PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dan Backslide (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takahara Yamaguchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Backslide comes into the arena with The Dover Boys blaring out of the sound system. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Backslide
vs
Yamaguchi

174 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dan Backslide!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takahara Yamaguchi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backslide throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yamaguchi.
Backslide throws a series of punches but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Yamaguchi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Backslide's waist but Backslide gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Yamaguchi off to one side.
Backslide throws a nice looking combination but Yamaguchi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Backslide throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Backslide misses with a double jab.
Backslide misses with a looping right.
Yamaguchi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Backslide throws out the jab.
Backslide throws a nice looking combination but Yamaguchi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yamaguchi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Backslide swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Backslide.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backslide throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Yamaguchi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dan Backslide seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Backslide looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Backslide tries to bum rush Yamaguchi with a series of wild strikes but Yamaguchi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backslide throws a series of punches but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Backslide is breathing heavily.
Backslide swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No joy there for Backslide, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Backslide misses with a double jab.
Yamaguchi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Backslide if he has to take too many more of those.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Yamaguchi.
Backslide is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Yamaguchi asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Backslide knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yamaguchi on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backslide bucks up and tries to throw Yamaguchi off but instead Yamaguchi has got his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Yamaguchi controlling the positon.
Backslide looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's four 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.
Backslide trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takahara Yamaguchi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Backslide looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Yamaguchi feints and as Backslide raises his hands in defense, Yamaguchi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Yamaguchi is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yamaguchi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Backslide wants to stand but Yamaguchi is controlling the position.
Yamaguchi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backslide has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Yamaguchi off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yamaguchi lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Backslide closes the distance and clinches.
Yamaguchi letting Backslide take a breather here.
Knees to the body from Backslide.
Backslide controlling the action here for a moment.
Backslide trying to land knees to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Backslide tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Backslide taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Backslide lands a nice knee to the body.
Yamaguchi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Backslide throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yamaguchi blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takahara Yamaguchi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Backslide falls off balance throwing a combination

so Yamaguchi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Backslide wants to stand up but Yamaguchi is controlling him.
Yamaguchi wanted to stand there but Backslide had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi pushes down on Backslide's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Yamaguchi content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Backslide wants to stand back up but Yamaguchi manages to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backslide is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Yamaguchi has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Backslide managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Yamaguchi.
Dan Backslide has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Backslide tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Backslide wants to get back to his feet but Yamaguchi drags him back down.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Yamaguchi stands up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takahara Yamaguchi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yamaguchi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takahara Yamaguchi!