PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rey de Chocolate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Yamamoto
vs
de Chocolate

163 cm
23
143 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

175 cm
24
145 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

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 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Katsu Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rey de Chocolate!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from de Chocolate.
Yamamoto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
de Chocolate is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yamamoto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Katsu Yamamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rey de Chocolate.
de Chocolate fails with a takedown attempt.
de Chocolate shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Yamamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Yamamoto scores with a jab to the jaw.
de Chocolate takes one on the button.
de Chocolate blocks a head kick by Yamamoto.

de Chocolate scores a takedown into full mount!
de Chocolate dominating with strikes here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
de Chocolate throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yamamoto tries to lock up and control but de Chocolate gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Yamamoto is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
de Chocolate landing strikes, looking to finish!
Yamamoto tries to hold on but de Chocolate pushes him away.
Yamamoto is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Yamamoto is working hard here to advance position.
Yamamoto tries to hold on but de Chocolate pushes him away.
de Chocolate throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
de Chocolate thowing shots but they're missing.
Yamamoto regains half guard.
Yamamoto trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
de Chocolate throwing shots but Yamamoto is blocking nicely.
de Chocolate throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Yamamoto wants to get back to his feet.
de Chocolate missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
de Chocolate seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
de Chocolate is nestled in close to Yamamoto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
de Chocolate wants to free his trapped foot but Yamamoto is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Yamamoto trying to control but de Chocolate postures up.
Yamamoto manages to get to full guard.
de Chocolate tries to free his leg and advance position but Yamamoto is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
de Chocolate advances position into side control!
Yamamoto tries to escape but de Chocolate is in control.
Yamamoto defending against the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yamamoto is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, de Chocolate asserts his dominance and retains side control.
de Chocolate in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Yamamoto holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Yamamoto sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Yamamoto is breathing heavily.
de Chocolate throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Yamamoto looks like he's trying to stand up.
de Chocolate not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. de Chocolate lands a nice short elbow.
de Chocolate working over Yamamoto with some ground and pound. Yamamoto looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
de Chocolate wants to pass to mount but Yamamoto is defending the position.
de Chocolate not landing any meaningful shots this time.
de Chocolate throws a strike but Yamamoto avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Yamamoto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
de Chocolate stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yamamoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Yamamoto can't keep his opponent in guard - de Chocolate advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Yamamoto is looking to escape.
de Chocolate lands strikes from half guard.
de Chocolate works his way into side control.
de Chocolate creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Yamamoto sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rey de Chocolate will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

de Chocolate will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

de Chocolate feints and as Yamamoto raises his hands in defense, de Chocolate changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
de Chocolate pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yamamoto is keeping the position for now.
de Chocolate is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Yamamoto trying to keep a closed guard but de Chocolate is proving a slippery customer.
Yamamoto is looking to stand up but de Chocolate isn't so interested in that idea.
Yamamoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but de Chocolate is one step ahead there.
Yamamoto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from de Chocolate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
de Chocolate pushing down on Yamamoto's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
de Chocolate is pressing down on Yamamoto's thigh, looking to free his foot. Yamamoto is holding on for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Yamamoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Yamamoto wriggles free and stands up.
de Chocolate shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yamamoto but Yamamoto pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Katsu Yamamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
de Chocolate shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yamamoto as he avoids it easily.
Katsu Yamamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rey de Chocolate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
de Chocolate misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
de Chocolate closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yamamoto circles away.
Yamamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yamamoto lands a jab-cross combination.
Yamamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
de Chocolate shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yamamoto as he jumps to the side.
de Chocolate looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
de Chocolate slips a jab and a cross from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Yamamoto throws a sloppy head kick and de Chocolate moves out of range easily.
de Chocolate tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yamamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten de Chocolate somewhat.
de Chocolate dodges the punch combination from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto scores with a push kick.

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.
de Chocolate looks for a takedown but Yamamoto sprawls well.
Yamamoto throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Yamamoto throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Yamamoto jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A cross from Yamamoto lands.
Yamamoto stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Yamamoto leaves de Chocolate with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Yamamoto dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Yamamoto throws a head kick but de Chocolate moves out of range.
de Chocolate fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
de Chocolate shoots in and drives through. Yamamoto sprawls well.
Yamamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Yamamoto - that will leave a mark!
Katsu Yamamoto is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left and a right from Yamamoto both land. Nice combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
de Chocolate throws a body kick the misses
enabling Yamamoto to counter with a crisp jab.
de Chocolate shoots and misses
and Yamamoto counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Katsu Yamamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rey de Chocolate.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
de Chocolate misses with a takedown attempt
and Yamamoto counters with a straight right hand.
Yamamoto lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Yamamoto goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Yamamoto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by de Chocolate.
de Chocolate with a poor takedown
and Yamamoto counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Donk. Yamamoto catches de Chocolate right on the button with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

de Chocolate 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.
de Chocolate throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rey de Chocolate has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yamamoto pulls de Chocolate in to control the position.
de Chocolate is looking to work some ground and pound but Yamamoto has wrist control.
de Chocolate postures up in Yamamoto's guard and throws a big left but Yamamoto blocks it.

Yamamoto has his feet on de Chocolate's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Yamamoto keeps de Chocolate at a distance using the push kick.
de Chocolate tries for a takedown but Yamamoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Yamamoto leaves de Chocolate with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Rey de Chocolate seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
de Chocolate closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yamamoto circles away.
de Chocolate takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Yamamoto lands a body shot.
Yamamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
de Chocolate has a takedown stuffed.
A jab from Yamamoto does it's job there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Excellent takedown into side control there by de Chocolate.
Sloppy strikes there by de Chocolate.
Yamamoto regains half guard, as de Chocolate was trying to land strikes.
de Chocolate tries to pass to full mount but Yamamoto defends it.
de Chocolate thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Yamamoto is trying to stand back up but de Chocolate is controlling him

Yamamoto makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
de Chocolate looks for a takedown but Yamamoto sprawls well.
Yamamoto ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Yamamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Yamamoto has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Yamamoto!