PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kotetsu Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rollo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie has chosen Jiu Jitsu: Apaga Mas Não Bate as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Yamamoto
vs
Gracie

168 cm
21
149 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

171 cm
28
154 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Highland Clothing
M.O. Fight Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kotetsu Yamamoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rollo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamamoto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A jab from Yamamoto finds it's way through Gracie's defenses.
Yamamoto fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yamamoto connects with a body shot.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A little feinted left hand from Yamamoto on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gracie shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Yamamoto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Gracie drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Yamamoto defends it well.
Yamamoto just misses with a punch to the body.
A lazy body kick from Gracie
and Yamamoto counters with a series of strikes. Gracie will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gracie tries to score with a low kick but Yamamoto moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Yamamoto misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Yamamoto tries to clinch but Gracie moves out of range.
Yamamoto connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yamamoto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gracie misses with a head kick.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yamamoto throws out the jab.
Yamamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Gracie doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Yamamoto misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Yamamoto avoids it easily.
Yamamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamamoto.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Yamamoto pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yamamoto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yamamoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Yamamoto checks a leg kick.
Gracie defending well as Yamamoto loads up on a big left hand.

Gracie takes the fight into the clinch.
Yamamoto tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
A right hand to the body from Yamamoto.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Yamamoto turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Yamamoto working aggressively here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yamamoto stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto lands a hook to the side of the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Gracie.
Gracie receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Still in the clinch, Yamamoto scores with a nice short uppercut.
Yamamoto lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gracie has Yamamoto pushed against the cage.
Gracie misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yamamoto just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kotetsu Yamamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
Yamamoto tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Yamamoto lands a left hand.
Gracie looking to slow down the pace here.
Yamamoto digs a right hand underneath Gracie's ribcage. Gracie let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yamamoto to keep the fight standing.
Gracie has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Yamamoto seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Gracie can turn it around.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yamamoto smiles and moves away.

Gracie has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Yamamoto lands with a left to the head.
Yamamoto struggles to land a body shot inside as Gracie controls his hands.
Gracie misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yamamoto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yamamoto effectively controlling the action here.
A bit of stalling here from Gracie.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yamamoto smiles and moves away.
Gracie takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Yamamoto throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie moves in looking to clinch but Yamamoto pushes him off.
Yamamoto swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kotetsu Yamamoto dominated that 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.

Gracie avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Gracie eats them both and turns towards Yamamoto to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Sloppy strikes from Yamamoto. Those never looked like landing.

Gracie scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Yamamoto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie wants to control but Yamamoto is keeping him busy.
Yamamoto is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie is staying tight to Yamamoto's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Yamamoto wants to control but Gracie postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the action but Yamamoto is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Gracie trying to control the position but Yamamoto is working away.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Yamamoto knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Yamamoto tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Gracie tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gracie has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Yamamoto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Yamamoto is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
Yamamoto is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Rings Russia, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Gracie working the ground and pound but Yamamoto is defending the strikes.
You can see the frustration on Yamamoto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto prevents Gracie from improving position.
Gracie scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Yamamoto to see if he's OK.
Yamamoto is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yamamoto keeps working.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Yamamoto tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but Yamamoto denies him.
Gracie wants to control but Yamamoto is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto is looking to reverse the position.
Yamamoto is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Gracie off and has taken his back!
Yamamoto is trying to stick to Gracie's back but Gracie is turning into Yamamoto. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Yamamoto's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gracie.
Gracie is pushing down on Yamamoto's leg trying to pass to half guard. Yamamoto is fighting to maintain full guard but Gracie has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gracie wants to take a breather but Yamamoto is having none of it.
Yamamoto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Yamamoto is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamamoto trying to control here.
Yamamoto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rollo Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Yamamoto with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gracie throws a body shot but no joy.
Gracie dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yamamoto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gracie under the eye.
Gracie moves in looking to clinch but Yamamoto pushes him off.
Gracie throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gracie stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gracie throws a solid leg kick but Yamamoto takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gracie.
Yamamoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kotetsu Yamamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Yamamoto circles away and keeps his distance.
Yamamoto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Yamamoto connects with a crisp jab.

Gracie clinches up with Yamamoto and pushes him back against the cage.
Yamamoto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yamamoto to keep the fight standing.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gracie controlling the action here for a moment.
Gracie looking to throw knees to the head but Yamamoto is blocking nicely.
Yamamoto scores with a shot to the side of Gracie's head.

Gracie manages to break the clinch.
Gracie tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yamamoto defends well and Gracie ends up having to push Yamamoto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Yamamoto went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Yamamoto misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Yamamoto.
Gracie takes one to the chin there.
Yamamoto throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Yamamoto throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamamoto. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yamamoto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yamamoto lands with a shot to the body.
Yamamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Yamamoto tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Yamamoto looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Yamamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Gracie tries to clinch there but Yamamoto circles away.

Yamamoto moves into the clinch.
Yamamoto can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Gracie tries to land knees in the clinch but Yamamoto avoids the damage to the body.
Gracie displaying some good clinch control by pressing Yamamoto up against the cage.
Gracie trying to stall but Yamamoto improves his position.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Yamamoto has him pressed against the cage.
Kotetsu Yamamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
Yamamoto misses with a punch to the body.
Yamamoto misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Yamamoto tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yamamoto misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Yamamoto as the two fighters clinch.
Gracie jumps guard but Yamamoto stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gracie as Yamamoto tries to tie him up.
Kotetsu Yamamoto has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gracie tries to land knees in the clinch but Yamamoto avoids the damage to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Yamamoto working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gracie avoiding damage.
Gracie wants to stall.
Gracie throws an elbow that misses.
Yamamoto controlling the action here for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Yamamoto misses with a straight right.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
It looked like Yamamoto was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Gracie.
A swing and a miss from Yamamoto.
Gracie throws a body shot but no joy.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gracie fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Yamamoto checks it well.
Yamamoto is looking to counter punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yamamoto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yamamoto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gracie throws out the jab.
Yamamoto seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Yamamoto misses.
Gracie wants to counter the offense by Yamamoto and move into the clinch position.
Gracie tries to clinch but Yamamoto is having none of it.
As Gracie looks to move away, Yamamoto throws a big counter combo but Gracie just gets out of the way.
Kotetsu Yamamoto is winning the standup battle so far.
Yamamoto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yamamoto wants it to stay on the feet.
Yamamoto rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Gracie counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Good body shot from Yamamoto.
Gracie trying to stall but Yamamoto improves his position.
Yamamoto blocking some punches.
Yamamoto lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gracie.
Yamamoto tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yamamoto lands a body punch in the clinch.
Gracie is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Yamamoto lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Yamamoto holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Yamamoto.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gracie with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Yamamoto stalling.
Gracie is looking to break free of the clinch but Yamamoto has double underhooks.
Yamamoto scores with a shoulder strike.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yamamoto to keep the fight standing.
Kotetsu Yamamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
Yamamoto blocks an elbow strike.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Yamamoto lands with a left to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie being controlled against the cage.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Gracie has Yamamoto pushed against the cage.
Gracie has Yamamoto pushed against the cage.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Yamamoto forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gracie's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A hook to the body from Yamamoto.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yamamoto walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Yamamoto connects with a looping right hand.
Nice sprawl there from Yamamoto as Gracie shoots in.
A little feinted left hand from Yamamoto on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Yamamoto loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Gracie wants to counter the offense by Yamamoto and move into the clinch position.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yamamoto as he avoids it easily.
Yamamoto connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Yamamoto throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Yamamoto fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gracie on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto connects with a body shot.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Yamamoto circles away and keeps his distance.
Kotetsu Yamamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Yamamoto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gracie, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Come on Gracie - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Yamamoto softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Yamamoto scores with a shoulder strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gracie as Yamamoto tries to tie him up.
Yamamoto's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gracie jumps guard but Yamamoto stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kotetsu Yamamoto had his way with Rollo Gracie in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Gracie tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yamamoto defends well and Gracie ends up having to push Yamamoto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Yamamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gracie tries to clinch there but Yamamoto circles away.
Yamamoto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Yamamoto avoids it easily.
Yamamoto misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Yamamoto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yamamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Yamamoto jabs at Gracie's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto scores with a jab to the body.
Yamamoto looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Gracie fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yamamoto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Yamamoto defends it well.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yamamoto.

Gracie darts in and clinches Yamamoto up against the cage.
Yamamoto pressing his opponent against the cage.
Yamamoto lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gracie is looking to control Yamamoto's arms but Yamamoto gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gracie has his back to the cage.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Gracie pulls guard successfully.
Yamamoto works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gracie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Yamamoto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Yamamoto's back!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamamoto tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Yamamoto wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Gracie is looking to work his way around to Yamamoto's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Gracie prevents Yamamoto from getting the reversal.
Yamamoto is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Gracie looking to secure an arm triangle but Yamamoto defends it well.
Yamamoto is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto tries to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Yamamoto is looking to get to half guard.
Gracie looking to control but Yamamoto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gracie wants to take his opponent's back but Yamamoto doesn't allow it.
Kotetsu Yamamoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yamamoto is squirming around, avoiding Gracie's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yamamoto wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Yamamoto is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gracie is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Yamamoto stops Gracie from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Yamamoto regains half guard.
Yamamoto trying to control but Gracie postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie is pressing down on Yamamoto's thigh, looking to free his foot. Yamamoto is holding on for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kotetsu Yamamoto.
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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 49:46
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 49:46
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kotetsu Yamamoto!
Kotetsu Yamamoto retains his featherweight title!
Post fight, Kotetsu Yamamoto took to the microphone: 'We are NJPW!!!'.