PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dean Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuhiro Yamigawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Mason
vs
Yamigawa

166 cm
22
278 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
19
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dean Mason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuhiro Yamigawa!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mason gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mason wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mason obliges.

Yamigawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mason darts in looking for a takedown but Yamigawa gets double underhooks and turns Mason into the cage.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mason.
Yamigawa looks to score with a jab to the body but Mason is just out of range.
As Yamigawa tries to get set, Mason tries to push him back and clinch up but Yamigawa manages to avoid the attempt.
Mason shoots in looking for a takedown but Yamigawa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mason's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Despite the aggression on Yamigawa's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamigawa throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Dean Mason has been cut.
Mason tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Yamigawa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kazuhiro Yamigawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yamigawa defends well and Mason ends up having to push Yamigawa into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Yamigawa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mason sprawls well. Mason wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Yamigawa gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mason looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Yamigawa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mason manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Yamigawa is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Yamigawa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mason is proving hard to escape from.
Yamigawa tries to free his leg and advance position but Mason is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason keeping moving, preventing Yamigawa from controlling successfully.
Mason could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Yamigawa looking to pass the guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

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

Yamigawa shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Yamigawa was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamigawa trying to control the position but Mason is working away.
You can see the frustration on Mason's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yamigawa is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Mason's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Yamigawa goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mason has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Yamigawa but great work by Mason.
Yamigawa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mason wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Yamigawa wants to get back to his feet but Mason is dominant here and he's now got Yamigawa's back!
Yamigawa just trying to survive but Mason is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Mason is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Mason keeps control of the position as Yamigawa tries to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuhiro Yamigawa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dean Mason's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mason pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yamigawa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mason tries to avoid it but Yamigawa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mason to the ground. Mason escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yamigawa tries to clinch up.
As Yamigawa tries to get set, Mason tries to push him back and clinch up but Yamigawa manages to avoid the attempt.
Yamigawa fails to land the takedown.
Yamigawa lands a head kick!
Yamigawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Mason gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason lands a damaging elbow.

Mason is fighting off a takedown attempt but Yamigawa is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mason to the mat. Mason regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Yamigawa stays in close to Mason's body and controls the position.
Kazuhiro Yamigawa has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yamigawa gets to his feet. Mason looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Yamigawa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mason tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Yamigawa manages to circle out of the way.
Yamigawa closes the distance looking to clinch

and Mason decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yamigawa's guard.

Mason decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Yamigawa, up you get!

Mason closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Mason breaks from the clinch.
Mason shoots in looking for a takedown but Yamigawa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mason's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mason changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yamigawa tries to avoid it but Mason manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yamigawa to the ground. Yamigawa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yamigawa with the counter takedown but Mason avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mason darts in looking for a takedown but Yamigawa gets double underhooks and turns Mason into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamigawa closes the distance and clinches up with Mason, looking for a takedown. Yamigawa pushes Mason against the cage but Mason circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kazuhiro Yamigawa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mason tries to clinch up but Yamigawa circles away and keeps his distance.

Yamigawa shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Yamigawa was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Yamigawa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mason is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mason might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Yamigawa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mason keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason tries to improve position but can't.
Yamigawa wants to take a breather but Mason manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Yamigawa.
Yamigawa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Yamigawa stays in close to Mason's body and controls the position.
Mason keeping moving, preventing Yamigawa from controlling successfully.

That's four 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.
Yamigawa works over Mason with some ground and pound from guard.
Yamigawa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mason is proving hard to escape from.
Yamigawa wants to pass the guard but Mason is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mason thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Yamigawa is pushing down on Mason's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mason is fighting to maintain full guard but Yamigawa has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kazuhiro Yamigawa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Dean Mason's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Mason showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yamigawa.
Mason tries to clinch up.
Mason looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mason leaves Yamigawa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mason tries to counter by clinching up but Yamigawa breaks away and moves out of range.
Mason throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yamigawa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yamigawa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mason tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Yamigawa is in Mason's guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Yamigawa. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Yamigawa 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.
Yamigawa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mason's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamigawa trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.

Mason is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yamigawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Mason is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Yamigawa drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mason dives on top into guard.

Yamigawa 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.

That's two 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.
Mason stands up over Yamigawa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yamigawa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mason.

Yamigawa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Yamigawa looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Mason has picked Yamigawa up and slammed him! Yamigawa can't keep hold of the triangle and Mason manages to pass to side control!
Yamigawa takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Mason working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Yamigawa trying his best to control but Mason has mounted him.
Yamigawa tries to lock up and control but Mason gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four 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.
A nice elbow there by Mason.

Mason is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Yamigawa has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Yamigawa!
Mason wants to control but Yamigawa passes easily into half guard.
Yamigawa tries to pass to full mount but Mason defends it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yamigawa is looking to take a break and control but Mason is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kazuhiro Yamigawa.
I've got Yamigawa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kazuhiro Yamigawa!