PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Isamu Yamada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yamada's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Yoshida Brothers - Ibuki. Roberts has chosen Break Stuff as his entrance music. Max Roberts has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Yamada
vs
Roberts

179 cm
22
162 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

181 cm
28
169 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Isamu Yamada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Max Roberts!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yamada clinches up with Roberts and pushes him back against the ropes.
Yamada looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Roberts misses with a knee strike.
Yamada is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Roberts gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Roberts stalling in the clinch but Yamada improves position.
Roberts misses with a punch on the inside.
Roberts prevents the takedown attempt.
Roberts is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Roberts breaks the clinch.
Yamada wants to clinch up but Roberts keeps it at a distance.
Roberts shapes to counter with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roberts throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Roberts tries to score with a low kick but Yamada moves his leg out of the way.
Yamada drops down looking for a counter takedown but Roberts sprawls and moves away.
Yamada takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Yamada misses with a takedown
and Yamada takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isamu Yamada. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yamada.
Roberts misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Roberts misses the jab.
Yamada tries to close the distance and clinch up but Roberts swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yamada shoots in for a double leg but Roberts sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Roberts misses with a body shot.
Yamada takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Roberts misses with an attempted mid kick.
Roberts feints and then cracks Yamada's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yamada down.
Max Roberts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yamada keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Roberts.
Yamada fails with a takedown attempt.
Yamada avoids the head kick by Roberts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamada shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Roberts sprawls well. Roberts wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Yamada gets slowly back to his feet.
Roberts is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Yamada with a body shot.
Isamu Yamada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Roberts.
Yamada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yamada closes the distance and clinches up with Roberts, looking for a takedown. Yamada pushes Roberts against the ropes but Roberts circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Roberts.
A jab from Roberts does it's job there.
Roberts will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Yamada seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Yamada darts in and clinches Roberts up against the ropes.
Roberts is trying to push Yamada away but Yamada has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamada prevents Roberts from breaking the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Roberts prevents the takedown attempt.
Yamada is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Roberts gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Roberts is trying to force a seperation but Yamada has the dominant position.
A bit of stalling here from Roberts.
Roberts works on Yamada's body with a couple of short punches.

Roberts breaks the clinch.

Yamada shoots in and gets a takedown into Roberts's guard.
Yamada preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamada stops Roberts from standing up.
Yamada throws an elbow that misses. Roberts uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Yamada's guard. Nice move by Roberts!

Roberts sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Yamada's guard.
Roberts controlling the action here.
Yamada wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Roberts 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.

Roberts scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Yamada doesn't seem bothered though.
A decent looking cross lands there for Roberts.
Roberts looks to score with a jab to the body but Yamada is just out of range.
No joy there for Roberts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Roberts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Roberts wants to slow Yamada down by chopping away at his legs.
Yamada shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Roberts but Roberts pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Roberts scores with a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roberts tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamada was well out of range. Poor timing from Roberts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Yamada slips a jab from Roberts.
Roberts throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Roberts darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yamada tries to clinch but Roberts moves away
enabling Roberts to counter with a crisp jab.
Roberts displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Yamada.
Roberts misses with a wild body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Roberts. That's going to slow Yamada down.
Max Roberts seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yamada fails with the takedown
and Roberts connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isamu Yamada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roberts works Yamada's body with a nice hook.
Roberts is looking to chop away at Yamada's legs.
Roberts changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Roberts lands the left hand.
Yamada takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yamada tries to counter with a takedown but Roberts is quick to defend against it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamada tries to close the distance and clinch up but Roberts swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Roberts swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Yamada.
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!
Roberts looks to land a left hand but Yamada moved out of range nicely.
Yamada shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Roberts cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yamada takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Roberts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yamada dodges the punch combination from Roberts.
Yamada shoots in but no luck this time.
Roberts swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Isamu Yamada is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Roberts scores with a one two! Yamada had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Yamada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Roberts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts misses the shot to the body.
Yamada tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Roberts makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Roberts lands with a kick to the temple. Yamada shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Yamada is rocked!
A big right from Roberts misses.
Oh Yamada is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Roberts misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamada.
Yamada seems to have got his legs back now.
Roberts throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A head kick from Roberts lands but Yamada takes it in his stride.
Roberts throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Roberts tries a head kick but it misses.
Yamada changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Roberts scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Roberts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamada on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Yamada fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Roberts avoids it really well and circles away.
A nice side step and Roberts releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Roberts swings for the body but Yamada moves out of range.
Roberts lands a leg kick that knocks Yamada off balance momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Roberts looks for the body kick but Yamada saw that one coming.
Yamada misses with a takedown attempt - Roberts sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Yamada shoots in looking for a takedown but Roberts manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yamada's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Roberts throws a head kick that misses.
Roberts lands with a good body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Roberts showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Yamada's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Roberts swings for the body but Yamada moves out of range.
Roberts has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Roberts throws a body punch but Yamada moves out of range.
Yamada is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Roberts throws a leg kick but Yamada sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yamada tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice sprawl there from Roberts as Yamada shoots in.
Roberts stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A head kick misses from Roberts.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamada has a takedown stuffed.
Roberts is trying to counter with his kicks.
Roberts lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamada takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Roberts has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Yamada is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Roberts throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nice shot lands for Roberts.
Roberts swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yamada attempts a counter takedown but Roberts avoids it well and moves away.
Roberts throws a hook but Yamada blocks it.
Roberts is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Yamada rather than just go for the knockout.
Roberts comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
No joy there for Roberts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yamada shoots for a double leg takedown but Roberts sprawls well. He's pushed Yamada's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A little jabbing left from Roberts on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isamu Yamada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roberts connects with a body shot that sends Yamada's belly button to the back.
Roberts dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Roberts lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Yamada steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Roberts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Roberts misses with a low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Roberts.
Roberts throws the left hand but Yamada avoids the punch easily.
Yamada dives in for a single leg takedown but Roberts sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Yamada chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Roberts can pounce on him.
Yamada changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Roberts tries to avoid it but Yamada manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Roberts to the ground. Roberts escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yamada looks to clinch
and Roberts counters with a nice uppercut.
Roberts lets loose with a powerful body kick. Yamada will feel that in the morning.
Roberts swinging wildly here.
Roberts pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yamada moves away.
Roberts misses with a straight right.
Yamada closes the distance but Roberts moves to the side
and Roberts counters with a straight right hand.
Roberts fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Roberts.
Yamada avoids the body shot from Roberts.

Yamada shoots in and gets a takedown into Roberts's guard.
Yamada is fighting to break Roberts's control of his arms but Roberts is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Yamada postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Max Roberts is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roberts managing to control the position.
Yamada pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roberts is keeping the position for now.
Yamada preventing the sweep.
Roberts wants to stand up but Yamada is controlling him.
Yamada pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roberts is keeping the position for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Isamu Yamada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roberts misses with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Roberts comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Roberts 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Max Roberts!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Max Roberts!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Max Roberts!

Max Roberts wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Max Roberts thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.