe keeps the fight on the outside.
Joe tries for a takedown but Ueyama circles away easily
and Ueyama counters with a three punch combo that has Joe backing up. Joe nods at Ueyama to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joe with a poor takedown

and Ueyama counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ueyama is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ueyama changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Joe fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noriaki Ueyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Joe takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Ueyama breaks from the clinch.
Joe misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ueyama scores with a three punch combo!
Ueyama lands a head kick!

Ueyama gets a clinch.

Ueyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noriaki Ueyama had his way with Jimmy Joe in that round.
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!

Ueyama moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ueyama circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ueyama counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Ueyama darts in and clinches Joe up against the cage.
A hook to the body from Joe.
Ueyama lands an elbow that stopped Joe in his tracks for a moment.

Ueyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ueyama scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Joe wants to get back to his feet.
Joe is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ueyama is trying to control. Joe wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Joe is looking to escape.
Ueyama lands strikes from half guard.

Ueyama gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Ueyama fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Joe, pushing him back against the cage.
Ueyama stalling.

Ueyama successfully pulls guard.
Ueyama trying to keep a closed guard but Joe is proving a slippery customer.
Ueyama wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ueyama keeping full guard, as Joe tries to pass.
Ueyama doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Ueyama wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ueyama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Joe manages to get himself to full guard.
Joe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ueyama trying to control but Joe is working from the bottom.
Ueyama stands and throws Joe's legs to the side, diving into side control.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ueyama tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ueyama throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Ueyama stands up.
Ueyama tries to clinch but Joe is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Joe wants to clinch
and Ueyama counters with a right hand to the body.

Joe gets caught flat footed, as Ueyama shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Joe wants to sweep here but Ueyama controlling him for the moment.
Joe keeping moving, preventing Ueyama from controlling successfully.
Ueyama is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Joe is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Jimmy Joe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Noriaki Ueyama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ueyama has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 50:44
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 50:44
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Noriaki Ueyama!
Noriaki Ueyama retains his bantamweight title!