PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kotetsu Yamamoto (ranked 1075 p4p, 116 weight class) and Seve Ballesteros (ranked 1985 p4p, 199 weight class). Ballesteros is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Chamillionaire f. Scarface & Killer Mike - Reignfall. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yamamoto
vs
Ballesteros

168 cm
30
149 lbs
22 - 10 - 2

175 cm
37
154 lbs
23 - 9 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 2, fighting out of New York, Kotetsu Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Seve Ballesteros!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballesteros chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ballesteros lands a head shot.
Yamamoto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Ballesteros gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Yamamoto to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Ballesteros wants to stand but Yamamoto is controlling the position.
Yamamoto sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ballesteros wants to stand up but Yamamoto is controlling him.
Yamamoto postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto looking to sit in guard and control but Ballesteros gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ballesteros wants to stand but Yamamoto has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ballesteros must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Ballesteros stands up from Yamamoto's guard - Ballesteros perhaps looking for a knockout.
Yamamoto seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Kotetsu Yamamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballesteros jabs Yamamoto right on the nose. Yamamoto blinks but takes it well.
Yamamoto jabs at Ballesteros's body.
Yamamoto lands a head shot.
Yamamoto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A lazy left from Yamamoto finds it's target.

Yamamoto feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yamamoto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yamamoto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ballesteros works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ballesteros wants to stand up but Yamamoto is controlling him.
Ballesteros keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.
Yamamoto postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Ballesteros keeps moving.
Yamamoto stops Ballesteros from standing up.
Yamamoto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yamamoto stops Ballesteros from standing up.
Yamamoto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Ballesteros keeps moving.
Yamamoto throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ballesteros keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.
Yamamoto scoring with some ground and pound.
Yamamoto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yamamoto scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ballesteros preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yamamoto in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ballesteros wants to stand up but Yamamoto is controlling him.

Ballesteros wriggles free and stands up.
Ballesteros slaps away a takedown attempt from Yamamoto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kotetsu Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamamoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ballesteros.
Ballesteros looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice cross by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto throws a series of punches but Ballesteros moves out of range.
Yamamoto throws a hook to the side of Ballesteros's head but Ballesteros sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yamamoto swings widly with a right hand
and Ballesteros counters with a right hand to the body.
Yamamoto walks into a stiff left hand from Ballesteros.
Yamamoto avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ballesteros jabs Yamamoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ballesteros.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamamoto throws a right hand that Ballesteros ducks under and follows up with a left that Ballesteros also avoids with ease.
Ballesteros throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Yamamoto's head.
Ballesteros throws a leg kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Yamamoto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yamamoto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Yamamoto throws an off balance right hand
and Ballesteros counters with a solid body kick.
Yamamoto misses with a hook
and Ballesteros counters with a good low kick that Yamamoto was not able to check.
Yamamoto looks for a takedown but Ballesteros sprawls well.
Ballesteros throws a solid leg kick but Yamamoto takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ballesteros.
Ballesteros looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ballesteros fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Yamamoto.
Yamamoto goes for a double leg but Ballesteros avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ballesteros continues to drive forward.
Yamamoto throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ballesteros counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ballesteros avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Seve Ballesteros will probably get the nod.
That's time! Yamamoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yamamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ballesteros manages to avoid it.
Ballesteros scores with a hook.
Yamamoto avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ballesteros takes a swing at Yamamoto's ribcage but misses.
Yamamoto connects with a nice looking jab.
Yamamoto takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A big left from Yamamoto misses.
Ballesteros bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yamamoto misses with a hook.
Ballesteros tries a quick counter leg kick but Yamamoto is wise to it.
Yamamoto checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto shoots in but Ballesteros avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ballesteros lands with an overhand left.
Ballesteros swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Yamamoto counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto throws a right and a left that Ballesteros avoids nicely.
Ballesteros unleashes a big counter combination but Yamamoto bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ballesteros throws an overhand right that lands on Yamamoto's shoulder, as Yamamoto tries to avoid the shot.
Yamamoto misses with a straight left.
Nice takedown defense from Ballesteros. No joy for Yamamoto on that attempt.
Nice shot by Yamamoto.
A punch lands to the side of Yamamoto 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Yamamoto tries to bum rush Ballesteros with a series of wild strikes but Ballesteros uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ballesteros avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yamamoto scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ballesteros in his tracks.
Seve Ballesteros seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yamamoto with a poor takedown
and Ballesteros connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kotetsu Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ballesteros throws a head kick but Yamamoto moves out of range.
Yamamoto with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ballesteros counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ballesteros throws a sloppy head kick and Yamamoto moves out of range easily.
Ballesteros tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ballesteros throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yamamoto takes a jab right on the kisser.
Yamamoto is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Yamamoto just misses with a punch to the body.
Ballesteros connects with a good right hand that stumbles Yamamoto. Yamamoto circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Yamamoto misses with the combination.
Ballesteros flicks out a counter leg kick but Yamamoto steps away.
Ballesteros throws a sloppy head kick and Yamamoto moves out of range easily.
Ballesteros looks to land a combination. Yamamoto sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Yamamoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
No joy there for Yamamoto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
and Ballesteros makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Yamamoto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ballesteros.
Yamamoto with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Yamamoto takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ballesteros throws a body punch but Yamamoto moves out of range.
Ballesteros plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Yamamoto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yamamoto misses with a two punch combination.
Ballesteros throws a hook but Yamamoto blocks it.
Ballesteros has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Yamamoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Ballesteros is just out of range.
Ballesteros misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yamamoto seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ballesteros misses with a low kick.
Yamamoto misses the shot to the body.
Ballesteros throws out a counter right but Yamamoto avoids it with no problem.
Ballesteros uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yamamoto.
Ballesteros keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ballesteros slips under a jab from Yamamoto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballesteros avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
Ballesteros tries to score with a low kick but Yamamoto moves his leg out of the way.
Yamamoto fails with the takedown
and Ballesteros counters with a stiff right hand.
Yamamoto throws a shot to the body.
Ballesteros tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yamamoto slips a jab from Ballesteros.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ballesteros wants to slow Yamamoto down by chopping away at his legs.
Ballesteros tries a head kick but it misses.
Ballesteros tries to land a leg kick but Yamamoto saw it coming and moves away.
Yamamoto ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Yamamoto throws a shot from downtown. Ballesteros moves away and avoids it.
Yamamoto misses with a left hand
and Ballesteros counters with a nice low kick that buckles Yamamoto's knee momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seve Ballesteros 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Yamamoto drives through with a takedown into Ballesteros's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Ballesteros keeps moving.

Ballesteros wriggles free and stands up.
Yamamoto throws a body shot but no joy.
An inside leg kick from Ballesteros misses.
Yamamoto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yamamoto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ballesteros connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Yamamoto blocks a head kick by Ballesteros.
A big right from Yamamoto misses.
Ballesteros thuds his shin into the meat of Yamamoto's side.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yamamoto darts in looking for a takedown but Ballesteros gets double underhooks and turns Yamamoto into the cage.
A nice side step and Ballesteros releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballesteros works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ballesteros goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ballesteros swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Yamamoto.
Ballesteros showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yamamoto.
Ballesteros misses with an attempted mid kick.
Yamamoto drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Yamamoto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Yamamoto goes for a double leg but Ballesteros avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ballesteros continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kotetsu Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamamoto throws a sloppy head kick
and Ballesteros counters with a stiff right hand.
Ballesteros blocks a jab.
Ballesteros throws a sloppy head kick and Yamamoto moves out of range easily.
Ballesteros throws a head kick but Yamamoto moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ballesteros.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamamoto has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yamamoto there as he acknowledges the shot.
Yamamoto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ballesteros sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yamamoto somewhat.
Yamamoto avoids the head kick by Ballesteros.
Ballesteros keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yamamoto.
Ballesteros thows a leg kick but Yamamoto checks it

and Yamamoto counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Yamamoto.

Ballesteros has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Yamamoto has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Yamamoto fails to pull guard.
Ballesteros makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Yamamoto jumps guard but Ballesteros stands there with Yamamoto around his waist. Yamamoto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ballesteros misses with a knee strike.

Yamamoto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballesteros tries a head kick but it misses.
Ballesteros tries to clinch there but Yamamoto circles away.
Seve Ballesteros is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yamamoto connects with a looping right hand.
Ballesteros throws a body punch but Yamamoto moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto dives in and grabs Ballesteros's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ballesteros pushes down on Yamamoto's head and hops out.
Ballesteros fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ballesteros takes one to the chin there.
Ballesteros dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ballesteros misses with the combination.
Yamamoto shoots for a takedown but Ballesteros saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ballesteros throws an overhand right that lands on Yamamoto's shoulder, as Yamamoto tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballesteros lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kotetsu Yamamoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ballesteros scores with a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamamoto tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ballesteros defends well and Yamamoto ends up having to push Ballesteros into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ballesteros goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ballesteros scores with a jab to the body.
Yamamoto throws a series of punches but Ballesteros avoids them all with ease.
Ballesteros throws out a counter right but Yamamoto avoids it with no problem.
Yamamoto takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ballesteros has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yamamoto throws a jab but it's blocked by Ballesteros.
Yamamoto misses with an uppercut.
Yamamoto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ballesteros.
Ballesteros's jab looks to have found its range, popping Yamamoto under the eye.
Ballesteros dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ballesteros lands with a straight right. Yamamoto didn't see that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seve Ballesteros comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ballesteros 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seve Ballesteros!
After winning the bout, Seve Ballesteros thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.