PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leon Pasquale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoto Haramushi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pasquale comes to the cage accompanied by Fight Like A Brave. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Yoto Haramushi enters the cage!

Pasquale
vs
Haramushi

185 cm
22
192 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
190 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Kangaroo Muscle

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Leon Pasquale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoto Haramushi!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Haramushi gets the takedown into side control.
Pasquale is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Haramushi trying to mount his opponent but Pasquale defends it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Haramushi wants to stand up but Pasquale has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Pasquale is trying to control but can't.
Pasquale is pressing down on Haramushi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Pasquale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Haramushi gets to his feet. Pasquale looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Pasquale feints and as Haramushi raises his hands in defense, Pasquale changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pasquale passes Haramushi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Haramushi keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Pasquale seems to be working for a kimura but Haramushi defends the submission attempt.
Pasquale is breathing heavily.
Pasquale trying to control from half guard but Haramushi is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haramushi moves into full guard.
Pasquale stands and throws Haramushi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Pasquale tries to move to mount but Haramushi blocks the move with his legs.

Pasquale is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Haramushi has escaped the position, nice work there.
Haramushi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Haramushi is trying to control Pasquale's posture but Pasquale avoids it.
Haramushi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Pasquale wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pasquale in side control, throwing shots but Haramushi defends.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Haramushi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Haramushi jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Pasquale manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Haramushi scores with a couple of short elbows.

Haramushi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pasquale has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pasquale is trying to get back to half guard.
Haramushi is looking to take a break and control but Pasquale is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Haramushi gets to mount! Pasquale was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Haramushi landing strikes from the mount and Pasquale is in trouble!
Pasquale is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Haramushi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Pasquale can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Haramushi controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haramushi looking to control but Pasquale is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Haramushi is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Haramushi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pasquale counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Haramushi has one foot on Pasquale's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Pasquale misses with a takedown attempt

and Haramushi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Haramushi.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Haramushi wants to control from the top but Pasquale keeps moving.
Pasquale wants to stand and escape but Haramushi is having none of it.
Pasquale wants to sweep here but Haramushi controlling him for the moment.

Pasquale looking for a guillotine here but Haramushi defends easily.
Pasquale looking for a sweep. Not yet Pasquale, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pasquale has his foot on Haramushi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Haramushi works his way back into a safe position though.
Pasquale is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pasquale is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Haramushi is staying active underneath Pasquale, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Pasquale is working for a kimura but Haramushi is defending it quite comfortably.

Pasquale is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Haramushi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pasquale is working away from the top position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pasquale is looking for a kimura here.

Pasquale is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yoto Haramushi will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Haramushi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Pasquale sprawls well initially but Haramushi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Pasquale moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Pasquale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Haramushi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Haramushi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Yoto Haramushi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pasquale looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Pasquale looking for a guillotine here but Haramushi defends easily.
Pasquale wants to sweep here but Haramushi controlling him for the moment.
Pasquale manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Pasquale looking to finish Haramushi with some ground and pound. This is bad for Haramushi!

Pasquale jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Haramushi is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Haramushi and Pasquale has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Pasquale is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Haramushi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pasquale tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Haramushi throws a couple of strikes there.
Haramushi wants to control but Pasquale postures up.
Haramushi tries to improve position but can't.
Haramushi takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haramushi stops Pasquale from passing to mount.

Pasquale thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Haramushi prevents Pasquale from moving into mount.
Pasquale fails to land a wild elbow strike.

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.

Pasquale is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Haramushi has escaped the position, nice work there.
Haramushi gets back to half guard.
Pasquale tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Haramushi.
Pasquale tries to pass the half guard into mount. Haramushi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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

Pasquale 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.

Pasquale is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Haramushi has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pasquale wants to stand up but Haramushi has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Haramushi flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Pasquale is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Haramushi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Haramushi holds on to Pasquale as tight as he can, avoiding damage.
Haramushi is trying to escape the mount.
Pasquale landing punches.
Pasquale lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Haramushi hang on?
Haramushi has given up his back. Will we see Pasquale going for some submissions?
The referee is taking a good look at Haramushi as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Pasquale!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pasquale patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Pasquale is persistently looking for the submission but Haramushi is defending it well.
Pasquale is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Haramushi up.
Haramushi can't escape the position.
Haramushi is taking damage to the body and head.
Pasquale missing with punches from the back.

Haramushi defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Pasquale doesn't have the hooks in and Haramushi manages to turn into his guard.
Pasquale keeping moving, preventing Haramushi from controlling successfully.
Pasquale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Haramushi is one step ahead there.

Pasquale looking for a guillotine here but Haramushi defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Pasquale dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Haramushi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pasquale paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pasquale fails with the takedown
and Haramushi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Haramushi.

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

Haramushi decides to stand up, so the ref orders Pasquale to his feet.
Pasquale doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Haramushi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pasquale won't be happy with that.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Pasquale tries to improve position but can't.
Pasquale is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Haramushi off and has taken his back!
Pasquale lands a shot to the head.
Haramushi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Pasquale patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Haramushi is having to fend off submission attempts from Pasquale, who is looking to sink in the choke. Pasquale doesn't have the hooks in though and Haramushi manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pasquale is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Haramushi connects with a couple of short punches.

Pasquale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Haramushi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Haramushi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pasquale tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Haramushi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Pasquale working for a triangle but Haramushi defends it easily.

Pasquale is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haramushi preventing the sweep.

Pasquale looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Haramushi pushes down on Pasquale's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Pasquale tries to roll over but Haramushi keeps him under control.
Haramushi works his way into full mount!

Haramushi working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Pasquale regains half guard.

Pasquale looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Haramushi frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haramushi is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Pasquale is wriggling around trying to escape.
Haramushi trying to control but Pasquale is having none of it.
Pasquale tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Haramushi is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Pasquale is surviving well by controlling Haramushi's body position as best he can.
Haramushi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pasquale gets back to half guard.

Pasquale looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pasquale wants to improve his position but Haramushi is controlling well.
Pasquale punching from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pasquale wants to improve his position but Haramushi is controlling well.
Pasquale gets back to full guard.
Haramushi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Pasquale drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Pasquale lands some shots froms side control.

Pasquale tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Pasquale goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Haramushi has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Pasquale but great work by Haramushi.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pasquale tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pasquale is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Haramushi is tying to control. Pasquale wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Leon Pasquale.
I think Pasquale 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Leon Pasquale!