PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rimhak Wonha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenshin Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenshin Yamamoto acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Wonha
vs
Yamamoto

154 cm
27
147 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

169 cm
35
147 lbs
20 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rimhak Wonha!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenshin Yamamoto!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wonha slips a straight right by Yamamoto.
As Yamamoto backs away, Wonha returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Yamamoto throws a good cross that connects.
Yamamoto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wonha tries to avoid it but Yamamoto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wonha to the ground. Wonha escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wonha throws a sloppy head kick

and Yamamoto counters with a single leg into guard. Wonha didn't expect that.
Wonha keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.
Yamamoto works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Wonha wants to improve his position but Yamamoto is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Yamamoto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto trying to control from half guard but Wonha is working away.
Wonha tries to get to full guard but Yamamoto has control of the leg.
Wonha is staying active underneath Yamamoto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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

Yamamoto is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Yamamoto takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yamamoto throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Yamamoto is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Wonha is just riding it out for now. Yamamoto eventually gives up the hold.
Wonha on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto slows the pace down in half guard.

Yamamoto seems to be working for a kimura but Wonha defends the submission attempt.
Wonha wants to improve his position but Yamamoto is controlling well.
Wonha avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yamamoto.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Yamamoto misses with a straight right.
Wonha tried to counter with a leg kick but Yamamoto avoided it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wonha throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Yamamoto's head.
Wonha on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Yamamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Wonha moves out of range easily.
Wonha scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Wonha throws a leg kick but Yamamoto sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yamamoto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wonha misses with a leg kick

so Yamamoto counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wonha 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Yamamoto postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Wonha is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Yamamoto, into his guard.

Wonha might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Yamamoto wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenshin Yamamoto dominated that round.
That's time! Wonha's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yamamoto avoids a kick to the body.
Yamamoto with the counter takedown but Wonha avoids it easily.
Yamamoto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot.
Wonha looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Yamamoto with a nice cross.
Yamamoto is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Wonha misses with a leg kick

and Yamamoto counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Yamamoto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Yamamoto has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto trying to mount his opponent but Wonha defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura but Wonha is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Yamamoto to get the leverage.
Yamamoto missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Yamamoto throws a strike but Wonha avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Wonha keeps moving.
Yamamoto chips away with some ground and pound.
Yamamoto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two 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 won't allow Wonha to sweep him here.
Wonha preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yamamoto throws a strike but Wonha rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Wonha won't allow Yamamoto to sweep him here.
Kenshin Yamamoto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wonha trying to control but Yamamoto is working from the bottom.
Yamamoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wonha is one step ahead there.

Yamamoto has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Wonha is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Yamamoto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto tries to buck Wonha off but Wonha is having none of it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Yamamoto prevents Wonha from moving into mount.
Yamamoto is looking for a sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wonha tries to move into range but Yamamoto moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Yamamoto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wonha is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Yamamoto with the counter takedown but Wonha avoids it easily.
A low kick from Wonha misses

and Yamamoto counters with a nice double leg into side control. Wonha won't be happy with that.
Yamamoto working away.

Yamamoto is trying to get an arm triangle but Wonha is defending well.
Wonha parries the strikes from Yamamoto easily there. Yamamoto is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Wonha to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wonha tries to bench press Yamamoto off him but Yamamoto keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenshin Yamamoto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Yamamoto fails with a takedown attempt.
Wonha tries to counter by clinching up but Yamamoto breaks away and moves out of range.
Yamamoto shoots in looking for a takedown. Wonha tries to sprawl out of it but Yamamoto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wonha manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wonha with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wonha buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yamamoto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wonha circles away.
Wonha appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Rimhak Wonha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenshin Yamamoto.
Wonha turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wonha uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamamoto.
Wonha slips under a jab from Yamamoto.
A shot to the body from Yamamoto misses
and Wonha counters with a nice uppercut.
Wonha throws a sloppy head kick and Yamamoto moves out of range easily.
Yamamoto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yamamoto throws out a loose jab but Wonha uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wonha thinks about countering with a head kick.
Kenshin Yamamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamamoto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yamamoto misses with a straight left.
Wonha is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Yamamoto.
A nice inside leg kick there by Wonha. That's going to slow Yamamoto down.
Yamamoto throws a right hand that misses
and Wonha counters with a nice low kick that buckles Yamamoto's knee momentarily.
Yamamoto is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Yamamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wonha manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto misses with a right hand
enabling Wonha to counter with a crisp jab.
Yamamoto avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Wonha is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Wonha fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Wonha throws a low kick but Yamamoto moves out of range easily.
Yamamoto scores with a punch to the head.
Yamamoto throws a lazy right hand but Wonha sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Wonha is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Yamamoto.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamamoto lands a body shot.
A big right from Yamamoto misses.
Wonha tries to counter by clinching up but Yamamoto breaks away and moves out of range.
Yamamoto avoids the head kick by Wonha.
Wonha misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Wonha.
Yamamoto scores with a jab. Wonha acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A head kick misses from Wonha.
Yamamoto dives in for a single leg takedown but Wonha sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
No luck for Yamamoto with that takedown attempt.
Wonha slips under a jab.
Wonha appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Wonha on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Wonha misses with a head kick.
Yamamoto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wonha sprawls well. Wonha wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Yamamoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Yamamoto might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wonha fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Yamamoto has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Yamamoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wonha tries to counter by clinching up but Yamamoto breaks away and moves out of range.
Wonha lands with a thumping leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wonha tries a head kick but it misses.
Yamamoto cracks Wonha with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rimhak Wonha clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Wonha wants to clinch up but Yamamoto keeps it at a distance.
Wonha throws a low kick but Yamamoto moves out of range easily.
Yamamoto tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Yamamoto lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Yamamoto goes for a double leg but Wonha avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Wonha continues to drive forward.
Yamamoto blocks a head kick by Wonha.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that half lands.
Yamamoto shoots in for a takedown but Wonha shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto with a jab.
A swing and a miss from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wonha.
Yamamoto's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Yamamoto looks to land a left hand but Wonha moved out of range nicely.
Wonha is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Yamamoto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wonha thumps Yamamoto with a low kick.
Rimhak Wonha is winning the standup battle so far.
Yamamoto fails with a takedown attempt.
Rimhak Wonha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenshin Yamamoto.
Yamamoto misses with a left hand
and Wonha counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Yamamoto checks a leg kick.
Yamamoto takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rimhak Wonha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wonha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yamamoto is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Yamamoto takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto cracks Wonha with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yamamoto moves out of range as Wonha throws a body kick.
Yamamoto scores with a decent looking hook.
Wonha gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Yamamoto cracks Wonha with a good jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wonha ducks under a wild hook from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Wonha can pounce on him.
Wonha moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Wonha 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Yamamoto connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Yamamoto throws a body punch but Wonha moves out of range.
Yamamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Wonha.
Yamamoto scores with the left hand. Wonha knows he should have avoided that one.
A head kick misses from Yamamoto.
That kick from Wonha tenderised Yamamoto's leg. Yamamoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Wonha connects with a jab.
Wonha looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yamamoto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wonha tries to avoid it but Yamamoto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wonha to the ground. Wonha escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wonha lands with a kick to the ribs.
Yamamoto stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Wonha.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good shot there by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto dives in for a single leg takedown but Wonha sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Wonha uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Yamamoto.
Wonha throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Wonha scores with a spinning back kick!
Wonha scores with a leg kick.
Wonha lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
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 Rimhak Wonha will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Yamamoto scores with a hook to the body. Wonha takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wonha tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yamamoto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wonha tries to clinch up.
Wonha feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Yamamotos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Yamamoto misses the jab.
Wonha uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wonha lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yamamoto's sensitive parts.
Wonha throws a head kick that misses

and Yamamoto counters with a single leg into guard. Wonha didn't expect that.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yamamoto accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto preventing the sweep.
Yamamoto stands up over Wonha, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Wonha keeps moving.
Yamamoto passes Wonha's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

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

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wonha is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Wonha holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Yamamoto is just content to waste time from the top position. Wonha takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Yamamoto throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wonha steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yamamoto.
Wonha seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Wonha throws a leg kick but Yamamoto sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Wonha gets a clinch.
Wonha with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Yamamoto avoids a wild elbow strike from Wonha.
Yamamoto wants to take the fight to the mat but Wonha manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Yamamoto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wonha tries to clinch there but Yamamoto circles away.
Good leg kick by Wonha there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Yamamoto takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Wonha fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
That kick from Wonha tenderised Yamamoto's leg. Yamamoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Wonha misses with a low kick.
Yamamoto looks to land a left hand but Wonha moved out of range nicely.
Wonha lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wonha with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wonha darts in trying to clinch

and Yamamoto counters with a takedown into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenshin Yamamoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yamamoto has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 47:49
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenshin Yamamoto!
Kenshin Yamamoto is the new bantamweight champion!
After winning the bout, Kenshin Yamamoto thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.