PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Imanari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Jacobs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Imanari
vs
Jacobs

172 cm
23
165 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

189 cm
22
165 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (159.49 $75)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yoshihiro Imanari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jimmy Jacobs!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jacobs uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Jacobs tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Imanari was well out of range. Poor timing from Jacobs.

Jacobs clinches up against the cage.

Imanari pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jacobs lands a jab to Imanari's midsection.
Jacobs fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Imanari on the side of the head.

Imanari scores with a takedown into Jacobs's guard.
Jacobs trying to keep a closed guard but Imanari is proving a slippery customer.
Imanari trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jacobs trying to control the position.

Jacobs has his foot on Imanari's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Imanari works his way back into a safe position though.
Imanari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jacobs is keeping the position for now.
Imanari might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Jacobs wants to sweep here but Imanari controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacobs trying to keep a closed guard but Imanari is proving a slippery customer.

Jacobs working for a triangle but Imanari defends it easily.

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

Jacobs has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Imanari can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Imanari controls from within his opponent's guard.
Jacobs 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.
Imanari trying to control the position from guard on top but Jacobs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jacobs looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Jacobs lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Imanari!
Imanari is trying desperately to improve position.
Imanari gets back to half guard.
Jacobs working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Imanari regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jacobs missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jacobs throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jacobs wants to pass the guard but Imanari is keeping the position.
Jacobs throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jacobs must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Imanari trying to control the position.
Imanari seems keen to control Jacobs's posture.
Jacobs postures up in Imanari's guard and throws a big left but Imanari blocks it.
Imanari seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Jacobs is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Imanari avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Imanari looking for a sweep. Not yet Imanari, not yet.
Jacobs throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Imanari is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Jacobs landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jacobs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Jacobs is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Imanari keeping full guard, as Jacobs tries to pass.
Imanari is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jacobs trying to control the position from guard on top but Imanari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jacobs is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Jacobs postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jacobs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jacobs with a nice head shot there.
Imanari is trying to keep Jacobs in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Jacobs dominated that round.
That's time! Imanari's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jacobs leaves Imanari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Imanari ducks under a wild hook from Jacobs.
Jacobs scores with a jab.
Imanari shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jacobs but Jacobs pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Imanari checks the leg kick nicely there.
Jacobs misses with a low kick.
Jacobs throws a poor cross that misses
and Imanari makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jacobs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jacobs wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshihiro Imanari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Imanari staying out of range there.
Jacobs is looking to slow Imanari down with leg kicks.
Nice jab there from Jacobs.
Jacobs connects with a crisp jab.
Jacobs wants to clinch up but Imanari keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacobs scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jacobs leaves Imanari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Imanari circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jacobs fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Imanari looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Imanari throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jacobs's waist but Jacobs gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Imanari off to one side.
Jacobs throws a sloppy head kick and Imanari moves out of range easily.
Jacobs keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Jacobs clinches.
Jacobs is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Imanari tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Jacobs has clasped his hands together around Imanari's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Imanari managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Jacobs.
Imanari defending against the ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A lull in the action here as Jacobs stalls from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Imanari taking punishment in the form of punches.
Jacobs is putting a hurting on Imanari here, landing some big shots from side control.
Jacobs is working Imanari over with some ground and pound from side control.
Imanari takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The strikes coming from Jacobs are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Jacobs working the ground and pound.
Imanari manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Imanari is looking to control Jacobs's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Imanari avoid being mounted?
Imanari is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Still in half guard, Jacobs seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Imanari defending well though.
Jacobs takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Jacobs wants to control but Imanari is keeping him busy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Jacobs throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Imanari is trying to control but can't.
Jacobs works his foot free and advances to mount.

Jacobs jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Imanari manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Jacobs throws an elbow but Imanari slips to the side and avoids it well.
Jacobs tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Jacobs advances to mount.
Jacobs lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs with shots to the head and body - Imanari looks very uncomfortable down there.
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!
Jacobs thowing shots but they're missing.
Jacobs looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Jacobs looking to control but Imanari is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Imanari sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Imanari trying to control but Jacobs postures up.
Jacobs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Imanari's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Imanari gets back to full guard.
Imanari keeping moving, preventing Jacobs from controlling successfully.
Jacobs throws an elbow that misses. Imanari uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jacobs's guard. Nice move by Imanari!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Jacobs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Jacobs thuds his right hand into Imanari's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Imanari lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Imanari shoots in but Jacobs avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Jacobs pushes Imanari up against the cage in a clinch.
Imanari jumps guard but Jacobs stands there with Imanari around his waist. Imanari gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Imanari blocks the elbow strike.

Imanari manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Jimmy Jacobs has got the better of the ground game so far.

Imanari is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jacobs postures up in Imanari's guard and throws a big left but Imanari blocks it.
Jacobs stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Imanari swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacobs is pushing down on Imanari's leg trying to pass to half guard. Imanari is fighting to maintain full guard but Jacobs has managed to sneak the leg through.
Jacobs landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Jacobs is thwarting Imanari's attempts to control the position.
Jacobs tries to pass the half guard into mount. Imanari knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Jacobs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Imanari keeps working.
Jacobs not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jacobs connects with a nice short shot to Imanari's temple.
Jacobs working over Imanari with some ground and pound. Imanari looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Jacobs not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jacobs throws a strike but Imanari rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jacobs tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jacobs wants to improve his position but instead Imanari has moved into half guard.
Jacobs regains full guard. Nicely done.

Imanari got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jacobs has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Imanari has managed to get both his arms back between Jacobs's legs - danger averted.
Jacobs looking to control.
Imanari stopping the sweep attempt from Jacobs.
Jacobs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imanari works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Jacobs wants to improve his position but Imanari is controlling well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jacobs manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Imanari seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Imanari trying to control but Jacobs is working from the bottom.
Jacobs doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Jacobs wants to sweep but no luck.
Imanari landing with the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Imanari's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imanari won't allow Jacobs to sweep him here.

Jacobs throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Imanari preventing the sweep.
Imanari passes Jacobs's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Imanari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jacobs keeps working.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are battling for position here. Jacobs manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jacobs looking for a sweep. Not yet Jacobs, not yet.

Imanari got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jacobs has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Imanari has managed to get both his arms back between Jacobs's legs - danger averted.
Yoshihiro Imanari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jimmy Jacobs is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jacobs has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jacobs wants to sweep here but Imanari controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimmy Jacobs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jacobs has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy Jacobs!
In his post fight interview, Jimmy Jacobs started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.