PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Yoshida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Yoshida
vs
Gracie

184 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihiro Yoshida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Royce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie darts in trying to clinch
and Yoshida counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Gracie shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Yoshida is trying to defend but Gracie finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Gracie stands up from half guard.
Yoshida gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

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

Gracie stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Gracie scores with a takedown into Yoshida's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yoshida is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

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

Gracie got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yoshida has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gracie has managed to get both his arms back between Yoshida's legs - danger averted.
Yoshida is breathing heavily.

Gracie stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yoshida.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yoshida swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yoshida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick

and Yoshida counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gracie's guard now.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Yoshida manages to get himself to full guard.
Gracie chips away with some ground and pound.

Gracie gets to his feet. Yoshida looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Gracie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Yoshida manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yoshida has his takedown stuffed

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yoshida's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Yoshida being controlled for a moment.
Gracie passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Yoshida!
Gracie sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Yoshida knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.
Let's hope that Gracie has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands a big shot there that rocks Yoshida but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Gracie has control of Yoshida's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Yoshida regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Yoshida working to try and regain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Gracie dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Yoshida avoids the head kick by Gracie.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Gracie controlling from mount.
The referee warns Yoshida that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
BOOM! Gracie connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Gracie working for a guillotine from mount but Yoshida is in no mood to give up.
Yoshida is working to get back to half guard.
Gracie content just to control the position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie controls the action.
Yoshida is trapped and Gracie is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Yoshida is in bad spot here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Yoshida.
Gracie scores with punches and elbows.
Yoshida is taking damage to the body and head.
Gracie lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Yoshida hold on?!
Gracie lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Yoshida.
Yoshida is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Gracie controlling the position well here. Yoshida rolled but Gracie kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Gracie landing with strikes.
Good control from Gracie.

Yoshida is trying to defend against the choke here but Gracie has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Gracie Tightens the hold and Yoshida taps out furiously! Gracie displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Royce Gracie!