PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yusuke Yamanashi (ranked 5409 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ofc Winner (ranked 5496 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Yamanashi
vs
Winner

172 cm
21
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yusuke Yamanashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ofc Winner!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamanashi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A punch combination from Winner misses.
Winner slips a straight right by Yamanashi.
Winner lands an overhand right.
Nice cross by Winner.
Yamanashi wants to clinch up but Winner keeps it at a distance.
Yamanashi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Winner lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Winner throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Yamanashi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yamanashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Winner lands with a right to the head.
Yamanashi is looking to break free of the clinch but Winner has double underhooks.
Yamanashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short right from Winner.
Winner blocks an elbow strike.
Winner misses with some punches.
Winner throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yamanashis head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Winner.
Winner swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Winner.
Winner misses with a hook from the clinch.
Winner throws a head punch that misses.
Winner lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yamanashi backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Winner fails to land.
Yamanashi wants to take the fight to the mat but Winner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Winner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Winner tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Winner gets underhooks to prevent Yamanashi's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yusuke Yamanashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamanashi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Winner scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yamanashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Winner lands a shoulder strike.
Winner misses with a punch on the inside.
Winner prevents Yamanashi from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yamanashi drags the fight down to the ground.
Winner postures up.
Yamanashi is really struggling to control Winner but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Winner trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Yamanashi manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Yamanashi preventing the sweep.
Winner is still trying to improve position.
Yamanashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Winner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Winner 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamanashi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Yamanashi wants to control from the top but Winner keeps moving.
Yamanashi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Winner keeping moving, preventing Yamanashi from controlling successfully.
Yamanashi stopping the sweep attempt from Winner.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Yamanashi pushing down on Winner's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Winner punching from the bottom.
Yamanashi slows the pace down in half guard.
Winner is not content to let Yamanashi control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Winner lands a nice shot that snaps Yamanashi's head back.
Yamanashi throws a low kick but Winner avoids it.
Winner bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Yamanashi's head backwards.
Yamanashi fails with a takedown attempt.
Yamanashi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Winner lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Winner takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab by Winner.
Winner lands with a nice body punch.
Yamanashi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Winner as he jumps to the side.

Winner fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Yamanashi, pushing him back against the cage.
Winner lands a body punch.
A short uppercut from Winner.
Ofc Winner seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Yamanashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Winner misses with some punches.
Winner leaning his opponent against the cage.
Winner lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Winner has a couple of punches blocked by Yamanashi.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Winner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamanashi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Yamanashi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Winner gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Winner lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Yamanashi backwards.
Winner lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yamanashi backwards.
Winner misses with some punches.
Winner working aggressively here.
Winner prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yusuke Yamanashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamanashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Winner.
Winner lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Yamanashi tries to pull guard but Winner holds him up against the cage and eventually Yamanashi drops back down to his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Winner.
Winner lands a body shot in the clinch.
Winner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Winner is leaning against Yamanashi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Winner misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Winner lands with a right to the head.
Yamanashi blocking some punches.
Winner working aggressively here.
Winner throws a punch but it's blocked by Yamanashi.
Winner lands a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamanashi looking to stall.
Winner lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Winner misses with the head strike.
A nice left hand lands by Winner.
Winner tries to throw a body punch but Yamanashi avoids it by throwing Winner back against the cage.
Winner prevents Yamanashi from breaking the clinch.
Yamanashi is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Winner to keep the fight standing.
Winner lands a nice uppercut.
Yamanashi stalling in the clinch but Winner improves position.
Come on Winner - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Winner scores with a nice short uppercut.

Yamanashi manages to break the clinch.
Yamanashi tries to clinch but Winner moves out of range.
A jab from Winner finds it's way through Yamanashi's defenses.
Winner connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Yamanashi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Yamanashi shoots for a double leg takedown but Winner sprawls well. He's pushed Yamanashi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ofc Winner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Winner thuds his right hand into Yamanashi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Winner throws a good cross that connects.
Winner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Winner scores with a nice strike.
A cross from Winner lands.
A jab lands there for Winner.
Ofc Winner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Winner lands a lovely overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamanashi tries to clinch there but Winner circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Winner misses with a hook from the clinch.
Winner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Winner misses with a hook from the clinch.
Winner lands with a left to the head.
Yamanashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Winner.
Winner lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Yamanashi backwards.
Yamanashi working aggressively here.
Yamanashi tries to break free but Winner pushes him back against the cage.

Yamanashi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Yamanashi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yamanashi controls Winner momentarily but Winner frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Winner controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Winner's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ofc Winner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Winner tests Yamanashi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yamanashi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yamanashi goes for a double leg but Winner avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Winner continues to drive forward.
Yamanashi shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice uppercut there from Winner.
Winner connects with a good right hand that stumbles Yamanashi. Yamanashi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Winner pushes Yamanashi up against the cage in a clinch.
Winner has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Winner.
Winner lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Yamanashi stalling in the clinch but Winner improves position.
Winner makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Winner slows down the pace here.
Winner is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Winner receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Winner swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee calls for Winner to work.
Yamanashi jumps guard but Winner turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yusuke Yamanashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Winner has a couple of punches blocked by Yamanashi.
Winner stalling in the clinch.
A short right from Winner on the inside.
Yamanashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Winner keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Yamanashi's efforts to push away.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yamanashi.
Yamanashi tries a knee to the head but Winner blocks it.
Yamanashi wants to take the fight to the mat but Winner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Winner slowing the pace effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Winner misses with the head strike.
Winner lands a nice uppercut.
Yamanashi being controlled against the cage.
A short uppercut from Winner.
Yamanashi stalling in the clinch but Winner improves position.
Yamanashi is trying to break free.
Winner throws a head punch that misses.
Winner throws a punch but it's blocked by Yamanashi.
Winner throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yamanashis head.
Yamanashi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Yamanashi is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Winner to keep the fight standing.
Winner misses with a punch on the inside.
Winner lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right from Winner.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Winner pushes Yamanashi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Winner lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Winner lands with a left to the head.
Yamanashi looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Winner lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Yamanashi goes for a takedown attempt but Winner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Yusuke Yamanashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Winner works the jab nicely.
Winner moves into range and connects with a jab.
Winner uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Yamanashi gets tackled into the cage by Winner. Winner maintains the clinch.
Yamanashi takes a shot to the head.
Yamanashi stalling in the clinch but Winner improves position.
Winner working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Winner scores with an uppercut up the middle.

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!
Yamanashi trying to stall but Winner improves his position.
Winner lands a nice uppercut.
Yamanashi takes a shot to the head.
Yamanashi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Winner avoids it.
Winner misses with some punches.
Yamanashi blocking some punches.
Yamanashi trying to stall but Winner improves his position.
Yamanashi is trying to pull guard but Winner has him pressed against the cage.
Winner lands a right hand that snaps the head of Yamanashi backwards.
Yamanashi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Winner scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Winner lands a right hand that snaps the head of Yamanashi backwards.
Yamanashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Winner throws a head punch that misses.
Winner misses with a punch on the inside.
Yusuke Yamanashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ofc Winner is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yamanashi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Winner has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ofc Winner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Winner 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 26:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ofc Winner!
In his post fight interview, Ofc Winner started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.