PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Strong (ranked 917 p4p, 105 weight class) and Katsuya Yasumi (ranked 862 p4p, 102 weight class). Strong comes to the cage accompanied by Egypt Central - Kick Ass. Yasumi has chosen Lunchmoney Lewis-Real Thing as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Strong
vs
Yasumi

194 cm
27
242 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

188 cm
31
250 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Strong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Katsuya Yasumi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strong fails to land with a series of punches.
Strong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Strong moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromYasumi.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A combination from Strong does no damage.
Yasumi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strong throws a looping overhand right but Yasumi ducks down to avoid it.
Strong wants to clinch but Yasumi slips to the side
and Yasumi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Strong. Those never looked like landing.
Yasumi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Yasumi slips under a jab from Strong.
Mark Strong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Strong loads up on a big right hand but Yasumi slips the punch.
Yasumi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Yasumi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Strong.
Yasumi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yasumi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Strong lands the left hand.
Strong tries to clinch there but Yasumi circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong throws a series of punches but Yasumi moves out of range.

Strong closes the distance and clinches.
Strong is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Yasumi is working for takedown but Strong is calmly controlling the position for now.
Yasumi has had enough of the clinch but Strong keeps him there for the moment.

Yasumi breaks from the clinch.
Strong scores with a jab. Yasumi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Strong darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Strong jabs at Yasumi's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong tries to clinch up

and Yasumi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Strong is looking for a sweep. Yasumi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yasumi is looking to advance position but Strong won't allow it.

Strong looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Strong is looking to control Yasumi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Strong avoid being mounted?
Yasumi is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yasumi throwing shots but Strong is blocking nicely.
Yasumi passes the guard and advances to mount!
Strong regains half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yasumi trying to control the pace.

Strong looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Strong getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Strong rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yasumi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yasumi throws out a counter right but Strong avoids it with no problem.

Strong has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Strong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yasumi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strong avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Yasumi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yasumi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yasumi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Strong lands a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yasumi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yasumi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Strong lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mark Strong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Strong does no damage.
Mark Strong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strong scores with a crisp jab that stopped Yasumi in his tracks.
We've been told by Strong's head coaches at Rabid Dog that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Yasumi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Strong.
Yasumi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yasumi is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong throws a big shot that misses.
And Yasumi tries to counter it with a takedown but Strong pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Strong lands a nice shot to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Strong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Strong throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Yasumi.
Yasumi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Strong defends it well.
Strong lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Strong fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Strong moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Strong is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Yasumi wants the takedown. Strong is fighting it off but Yasumi persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Strong's guard against the cage.

Strong is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yasumi is aware though and is defending well.
Yasumi is looking to work some ground and pound but Strong has wrist control.
Yasumi is stalling in the full guard.

Strong throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yasumi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strong is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Strong is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yasumi is aware though and is defending well.
Yasumi lands a couple of elbows.

Strong throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Yasumi escapes and throws Strong's legs to the side, diving into side control!
You can see the frustration on Strong's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Strong is being controlled here.
Strong stops Yasumi from passing to mount.
Yasumi in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Strong dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Strong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yasumi moves away.
Yasumi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Strong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yasumi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Strong finds it's way round the side to connect with Yasumi's head.
Strong lands a head shot.
Yasumi ducks under a wild hook from Strong.
And Yasumi tries to counter it with a takedown but Strong pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Strong clinches with his opponent.
Yasumi blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yasumi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strong avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Yasumi has had enough of the clinch but Strong keeps him there for the moment.
Strong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yasumi wants to get back to striking at distance but Strong won't allow it.

Strong breaks from the clinch.
Yasumi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Yasumi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Strong.
Strong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yasumi can do to turn this around?
Yasumi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Strong throws a jab but it's blocked by Yasumi.
Yasumi ducks under a wild hook from Strong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Strong swinging wildly here.
Yasumi feints the counter takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Strong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And Yasumi tries to counter it with a takedown but Strong pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Yasumi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Strong is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong swinging wildly here.
Strong moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromYasumi.
Yasumi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Strong.

Strong has closed the distance and engaged Yasumi in a clinch.
Yasumi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Strong fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Strong. Yasumi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Katsuya Yasumi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strong rushes Yasumi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Yasumi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Strong is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mark Strong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsuya Yasumi.
Yasumi tries to score a body lock takedown but Strong shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Strong scores with a nice hook to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Strong throws a head punch that misses.
Strong is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Yasumi works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Yasumi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Strong has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Yasumi doesn't defend quickly enough and Strong has managed to lock this one up! Can Yasumi escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Strong on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Mark Strong!
During a confident post fight interview, Mark Strong thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
In defeat, Katsuya Yasumi stepped up to the mic, saying 'Tokidoki anata ga ochiru'.