PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mordechai Kowalczyk (ranked 951 p4p, 1859 weight class) and Yamaoka Yukinobu (ranked 50 p4p, 92 weight class). Kowalczyk comes into the arena with Nocturne op. 9 no.2- Frederic Chopin blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Kowalczyk
vs
Yukinobu

175 cm
28
145
12 - 3 - 0

170 cm
26
148
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Core Combat
© Trap House

HELLBENT
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mordechai Kowalczyk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yamaoka Yukinobu!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Francis DeMontford and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalczyk throws a hook to the side of Yukinobu's head but Yukinobu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kowalczyk looks to land a right hand but Yukinobu moved out of range.
Kowalczyk on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yukinobu. Yukinobu obviously looking to wear him down.
Kowalczyk has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Yukinobu tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kowalczyk defends well and Yukinobu ends up having to push Kowalczyk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kowalczyk throws a shot from downtown. Yukinobu moves away and avoids it.

Yukinobu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kowalczyk is pressed up against the cage. Yukinobu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kowalczyk down to the mat. Kowalczyk avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kowalczyk with the inside leg kick.
A big left from Kowalczyk misses.
Yukinobu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yukinobu walks into a stiff left hand from Kowalczyk.
Yukinobu is looking to chop away at Kowalczyk's legs.
Yukinobu misses with a straight left.
Kowalczyk misses the body punch
and Yukinobu counters with a straight right hand.
Kowalczyk misses with a straight right.
Kowalczyk moves into range and connects with a jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kowalczyk throws an overhand right that lands on Yukinobu's shoulder, as Yukinobu tries to avoid the shot.
Kowalczyk throws a quick inside leg kick.
Yukinobu slips under a jab from Kowalczyk.
Yukinobu checks a low kick from Kowalczyk.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kowalczyk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yukinobu slips under a jab from Kowalczyk.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Yukinobu has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kowalczyk thumps Yukinobu with a low kick.
Kowalczyk throws a jab but it's blocked by Yukinobu.

Yukinobu rushes Kowalczyk and presses him up against the cage.
Kowalczyk stalls.
Kowalczyk softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kowalczyk works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kowalczyk lands a shoulder strike.
Yukinobu is looking for a takedown.
Mordechai Kowalczyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamaoka Yukinobu.
Yukinobu looking for a takedown.
Kowalczyk lands a nice uppercut.
Yukinobu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kowalczyk pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kowalczyk is pressed up against the cage. Yukinobu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kowalczyk down to the mat. Kowalczyk avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Yukinobu checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kowalczyk misses with a lunging right hand
and Yukinobu makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kowalczyk really felt that one!
Kowalczyk wants to slow Yukinobu down by chopping away at his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Kowalczyk. No joy for Yukinobu on that attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yukinobu slips under a jab.
Yukinobu tests Kowalczyk's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kowalczyk motions for Yukinobu to come forward. Kowalczyk throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kowalczyk throws a hook but Yukinobu blocks it.
Mordechai Kowalczyk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kowalczyk misses with a hook.
Yukinobu throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kowalczyk tries a head kick but it misses.
Yukinobu goes for a double leg but Kowalczyk avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kowalczyk continues to drive forward.
Yukinobu throws a front kick that sends Kowalczyk stumbling back into the cage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kowalczyk. Yukinobu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Good exchange - Kowalczyk coming out on top.
Kowalczyk lands a leg kick that knocks Yukinobu off balance momentarily.
Yukinobu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kowalczyk defends it nicely.
Kowalczyk turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu moves away from the strike by Kowalczyk.
Yukinobu moves out of range as Kowalczyk strikes.
Kowalczyk fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Yukinobu on the side of the head.
Yukinobu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kowalczyk scores with a crisp jab that stopped Yukinobu in his tracks.
Kowalczyk stuffs the takedown.
Kowalczyk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yukinobu.
Yukinobu is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kowalczyk with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kowalczyk tries a low kick but Yukinobu avoids it.
Yukinobu tries to counter with a clinch but Kowalczyk shakes him off and moves away.
Kowalczyk attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nice body kick there by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk throws a series of punches but Yukinobu avoids them all with ease.
Kowalczyk fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kowalczyk misses with an uppercut.
Yukinobu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Yukinobu lands with a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk misses with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kowalczyk lands with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk misses with a wild combination.
Yukinobu thuds his right hand into Kowalczyk's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yukinobu is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Yukinobu lands a head kick!
Kowalczyk misses with a body kick.
Yukinobu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A slow jab from Kowalczyk misses its intended target.
Yukinobu steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kowalczyk.
Yukinobu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Yukinobu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Kowalczyk gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Yukinobu to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Yukinobu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yukinobu prevents Kowalczyk from getting back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mordechai Kowalczyk dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kowalczyk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yukinobu moves away.
Kowalczyk thows a leg kick but Yukinobu checks it
and Yukinobu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kowalczyk throws a nice inside leg kick.
Yukinobu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kowalczyk tries to score with a low kick but Yukinobu moves his leg out of the way.
Yukinobu sizes up Kowalczyk with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Yukinobu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kowalczyk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yukinobu throws a leg kick that misses.
Yukinobu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yukinobu shoots in but no luck this time.
Kowalczyk lunges at Yukinobu with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Yukinobu's hand.
Kowalczyk throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kowalczyk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A combination from Kowalczyk does no damage.
Kowalczyk paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kowalczyk is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yukinobu can do to turn this around?
Kowalczyk lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kowalczyk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kowalczyk throws a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk moves into range and connects with a jab.
Yukinobu staying out of range there.
Kowalczyk is looking to land body kicks.
An inside leg kick lands from Kowalczyk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk misses with a hook.
Yukinobu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yukinobu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yukinobu avoids the body shot from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk misses with an uppercut. Yukinobu saw that one coming.
Yukinobu is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Kowalczyk as he connects with a hook.
Kowalczyk throws a lazy right hand but Yukinobu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yukinobu drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kowalczyk defends it well.
Yukinobu misses with a body kick.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick but Yukinobu moved away.
Kowalczyk avoids a kick to the body.
Kowalczyk misses with an uppercut. Yukinobu saw that one coming.
Yukinobu misses with a takedown attempt - Kowalczyk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kowalczyk throws a body punch but Yukinobu moves out of range.
Kowalczyk misses with a looping right.
Yukinobu is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kowalczyk darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yukinobu avoids a kick to the body.
The fighters circling - Yukinobu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu has a takedown stuffed.
Mordechai Kowalczyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamaoka Yukinobu.
Kowalczyk lands a slapping body shot.
Kowalczyk connects with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Both fighters circling a little - Kowalczyk finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kowalczyk throws a big shot that misses.
Kowalczyk throws an overhand right that lands on Yukinobu's shoulder, as Yukinobu tries to avoid the shot.
Kowalczyk fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Yukinobu on the side of the head.
Yukinobu staying out of range there.
Yukinobu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yukinobu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kowalczyk can pounce on him.
Kowalczyk thumps Yukinobu with a low kick.
Kowalczyk fails to land with a series of punches.
Yukinobu wants to counter with a clinch but Kowalczyk pushes him away.
Kowalczyk swings for the body but Yukinobu moves out of range.
Kowalczyk gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Mordechai Kowalczyk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yukinobu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kowalczyk but Kowalczyk pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yukinobu has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk throws a jab but it's blocked by Yukinobu.
Kowalczyk moves away from the strike by Yukinobu.
Kowalczyk takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kowalczyk getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kowalczyk misses with a wild body shot.
Yukinobu throws a body kick that misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Kowalczyk misses the target.
Kowalczyk buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Yukinobu. Those never looked like landing.
Kowalczyk throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kowalczyk keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kowalczyk misses with a leg kick
and Yukinobu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kowalczyk connects with a right hand. Yukinobu shakes it off.
Yukinobu on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kowalczyk feints and then cracks Yukinobu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yukinobu down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yukinobu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yukinobu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kowalczyk will feel that in the morning.
Kowalczyk scores with a crisp jab that stopped Yukinobu in his tracks.
Kowalczyk scores with a nice right hand.
Kowalczyk digs a good hook to Yukinobu's body.
Yukinobu throws a head kick that misses.
Yukinobu tries to land a front kick but Kowalczyk steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kowalczyk seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kowalczyk misses with the combination.
Kowalczyk wants to land a leg kick but Yukinobu is out of range.
Kowalczyk lands with a hook. Yukinobu tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kowalczyk feints a jab promting Yukinobu to slip. Kowalczyk then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Yukinobu slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Yukinobu checks the leg kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Yukinobu.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kowalczyk scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kowalczyk waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yukinobu.
Kowalczyk bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Yukinobu's head backwards.
Kowalczyk moves out of range as Yukinobu throws a body kick.
Kowalczyk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mordechai Kowalczyk dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

An inside leg kick lands from Kowalczyk.
Yukinobu throws a head kick that misses.
Kowalczyk lands a nice shot that snaps Yukinobu's head back.
Yukinobu is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kowalczyk sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kowalczyk lands an overhand right.
Yukinobu moves out of range as Kowalczyk strikes.
Kowalczyk stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kowalczyk cracks Yukinobu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kowalczyk looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Yukinobu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Yukinobu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kowalczyk blocks a leg kick.
Yukinobu takes one to the side of the head.
Yukinobu has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Yukinobu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yukinobu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kowalczyk tries to avoid it but Yukinobu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kowalczyk to the ground. Kowalczyk escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mordechai Kowalczyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamaoka Yukinobu.

Yukinobu closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Yukinobu prevents Kowalczyk from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yukinobu is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kowalczyk wants to get back to his feet.
Yukinobu landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Yukinobu is nestled in close to Kowalczyk, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kowalczyk wants to get back to his feet.
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. Yukinobu connects with a nice short shot to Kowalczyk's temple.
Kowalczyk is trying to stand back up but Yukinobu is controlling him
Yamaoka Yukinobu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kowalczyk pushes Yukinobu off and gets back to his feet.
Yukinobu looks to land a right hand but Kowalczyk moved out of range.
Kowalczyk misses with a right hand
and Yukinobu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kowalczyk thinking.
Kowalczyk misses with a body shot.
A nice leg kick from Kowalczyk, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yukinobu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kowalczyk can pounce on him.
Kowalczyk thuds his right hand into Yukinobu's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yukinobu takes one to the side of the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kowalczyk dodges the punch combination from Yukinobu.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick
enabling Yukinobu to counter with a crisp jab.
Kowalczyk lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Yukinobu circles away quickly and effectively.
Yukinobu throws a shot from downtown. Kowalczyk moves away and avoids it.
Kowalczyk is looking to land body kicks.
A swing and a miss from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick but Yukinobu sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yukinobu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yukinobu looks for the body kick but Kowalczyk saw that one coming.
Yukinobu throws a head kick but Kowalczyk moves out of range.

Yukinobu shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kowalczyk is trying to defend but Yukinobu finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Yukinobu thows a huge punch but Kowalczyk dodges it nicely.
Yukinobu blocks the strikes from Kowalczyk.
Yukinobu stalling away here and it's allowed Kowalczyk to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Kowalczyk has his feet on Yukinobu's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Yukinobu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Yukinobu with that takedown attempt.
Yukinobu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kowalczyk fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Yukinobu looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kowalczyk works Yukinobu's body with a nice hook.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nice takedown defense from Kowalczyk. No joy for Yukinobu on that attempt.
Yukinobu shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kowalczyk sprawls well. Kowalczyk wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Yukinobu gets slowly back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk cracks Yukinobu with an open hand slap.
Kowalczyk lands with a hook. Yukinobu tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kowalczyk scores with a jab.
Kowalczyk moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mordechai Kowalczyk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kowalczyk connects with the punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mordechai Kowalczyk showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kowalczyk, 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mordechai Kowalczyk!
During a confident post fight interview, Mordechai Kowalczyk thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.