PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yorito Nayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Olubowale Folarin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Nayama
vs
Folarin

180 cm
24
184 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

183 cm
26
180 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yorito Nayama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Olubowale Folarin!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Folarin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Folarin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Folarin looks to score with a jab to the body but Nayama is just out of range.
Folarin staying out of range there.
Folarin just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Nayama misses the target.
Folarin staying out of range there.
Folarin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nayama manages to avoid it.
Nayama takes a swing at Folarin's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folarin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nayama at a distance.
Folarin misses with a wild body shot.
Nayama closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Folarin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A shot to the body from Folarin misses

and Nayama counters with a takedown into side control.
Folarin is trying to get back to half guard.
Folarin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nayama taking a break here but Folarin is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Folarin looking for submissions off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nayama is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Folarin sees it coming and defends easily.
Nayama trying to control from half guard but Folarin is working away.
Folarin won't allow Nayama to pass to mount.
Nayama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Folarin keeps working.
Nayama trying to control the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Folarin moves into full guard.
Folarin can't keep his opponent in guard - Nayama advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nayama wants to pass the guard but Folarin is defending well.
Nayama sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folarin is pressing down on Nayama's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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

Folarin has his foot on Nayama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nayama works his way back into a safe position though.
Nayama trying to control but Folarin is working from the bottom.
Nayama is really struggling to control Folarin but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nayama wants to pass the guard but Folarin is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yorito Nayama will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Folarin misses with a wild body shot.

Folarin closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nayama is refusing to be controlled, as Folarin sits in half guard.
Folarin is controlling the pace.
Yorito Nayama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nayama wants to get back to full guard.
Well, if Folarin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folarin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Folarin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Folarin tries to pass to full mount but Nayama defends it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Olubowale Folarin.
Nayama swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Folarin takes a swing at Nayama's ribcage but misses.
Nayama scores with a three punch combo!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nayama slips a jab from Folarin.
Folarin scores with a nice head shot.
Nayama misses with a takedown
and Folarin counters with a right hand to the body.
Nayama takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nayama shoots in for a takedown but Folarin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Folarin is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nayama rather than just go for the knockout.
Folarin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nayama.
Folarin misses with a body punch

and Nayama counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nayama.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nayama is pushing down on Folarin's leg trying to pass to half guard. Folarin is fighting to maintain full guard but Nayama has managed to sneak the leg through.
Nayama is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Nayama wants to take Folarin's back but he can't do it this time.
Folarin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Nayama controlling from mount.
Nayama with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nayama wants to control the pace but Folarin is squirming around nicely.
Nayama lands with some strikes.
Nayama looking to control and managing it successfully.
Folarin working to try and regain half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nayama tries to take Folarin's back but instead Folarin uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yorito Nayama will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nayama shoots in looking for a takedown. Folarin tries to sprawl out of it but Nayama keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Folarin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Nayama with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Folarin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nayama avoids the body shot from Folarin.
Nayama fails to land with a series of punches.
Nayama closes this distance looking for a takedown but Folarin circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yorito Nayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nayama tries for a takedown but Folarin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Folarin misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Nayama to counter with a crisp jab.
Folarin throws a right hand that misses
and Nayama counters with a right hand to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Nayama misses the target.
Folarin swings for the body but Nayama moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Folarin swings for the body but Nayama moves out of range.
Olubowale Folarin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Folarin connects with a body shot.
Nayama ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Folarin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Folarin misses the shot to the body.
Folarin lands a nice shot to the body.
Folarin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Folarin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nayama.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nayama shoots in and drives through. Folarin sprawls well.
Folarin throws a hook but Nayama blocks it.
Folarin lands a two punch combo.
Folarin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nayama shoots in looking for a takedown but Folarin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nayama's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nayama fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd cheers as Folarin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nayama doesn't seem phased though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folarin cracks Nayama with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yorito Nayama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nayama misses with a body shot.

Folarin gets the takedown into side control.
Folarin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Folarin working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nayama tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Folarin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nayama is not content to let Folarin control the position.
Nayama trying his best to control but Folarin has mounted him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Olubowale Folarin really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A looping hook to the body misses from Folarin. Nayama does a little dance to reset his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nayama.
Nayama takes a jab right on the kisser.
Folarin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Nayama gets a double leg takedown into Folarin's guard.
Nayama trying to control the position from guard on top but Folarin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Folarin working for a triangle but Nayama defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Folarin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nayama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nayama trying to control but Folarin is working from the bottom.
Folarin will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Folarin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nayama defends it easily.
Nayama trying to control but Folarin is working from the bottom.
Nayama sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Folarin's guard.
Nayama wants to take a breather but Folarin is having none of it.
Folarin tries to get to full guard but Nayama has control of the leg.
Nayama controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Nayama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Folarin keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Yorito Nayama wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Nayama with a poor takedown
and Folarin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Folarin tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nayama is able to avoid easily.
Nayama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nayama gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Folarin counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yorito Nayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folarin swings for the body but Nayama moves out of range.

Nayama shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Nayama 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.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Folarin won't allow Nayama to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yorito Nayama had his way with Olubowale Folarin in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Folarin misses with a series of wild punches.
A telegraphed right hand from Folarin misses the target.
Folarin tries a low kick but Nayama avoids it.
Nayama scores with a decent looking hook.
Folarin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nayama.
Folarin tries for a takedown but Nayama circles away easily

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Folarin working for a triangle but Nayama defends it easily.
Folarin keeping full guard, as Nayama tries to pass.
Nayama wants to control from the top but Folarin keeps moving.
Nayama controls from within his opponent's guard.
Folarin keeping full guard, as Nayama tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nayama trying to control the position from guard on top but Folarin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

We're going to have a standup here because Yorito Nayama wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Folarin. Nayama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nayama shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Folarin pinned against the cage. Folarin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Folarin punishes Nayama's body with a nice straight punch.
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 three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Folarin. Beautiful body shot.

Folarin feints and as Nayama raises his hands in defense, Folarin changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Folarin pushes down on Nayama's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Folarin working over Nayama with some ground and pound. Nayama looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Olubowale Folarin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Folarin prevents Nayama from improving his position.

Folarin 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folarin frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nayama takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Folarin lands a heavy elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Folarin in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Nayama really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Yorito Nayama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Folarin avoids the attempt from Nayama to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Olubowale Folarin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nayama 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:47
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yorito Nayama!
Yorito Nayama is the new welterweight champion!