PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shingoke Shoryu (ranked 5502 p4p, 506 weight class) and Kevin Yarnell (ranked 23512 p4p, 0 weight class). Kevin Yarnell is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Shoryu
vs
Yarnell

167 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
160 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shingoke Shoryu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kevin Yarnell!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shoryu gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Yarnell to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Shoryu has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Yarnell has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Yarnell content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Shoryu drags the fight down to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yarnell throws a big elbow that misses.
Yarnell is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like Yarnell might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shoryu is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoryu not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Yarnell controlling Shoryu's posture.

Yarnell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Yarnell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shoryu defends it easily.

Yarnell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shoryu is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Yarnell is looking for a triangle but Shoryu pushes his legs off easily.
Shoryu trying to control the position from guard on top but Yarnell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Yarnell working for a triangle but Shoryu defends it easily.

Yarnell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shoryu controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Yarnell escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shoryu gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shoryu trying to control the position from guard on top but Yarnell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Shoryu shoots in and bounces Yarnell off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Yarnell working for a triangle but Shoryu defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shoryu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Shoryu stands up and waves to Yarnell to follow him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shoryu throws a head kick that misses.

Shoryu looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shingoke Shoryu dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shoryu circles away from the clinch attempt.

Yarnell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Shoryu gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Yarnell regains guard.
Shoryu wants to pass the guard but Yarnell is keeping the position.

Yarnell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shoryu trying to control but Yarnell is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yarnell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shoryu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yarnell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shoryu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shoryu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Yarnell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shoryu defends it easily.

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

Yarnell has his foot on Shoryu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shoryu works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Yarnell keeping moving, preventing Shoryu from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shoryu misses with a head kick.

Shoryu shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Shoryu showed some decent athleticism there.
Yarnell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shoryu is thwarting Yarnell's attempts to control the position.
Yarnell has hold of Shoryu's hands but Shoryu slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Yarnell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yarnell wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shoryu is keen to just control but Yarnell is a slippery customer.
Shoryu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yarnell's head.
Yarnell is refusing to be controlled, as Shoryu sits in half guard.
Shoryu is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Yarnell is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Shoryu looking to score a takedown here. Yarnell is defending well but Shoryu drives through and ends up in Yarnell's guard.

Shoryu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shoryu seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shoryu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Yarnell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yarnell keeping moving, preventing Shoryu from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shingoke Shoryu dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shoryu closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shoryu lands in his opponent's guard.

Yarnell manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Shoryu keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Yarnell's efforts to push away.
A frustrated look appears on Shoryu's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shoryu has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shoryu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yarnell can do to turn this around?
Yarnell trying to land knees to the body.
Yarnell has had enough of the clinch but Shoryu keeps him there for the moment.

Shoryu pulls guard effortlessly.
Yarnell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoryu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yarnell is one step ahead there.
Shoryu throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Yarnell connects with a couple of short punches.
Shoryu trying to control the position.
Shingoke Shoryu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yarnell is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Shoryu is trying to keep Yarnell in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shoryu moves to clinch but Yarnell breaks away

and Yarnell counters with a takedown into side control.
An elbow from Yarnell crashes against the mat.
Yarnell tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Shoryu tries to bench press Yarnell off him but Yarnell keeps the position.
Yarnell wants to control but Shoryu is keeping him busy.

Yarnell working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shoryu is trying to get back to half guard.
Yarnell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shoryu keeps working.
Shoryu is looking to regain half guard here but Yarnell keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Yarnell tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Yarnell postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Shoryu bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Yarnell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shoryu, pushing him back against the cage.
Kevin Yarnell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shingoke Shoryu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yarnell swings wildly with an uppercut but Shoryu uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Yarnell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shoryu has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shingoke Shoryu!