PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Azamat Bagatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taka Yoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bagatov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is USSR ANTHEM IN ENGLISH. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Bagatov
vs
Yoshi

180 cm
24
220 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
220 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Heavy handed

[MMABR] SOLID Nutritional - Tokyo's Best!!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Azamat Bagatov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taka Yoshi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yoshi misses with an uppercut. Bagatov saw that one coming.

Yoshi clinches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Yoshi.
Yoshi pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Bagatov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Yoshi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bagatov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Yoshi works on Bagatov's body with a couple of short punches.
Yoshi lands with a left to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Yoshi.

Yoshi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Bagatov can't fight it off and eventually Yoshi manages to take the fight to the floor. Bagatov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bagatov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yoshi forces his way into half guard.
Bagatov tries to roll over but Yoshi keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshi lands with a punch from half guard.
Yoshi is trying to control the action in half guard but Bagatov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Yoshi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bagatov wants to control but Yoshi is keeping busy.
Bagatov wants to get back to full guard.
Bagatov wants to get back to his feet.
Yoshi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yoshi passes to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Yoshi cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Bagatov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Yoshi.
Bagatov wants to control but Yoshi is having none of it.
Yoshi lands a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The referee warns Bagatov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bagatov holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Yoshi tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Yoshi looking to control but Bagatov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Yoshi looking to ground and pound but Bagatov is blocking nicely.
Yoshi tries to control but Bagatov wriggling away.
Bagatov tries to reverse the position but Yoshi maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Yoshi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yoshi is stalling here. Bagatov is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Yoshi seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Bagatov has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
A control attempt from Yoshi but he's now mounted!

Bagatov get's back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bagatov throws a series of punches but Yoshi avoids them all with ease.
A head kick misses from Yoshi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taka Yoshi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A combination from Yoshi does no damage.
Yoshi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bagatov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yoshi.
No luck for Yoshi with that takedown attempt.
Bagatov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yoshi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Bagatov misses with the combination.
Yoshi looks for a takedown but Bagatov sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshi shoots for a double leg takedown but Bagatov sprawls well. He's pushed Yoshi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Azamat Bagatov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taka Yoshi.
Bagatov throws a big shot that misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Yoshi. That's going to slow Bagatov down.
Yoshi walks into a jab.
Yoshi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bagatov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yoshi blocks a jab.
Bagatov misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi lands a head kick!
Bagatov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bagatov.
Bagatov lands a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bagatov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Yoshi counters with an inside leg kick.
Yoshi scores with a jab to the body.
Yoshi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bagatov.
Yoshi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yoshi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yoshi.
Yoshi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bagatov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yoshi cracks the inside of Bagatov's front leg.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Yoshi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yoshi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Yoshi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taka Yoshi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yoshi throws a leg kick which misses Bagatov's front leg but catches the back leg as Bagatov tries to avoid it.
Yoshi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Yoshi fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Yoshi.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yoshi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yoshi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bagatov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yoshi.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yoshi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taka Yoshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Yoshi tries to clinch up but Bagatov circles away and keeps his distance.
Bagatov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Taka Yoshi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice inside leg kick there by Yoshi. That's going to slow Bagatov down.
Yoshi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yoshi feints and then cracks Bagatov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bagatov down.
Bagatov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Yoshi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Yoshi tries to clinch but Bagatov moves out of range.
Yoshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Yoshi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshi lands a shoulder strike.
Yoshi wants a takedown.
Bagatov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Yoshi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bagatov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Yoshi turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Bagatov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Yoshi cracks Bagatov with a big elbow.
Bagatov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Yoshi cracks Bagatov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Yoshi passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Bagatov!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yoshi punishing his opponent with strikes.
Yoshi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bagatov is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Bagatov hang on?
Yoshi with the ground and pound from mount.
Bagatov wants to hold on but Yoshi pushes him away.
Bagatov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Bagatov taking shots to the head.
Yoshi tries to control but Bagatov wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bagatov can't escape the position.
Yoshi lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Yoshi wants to control the pace but Bagatov is squirming around nicely.
Yoshi dominating with strikes here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bagatov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Yoshi landing strikes, looking to finish!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taka Yoshi really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A left lands for Yoshi.
Yoshi defending well as Bagatov loads up on a big left hand.
Bagatov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yoshi can pounce on him.
Bagatov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Yoshi counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Yoshi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Yoshi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Yoshi is landing with some decent strikes but Bagatov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshi with a couple of short strikes.
Bagatov is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Yoshi controlling his opponent.
Yoshi breaks from Bagatov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Yoshi tries to control but Bagatov wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi controlling the position easily from mount.
Bagatov tries to reverse the position but Yoshi maintains control.
Yoshi working Bagatov over with strikes here.
Bagatov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Yoshi lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi controlling his opponent.
Yoshi scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Bagatov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Yoshi with the ground and pound from mount.
Yoshi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yoshi trying to control but Bagatov is having none of it.
Yoshi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bagatov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi with shots to the head and body - Bagatov looks very uncomfortable down there.
Yoshi lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Yoshi lands a big shot there that rocks Bagatov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Taka Yoshi has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yoshi landing shots from mount.
Bagatov tries to reverse the position but Yoshi maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taka Yoshi dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Bagatov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bagatov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yoshi moves away.
Yoshi lands with a nice combination. Bagatov backs away looking to recover.
Yoshi with a poor takedown
and Bagatov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bagatov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Yoshi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Yoshi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bagatov's calf.

Yoshi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Yoshi controlling the pace.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshi thows a huge punch but Bagatov dodges it nicely.
Yoshi is trying to control. Bagatov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Yoshi looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Bagatov wants to improve his position but Yoshi is controlling well.
Yoshi is looking to take a break and control but Bagatov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Yoshi is stalling here. Bagatov is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Yoshi seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Bagatov has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

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.
Yoshi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Yoshi gets back to half guard.
Yoshi is pressing down on Bagatov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yoshi keeping full guard, as Bagatov tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov wants to control from the top but Yoshi keeps moving.
Yoshi keeping full guard, as Bagatov tries to pass.
Azamat Bagatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yoshi has a closed guard, preventing Bagatov from standing up.
Yoshi managing to control the position.
Yoshi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

Yoshi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bagatov defends well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Yoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Taka Yoshi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bagatov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Yoshi counters with a nice body kick.
Bagatov staying out of range there.
Yoshi moves out of range of the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taka Yoshi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yoshi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 43:50
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 43:50
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taka Yoshi! Taka Yoshi retains his light heavyweight title!