PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuuto Yoshida (ranked 3640 p4p, 3425 weight class) and Vlakan Targa (ranked 450 p4p, 427 weight class). Yoshida comes to the cage accompanied by Blue Oyster Cult Godzilla . Vlakan Targa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Yoshida
vs
Targa

184 cm
44
210
32 - 22 - 0

193 cm
26
213
7 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 22 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuuto Yoshida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vlakan Targa!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yoshida looks to score with a jab to the body but Targa is just out of range.
Yoshida misses with a wild body shot.
Yoshida misses with an uppercut. Targa saw that one coming.
Targa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yoshida throws a low kick but Targa avoids it.
Yoshida throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Yoshida pushes Targa up against the cage in a clinch.
Yoshida has a couple of punches blocked by Targa.
Yoshida pushes Targa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yoshida working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Yoshida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yoshida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Targa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Targa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yoshida swivels and escapes.
Yoshida throws a leg kick

and Targa counters with a nice double leg into side control. Yoshida won't be happy with that.
Yoshida is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Targa trying to control the action but Yoshida is working from the bottom.
Targa cracks Yoshida with a big right hand but Yoshida just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yoshida keeps working.

Targa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Yoshida is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Targa is trying to get an arm triangle but Yoshida is defending well.

Targa tries for a kimura but Yoshida is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Targa is trying to get an arm triangle but Yoshida is defending well.

Targa goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Yoshida has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Targa but great work by Yoshida.
Targa tries to buck Yoshida off but Yoshida is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yoshida working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Targa will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Targa tries to buck Yoshida off but Yoshida is having none of it.
Targa regains half guard.
Targa trying to control but Yoshida postures up.

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.
Targa is looking to improve his position.
Well, if Yoshida is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A low kick from Yoshida is predictable there

and Targa counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Yoshida avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Targa.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuuto Yoshida dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Yoshida tried to score with a low kick but Targa checks it.
A big left from Yoshida misses.
Targa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yoshida as he jumps to the side.
Targa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yoshida as he jumps to the side.
Yoshida turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A big left from Yoshida misses.
Yoshida throws a jab but it's blocked by Targa.
Yoshida jabs at Targa's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yoshida clinches with his opponent.
Yoshida prevents the takedown attempt.
Yuuto Yoshida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlakan Targa.

Yoshida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Targa misses with a takedown attempt - Yoshida sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida misses with a right hand

and Targa counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Targa trying to control the position from guard on top but Yoshida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vlakan Targa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yoshida wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Targa trying to control but Yoshida is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Targa drops back, looking for a kneebar! Yoshida looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Yoshida looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Yoshida!

Yoshida is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Targa will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Targa is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Targa manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Targa has one foot on Yoshida's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Targa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yoshida avoids it really well and circles away.
Yoshida misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Yoshida scores with a shot to the body.
Yoshida tries to land a leg kick but Targa saw it coming and moves away.
Yuuto Yoshida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Targa ducks under a wild hook from Yoshida.
Targa feints the counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Targa fails to land the takedown.
Yoshida just misses with a punch to the body.
Targa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Targa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Targa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Yoshida.
And Targa tries to counter it with a takedown but Yoshida pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Yoshida shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Targa unleashes a big counter combination but Yoshida bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
No luck for Targa with that takedown attempt.
Yoshida ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Targa moves away.
Targa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yoshida pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Targa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuuto Yoshida dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Targa checks a leg kick.
Yoshida connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Yoshida is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Targa's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Yoshida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Targa manages to avoid it.
Jab by Yoshida.
Targa dodges the punch combination from Yoshida.
Yoshida misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Targa.
Yoshida throws a combination that misses

and Targa counters with a takedown into side control.

Yoshida sneaks out the side door and pushes Targa away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Targa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yoshida sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Yoshida throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yoshida throws a leg kick but Targa sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And Targa tries to counter it with a takedown but Yoshida pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Targa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Yoshida but Yoshida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Targa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida throws a hook but Targa blocks it.
Targa shoots in looking for a takedown but Yoshida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Targa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Yuuto Yoshida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlakan Targa.
Yoshida scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yoshida scores with the left hand. Targa knows he should have avoided that one.
Targa slips under a jab.
Yoshida tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Targa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yoshida's guard.
Yoshida keeping moving, preventing Targa from controlling successfully.
Yoshida can't keep his opponent in guard - Targa advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Targa wants to take a breather but Yoshida is having none of it.
Yuuto Yoshida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Targa connects with a nice short shot to Yoshida's temple.

Targa is trying to work for a kimura but Yoshida is defending well.
Targa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Yoshida does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Targa perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Yoshida is defending against the submission attempts here by Targa.
Targa throwing shots but Yoshida is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Targa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Yoshida knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Targa is just content to waste time from the top position. Yoshida takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Targa trying to control but Yoshida is working from the bottom.
Targa trying to move into half guard but instead Yoshida has managed to sweep!

Targa controls Yoshida momentarily but Yoshida frees himself.
Yoshida controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida trying to stand up but can't free himself from Targa's guard.

Targa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yoshida pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Targa is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuuto Yoshida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yoshida, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuuto Yoshida!
A pretty intense looking Yuuto Yoshida took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.