PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Armin Schulz (ranked 3704 p4p, 416 weight class) and Ryan Yoshijiri (ranked 4143 p4p, 451 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Schulz
vs
Yoshijiri

170 cm
19
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

176 cm
20
168 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Sully's Bar & Grill

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Armin Schulz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ryan Yoshijiri!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Bruno Lombardi and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schulz throws a big shot that misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Schulz drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Yoshijiri controlling the position.
Yoshijiri keeping moving, preventing Schulz from controlling successfully.
Yoshijiri has his hands on Schulz's head, controlling the position.
Schulz trying to control the position from guard on top but Yoshijiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yoshijiri seems keen to control Schulz's posture.
Schulz trying to control but Yoshijiri is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yoshijiri is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Schulz defends well.
Yoshijiri trying to control the position here.
Schulz stays in close to Yoshijiri's body and controls the position.
Schulz wants to control from the top but Yoshijiri keeps moving.
Schulz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Yoshijiri scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Schulz looks to land a left hand but Yoshijiri moved out of range nicely.

That's two 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.

Yoshijiri moves into the clinch successfully.
Yoshijiri looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Yoshijiri pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schulz wants to control from the top but Yoshijiri keeps moving.
Schulz is really struggling to control Yoshijiri but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Schulz is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Yoshijiri is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Schulz being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schulz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Schulz wants to control from the top but Yoshijiri keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Schulz cracks Yoshijiri with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Schulz misses with an uppercut.

Yoshijiri closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Schulz's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Schulz is on top in guard.

Yoshijiri keeping moving, preventing Schulz from controlling successfully.
Schulz with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Schulz is fighting to break Yoshijiri's control of his arms but Yoshijiri is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schulz drops back looking for a leg! Yoshijiri is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Yoshijiri manages to kick Schulz off! Schulz jumps back into Yoshijiri's guard.
Schulz trying to control the position from guard on top but Yoshijiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schulz being controlled here momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Schulz trying to control but Yoshijiri is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Armin Schulz will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Yoshijiri shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Schulz manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Schulz controls Yoshijiri momentarily but Yoshijiri frees himself.
Yoshijiri content to stall in guard here.
Yoshijiri won't allow Schulz to sweep him here.
Schulz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Yoshijiri pushing down on Schulz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yoshijiri trying to control the pace.

Yoshijiri wants to work for an arm triangle but Schulz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schulz wants to control but Yoshijiri passes into side.
Schulz can't do much from the bottom here.

Yoshijiri thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Schulz being controlled for a moment.
Schulz is trying to control Yoshijiri's posture but Yoshijiri avoids it.
Yoshijiri tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's two 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.
Schulz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Schulz is working hard here to advance position.
Yoshijiri controlling the position from side mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Schulz is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Schulz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Yoshijiri is trying to get an arm triangle but Schulz is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshijiri tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Schulz being controlled for a moment.
Schulz is not content to let Yoshijiri control the position.
Schulz prevents Yoshijiri from improving position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Schulz is trying to get back to half guard.
Schulz being controlled for a moment.

Yoshijiri thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Schulz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Yoshijiri tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Yoshijiri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Yoshijiri looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Schulz!
Yoshijiri has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Schulz!
Schulz keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Schulz is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Yoshijiri trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schulz is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schulz gets back to half guard.
Schulz is looking for a sweep. Yoshijiri is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yoshijiri not doing much here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Schulz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Schulz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Schulz keeping moving, preventing Yoshijiri from controlling successfully.
Yoshijiri wants to pass the guard but Schulz is keeping the position.
Schulz trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Schulz has control of Yoshijiri's left arm, preventing Yoshijiri from doing any damage.
Yoshijiri looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Yoshijiri tries to close the distance and clinch but Schulz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Yoshijiri displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Schulz throws out the jab.
Yoshijiri with the counter takedown but Schulz avoids it easily.
Yoshijiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Schulz.
Yoshijiri fails in his attempt to clinch.
Schulz feinted with a counter takedown.
We've been told by Schulz's head coaches at Stark Combat Center that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Yoshijiri feints and as Schulz raises his hands in defense, Yoshijiri changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Schulz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yoshijiri is one step ahead there.
Yoshijiri looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schulz being controlled here, momentarily.
Yoshijiri's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Schulz is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Yoshijiri tries to free his leg and advance position but Schulz is retaining full guard.
Yoshijiri showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Yoshijiri stands and throws Schulz's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Yoshijiri has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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.
Schulz is trying to control Yoshijiri's posture but Yoshijiri avoids it.
Schulz is looking to reverse the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Schulz tries to improve position but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yoshijiri is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Schulz will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Ryan Yoshijiri has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yoshijiri trying to control the position but Schulz is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Yoshijiri comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yoshijiri has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Yoshijiri!