PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matsui Yamamoto (ranked 8543 p4p, 538 weight class) and Ted Truck (ranked 5051 p4p, 440 weight class). Matsui Yamamoto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Yamamoto
vs
Truck

172 cm
21
160 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

155 cm
28
160 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matsui Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ted Truck!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Truck fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yamamoto is out of range.
Yamamoto half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Truck attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Yamamoto attempts a counter takedown but Truck avoids it well and moves away.
Yamamoto takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Truck throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Truck throws a body shot but no joy.
Truck circles away from the clinch attempt
and Truck counters with a slapping leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Truck misses.
It looked like Yamamoto was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Truck throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Truck tries to sprawl but Yamamoto drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Truck on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Truck tries to roll over but Yamamoto keeps him under control.
Yamamoto is nestled in close to Truck, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Truck is looking to control Yamamoto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Truck avoid being mounted?
Truck is doing well to control the position and prevent Yamamoto from advancing to side control.
Truck is trying to control but can't.
Yamamoto will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Yamamoto lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Yamamoto lands strikes from half guard.
Truck is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Yamamoto scores with a couple of nice shots.
Truck trying to control but Yamamoto postures up.
Truck is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Yamamoto is staying active.
Truck is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yamamoto is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Yamamoto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Truck keeps working.
Yamamoto perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Truck wants to control but Yamamoto is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Truck is refusing to be controlled, as Yamamoto sits in half guard.
Truck has hold of Yamamoto's hands but Yamamoto slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Truck is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Truck manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Yamamoto won't allow Truck to get back to his feet.
Truck keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.

Truck has his foot on Yamamoto's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yamamoto works his way back into a safe position though.
Yamamoto lands a couple of elbows.
Truck looking to control.
Truck looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yamamoto is one step ahead there.
Truck throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
We've been hearing that Yamamoto has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Yamamoto landing with the ground and pound.

Yamamoto drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Yamamoto jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Truck looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yamamoto is one step ahead there.
Truck is trying to keep Yamamoto in close.
Yamamoto scoring with some ground and pound.
Truck keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.
Truck wants to sweep but no luck.
Yamamoto stands up over Truck, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Truck wants to control the position but Yamamoto says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Truck has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Yamamoto is working away from the top position though.
We've been informed that Truck has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Yamamoto has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Still in half guard, Yamamoto seems content to control.
Truck slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Truck looking for a guillotine here but Yamamoto defends easily.
Yamamoto stands up over Truck, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yamamoto lands a couple of elbows.
Yamamoto content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Truck trying to control the position.
Yamamoto scoring with punches to the head and body.
Yamamoto working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Truck's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matsui Yamamoto dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Truck fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yamamoto is out of range.
Yamamoto checks a leg kick.
Yamamoto feinted with a counter takedown.
Truck tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yamamoto shoots in but Truck avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yamamoto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Truck manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Yamamoto misses.
Truck looks to score with a jab to the body but Yamamoto is just out of range.
Ted Truck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Truck throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Truck throws a solid leg kick but Yamamoto takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Truck.
Truck throws a low kick but it's checked well by Yamamoto.
Truck tries to land a leg kick but Yamamoto saw it coming and moves away.
Yamamoto blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto fails with a takedown attempt.

Yamamoto rushes Truck and presses him up against the cage.
Truck prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matsui Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Truck wants to stall.
Truck gets underhooks to prevent Yamamoto's takedown attempt.

Yamamoto works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Yamamoto connects with a couple of short punches.
Truck looking to control.
Yamamoto scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Truck looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yamamoto is one step ahead there.
Truck doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Yamamoto passes Truck's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Yamamoto is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Truck wants to improve his position but Yamamoto is controlling well.
Yamamoto is keen to just control but Truck is a slippery customer.
Truck is trying to maintain the position but Yamamoto is very close to passing his half guard.
Truck has hold of Yamamoto's hands but Yamamoto slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are battling for position here. Truck manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Truck has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yamamoto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Yamamoto works over Truck with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto postures up and lands a big shot to Truck's brow.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Truck keeps moving.
Yamamoto postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Truck wants to sweep here but Yamamoto controlling him for the moment.
Yamamoto is in close to Truck's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Yamamoto stands up over Truck, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yamamoto keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Truck's head.
Truck looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yamamoto is one step ahead there.
Yamamoto lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Yamamoto working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Yamamoto postures up and lands a big shot to Truck's brow.
Yamamoto sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Truck is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto postures up.
Yamamoto chips away with some ground and pound.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Truck holds on and takes a little breather.
Yamamoto postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Yamamoto postures up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Yamamoto's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Yamamoto scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Truck is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yamamoto won't allow Truck to sweep him here.
Yamamoto cracks Truck with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matsui Yamamoto dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Truck wants to clinch up but Yamamoto keeps it at a distance.
Yamamoto drops down looking for a counter takedown but Truck sprawls and moves away.
Yamamoto on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Truck cracks a nice hook into Yamamoto's ribs.
Truck misses with a leg kick
and Yamamoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Yamamoto shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yamamoto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Truck can do to turn this around?
Truck misses with a low kick.
Yamamoto shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Truck walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Yamamoto checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Yamamoto attempts a counter takedown but Truck avoids it well and moves away.
Ted Truck seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Truck tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Truck thows a leg kick but Yamamoto checks it

and Yamamoto counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Matsui Yamamoto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yamamoto is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Truck moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Truck looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Truck takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto scoring with punches to the head and body.
Yamamoto stands up over Truck, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yamamoto postures up.
Truck looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yamamoto is one step ahead there.
Yamamoto postures up and lands a big shot to Truck's brow.
Yamamoto chips away with some ground and pound.
Truck 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.
Yamamoto stands up over Truck, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yamamoto working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Truck's head.
Truck keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.
Yamamoto lands a couple of elbows.
Truck pulls Yamamoto in close to prevent any damage.
Truck lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto seems keen to control Truck's posture.
Truck preventing the sweep.
Yamamoto keeping full guard, as Truck tries to pass.
Yamamoto is trying to keep Truck in close.
Truck throws a big right hand that misses.
Truck is fighting to break Yamamoto's control of his arms but Yamamoto is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Truck postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yamamoto wants to sweep here but Truck controlling him for the moment.
Yamamoto trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Matsui Yamamoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yamamoto is controlling Truck's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Yamamoto loads up on a big right hand but Truck slips the punch.
Yamamoto checks a low kick from Truck.
Yamamoto looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Yamamoto shoots for a takedown but Truck saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matsui Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Truck misses with a low kick.

That's four 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.

Yamamoto closes the distance and pushes Truck back into the cage.
Truck content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Truck stalling against the cage.
Truck displaying some good clinch control by pressing Yamamoto up against the cage.
Yamamoto is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ted Truck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yamamoto slowing the pace effectively.
Truck working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

It looks like Matsui Yamamoto has been cut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Truck wants to stall.

Yamamoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Truck. Yamamoto does a little dance to reset his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Matsui Yamamoto.
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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Matsui Yamamoto!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Matsui Yamamoto!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Matsui Yamamoto!

Matsui Yamamoto wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Matsui Yamamoto thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.