PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Francisco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Norifumi Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gabriel Francisco has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Francisco
vs
Yamamoto

225 cm
28
280 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

187 cm
21
282 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gabriel Francisco !
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Norifumi Yamamoto!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Francisco has his takedown stuffed
and Yamamoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Francisco enables Yamamoto to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Francisco manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Francisco looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Yamamoto trying to control but Francisco is working from the bottom.
Yamamoto landing some decent shots from guard.
Yamamoto preventing the sweep.

Francisco had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yamamoto defends it easily.
Yamamoto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Francisco is keeping the position for now.
Yamamoto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Francisco avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Yamamoto trying to control but Francisco is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Francisco is keeping the position for now.
Yamamoto is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Yamamoto showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Yamamoto content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Yamamoto tries to free his leg and advance position but Francisco is retaining full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Yamamoto stands up over Francisco , holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Francisco looking to control.
Yamamoto lands a couple of digs.

Francisco looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Francisco looking for a guillotine here but Yamamoto defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Francisco looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Francisco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Francisco working for a triangle but Yamamoto defends it easily.
Yamamoto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Francisco is keeping the position for now.
Yamamoto working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Francisco 's head.
Francisco trying to keep a closed guard but Yamamoto is proving a slippery customer.

Francisco had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yamamoto defends it easily.
Francisco really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Francisco working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yamamoto doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yamamoto manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Francisco is looking for a triangle but Yamamoto pushes his legs off easily.
Francisco is breathing heavily.
Yamamoto trying to control but Francisco is working from the bottom.

Francisco had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yamamoto defends it easily.
Francisco 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.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Yamamoto's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Yamamoto postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Francisco working for submissions but it's allowed Yamamoto to get to half guard.
Yamamoto scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ground and pound from Yamamoto.
Francisco is looking to improve his position.
Yamamoto working over Francisco with some ground and pound. Francisco looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Francisco is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Yamamoto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Yamamoto's back!
Yamamoto tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yamamoto wants to control but Francisco is having none of it.

Francisco goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Yamamoto is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norifumi Yamamoto dominated that round.
That's time! Francisco 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Francisco with a poor takedown

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

Yamamoto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Francisco knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Yamamoto is chipping away with strikes.
Yamamoto cracks Francisco with a big elbow.
Yamamoto creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Yamamoto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Francisco knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Francisco is trying to escape the position but Yamamoto is controlling the position.
Yamamoto cracks Francisco with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Yamamoto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Francisco keeps working.
Francisco is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Yamamoto are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Francisco tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Yamamoto easily slips into full mount!
Yamamoto scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Francisco ?
Yamamoto landing shots from mount.
Yamamoto landing strikes from the mount and Francisco is in trouble!
Yamamoto breaks from Francisco 's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Francisco sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamamoto takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Francisco is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Francisco is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Yamamoto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Yamamoto's back!

Yamamoto preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Francisco .
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Yamamoto is in bad spot here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yamamoto showing good submission defense here.
Francisco controlling well, preventing Yamamoto from escaping the position.
Yamamoto breaks Francisco 's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Yamamoto is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Francisco has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Yamamoto is looking to defend but Francisco has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Yamamoto! Francisco pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Yamamoto taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:46 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Gabriel Francisco !
Gabriel Francisco is the new heavyweight champion!