PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenta Yuudai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velasquez comes to the cage accompanied by Kryptonite. Cain Velasquez could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kenta Yuudai's chin.

Velasquez
vs
Yuudai

185 cm
34
260 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

195 cm
37
275 lbs
26 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kenta Yuudai!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Winston Howard and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez misses with the combination.
Jab, jab by Yuudai - just one landing.
Velasquez lands with an overhand left.

Velasquez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Velasquez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yuudai controlling the position.
Velasquez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yuudai is keeping the position for now.
Velasquez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velasquez won't allow Yuudai to get back to his feet.
Velasquez is looking to work some ground and pound but Yuudai has wrist control.
Velasquez prevents Yuudai from getting back to his feet.
Velasquez scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuudai has momentary wrist control but Velasquez slips an elbow through the middle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velasquez throws a strike but Yuudai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Velasquez tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Velasquez is looking for a triangle but Yuudai pushes his legs off easily.

Velasquez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yuudai is aware though and is defending well.
Yuudai wants to get up but he can't break Velasquez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Yuudai gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Yuudai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Velasquez paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Velasquez feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velasquez lands a couple of digs.
Velasquez throws a big elbow that misses.
Velasquez throws a strike but Yuudai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Velasquez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Velasquez 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuudai with a nice head shot there.
Velasquez keeping moving, preventing Yuudai from controlling successfully.

Velasquez looking for subs off his back but Yuudai has passed one foot through into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Yuudai stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Velasquez to get to his feet.
Velasquez misses with a straight left.
Velasquez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yuudai circles away.
Yuudai swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Velasquez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Velasquez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yuudai sprawls and moves away.

Yuudai drives through and clinches with Velasquez against the cage.
Velasquez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yuudai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Yuudai lands an uppercut.

Yuudai manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Yuudai counters with a straight right hand.
Velasquez takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Yuudai rushes Velasquez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Yuudai stalls.
Yuudai lands a left hand.
Velasquez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yuudai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yuudai prevents Velasquez from breaking the clinch.
Yuudai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Velasquez pulls guard effortlessly.
Velasquez trying to control the position.

Yuudai gets to his feet - Velasquez follows without any prompting.

Yuudai pushes Velasquez up against the cage in a clinch.
Velasquez misses with a punch on the inside.
Yuudai lands with a left to the head.
Yuudai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Velasquez avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez breaks from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yuudai is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velasquez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yuudai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Velasquez.
Velasquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Yuudai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Velasquez, pushing him back against the cage.
Yuudai tries to work over Velasquez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yuudai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Velasquez backwards.
Yuudai is trying to stall.
Velasquez avoids a wild elbow strike from Yuudai.
Velasquez looking for a takedown.
Velasquez lands a hook that snaps the head of Yuudai backwards.
Yuudai misses with a punch on the inside.
Yuudai can't find room to land a body shot as Velasquez controls the action.
Velasquez tries for a takedown but Yuudai manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenta Yuudai dominated 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.

Velasquez throws a body shot but no joy.
Velasquez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yuudai defends well and Velasquez ends up having to push Yuudai into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Yuudai swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Velasquez shoots for a takedown but Yuudai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Yuudai clinches up against the cage.
Yuudai presses Velasquez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Yuudai is pushing Velasquez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A short body shot lands from Yuudai as the two fighters clinch.
Yuudai lands an elbow just above Velasquez 's eye.
Yuudai taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Yuudai drags the fight down to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yuudai manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Velasquez blocks an elbow strike from Yuudai.
Velasquez wants to take the fight to the mat but Yuudai manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yuudai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Yuudai breaks the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yuudai thuds his right hand into Velasquez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuudai connects with the punch.
Yuudai swings for the body but Velasquez moves out of range.
Velasquez appears to be looking for a big counter.

Yuudai clinches up against the cage.
Velasquez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yuudai walks away with a smile on his face. Velasquez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Velasquez fails with a takedown attempt.
Yuudai wants to clinch.
Velasquez misses with a takedown

and Yuudai counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Yuudai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Velasquez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yuudai's waist but Yuudai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Velasquez off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yuudai closes the distance and clinches.
Kenta Yuudai seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Yuudai gets control of Velasquez's arms and successfully pulls guard. Yuudai will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Velasquez postures up in Yuudai's guard and throws a big left but Yuudai blocks it.
Velasquez throwing strikes but missing.
Velasquez connects with a couple of short punches.
Yuudai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Velasquez postures up.
Velasquez throwing strikes but missing.
Velasquez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Yuudai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Velasquez.
Yuudai pulls Velasquez in close to prevent any damage.
Yuudai is continuing to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is looking to pass into half guard but Yuudai pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Yuudai is in guard.

Velasquez is looking for a triangle but Yuudai pushes his legs off easily.
Yuudai trying to control but Velasquez is working from the bottom.
Yuudai stays in close to Velasquez's body and controls the position.
Yuudai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Velasquez's guard.
Yuudai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velasquez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.
Yuudai sitting in guard here, content to control.
Velasquez is trying to keep Yuudai in close.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Yuudai is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Yuudai with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Yuudai keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Velasquez's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Velasquez tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Velasquez working for a triangle but Yuudai defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenta Yuudai 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! This is the final round!

Yuudai wants to clinch.
Yuudai tries to clinch up
and Velasquez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yuudai fails in his attempt to clinch.

Velasquez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Yuudai was covering up waiting for the punch and Velasquez finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Yuudai is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velasquez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Yuudai gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Velasquez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Yuudai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Velasquez avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuudai misses with some punches.

Velasquez pulls Yuudai into guard.
Velasquez wants to control but Yuudai passes easily into half guard.

Velasquez actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yuudai scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Velasquez won't allow Yuudai to pass to mount.
Velasquez wants to control but Yuudai is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Yuudai wants to take a breather but Velasquez is having none of it.
Yuudai looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Velasquez has hold of Yuudai's hands but Yuudai slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Yuudai stops Velasquez from getting back to his feet.

Yuudai is looking for a kimura here.
Velasquez tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuudai working Velasquez over with strikes.
Yuudai is trying to control. Velasquez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Yuudai seems to be looking for submissions.
Yuudai is looking to take a break and control but Velasquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Yuudai wants to get back to his feet.
Velasquez looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yuudai is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Yuudai prevents Velasquez from improving his position.
Kenta Yuudai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yuudai lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Velasquez wants to control but Yuudai is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Velasquez is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Super SmashBros., so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Velasquez punching from the bottom.
Velasquez is looking to control Yuudai's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Velasquez avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Yuudai shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Velasquez's guard.

Yuudai decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Velasquez, up you get!
Yuudai throws a left and a right that both miss

and Velasquez counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Yuudai!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yuudai keeps working.
Velasquez tries to score with some ground and pound. Yuudai controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Velasquez cracks Yuudai with an elbow. That is naaassty.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The strikes coming from Velasquez are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Velasquez throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Cain Velasquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Velasquez swings around for an armbar but Yuudai sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Velasquez's guard.
Yuudai controls from within his opponent's guard.

Yuudai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Velasquez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Yuudai has managed to get both his arms back between Velasquez's legs - danger averted.
Yuudai is stalling in the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenta Yuudai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yuudai has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenta Yuudai!
An out of breath Kenta Yuudai thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.