PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenta Yagami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Sai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Yagami
vs
Sai

175 cm
20
139 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
20
145 lbs
1 - 13 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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, Kenta Yagami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Sai!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yagami is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sai's half guard.
Sai avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yagami.

Yagami decides to return to a standing position.
Sai fails with a takedown attempt.

Yagami drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yagami stops Sai from standing up.
Yagami looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sai is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yagami looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sai is trying to control the position but Yagami postures up.
Yagami sitting in guard, not really doing much.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

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.

Yagami gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Yagami stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yagami wants it to stay on the feet.
Yagami stuffs the takedown.
Kenta Yagami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Sai.
Sai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sai stuffs the takedown attempt from Yagami. Yagami gets slowly back to his feet.
Sai tries to clinch but Yagami is having none of it.
Yagami changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sai tries to avoid it but Yagami manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sai to the ground. Sai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sai fails to land the takedown.
Yagami keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sai shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yagami but Yagami pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yagami shoots in looking for a takedown. Sai tries to sprawl out of it but Yagami keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sai manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Yagami takes the fight into the clinch.

Sai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yagami shoots in for a takedown but Sai shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sai tries to counter with a clinch but Yagami shakes him off and moves away.
Yagami shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sai is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Yagami instigates a clinch.
Yagami changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sai fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Yagami moves into the clinch successfully.
A shot in the inside from Sai.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice elbow from Sai.
Sai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Yagami avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenta Yagami dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sai tries to clinch but Yagami is having none of it.
Kenta Yagami is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sai fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yagami fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Yagami is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sai can do to turn this around?
Sai tries for a takedown but Yagami sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yagami shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sai as he avoids it easily.
Sai tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Yagami has closed the distance and engaged Sai in a clinch.
Sai blocks the elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yagami gets control of Sai's arms and successfully pulls guard. Yagami will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Yagami bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sai's guard.

Yagami trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Sai is working an open guard so Yagami takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yagami fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenta Yagami. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yagami is fending him off so far but Sai persists. Nope, Yagami circles away and we're back to standing.
Sai fails with the takedown
and Yagami counters with a two punch combo.
A head kick misses from Sai.

Yagami gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sai tries for a takedown but Yagami manages to get underhooks.
Yagami has Sai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Sai moves into the clinch successfully.
Yagami trying to stall but Sai improves his position.
Sai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sai is pressed up against the cage. Yagami has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sai down to the mat. Sai avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sai fails with a takedown attempt.
Sai tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yagami defends well and Sai ends up having to push Yagami into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kenta Yagami is winning the standup battle so far.
Yagami stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yagami wants it to stay on the feet.
Yagami fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kenta Yagami seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yagami leaves Sai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It looked like Yagami was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sai.
Yagami throws a nice looking combination but Sai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sai drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Yagami defends it well.
Yagami avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sai avoids the head kick by Yagami.

Sai clinches with his opponent.
Yagami blocking some punches.
Yagami takes an elbow to the forehead.
Yagami tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sai smiles and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sai.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yagami shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sai as he jumps to the side.
Sai drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Yagami defends it well.
Sai darts in looking for a takedown but Yagami gets double underhooks and turns Sai into the cage.

Sai drives through and clinches with Yagami against the cage.
Joe Sai seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Yagami is pressed up against the cage. Sai has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yagami down to the mat. Yagami avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Yagami looks for a takedown but Sai sprawls well.
Sai is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Yagami moves into the clinch successfully.
Yagami tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sai just stands there and leans against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenta Yagami dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sai fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yagami avoids it really well and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yagami tries to throw a body punch but Sai avoids it by throwing Yagami back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yagami goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sai prevents it.
Yagami fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yagami tries to land a knee to the head but Sai blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sai looking for a takedown.

Yagami's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Sai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Yagami is pressed up against the cage. Sai has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yagami down to the mat. Yagami avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kenta Yagami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Sai.

Sai moves into the clinch.
Sai goes for a takedown attempt but Yagami pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Yagami shoots in and drives through. Sai sprawls well.
Sai steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Yagami.
Yagami fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yagami tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sai lands with a kick to the temple. Yagami shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Yagami fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sai, pushing him back against the cage.
Yagami jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sai walks away with a smile on his face. Yagami gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sai is defended easily by Yagami.
As Sai tries to get set, Yagami tries to push him back and clinch up but Sai manages to avoid the attempt.
Yagami shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sai pinned against the cage. Sai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Sai rushes Yagami and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yagami misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sai.
Sai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yagami's elbow.
Yagami wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Yagami wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Yagami working aggressively here.

Sai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sai goes for a double leg but Yagami avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Yagami continues to drive forward.
Yagami closes the distance and clinches up with Sai, looking for a takedown. Yagami pushes Sai against the cage but Sai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sai shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yagami sprawls well. Yagami wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sai gets slowly back to his feet.
As Sai looks to move away, Yagami throws a big counter combo bu Sai just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yagami throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yagami displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sai.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sai.
Yagami shoots in but Sai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sai unleashes a big counter combination but Yagami bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sai closes the distance and clinches.
Joe Sai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kenta Yagami is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yagami tries for a takedown. No joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joe Sai.
I think Yagami 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenta Yagami!