PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Toshiro Hitsugaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Norifumi Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Norifumi Yamamoto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hitsugaya
vs
Yamamoto

170 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
23
134 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Toshiro Hitsugaya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Norifumi Yamamoto!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hitsugaya has his takedown stuffed
and Yamamoto counters with a three punch combo that has Hitsugaya backing up. Hitsugaya nods at Yamamoto to acknowledge the strikes.
Yamamoto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yamamoto tries to land a front kick but Hitsugaya steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hitsugaya lands a nice shot to the body.
Toshiro Hitsugaya seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamamoto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hitsugaya throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yamamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hitsugaya manages to avoid it.
Yamamoto misses with a two punch combination.
Hitsugaya lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Hitsugaya looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Yamamoto trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yamamoto wriggles free and stands up.
Yamamoto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A combination from Yamamoto does no damage.
Hitsugaya shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hitsugaya pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yamamoto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hitsugaya wants to clinch.
Hitsugaya tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitsugaya slips under a jab.
Hitsugaya scores with the left hand. Yamamoto knows he should have avoided that one.

Hitsugaya drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hitsugaya throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Yamamoto works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Yamamoto manages to get to full guard.

Yamamoto has his feet on Hitsugaya's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Yamamoto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toshiro Hitsugaya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Yamamoto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Hitsugaya has Yamamoto up against the cage in a clinch.

Yamamoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Yamamoto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hitsugaya wants to clinch up but Yamamoto keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Yamamoto.
A head kick misses from Hitsugaya.
Yamamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hitsugaya.
Hitsugaya throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Yamamoto throws a right and a left that Hitsugaya avoids nicely.
A jab from Hitsugaya does it's job there.

Hitsugaya closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hitsugaya lands in his opponent's guard.
Hitsugaya throws a strike but Yamamoto rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yamamoto slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Norifumi Yamamoto will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Some wild striking there from Yamamoto.
Hitsugaya tries to clinch there but Yamamoto circles away.
Hitsugaya misses with a head kick.
Yamamoto defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hitsugaya.
Yamamoto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yamamoto swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Hitsugaya counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Yamamoto!
Yamamoto tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Hitsugaya moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Yamamoto has worked his arm free - good work by Yamamoto!
Yamamoto is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hitsugaya's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Yamamoto makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hitsugaya is looking to clinch.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that misses.

Hitsugaya rushes Yamamoto and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yamamoto avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Yamamoto as Hitsugaya shoots in.
Yamamoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yamamoto misses with a few strikes there.
Hitsugaya moves to clinch but Yamamoto breaks away
and Yamamoto counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Hitsugaya is rocked!
Yamamoto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hitsugaya's calf.
Norifumi Yamamoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hitsugaya shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toshiro Hitsugaya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Yamamoto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Yamamoto throws a series of punches but Hitsugaya moves out of range.
Yamamoto looks to land a combination but Hitsugaya avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Yamamoto.
Hitsugaya shoots for a takedown but Yamamoto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Some wild striking there from Yamamoto.
Some wild striking there from Yamamoto.
Hitsugaya fails in his attempt to clinch.
A combination from Yamamoto does no damage.
Hitsugaya tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yamamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hitsugaya somewhat.
Yamamoto throws a low kick, looking for Hitsugaya's leg but Hitsugaya calmly moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Yamamoto does no damage.
Hitsugaya gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Yamamoto counters with a stiff right hand.
Oh Hitsugaya is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Yamamoto lands a jab to Hitsugaya's midsection.
Yamamoto throws a nice looking combination but Hitsugaya bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hitsugaya dodges the punch combination from Yamamoto.
Hitsugaya misses with a takedown
and Yamamoto counters with a perfectly timed head kick, knocking Hitsugaya out cold! Wow, that took some serious skill and not a little luck! Yamamoto is taking it in his stride though, strolling around like it's no big deal. What a guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Norifumi Yamamoto!