PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Koji Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fook Yue (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fook Yue acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Sato
vs
Yue

170 cm
18
147 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

169 cm
22
148 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Koji Sato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fook Yue!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sato shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sato dives in and grabs Yue's left leg, looking for a takedown. Yue pushes down on Sato's head and hops out.
Yue misses with the combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sato.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Koji Sato. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yue looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Yue is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sato's half guard.
Yue prevents Sato from improving his position.

Sato looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yue tries to stand and escape but Sato is controlling the position.
Sato gets back to full guard.

Sato looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yue looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yue is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Sato is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yue is aware though and is defending well.
Yue trying to control the position from guard on top but Sato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yue trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sato's guard.
Yue not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Fook Yue has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Yue looking to score a takedown here. Sato is defending well but Yue drives through and ends up in Sato's guard.

Sato working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yue doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yue manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sato looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sato is breathing heavily.

Sato has his foot on Yue's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yue works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yue trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sato's guard.
Yue is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Yue has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sato is proving hard to escape from.
Sato is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Yue trying to control here.

Sato is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Yue doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sato.

Yue is defending against the submission attempts here by Sato.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yue tries to roll over but Sato keeps him under control.

Sato is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Yue is just riding it out for now. Sato eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sato is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Yue has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sato is working away from the top position though.

Sato seems to be looking for submissions.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Yue can do anything to dispel that myth.

Sato is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Yue sees it coming and defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yue is holding on to half guard well.
Yue wants to improve his position but Sato is controlling well.
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 Koji Sato will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yue gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sato.
Yue is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Yue gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Yue trying to control but Sato is working from the bottom.

Sato looking for a guillotine here but Yue defends easily.
Yue trying to control but Sato is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yue scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Sato has his foot on Yue's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yue works his way back into a safe position though.
Yue trying to control the position from guard on top but Sato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yue stays in close to Sato's body and controls the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Yue trying to control the position from guard on top but Sato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sato wants to sweep but no luck.
Yue really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sato. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Yue wants to stand but Sato has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Fook Yue was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Sato shoots in for a takedown but Yue shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Koji Sato. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sato gets tackled into the cage by Yue. Yue maintains the clinch.

Yue breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yue misses with a wild body shot.

Yue gets caught napping as Sato dives in and scores a takedown. Yue manages to retain guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yue is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sato is controlling him.

Sato drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Yue manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sato has Yue in his guard.
Sato 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.
Sato can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Yue controls the pace.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato keeping full guard, as Yue tries to pass.
Yue trying to control the position from guard on top but Sato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Fook Yue was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Yue closes the distance and clinches.
Yue leaning against his opponent.
Yue gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sato.
Sato has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yue is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Yue escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Yue gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sato tries to score a body lock takedown but Yue shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yue lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sato.

Yue breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yue throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Yue closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sato's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yue pushing down on Sato's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Yue is working for a kimura but Sato is defending it quite comfortably.

Yue stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Sato to get to his feet.

Yue gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Yue tightens his grip and picks Sato up, before dumping him to the ground. Sato manages to land in guard.
Fook Yue has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yue stopping the sweep attempt from Sato.

Sato is looking for a triangle but Yue pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fook Yue showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yue scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sato taking some punishment here, with Yue in his half guard.
Sato is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sato is working hard here to advance position.

Sato looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Yue lands with a punch from half guard.
Sato is looking for a sweep. Yue is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yue tries to stand but can't do so whilst Sato controls his leg.

Sato actively working from the bottom here.
Sato tries to roll over but Yue keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sato is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Yue pulls his head out easily.
Yue is taking a breather. Sato says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Nice strikes from Yue there.
Sato is looking for a sweep. Yue is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yue uses his free foot to push down on Sato's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Sato.
Yue wants to control the pace but Sato is squirming around nicely.
Yue looking to control and managing it successfully.
Let's hope that Yue 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.
Yue can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sato is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yue controlling his opponent.
Yue tries to control but Sato wriggling away.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Fook Yue wasn't active enough on the ground.
Yue throws the left hand but Sato avoids the punch easily.
Yue tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sato swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sato misses with a takedown attempt

and Yue holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Yue prevents a takedown attempt there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sato is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yue pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Koji Sato. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yue lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sato wants to improve his position but Yue is controlling well.
Yue takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Yue controlling the action here.
Sato is looking for a sweep. Yue is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yue looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sato with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Yue controlling the action here.

Yue is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Sato actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato won't allow Yue to pass to mount.
Yue with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Yue trying to control the action but Sato is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sato manages to get to full guard.

Sato is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Yue defends well.
Yue must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yue preventing the sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fook Yue comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yue 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fook Yue!