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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Norifumi Yamamoto (ranked 1522 p4p, 185 weight class) and Nevzorov Stepanovich (ranked 1703 p4p, 206 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 168 cm
26
161 lbs
6 - 3 - 0 |
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170 cm
25
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0 |
Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong |
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Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin |
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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
6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Norifumi Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nevzorov Stepanovich!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and David Hoff.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepanovich avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto swings widly with a right hand
and Stepanovich counters with a takedown into side control.
Yamamoto has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Yamamoto is trying to get back to half guard.
Stepanovich wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yamamoto keeps working.
Yamamoto is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanovich thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Yamamoto tries to bench press Stepanovich off him but Stepanovich keeps the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stepanovich's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Yamamoto is defending against the submission attempts here by Stepanovich.
Stepanovich has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Temp Spar Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Stepanovich is trying to work for a kimura but Yamamoto is defending well.
Stepanovich is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
That's two 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 tries to get to full guard but Stepanovich has control of the leg.
Yamamoto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yamamoto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stepanovich pulls his head out easily.
Stepanovich is trying to control. Yamamoto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stepanovich is looking for a kimura here.
Yamamoto is refusing to be controlled, as Stepanovich sits in half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stepanovich looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Stepanovich wants to work for an arm triangle but Yamamoto is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Yamamoto is refusing to be controlled, as Stepanovich sits in half guard.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Yamamoto misses with a wild body shot.
Yamamoto misses the shot to the body.
Stepanovich tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Stepanovich shoots in and drives through. Yamamoto sprawls well.
Stepanovich tries for a takedown but Yamamoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stepanovich looks to land a left hand but Yamamoto moved out of range nicely.
Stepanovich jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yamamoto scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stepanovich looking for a kimura from the bottom but Yamamoto passes into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stepanovich wants to control but Yamamoto postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Nevzorov Stepanovich will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Stepanovich doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Yamamoto counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Yamamoto drops back, looking for a kneebar! Stepanovich looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Stepanovich looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Stepanovich!
Stepanovich has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Yamamoto!
Yamamoto really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto is working hard here to advance position.
Stepanovich can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Yamamoto is looking to escape.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Yamamoto has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Stepanovich goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Yamamoto is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yamamoto passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Stepanovich is trying to improve his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Stepanovich, who protects the arm well.
Yamamoto goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Stepanovich has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Yamamoto but great work by Stepanovich.
Yamamoto is looking to reverse the position.
Stepanovich tries for a kimura but Yamamoto is defending well.
Yamamoto is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Yamamoto works his way to full guard. Good work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto has his foot on Stepanovich's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stepanovich works his way back into a safe position though.
Stepanovich got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yamamoto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stepanovich has managed to get both his arms back between Yamamoto's legs - danger averted.
Yamamoto keeping moving, preventing Stepanovich from controlling successfully.
Yamamoto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stepanovich can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stepanovich got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yamamoto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stepanovich has managed to get both his arms back between Yamamoto's legs - danger averted.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stepanovich stands and throws Yamamoto's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Yamamoto is trying to improve his position.
Stepanovich trying to control the position but Yamamoto is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stepanovich tries for a kimura but Yamamoto is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Norifumi Yamamoto will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Stepanovich throws a jab but it's blocked by Yamamoto.
A telegraphed right hand from Stepanovich misses the target.
Yamamoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Stepanovich is just out of range.
Stepanovich waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yamamoto.
Yamamoto feinted with a counter takedown.
Stepanovich blocks a jab.
Yamamoto scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Stepanovich tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Yamamoto wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Norifumi Yamamoto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yamamoto tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Yamamoto has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto is trying to get an arm triangle but Stepanovich is defending well.
Stepanovich is looking for a sweep.
Stepanovich is persisting with the attempt to improve his 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.
Stepanovich wants to control but Yamamoto postures up.
Yamamoto looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Yamamoto wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Stepanovich, who protects the arm well.
Stepanovich can't do much from the bottom here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stepanovich is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Yamamoto's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Stepanovich is pressing down on Yamamoto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yamamoto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Yamamoto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
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.
Yamamoto misses with a looping left.
A big right from Yamamoto misses.
Stepanovich throws a big shot that misses.
Yamamoto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stepanovich.
Yamamoto gets a double leg takedown into Stepanovich's guard.
Stepanovich tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yamamoto drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stepanovich manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Yamamoto has Stepanovich in his guard.
Stepanovich drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Yamamoto manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Stepanovich has Yamamoto in his guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Norifumi Yamamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Yamamoto has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Norifumi Yamamoto!
Our winner, Norifumi Yamamoto, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
28% |
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