PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harold Kumar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoko Wakari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yoko Wakari is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Kumar
vs
Wakari

190 cm
23
200 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

186 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Harold Kumar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Yoko Wakari!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Ackerman and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kumar tries to keep at a distance but Wakari has taken the fight into the clinch.

Wakari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Wakari.

Wakari fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kumar, pushing him back against the cage.
Kumar tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Wakari smiles and moves away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kumar shoots in looking for a takedown. Wakari tries to sprawl out of it but Kumar keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wakari manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wakari tries to clinch up but Kumar circles away and keeps his distance.
Kumar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Kumar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kumar avoids the head kick by Wakari.
Yoko Wakari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kumar fails to land the takedown.
Kumar shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wakari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Wakari clinches up against the cage.

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

Wakari gets the takedown into side control.

Wakari has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Kumar gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kumar wants the takedown. Wakari is fighting it off but Kumar persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Wakari's guard against the cage.
Kumar distracts Wakari with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kumar stands and steps away. Wakari gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Wakari swats away the attempt to clinch by Kumar.
Kumar gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Wakari holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kumar is breathing heavily.
Wakari landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Wakari is trying to trip Kumar. He has hold of a leg but Kumar is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Wakari persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Wakari wants to pass the guard but Kumar is keeping the position.
Kumar has a closed guard, preventing Wakari from standing up.
Wakari wants to control from the top but Kumar keeps moving.

Wakari decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kumar, up you get!
Kumar steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Wakari. That one must have hurt.

Wakari fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kumar, pushing him back against the cage.

Wakari has clasped his hands together around Kumar's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wakari is putting a hurting on Kumar here, landing some big shots from side control.
Wakari trying to control the position but Kumar is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wakari decides to stand back up. Wakari steps back and let's Kumar get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kumar misses with a takedown attempt
and Wakari counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Wakari throws a sloppy head kick and Kumar moves out of range easily.

Wakari looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kumar!
Wakari looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kumar is squirming around, avoiding Wakari's attempts to control the action.
Wakari controlling the position easily from mount.
Kumar is squirming around, avoiding Wakari's attempts to control the action.
Wakari content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kumar is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kumar bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Wakari keeping full guard, as Kumar tries to pass.
Kumar prevents Wakari from getting back to his feet.

Kumar drops back looking for a leg! Wakari is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wakari manages to kick Kumar off! Kumar jumps back into Wakari's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wakari trying to control the position.
Wakari wants to get back to his feet but Kumar is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kumar scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A head kick misses from Wakari.
Kumar looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wakari tries to clinch there but Kumar circles away.
Kumar tries to clinch up.
Kumar tries to clinch there but Wakari circles away.
Wakari misses with a head kick.
Kumar with a lazy takedown attempt

and Wakari counters with a takedown into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kumar is looking to reverse the position.

Wakari decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Wakari fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kumar, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoko Wakari dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wakari drives through and clinches with Kumar against the cage.

Wakari breaks the clinch.
Wakari throws a sloppy head kick and Kumar moves out of range easily.
Wakari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kumar tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wakari swivels and escapes.
Wakari scores with a leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kumar fails to pull guard.

Wakari breaks from the clinch.

Wakari pushes Kumar up against the cage in a clinch.
Wakari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Wakari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wakari bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kumar's head backwards.

Wakari rushes Kumar and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kumar can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Kumar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kumar drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wakari gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kumar tries to pull guard but Wakari won't allow it.

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

Wakari closes the distance and clinches.

Wakari breaks from the clinch.
Wakari scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wakari throws a head kick that misses.
Wakari throws a head kick but Kumar moves out of range.

Kumar tries to keep at a distance but Wakari has taken the fight into the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Wakari.

Wakari breaks the clinch.
Wakari feints and then cracks Kumar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kumar down.
Wakari throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kumar fails with a takedown attempt.

Wakari gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Wakari breaks the clinch.
Kumar gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Wakari counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Wakari.
Wakari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

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

Kumar tries to keep at a distance but Wakari has taken the fight into the clinch.

Wakari lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kumar is looking for a sweep. Wakari is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wakari lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wakari wants to control but Kumar is keeping him busy.
Kumar is looking for a sweep. Wakari is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wakari is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Kumar moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wakari trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kumar's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kumar gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Wakari counters with a thumping low kick.

Wakari clinches with his opponent.
Kumar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wakari just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kumar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wakari just stands there and leans against the cage.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kumar shoots and misses
and Wakari counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kumar's knee momentarily.

Wakari clinches with his opponent.

Wakari is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kumar is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Wakari to the mat. Wakari regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Kumar wants to pass the guard but Wakari is keeping the position.

Wakari kicks Kumar off and gets to his feet.

Wakari forces Kumar back against the cage and clinches.
Kumar tries to pull guard but Wakari won't allow it.
Wakari crunches a lovely knee into Kumar's ribcage.
Wakari trying to land knees to the body.
Kumar is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wakari pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Wakari gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kumar.

Wakari turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Wakari manages to end up in side control.
Wakari is looking to take a break and control but Kumar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Wakari has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kumar.
Wakari throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kumar with a lazy takedown attempt

and Wakari moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kumar managing to block the knees to the body from Wakari.

Wakari breaks from the clinch.

Wakari rushes Kumar and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kumar blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Kumar jumps into guard, dragging Wakari to the mat.
Kumar wants to sweep but no luck.
Kumar keeping moving, preventing Wakari from controlling successfully.
Kumar throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kumar had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Wakari is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kumar Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Wakari's back instead.
Wakari is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoko Wakari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kumar shoots in but no luck this time.

Wakari drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kumar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wakari controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Kumar throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wakari would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Wakari gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Wakari throws a head kick that misses.
Kumar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wakari circles away.
Wakari throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kumar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wakari shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Wakari decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kumar, up you get!
Kumar throws a right and a left that Wakari avoids nicely.
Wakari throws a nice outside leg kick.

Wakari fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kumar, pushing him back against the cage.
Wakari wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kumar tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Wakari manages to break the clinch.
Kumar tries to clinch but Wakari moves away

and Wakari holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Wakari manages to break the clinch.

Wakari gets a clinch.
Wakari can't break the clinch.

Kumar breaks the clinch.
Kumar closes the distance and clinches up with Wakari, looking for a takedown. Kumar pushes Wakari against the cage but Wakari circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Kumar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wakari keeps the fight on the outside.

Wakari clinches up with Kumar and pushes him back against the cage.
Kumar managing to block the knees to the body from Wakari.
Wakari tries to land a knee to the head but Kumar blocks with his arms.
Kumar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wakari just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kumar tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kumar blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wakari missing with knees to the body.
Wakari tries to land knees in the clinch but Kumar avoids the damage to the body.
Kumar fails to pull guard.
Kumar avoiding damage as Wakari throws knees to the body.

Wakari breaks from the clinch.
Wakari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Kumar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kumar drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wakari pulls his leg out and moves away.

Wakari has closed the distance and engaged Kumar in a clinch.

Wakari has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kumar uses from the top position.

Wakari kicks Kumar off and gets to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kumar keeps the fight on the outside.
No luck for Kumar with that takedown attempt.

Wakari rushes Kumar and presses him up against the cage.
Wakari missing with knees to the body.

Kumar pulls guard successfully.

Kumar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kumar trying to keep a closed guard but Wakari is proving a slippery customer.
Yoko Wakari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wakari scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kumar keeping moving, preventing Wakari from controlling successfully.

Kumar working for a triangle but Wakari defends it easily.
Kumar keeping full guard, as Wakari tries to pass.

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

Kumar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wakari wanted to stand there but Kumar had control of the position.
Harold Kumar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kumar has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wakari can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Wakari stands and steps away. Kumar gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kumar looks to land a combination but Wakari avoids it well.

Wakari gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Knees to the body from Wakari.
Wakari wants to break free but Kumar has control.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kumar.
Kumar tries for a takedown. No joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wakari manages to break the clinch.
Kumar missing with a left hand there. Wakari was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kumar throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Wakari clinches.
Yoko Wakari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wakari misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoko Wakari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Wakari 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoko Wakari!