PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ken Yuuta (ranked 3377 p4p, 298 weight class) and Khalabeeb Ferguson (ranked 2718 p4p, 247 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Yuuta
vs
Ferguson

170 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
154 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ken Yuuta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khalabeeb Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Yuuta sizes up Ferguson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Yuuta lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yuuta sprawls well. Yuuta wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ferguson gets slowly back to his feet.
Yuuta appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ferguson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yuuta moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ferguson is looking to score with low kicks.
Jab from Yuuta.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yuuta.
Yuuta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ferguson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Yuuta defends it well.
Yuuta tests Ferguson's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Ferguson has Yuuta up against the cage in a clinch.

Ferguson has clasped his hands together around Yuuta's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson happy to just control the position for now.
Ferguson working the head with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson stands up and beckons Yuuta to his feet.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yuuta as he jumps to the side.
Yuuta lands a lovely overhand right.
Yuuta swings widly with a right hand
and Ferguson counters with a left and a right that stings Yuuta.
Yuuta definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Yuuta dodges the punch combination from Ferguson.
Ferguson tries for a takedown but Yuuta sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ken Yuuta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khalabeeb Ferguson.
Yuuta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ferguson shoots in but Yuuta avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yuuta tried to counter with a leg kick but Ferguson avoided it.
Ferguson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yuuta can pounce on him.
Ferguson throws a leg kick but Yuuta moved away.
Ferguson falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Yuuta counter with a right hand.
A punch combination from Yuuta misses.
Ferguson with the counter takedown but Yuuta avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuuta scores with a three punch combo!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Yuuta gets tackled into the cage by Ferguson. Ferguson maintains the clinch.

Ferguson pulls guard effortlessly.
Ferguson is pulling down on Yuuta's head. It's preventing any offense from Yuuta, at least for the moment.

Ferguson has his feet on Yuuta's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Yuuta throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ferguson ducks under a wild hook from Yuuta.
Ferguson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Yuuta defends it well.
Yuuta throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson looks for a takedown but Yuuta sprawls well.
Yuuta connects with a crisp jab.

Ferguson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ferguson showed some decent athleticism there.
Ferguson slips a nice elbow through Yuuta's hands, connecting with Yuuta's forehead.
Ferguson trying to control the pace.
Ferguson passes to side control.

Ferguson decides to stand back up. Ferguson steps back and let's Yuuta get back to his feet.
Yuuta missing with a left hand there. Ferguson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ferguson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yuuta.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson has closed the distance and engaged Yuuta in a clinch.
Ferguson goes for a takedown attempt but Yuuta pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ferguson walks into a straight right hand from Yuuta.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Yuuta misses with an uppercut.
Ferguson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A low kick from Ferguson is predictable there
and Yuuta counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Danga de danga de dang - Ferguson scores with a four punch combination!
Yuuta lands with a nice combination. Ferguson backs away looking to recover.

Ferguson closes the distance and pushes Yuuta back into the cage.

Yuuta is fighting off a takedown attempt but Ferguson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Yuuta to the mat. Yuuta regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Ferguson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Yuuta, up you get!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson defending well as Yuuta loads up on a big left hand.
Ferguson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Ferguson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yuuta has hold of Ferguson's hands but Ferguson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ken Yuuta will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Yuuta misses the jab.
Yuuta lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Yuuta.
Yuuta takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Yuuta punishes Ferguson's body with a nice straight punch.
Yuuta throws a poor cross that misses

and Ferguson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yuuta's guard.
Ferguson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Ferguson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yuuta connects with a body shot.
Yuuta misses with a left hand

and Ferguson counters with a single leg into guard. Yuuta didn't expect that.
Ferguson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Yuuta wants to sweep here but Ferguson controlling him for the moment.
Ferguson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ferguson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson stands up out of the half guard.
Yuuta misses with a hook to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ferguson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Ken Yuuta has been cut.
Ferguson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Yuuta cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Khalabeeb Ferguson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ferguson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ferguson is trying to pull guard but Yuuta turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ferguson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yuuta pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Yuuta tries to stall but Ferguson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Ferguson gets control of Yuuta's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ferguson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ferguson is on top in guard.

Ferguson gets to his feet - Yuuta follows without any prompting.

Ferguson gets the takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ferguson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Yuuta to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Yuuta gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Ferguson is breathing heavily.
Ferguson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Ferguson gets to his feet. Yuuta looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Ferguson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ken Yuuta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khalabeeb Ferguson.
Yuuta displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ferguson.
Yuuta lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ferguson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Yuuta to counter with a crisp jab.
Ferguson ducks under a wild hook from Yuuta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Yuuta both land. Nice combination.
Ferguson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yuuta.
Yuuta misses with a head kick.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yuuta as he avoids it easily.
Ken Yuuta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ferguson scores with a takedown into Yuuta's guard.

Ferguson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Yuuta, up you get!
Ferguson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ken Yuuta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ferguson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Yuuta looking to control.
Ferguson is stalling in the full guard.

Ferguson stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a one two combo.
Ken Yuuta is winning the standup battle so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson throws a nice looking combination but Yuuta bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yuuta lands a nice looking body shot.
Yuuta thuds his right hand into Ferguson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yuuta misses with a straight left.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yuuta.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ferguson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Ferguson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Yuuta can't fight it off and eventually Ferguson manages to take the fight to the floor. Yuuta looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ferguson stays in close to Yuuta's body and controls the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ferguson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khalabeeb Ferguson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ken Yuuta's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Yuuta misses with a looping right.
Ferguson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yuuta avoids it really well and circles away.

Ferguson shoots in and bounces Yuuta off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Yuuta knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ferguson on the ground.
Ferguson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yuuta trying to keep a closed guard but Ferguson is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Yuuta is trying to control the position but Ferguson postures up.
Ferguson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Khalabeeb Ferguson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ferguson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ferguson content to stall in guard here.

Ferguson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Yuuta, up you get!
Nice uppercut there from Yuuta.

Ferguson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Yuuta doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Ferguson manages to pull guard.
Ferguson lands some strikes from the bottom.
Ferguson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ferguson has his hands on Yuuta's head, controlling the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ferguson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ferguson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ferguson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ferguson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Yuuta's guard.

Ferguson seems to be working for a kimura but Yuuta defends the submission attempt.
Ferguson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Ferguson decides to stand and escape the position.
Ferguson misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson looks for a takedown but Yuuta sprawls well.
Ferguson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yuuta misses with a wild body shot.
Yuuta bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ferguson's head backwards.
Nice jab there from Yuuta.
Ferguson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yuuta avoids it really well and circles away.
Ken Yuuta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khalabeeb Ferguson.
Ferguson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ferguson avoids the body shot from Yuuta.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yuuta misses with a looping right.
Ferguson misses with a body kick.
Yuuta slips under a jab from Ferguson.
Yuuta seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ferguson takes the fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khalabeeb Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ferguson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khalabeeb Ferguson!