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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kai Yamaguchi (ranked 52 p4p, 10 weight class) and Mamoru Date (ranked 369 p4p, 45 weight class). Yamaguchi's entrance music is Yama Yama. A fine choice. Mamoru Date told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 176 cm
32
160 lbs
28 - 8 - 1 |
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178 cm
30
160 lbs
21 - 8 - 2 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
28 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Yamaguchi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
21 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Mamoru Date!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Date with a jab.
Yamaguchi moves out of range as Date strikes.
Yamaguchi misses the jab.
Date slips a straight right by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Date cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Date throws a right hand that Yamaguchi ducks under and follows up with a left that Yamaguchi also avoids with ease.
Yamaguchi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Date doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Date lands a jab to Yamaguchi's midsection.
Date throws out a loose jab but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Date keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yamaguchi scores with a nice right hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Date.
Date is looking to land body kicks.
Date has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Date avoids the body shot from Yamaguchi.
Date uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Yamaguchi has time to react.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Date thows a left - swing and a miss!
Yamaguchi darts in and clinches Date up against the cage.
Date misses with some punches.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Date controls the action.
Date blocks a body shot from Yamaguchi.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Date swings away with an uppercut that misses.
I was talking to Yamaguchi's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Date misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Date throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Date goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yamaguchi tries to work over Date's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Date lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Yamaguchi lands with a right to the head.
Date throws a head punch that misses.
Date goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yamaguchi lands with a light punch inside.
Date misses with a body punch.
Date tries to throw a body punch but Yamaguchi avoids it by throwing Date back against the cage.
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yamaguchi cracks Date with a nice body shot.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Yamaguchi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Date doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Date controls the action.
Yamaguchi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Date misses with a short punch on the inside.
Date fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yamaguchi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Date digs a right hand underneath Yamaguchi's ribcage. Yamaguchi let out a lung full of air as it connected.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Date misses with the head strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Date.
Date lands a hook that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
A short left from Yamaguchi.
Date struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Date scores with a nice hook to the head.
Date tries a body shot but Yamaguchi blocks it.
Yamaguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Date.
A nice right hand lands inside from Date.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yamaguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Date struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Date misses with a body punch.
Date blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Date lands a body punch.
Date lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Yamaguchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yamaguchi.
Date blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Date throws a head punch that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Date throws a head punch that misses.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yamaguchi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Date backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Date.
Date tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yamaguchi's elbow.
Date tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yamaguchi's elbow.
Yamaguchi working aggressively here.
A body shot lands from Yamaguchi.
A short left from Yamaguchi.
Date struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Date working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Date working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yamaguchi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Date backwards.
Date misses with a punch to the body.
Date blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch.
Yamaguchi lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right hook to the body lands for Yamaguchi.
A short uppercut from Date.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi prevents a body shot from Date.
A shot in the inside from Yamaguchi.
Date prevents a body shot from Yamaguchi.
Date misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yamaguchi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Date makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Yamaguchi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Date backwards.
Yamaguchi blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yamaguchi.
Date can't find room to land a body shot as Yamaguchi controls the action.
Date lands a hook that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Date is working Yamaguchi over against the cage.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Date controls the action.
Date tries a body shot but Yamaguchi blocks it.
Date tries a body shot but Yamaguchi blocks it.
Yamaguchi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yamaguchi tries to throw a body punch but Date avoids it by throwing Yamaguchi back against the cage.
Date gets through Yamaguchi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Date struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Date struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Yamaguchi working aggressively here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mamoru Date dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Yamaguchi, right into the meat.
Date takes a swing at Yamaguchi's ribcage but misses.
Yamaguchi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Date has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Date throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Nice cross by Yamaguchi.
Date scores with a jab to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Date.
Yamaguchi misses the body punch
enabling Date to counter with a crisp jab.
Yamaguchi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Date. That did some damage!
Yamaguchi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Date cracks Yamaguchi with an open hand slap.
Yamaguchi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Date tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamaguchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Date.
Yamaguchi throws a shot from downtown. Date moves away and avoids it.
Yamaguchi scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Date steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yamaguchi.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Date scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Date is looking to clinch.
Yamaguchi throws a solid leg kick but Date takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yamaguchi.
Date lands a head kick. Yamaguchi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
It looks like Kai Yamaguchi has been cut.
Date throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Date blocks a jab.
Yamaguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Date.
Date misses with an uppercut.
Yamaguchi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yamaguchi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Yamaguchi misses the jab.
Yamaguchi has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Date.
Date throws the left hand but Yamaguchi avoids the punch easily.
Date throws a looping overhand right but Yamaguchi ducks down to avoid it.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the side of Date's head but Date sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Date lands a body shot.
Yamaguchi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Date throws an overhand right that lands on Yamaguchi's shoulder, as Yamaguchi tries to avoid the shot.
Yamaguchi takes a swing at Date's ribcage but misses.
Date dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yamaguchi. That did some damage!
Yamaguchi lands a front kick.
Date misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi is looking to counter punch.
Date misses the shot to the body.
Date chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Date has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Date lands with a slapping head kick.
Date thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big left from Date misses.
Yamaguchi throws a low kick, looking for Date's leg but Date calmly moves out of range.
Yamaguchi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Yamaguchi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Date looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yamaguchi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Date fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yamaguchi manages to avoid it.
Date defending well as Yamaguchi loads up on a big left hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yamaguchi's sensitive parts.
Yamaguchi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Yamaguchi cracks Date with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick which misses Date's front leg but catches the back leg as Date tries to avoid it.
Date misses with a shot to the body
and Yamaguchi counters with a stiff right hand.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook. Date ducked under it nicely.
Yamaguchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Date.
Mamoru Date seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yamaguchi lands with a slapping head kick.
Yamaguchi slips under a jab.
Yamaguchi is looking to counter with head kicks.
Date tests Yamaguchi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yamaguchi tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Date counters with a straight right hand.
Date swings and misses with a hook 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!
Yamaguchi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Date misses the shot to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Date uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi misses with a looping left.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yamaguchi.
Date scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A swing and a miss from Yamaguchi.
Date rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Yamaguchi counters with a thumping low kick.
Yamaguchi scores with a jab.
Date throws a shot to the body.
Date rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Yamaguchi counters with an inside leg kick.
Date is looking to slow Yamaguchi down with leg kicks.
Yamaguchi staying out of range there.
Date's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Date closes the distance but Yamaguchi moves to the side
and Yamaguchi counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yamaguchi looks to land a right hand but Date moved out of range.
Date drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Yamaguchi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Date checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Mamoru Date will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kai Yamaguchi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!
Date bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Yamaguchi's head backwards.
Yamaguchi misses with a looping left.
Date throws a half hearted mid kick.
A quick step to the side and Yamaguchi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yamaguchi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Date misses with a wild body shot.
Yamaguchi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yamaguchi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Date misses with a low kick.
Yamaguchi quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Date throws a head kick that half lands.
Yamaguchi throws a front kick aimed at Date's knee but Date avoids it well.
Yamaguchi misses with an uppercut
and Date counters with a stiff right hand.
Yamaguchi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Yamaguchi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yamaguchi needs to keep his hands up - Date had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Date throws a jab but it's blocked by Yamaguchi.
Date throws a predictable looking body shot
and Yamaguchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Date lands a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Date misses with a hook.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Yamaguchi. Date shrugs it off though.
Date connects with a leg kick. Yamaguchi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Yamaguchi digs a good body shot into Date's ribs.
Date fails in his attempt to clinch.
Date doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Date throws out a loose jab but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yamaguchi with a nice cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamaguchi. Date does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yamaguchi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Date getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Date misses with a body shot
and Yamaguchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yamaguchi throws a looping overhand right but Date ducks down to avoid it.
Yamaguchi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Date slips a straight right by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi lands with a straight right. Date didn't see that one coming.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamaguchi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Date throws a lazy right hand but Yamaguchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice shot by Yamaguchi.
Date lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yamaguchi delivers a nice body kick.
Date needs to keep his hands up - Yamaguchi had a free shot at his head there.
Yamaguchi lands with an overhand left.
Yamaguchi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Date.
Yamaguchi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Date counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Date throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamaguchi closes the distance looking to clinch
and Date counters with a nice low kick that buckles Yamaguchi's knee momentarily.
Date tries to land a leg kick but Yamaguchi saw it coming and moves away.
Date takes a swing at Yamaguchi's ribcage but misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Yamaguchi to counter with a crisp jab.
Yamaguchi lands a really nice looking cross but Date seems unphased.
Date loads up on a big right hand but Yamaguchi slips the punch.
Yamaguchi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Date.
Yamaguchi looks to land a right hand but Date moved out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Date misses the target.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but Date moved away.
Yamaguchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Yamaguchi scores with a spinning back kick!
Yamaguchi slips under a jab from Date.
Yamaguchi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yamaguchi throws out a loose jab but Date uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yamaguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Date.
Yamaguchi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Date throws a jab when Yamaguchi was well out of range.
Date has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Yamaguchi.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamaguchi. Date does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from Date misses.
Yamaguchi keeps Date at a distance using the push kick.
Date fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Yamaguchi.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A telegraphed right hand from Date misses the target.
Date scores with a jab to the jaw.
Date jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook to the body
and Date counters with a straight right hand.
Date connects with a looping right hand.
Yamaguchi thumps Date with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Date throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yamaguchi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Date is able to avoid easily.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook. Date ducked under it nicely.
Yamaguchi misses with a combination
and Date counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Mamoru Date just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Kai Yamaguchi's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Yamaguchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Date.
Date swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Date misses with an uppercut. Yamaguchi saw that one coming.
It appears Yamaguchi was looking to counter with a kick there.
Nice uppercut lands for Date. That snapped Yamaguchi's head back.
Date throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Yamaguchi counters with a straight right hand.
A big right from Date misses.
Yamaguchi is looking to counter punch.
Yamaguchi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Date, pushing him back against the cage.
Yamaguchi is trying to push Date away but Date has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Date can't find room to land a body shot as Yamaguchi controls the action.
Yamaguchi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Yamaguchi scores with a shot to the side of Date's head.
Date pushes Yamaguchi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Date fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Date can't find room to land a body shot as Yamaguchi controls the action.
Yamaguchi prevents a body shot from Date.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch.
Date lands a body punch in the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Date lands with a short shot to the head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Date throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yamaguchis head.
Date misses with some punches.
Date can't find room to land a body shot as Yamaguchi controls the action.
Yamaguchi blocking some punches.
Yamaguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Date.
Yamaguchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Date lands a body shot.
Date blocks a body shot from Yamaguchi.
Date tries to work over Yamaguchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Date blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yamaguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yamaguchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Date working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Date misses with a body punch.
A shot in the inside from Date.
Yamaguchi blocking some punches.
Mamoru Date seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Date digs a right hand into Yamaguchi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Yamaguchi's gas tank.
Date lands a hook that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Date struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yamaguchi blocks a body shot from Date.
Date scores with a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamaguchi misses with the head strike.
Date blocks an uppercut.
Date working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yamaguchi blocks a body shot from Date.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yamaguchi prevents a body shot from Date.
Yamaguchi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Date misses with a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Yamaguchi.
Date tries to work over Yamaguchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Date controls the action.
Date tries to work over Yamaguchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yamaguchi lands a shoulder strike.
Date prevents a body shot from Yamaguchi.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date lands a nice uppercut.
Yamaguchi misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Date.
A short left from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Date misses with a punch on the inside.
Date tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yamaguchi's elbow.
Yamaguchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yamaguchi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yamaguchi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Date's elbow.
Date lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Date controls the action.
Date misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yamaguchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Date struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Yamaguchi lands with a light punch inside.
Date throws a head punch that misses.
Yamaguchi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Date tries to score with a low kick but Yamaguchi moves his leg out of the way.
Date throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Date throws a hook but Yamaguchi blocks it.
An inside leg kick from Date misses.
Date avoids the body shot from Yamaguchi.
Date on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Yamaguchi clinches up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Yamaguchi.
Date lands with a short shot to the head.
Date doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Date has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Date cracks Yamaguchi with a nice body shot.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Mamoru Date will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kai Yamaguchi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Date checks a low kick from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Date's sensitive parts.
Date swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Date uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yamaguchi.
Date tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamaguchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Date.
Date misses with the body kick
and Yamaguchi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yamaguchi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Date is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Yamaguchi with a body shot.
Yamaguchi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Date counters with a nice uppercut.
Yamaguchi throws a sloppy head kick and Date moves out of range easily.
Date doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi clobbers Date with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Yamaguchi throws a front kick aimed at Date's knee but Date avoids it well.
Date throws a looping overhand right but Yamaguchi ducks down to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Yamaguchi misses the target.
Date misses with a body shot.
Date throws a jab but it's blocked by Yamaguchi.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Date walks into a stiff left hand from Yamaguchi.
Date takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Date tries to clinch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Yamaguchi is looking to counter with a body kick.
Date scores with a punch to the head.
Danga de danga de dang - Yamaguchi scores with a four punch combination!
Date takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Date throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Yamaguchi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Date throws the left hand but Yamaguchi avoids the punch easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Yamaguchi misses the target.
Yamaguchi is looking to score with low kicks.
Yamaguchi thows a leg kick but Date checks it
and Date counters with a stiff right hand.
Date misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamaguchi.
Date throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yamaguchi throwing a counter right hand but Date manages to avoid it.
Yamaguchi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Date.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamaguchi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Date on the side of the head.
Kai Yamaguchi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Date misses with a leg kick
and Yamaguchi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Yamaguchi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Date is out of range.
Yamaguchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Date throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yamaguchi lands a glancing blow to the side of Date's head.
Yamaguchi throws the left hand but Date avoids the punch easily.
Yamaguchi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Date sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch
and Date counters with a leg kick.
Yamaguchi thuds a left hand into Date's body.
Date lands a glancing blow to the side of Yamaguchi's head.
Date takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Date cracks a nice hook into Yamaguchi's ribs.
Date throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Date scores with a body shot.
Yamaguchi tried to score with a low kick but Date checks it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi cracks a nice hook into Date's ribs.
Date just misses with a punch to the body.
Yamaguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Yamaguchi is looking to chop away at Date's legs.
Date misses with a lunging right hand
and Yamaguchi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Yamaguchi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Date connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Yamaguchi scrambles back to his feet.
Date misses with a looping right.
Yamaguchi throwing a counter right hand but Date manages to avoid it.
Mamoru Date is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A left lands for Date.
Yamaguchi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Date checks a leg kick.
Date misses with a shot to the body
and Yamaguchi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A slow jab from Yamaguchi misses its intended target.
Yamaguchi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Date at a distance.
Yamaguchi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Date throws a nice inside leg kick.
Date slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Date throws out a powerful jab.
Yamaguchi takes a swing at Date's ribcage but misses.
Date lands a right hook to the body.
Yamaguchi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Date.
Date tests Yamaguchi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yamaguchi throws a hook but Date blocks it.
Yamaguchi is looking to chop away at Date's legs.
Yamaguchi thuds his right hand into Date's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yamaguchi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Yamaguchi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A nice inside leg kick there by Date. That's going to slow Yamaguchi down.
Date tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamaguchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Date.
Yamaguchi avoids the body shot from Date.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mamoru Date.
Well Date has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 46:50
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 47:50
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 48:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mamoru Date!
Mamoru Date is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Mamoru Date thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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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
83% |
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