PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mos Def (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dickson Yamada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Def comes to the cage accompanied by Mathematics. The crowd seem to be enjoying Yamada's choice of entrance music: Despised Icon MVP. This should be fireworks!

Def
vs
Yamada

179 cm
25
184 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
170 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Hellraiser Fightgear ($10 Clothing)
Hellraiser Fightgear ($10 Clothing)

Hellraiser Fightgear ($10 Clothing)

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mos Def!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dickson Yamada!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamada throws a head kick that misses
and Def makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Yamada gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Def tries to pull guard but Yamada holds him up against the cage and eventually Def drops back down to his feet.
Yamada pushes Def back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Def tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Yamada breaks the clinch.
Yamada misses with a head kick.
Yamada connects with a solid leg kick.
Yamada turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A combination from Yamada does no damage.
Yamada lands with a good body shot.
Yamada throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Def counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamada wants to stand up but Def is controlling him.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamada 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.
Def stands and throws Yamada's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Def controls the position from side control.
Yamada gets back to half guard.
Def not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Def thows a huge punch but Yamada dodges it nicely.

Def is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Yamada is just riding it out for now. Def eventually gives up the hold.
Yamada is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamada is looking to improve his position.

Def is looking for a kimura but Yamada is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Def to get the leverage.
Def has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Yamada wants to get back to full guard.
Def is keen to just control but Yamada is a slippery customer.
Yamada is trying to maintain the position but Def is very close to passing his half guard.
Def takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Def throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Def wants to take a breather but Yamada is having none of it.
Yamada wants to improve his position but Def is controlling well.
Yamada pushes Def off looking to stand but Def dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamada is trying to control but can't.
Def not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Yamada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yamada trying to control here.
Def is trying to control. Yamada wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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

Yamada has closed the distance and engaged Def in a clinch.
Yamada doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Def tries for a takedown but Yamada manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mos Def. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Def is trying to pull guard but Yamada has him pressed against the cage.
Def tries to score a body lock takedown but Yamada shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Def jumps guard but Yamada turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Yamada tries to break the clinch but Def is controlling the position.
Yamada is pressed up against the cage. Def has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yamada down to the mat. Yamada avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Def feints and as Yamada raises his hands in defense, Def changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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!
Yamada wants to get back to his feet but Def is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Yamada throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Yamada controls Def momentarily but Def frees himself.
Yamada keeping moving, preventing Def from controlling successfully.
Def prevents Yamada from getting back to his feet.
Def scoring with some ground and pound.
Yamada keeping moving, preventing Def from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Def slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
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 Mos Def will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yamada tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A solid leg kick lands there for Yamada.
Yamada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yamada plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Mos Def has been cut.
Yamada fakes the leg kick and cracks Def in the body.
Def wants to clinch.
Yamada throws a series of punches but Def avoids them all with ease.
Def tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yamada throws a right hand that Def ducks under and follows up with a left that Def also avoids with ease.
Nice defenses there by Def.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yamada instigates a clinch.
Yamada working hard to break the clinch.

Yamada lands a takedown into guard.
Yamada trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Def is trying to control the position but Yamada postures up.

Def escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yamada gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Def looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yamada scoring with punches to the head and body.
Def has a closed guard, preventing Yamada from standing up.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamada wants to control from the top but Def keeps moving.
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!
Def is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Def holds on and takes a little breather.
Yamada missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yamada trying to control but Def is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamada is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dickson Yamada.
A low kick from Yamada is predictable there
and Def finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Def feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yamada's calf.
Def tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yamada tries to score with a low kick but Def moves his leg out of the way.
Def shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yamada defends it nicely.
Dickson Yamada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Def fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Yamada misses with a wild body shot.
Def tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Def throws a leg kick which misses Yamada's front leg but catches the back leg as Yamada tries to avoid it.

Yamada darts in and clinches Def up against the cage.
Def tries to pull guard but Yamada holds him up against the cage and eventually Def drops back down to his feet.
Def jumps guard but Yamada stands there with Def around his waist. Def gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mos Def. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamada scores with a shot to the side of Def's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Yamada breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamada. Def does a little dance to reset his feet.

Def fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Yamada sprawls well initially but Def persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Def lands strikes from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Def prevents Yamada from improving his position.
Yamada is controlling Def's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Yamada is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dickson Yamada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mos Def's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yamada has closed the distance and engaged Def in a clinch.
Yamada scores with a nice hook to the head.

Def pulls Yamada into guard.
Def is controlling Yamada's posture.
Yamada stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Def swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Def trying to keep a closed guard but Yamada is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamada slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mos Def just wasn't active enough.
Def shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A clash of legs there as Def blocks the low kick.
Def tries to clinch but Yamada moves out of range.
Def is looking to clinch.
Dickson Yamada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamada is looking to chop away at Def's legs.
Yamada throws a leg kick but Def sees it coming and moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Def.
Yamada connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Yamada closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Yamada.

Yamada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yamada throws a head kick that misses.
Def keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Yamada rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Def moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Yamada clinches up against the cage.
Def on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Def tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yamada just stands there and leans against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamada wants to break the clinch but can't.
Yamada with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Def is trying to pull guard but Yamada turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mos Def. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Def pulls guard successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Def is on top in guard.

Yamada is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Def is aware though and is defending well.
Mos Def overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Def passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Def in side control, throwing shots but Yamada defends.
Def working the head with strikes.
Yamada is trying to work for a sweep but Def has mounted him!
Yamada tries to lock up and control but Def gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Yamada takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Def has control of Yamada's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Yamada regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Yamada is working to get back to half guard.

Def has control of Yamada's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Yamada regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Def throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamada keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Def controlling from mount.
Def thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Yamada tries to reverse the position but Def maintains control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Def lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Yamada is working to get back to half guard.

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 Mos Def.
I think Def 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mos Def!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Mos Def waved his t-shirt featuring Hellraiser Fightgear ($10 Clothing)'s logo in front of the cameras.