PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Isamu Yamada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ao Ki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yamada comes into the arena with Yoshida Brothers - Ibuki blaring out of the sound system. Ao Ki has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Isamu Yamada's chin.

Yamada
vs
Ki

179 cm
23
162 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

181 cm
24
163 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Isamu Yamada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ao Ki!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamada shoots in and drives through. Ki sprawls well.
Yamada looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Yamada shoots in for a takedown but Ki shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ki tries to counter by closing the distance.
Ki connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Ki throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Yamada was covering up waiting for the punch and Ki finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ki wants to control from the top but Yamada keeps moving.
Ki is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ki not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ki trying to control the position from guard on top but Yamada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamada can't keep his opponent in guard - Ki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ki is looking to advance position but Yamada won't allow it.
Ki not doing much here.
We've been hearing good reports from Yamada's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Yamada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yamada keeps working.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Ki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Yamada missing with punches from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ki content to control rather than advance.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ki trying to pass the guard but Yamada defending well.
Ki controlling the action here.

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

Ki throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Yamada tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ki is in Yamada's guard.
Yamada is looking to stand back up but Ki counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Yamada.

Ki is working for a kimura but Yamada is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamada is refusing to be controlled, as Ki sits in half guard.

Ki is working for a submission of some sort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ki tries to pass the half guard into mount. Yamada knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ao Ki dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ki throws a head kick that Yamada semi-blocks.
Yamada tries a head kick but it misses.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ki.
Ki throws a head kick that half lands.
Nice takedown defense from Yamada. No joy for Ki on that attempt.
Yamada goes for a double leg but Ki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Ki continues to drive forward.

Yamada closes the distance and clinches.
Yamada has Ki pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Ki manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yamada tries to score a body lock takedown but Ki shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isamu Yamada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ki pulls guard successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ki has his hands on Yamada's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ki trying to keep a closed guard but Yamada is proving a slippery customer.

Ki looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Yamada is defending well. Ki quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Yamada has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Ki celebrates on the ropes, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ao Ki!
Ao Ki took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, RAGS of a RONIN for their support in the buildup to the fight.