PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenshin Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Fantana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fantana is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Sex Panther Is Out Tonight - Barry White feat. Brian Fantana. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Yamamoto
vs
Fantana

169 cm
32
147 lbs
17 - 3 - 0

165 cm
25
144 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenshin Yamamoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brian Fantana!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left lands for Yamamoto.
Yamamoto slips under a jab from Fantana.
Fantana misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto misses with a straight right.
Fantana walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Fantana steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto missing with a left hand there. Fantana was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fantana comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A jab from Fantana misses.
Fantana misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fantana scores with a jab. Yamamoto acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Yamamoto throws a hook but Fantana avoids it easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Fantana misses.
Yamamoto misses with a straight left.
Fantana lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Yamamoto slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto cracks Fantana with an open hand slap.
Yamamoto connects with a looping right hand.
Yamamoto throws the left hand but Fantana avoids the punch easily.
Fantana let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Yamamoto has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Yamamoto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yamamoto tries to counter with a takedown but Fantana is quick to defend against it.
Yamamoto takes one to the chin there.
Yamamoto slips a jab from Fantana.
A swing and a miss from Yamamoto.
A countering left hand to the body from Fantana misses.
Fantana moves out of range as Yamamoto strikes.
Fantana appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Fantana smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Yamamoto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fantana moves out of range as Yamamoto strikes.
Fantana uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yamamoto.
Fantana throws a counter combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yamamoto wants it to stay on the feet.
Yamamoto half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
No luck for Fantana with that takedown attempt.
Yamamoto ducks under a wild hook from Fantana.
Yamamoto scores with a hook to the body. Fantana takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamamoto staying out of range there.
Yamamoto looks to land a right hand but Fantana moved out of range.
Fantana is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Yamamoto with a body shot.
Fantana scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Yamamoto doesn't seem bothered though.
Yamamoto looks to land a left hand but Fantana moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Yamamoto misses the target.
Fantana with the counter takedown but Yamamoto avoids it easily.
Fantana misses with a body shot.
Fantana lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yamamoto.
Fantana misses with a looping right.
Yamamoto takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantana cracks Yamamoto with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yamamoto misses with a wild body shot.

Yamamoto fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Fantana to the ground. Yamamoto is now in Fantana's guard.
Yamamoto in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fantana keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantana has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Yamamoto with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana keeping full guard, as Yamamoto tries to pass.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Fantana keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fantana takes a swing at Yamamoto's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fantana. Yamamoto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantana uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Yamamoto.
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 Kenshin Yamamoto will probably get the nod.
That's time! Yamamoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fantana jabs at Yamamoto's body.
Brian Fantana seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yamamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fantana listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fantana connects with a right hand. Yamamoto shakes it off.
Yamamoto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantana misses with a straight right.
Fantana looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fantana throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yamamoto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto throws a body punch but Fantana moves out of range.
Yamamoto avoids the body shot from Fantana.
Yamamoto drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fantana sprawls and moves away.
Fantana scores with a shot to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Fantana.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana missing with a left hand there. Yamamoto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fantana loads up on a big right hand but Yamamoto slips the punch.
Yamamoto moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fantana takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Fantana slips under a jab.
Yamamoto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Yamamoto shoots in and bounces Fantana off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Yamamoto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yamamoto throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto throws a big right hand that misses.
Fantana is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamamoto is refusing to be controlled, as Fantana sits in half guard.
Fantana is stalling here. Yamamoto is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Fantana seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Yamamoto has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Yamamoto fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Fantana wants to control but Yamamoto postures up.
Yamamoto misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana is not content to let Yamamoto control the position.
Yamamoto tries to advance to mount but can't.
Fantana felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Kenshin Yamamoto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fantana is not content to let Yamamoto control the position.
Fantana struggling a bit here.
Fantana parries the strikes from Yamamoto easily there. Yamamoto is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Fantana to escape.

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.
Yamamoto working the body and head with strikes.

Yamamoto is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fantana is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ground and pound from Yamamoto seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Yamamoto working away.
Yamamoto in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Yamamoto wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Fantana, who protects the arm well.
Fantana avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Yamamoto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Brian Fantana will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fantana just misses with a punch to the body.
Yamamoto looks for a takedown but Fantana sprawls well.

Fantana gets a takedown into half guard.
Fantana looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Yamamoto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fantana.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fantana controlling the action here.
Yamamoto wants to control but Fantana is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana prevents Yamamoto from improving his position.
Fantana is keen to just control but Yamamoto is a slippery customer.
Fantana working over Yamamoto with some ground and pound. Yamamoto looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Yamamoto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fantana.
Yamamoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Yamamoto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fantana lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A shot to the body from Fantana misses

and Yamamoto counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Yamamoto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Yamamoto lands with a punch from half guard.

Yamamoto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fantana trying to hold on to Yamamoto's head to control him but Yamamoto postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Yamamoto missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yamamoto thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fantana's head.
Yamamoto is stalling here. Fantana is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Yamamoto seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Fantana has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Yamamoto gets back to half guard.
Yamamoto is trying to maintain the position but Fantana is very close to passing his half guard.

Yamamoto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fantana pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto works his way to full guard. Good work.
Yamamoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fantana with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fantana connects with a couple of short punches.
Fantana trying to control the position from guard on top but Yamamoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yamamoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fantana wants to pass the guard but Yamamoto is keeping the position.
Fantana wants to control from the top but Yamamoto keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Brian Fantana just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fantana lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Yamamoto scores with a punch to the head.
Yamamoto gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Yamamoto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fantana.
Yamamoto staying out of range there.
Yamamoto avoids the body shot from Fantana.
Yamamoto darts in looking for a takedown but Fantana gets double underhooks and turns Yamamoto into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yamamoto darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Yamamoto throwing shots but Fantana is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto controlling the action here.
Yamamoto has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Yamamoto is trying to work for a kimura but Fantana is defending well.

Yamamoto wants to work for an arm triangle but Fantana is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Fantana is trying is best to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fantana keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fantana connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fantana misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamamoto.
Fantana with a nice cross.

Yamamoto manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Fantana on his heels. He'll look to pass Fantana's guard now, I'm sure.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yamamoto accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Yamamoto drops back looking for a leg! Fantana is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Fantana manages to kick Yamamoto off! Yamamoto jumps back into Fantana's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto is looking to work some ground and pound but Fantana has wrist control.
Yamamoto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yamamoto accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Yamamoto is looking to work some ground and pound but Fantana has wrist control.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Fantana keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Fantana scores with a nice head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fantana looks to score with a jab to the body but Yamamoto is just out of range.
Yamamoto changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fantana misses with a wild body shot.
Yamamoto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yamamoto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fantana defending well as Yamamoto loads up on a big left hand.
Fantana jabs Yamamoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Fantana throws an ugly left hook that misses

so Yamamoto counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Yamamoto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamamoto preventing the sweep.
Fantana is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kenshin Yamamoto will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yamamoto looking to score a takedown here. Fantana is defending well but Yamamoto drives through and ends up in Fantana's guard.
Yamamoto with a flurry of punches that miss.
Yamamoto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yamamoto throwing strikes but missing.
Fantana wants to sweep here but Yamamoto controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto postures up in Fantana's guard and throws a big left but Fantana blocks it.
Fantana wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto throws an elbow that misses. Fantana uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Yamamoto's guard. Nice move by Fantana!

Yamamoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yamamoto lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Fantana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yamamoto is really struggling to control Fantana but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Yamamoto controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantana keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.
Fantana is adopting a defensive guard.
Yamamoto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yamamoto trying to control but Fantana is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fantana bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fantana misses with a hook. Yamamoto ducked under it nicely.
Yamamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yamamoto is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Yamamoto drives through with a takedown into guard.
Yamamoto landing some decent shots from guard.
Yamamoto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fantana works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yamamoto in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Fantana keeps moving.
Yamamoto throws a strike but Fantana rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana wants to control from the top but Yamamoto keeps moving.
Fantana is working Yamamoto over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Yamamoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yamamoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fantana wants to control from the top but Yamamoto keeps moving.
Fantana working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Yamamoto's head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenshin Yamamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Yamamoto has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 48:48
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 48:47
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Kenshin Yamamoto retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!