PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Niko Alzate (ranked 1198 p4p, 1947 weight class) and Yamaoka Yukinobu (ranked 68 p4p, 111 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Alzate
vs
Yukinobu

168 cm
26
135
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
145
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Perkele!

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Niko Alzate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yamaoka Yukinobu!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick lands for Alzate.
Alzate stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alzate wants it to stay on the feet.
A little feinted left hand from Alzate on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice sprawl there from Alzate as Yukinobu shoots in.
Alzate blocks a leg kick.
Alzate throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Alzate throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yukinobu has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Alzate after a bit of a struggle.
Niko Alzate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamaoka Yukinobu.
Alzate fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Alzate gets underhooks to prevent Yukinobu's takedown attempt.
Yukinobu stalling.
Yukinobu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alzate tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yukinobu's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alzate gets control of Yukinobu's arms and successfully pulls guard. Alzate will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Alzate is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Alzate keeping moving, preventing Yukinobu from controlling successfully.
Yukinobu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alzate working a defensive guard here.
Yukinobu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alzate swivels though and keeps the full guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Yukinobu working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Alzate is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yukinobu is aware though and is defending well.
Alzate looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Yukinobu trying to control but Alzate is working from the bottom.
Yukinobu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Alzate has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yukinobu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Alzate utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Yukinobu slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Yukinobu tries for a kimura but Alzate is defending well.
Yukinobu working away.
Alzate is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Yukinobu is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Yukinobu taking a breather here.
Yukinobu throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Yukinobu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Alzate knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alzate tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Yukinobu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Alzate is working to avoid the ground and pound but Yukinobu connects with a decent elbow.
Yukinobu landing strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yukinobu takes a little break here. Alzate wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Yukinobu cracks Alzate with a big right hand but Alzate just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Alzate tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on Alzate's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Yukinobu trying to control the position but Alzate is working away.
Alzate takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu landing strikes.

Yukinobu is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Alzate has escaped the position, nice work there.

Yukinobu has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Yukinobu slips under a jab.
Alzate throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Niko Alzate seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yukinobu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Yukinobu moves away from the strike by Alzate.
Yukinobu feints the counter takedown.
Alzate throws a low kick, looking for Yukinobu's leg but Yukinobu calmly moves out of range.
Alzate lands a nice shot that snaps Yukinobu's head back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yukinobu tries for a takedown but Alzate sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Yukinobu feints and as Alzate raises his hands in defense, Yukinobu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Alzate looking to control.

Alzate working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yukinobu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yukinobu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yamaoka Yukinobu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Alzate's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Alzate scores with a nice head shot.
Niko Alzate has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A clash of legs there as Yukinobu blocks the low kick.
Yukinobu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Alzate connects with a solid leg kick.
Yukinobu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Yukinobu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Good work by Yukinobu as he checks the leg kick.
Yukinobu goes for a double leg but Alzate avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Alzate continues to drive forward.
A solid leg kick lands there for Alzate.
Alzate throws a leg kick which misses Yukinobu's front leg but catches the back leg as Yukinobu tries to avoid it.
Alzate is looking to chop away at Yukinobu's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Yukinobu lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Alzate has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Alzate and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Yukinobu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Alzate.
Yukinobu moves out of range of the body kick.
Yukinobu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alzate pinned against the cage. Alzate gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alzate misses with a kick to the body.
Alzate throws a quick inside leg kick.
Yukinobu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Alzate feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Yukinobu moves out of range of the body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alzate. Yukinobu does a little dance to reset his feet.

Yukinobu clinches up with Alzate and pushes him back against the cage.

Alzate drags the fight down to the ground.
Yukinobu trying to control but Alzate is working from the bottom.
Yukinobu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alzate swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Alzate is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yukinobu is aware though and is defending well.

Alzate is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Yukinobu defends well.
Yukinobu is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu looking to pass the guard.

Yukinobu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yukinobu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alzate looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu wants to control from the top but Alzate keeps moving.

Alzate escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yukinobu gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alzate seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Yukinobu controlling from the top position.
Yukinobu trying to control the position from guard on top but Alzate is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Alzate blocks a head kick by Yukinobu.
Yukinobu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Yukinobu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alzate pinned against the cage. Alzate gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Niko Alzate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamaoka Yukinobu.
A nice leg kick from Alzate, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alzate jabs Yukinobu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Alzate tries to work over Yukinobu's front leg with a kick but Yukinobu checks it.
Alzate avoids a kick to the body.
Alzate throws a nice outside leg kick.
Alzate throws a low kick but it's checked well by Yukinobu.
Yukinobu with the counter takedown but Alzate avoids it easily.
Alzate lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yukinobu's sensitive parts.
Yukinobu checks a leg kick.
Yukinobu throws a right hand that Alzate ducks under and follows up with a left that Alzate also avoids with ease.
Yukinobu walks into a stiff left hand from Alzate.
Yukinobu shoots in looking for a takedown but Alzate manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yukinobu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Alzate lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alzate lands with a thumping leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Yukinobu.
Alzate misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Alzate dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Alzate throws a hook but Yukinobu blocks it.
Alzate is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yukinobu can do to turn this around?
A slapping body kick lands there for Alzate.
Yukinobu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Alzate.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yukinobu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yukinobu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alzate moves away.
Yukinobu is looking to clinch but Alzate is avoiding it.
Alzate swats away the attempt to clinch by Yukinobu.
Yukinobu checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Yukinobu drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Alzate defends it well.
Alzate connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Yukinobu drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yukinobu tries for a kimura but Alzate is defending well.
Alzate gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yukinobu is looking to take a break and control but Alzate is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Alzate has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Yukinobu is working away from the top position though.
Yukinobu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yukinobu passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Alzate!
Yukinobu looking to control but Alzate is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Yukinobu working the ground and pound effectively.
Yukinobu looking to finish Alzate with some ground and pound. This is bad for Alzate!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Alzate has given up his back.
Yamaoka Yukinobu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yukinobu tries to get the hooks in deep but Alzate pushed the leg off.
Yukinobu gets his hands free as Alzate looks to control.
Alzate looking very determined here, making life difficult for Yukinobu.
Alzate tries to escape the position.
Alzate is working hard here to advance position.

Yukinobu is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Alzate has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Alzate trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yukinobu is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Alzate is defending well though. Yukinobu let's go of the attempt for now.
Yukinobu not allowing Alzate to control his hands.

Yukinobu patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Yukinobu trying to control.
Alzate is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Yukinobu is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Alzate rolls, trying to escape but Yukinobu keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alzate covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Yukinobu avoiding Alzate 's attempts to control his hands.

Alzate is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Yukinobu patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alzate is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Yukinobu looking for the choke but no joy.
Alzate rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yamaoka Yukinobu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yukinobu 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yamaoka Yukinobu!