PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kotetsu Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francisco Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Yamamoto
vs
Costa

168 cm
24
149 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

172 cm
24
158 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$)

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kotetsu Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Francisco Costa!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamamoto tests Costa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yamamoto swats away the attempt to clinch by Costa.
Yamamoto takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Yamamoto lands a nice looking body shot.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Costa.
Costa has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Yamamoto digs a good hook to Costa's body.
Yamamoto takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Costa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yamamoto scores with a shot to the body.
Yamamoto blocks a head kick by Costa.
Yamamoto throws a body shot but no joy.
Costa connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Costa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yamamoto keeps the fight on the outside.
Yamamoto takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Yamamoto connects with a body shot that sends Costa's belly button to the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamamoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto misses with a straight right.
Yamamoto lands with a good body shot.
Costa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Costa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Costa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Yamamoto throws a predictable looking body shot
and Costa counters with a nice uppercut.
Yamamoto throws a body punch but Costa moves out of range.
Costa walks into a stiff left hand from Yamamoto.
A big left from Yamamoto misses.
Yamamoto catches Costa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Yamamoto fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Costa lands a jab to the nose.
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!
Costa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Yamamoto misses with a straight right.
Costa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto swings for the body but Costa moves out of range.
Yamamoto just misses with a punch to the body.
Costa scores with a spinning back kick!
Costa swings for the body but Yamamoto moves out of range.
Yamamoto takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Costa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Costa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yamamoto scores with a crisp jab that stopped Costa in his tracks.
Yamamoto is looking to wear down Costa with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot.
Kotetsu Yamamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamamoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Costa.

Costa 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.
Costa stopping the sweep attempt from Yamamoto.
Costa trying to control but Yamamoto is working from the bottom.
Yamamoto is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto trying to control the position.
Yamamoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Costa is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Costa slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Costa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Yamamoto knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Costa is trying to get an arm triangle but Yamamoto is defending well.

Costa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Yamamoto knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four 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.
Yamamoto is trying to improve his position.
Yamamoto is trying to control Costa's posture but Costa avoids it.
Yamamoto is looking for a sweep.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Costa wants to control for a moment but Yamamoto uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Costa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
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.
Yamamoto moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Costa wants to control from the top but Yamamoto keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kotetsu Yamamoto dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yamamoto lands with a cross.
Yamamoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Costa is just out of range.
Yamamoto takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Yamamoto moves out of range of the leg kick from Costa.
Yamamoto swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Costa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yamamoto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Yamamoto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Costa moves away.
Yamamoto jabs at Costa's body.
Costa throws an overhand right that lands on Yamamoto's shoulder, as Yamamoto tries to avoid the shot.
Yamamoto appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamamoto. Costa does a little dance to reset his feet.
It seemed like Costa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Yamamoto blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yamamoto throws out a loose jab but Costa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Costa throws a body punch but Yamamoto moves out of range.
Costa avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
Costa throws a wild body kick that Yamamoto sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa misses with a double jab.
Costa defending well as Yamamoto loads up on a big left hand.
A slow jab from Yamamoto misses its intended target.
Yamamoto misses with a hook.
Yamamoto lands an overhand right.
Costa takes a swing at Yamamoto's ribcage but misses.
Yamamoto swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Costa connects with a single shot there.
Costa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yamamoto throwing a counter right hand but Costa manages to avoid it.
Costa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamamoto scores with a shot to the body.
Costa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Costa walks into a left hand.
Costa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto lands a jab to Costa's midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Costa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamamoto.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto misses with a wild body shot.
Yamamoto misses the shot to the body.
Yamamoto misses with a shot to the body

and Costa counters with a head kick that drops Yamamoto - he's looking to finish, following his stunned foe to the ground!

Yamamoto is rocked!

Costa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Oh Yamamoto is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Yamamoto wants to get back to full guard.
Yamamoto is looking to control Costa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Yamamoto avoid being mounted?
Yamamoto seems to have got his legs back now.
Costa is pressing down on Yamamoto's thigh, looking to free his foot. Yamamoto is holding on for now.
Yamamoto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Yamamoto trying to control the position here.
Costa wants to pass the guard but Yamamoto is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto keeping moving, preventing Costa from controlling successfully.
Costa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Costa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Costa looking to pass the guard.
Yamamoto keeping moving, preventing Costa from controlling successfully.
Costa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yamamoto is trying to control the position but Costa postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Yamamoto wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
Costa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yamamoto is keeping the position for now.
Yamamoto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Costa's guard.

Yamamoto avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yamamoto passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Yamamoto scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Costa to see if he's OK.
Costa is looking to reverse the position.
Yamamoto is looking to take a break and control but Costa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Costa wants to get back to his feet but Yamamoto drags him back down.
Yamamoto 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 Costa's shoulder. That is not cool.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kotetsu Yamamoto will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Costa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamamoto.
Costa tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Yamamoto makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A slow jab from Yamamoto misses its intended target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Costa! But no joy.
Yamamoto uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Costa has time to react.
Costa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yamamoto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Costa.
Costa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Yamamoto slips a jab from Costa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa misses with a takedown
and Yamamoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yamamoto misses with a looping right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamamoto. Costa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yamamoto doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Costa misses with a left hand
letting Yamamoto counter with a right hand.
Costa ducks right into an uppercut from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Yamamoto scores with a sloppy right hand. Costa should have avoided that one.
Costa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Costa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Yamamoto takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Yamamoto misses with an uppercut. Costa saw that one coming.
Costa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yamamoto throws out the jab.
Yamamoto just misses with a punch to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Costa.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Costa ducks under a wild hook from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot.
Yamamoto throws a shot from downtown. Costa moves away and avoids it.
Francisco Costa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto looks to land a combination but Costa avoids it well.
Costa throws a body shot but no joy.
Yamamoto blocks a jab.
Yamamoto throws a lazy right hand but Costa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Costa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Costa is fighting to break Yamamoto's control of his arms but Yamamoto is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Costa slips nicely into half guard.
Yamamoto wants to control but Costa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Francisco Costa has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto keeping hold of Costa's head, controlling as best he can.
Costa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Yamamoto wants to control but Costa is keeping busy.
Yamamoto keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Yamamoto kicks Costa off and gets back to his feet.
Costa moves out of range as Yamamoto strikes.
Yamamoto slips a jab from Costa.
Costa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Costa throws the left hand but Yamamoto avoids the punch easily.
Kotetsu Yamamoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Yamamoto scores with a body shot.
Yamamoto fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Costa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Yamamoto lands the left hand.
Yamamoto on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Costa. Costa obviously looking to wear him down.
Yamamoto digs a good hook to Costa's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yamamoto cracks Costa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Yamamoto connects with a body shot that sends Costa's belly button to the back.
Yamamoto connects with a crisp jab.
Yamamoto takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Costa avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
Costa misses with a straight right.
Costa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto works Costa's body with a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kotetsu Yamamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yamamoto, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kotetsu Yamamoto!
Kotetsu Yamamoto looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'We are NJPW!!!'.