PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yeralear Imaimashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bao Bai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Imaimashi comes to the cage accompanied by Slaves - Feed the Mantaray. Bai is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm. Yeralear Imaimashi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Imaimashi
vs
Bai

188 cm
24
188 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
198 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yeralear Imaimashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bao Bai!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yuuki Gou and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bai takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Imaimashi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Imaimashi lands a nice shot that snaps Bai's head back.

Bai forces Imaimashi back against the cage and clinches.
Bai avoiding damage as Imaimashi throws knees to the body.

Imaimashi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bai shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Imaimashi sprawls well. Imaimashi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bai gets slowly back to his feet.
Bai wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Imaimashi.
Bai shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Imaimashi as he avoids it easily.
Bai fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Imaimashi is looking to counter the offense by Bai and move into the clinch.
Yeralear Imaimashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bao Bai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bai rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Imaimashi counters with a series of strikes. Bai will be more careful next time no doubt.
Yeralear Imaimashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Imaimashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Bai.
Imaimashi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bai moves into the clinch.

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

Imaimashi moves into the clinch.
Imaimashi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Imaimashi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bai.
Imaimashi shoots in but Bai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Imaimashi throws a series of punches but Bai moves out of range.
Bai takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Imaimashi closes the distance and clinches.
Imaimashi lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Imaimashi breaks the clinch.
Imaimashi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Bai forces Imaimashi back against the cage and clinches.

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

Imaimashi moves into range and clinches up with Bai.

Imaimashi breaks from the clinch.
Bai tries to clinch there but Imaimashi circles away.
Imaimashi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice takedown defense from Bai. No joy for Imaimashi on that attempt.
Imaimashi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imaimashi throws a body kick that misses.
Imaimashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Bai.
Imaimashi tries to work over Bai's front leg with a kick but Bai checks it.
Imaimashi fails to land with a series of punches.
Bai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bai is defended easily by Imaimashi.
Bai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bai closes this distance looking for a takedown but Imaimashi circles away.
Bai is looking to clinch.

Imaimashi has closed the distance and engaged Bai in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Imaimashi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bai has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Imaimashi.
Bai slips a jab and a cross from Imaimashi.
Sloppy strikes from Imaimashi. Those never looked like landing.
Bai avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bai shoots in but Imaimashi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Imaimashi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bai's sensitive parts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Imaimashi looks for a takedown but Bai sprawls well.

Imaimashi drives through and clinches with Bai against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bai has taken the fight to the clinch.
Imaimashi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Bai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Imaimashi stuffs the takedown attempt from Bai. Bai gets slowly back to his feet.
Bai is looking to clinch but Imaimashi is avoiding it.
Bai is looking to clinch.
Imaimashi throws a big counter combination but Bai scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bai avoids the body shot from Imaimashi.

Bai forces Imaimashi back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bai breaks from the clinch.
A slow jab from Imaimashi misses its intended target.
Imaimashi jabs at Bai's body.

Imaimashi takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bai manages to break the clinch.
Bai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Yeralear Imaimashi is winning the standup battle so far.
Bai tries to clinch but Imaimashi moves out of range.

Bai gets tackled into the cage by Imaimashi. Imaimashi maintains the clinch.
Imaimashi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bai can do to turn this around?

Imaimashi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A nice inside leg kick there by Imaimashi. That's going to slow Bai down.
Imaimashi misses with a combination
and Bai counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A chopping leg kick lands by Imaimashi.
Bai leaves Imaimashi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Bai's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Bai has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Bai throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bai wants to clinch up but Imaimashi keeps it at a distance.
Bai on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Imaimashi. Imaimashi obviously looking to wear him down.
Yeralear Imaimashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Imaimashi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bai tries to clinch but Imaimashi moves away
and Imaimashi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bai avoids the head kick by Imaimashi.
Imaimashi misses the shot to the body.
Bai is looking to clinch.
Imaimashi keeps the fight on the outside.

Bai moves into the clinch.

Imaimashi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Imaimashi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Bai tries to clinch up but Imaimashi circles away and keeps his distance.
Imaimashi throws a right hand that Bai ducks under and follows up with a left that Bai also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bai moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Imaimashi has Bai up against the cage in a clinch.

Imaimashi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Imaimashi lands a leg kick that knocks Bai off balance momentarily.
Bai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
An attempted straight right counter from Imaimashi misses the target.

Bai tries to keep at a distance but Imaimashi has taken the fight into the clinch.

Imaimashi manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imaimashi stuns Bai with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A punch combination from Imaimashi misses.
Bai tries to counter by closing the distance.
Bai moves in looking to clinch but Imaimashi pushes him off.
Bai tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Imaimashi looks to score with a jab to the body but Bai is just out of range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A punch combination from Imaimashi misses.
Imaimashi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bai blocks a head kick by Imaimashi.

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

Imaimashi breaks from the clinch.
A punch combination from Imaimashi misses.
Imaimashi shoots for a double leg takedown but Bai sprawls well. He's pushed Imaimashi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bai dodges the punch combination from Imaimashi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yeralear Imaimashi dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Imaimashi has a takedown stuffed.
Bai doesn't manage to clinch there - Imaimashi circles away.
Imaimashi tries to counter with a takedown but Bai is quick to defend against it.

Imaimashi rushes Bai and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bai struggles to land a body shot inside as Imaimashi controls his hands.

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

Bai instigates a clinch.

Imaimashi breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good leg kick by Imaimashi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bai stuffs the takedown.
A good leg kick by Imaimashi.
Imaimashi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bai has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bai darts in and clinches Imaimashi up against the cage.
Bai lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Imaimashi breaks from the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bai breaks from the clinch.
Bai changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Imaimashi tries to avoid it but Bai manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Imaimashi to the ground. Imaimashi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Imaimashi. Bai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Imaimashi lands with a good body shot.
Imaimashi throws a nice looking combination but Bai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imaimashi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bai slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheers as Bai lands an impressive looking overhand right. Imaimashi doesn't seem phased though.

Bai has managed to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Imaimashi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Imaimashi is defended easily by Bai.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yeralear Imaimashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Imaimashi misses with a double jab.
Imaimashi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bai unleashes a big counter combination but Imaimashi bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bai pushes Imaimashi up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imaimashi tries for a takedown but Bai manages to get underhooks.

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

Bai has Imaimashi up against the cage in a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Imaimashi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Imaimashi throws the left hand but Bai avoids the punch easily.
Imaimashi is looking to wear down Bai with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Imaimashi misses with a wild combination.
Bai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
It looked like Imaimashi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bai.
Imaimashi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imaimashi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bai.
Bai doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A left and a right from Imaimashi both land. Nice combination.
Imaimashi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bai tries to bum rush Imaimashi with a series of wild strikes but Imaimashi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bai tries to clinch but Imaimashi moves out of range.

Bai drives through and clinches with Imaimashi against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bai is trying to pull guard but Imaimashi has him pressed against the cage.
Imaimashi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Imaimashi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
That kick from Imaimashi tenderised Bai's leg. Bai is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bao Bai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yeralear Imaimashi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Imaimashi lands with a kick to the temple. Bai shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

And that's the end of the fight!
Yeralear Imaimashi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Imaimashi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yeralear Imaimashi!
Post fight, an emotional Yeralear Imaimashi said 'I won? Say whaaaa-?'.