PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Landry Stephenson (ranked 1544 p4p, 2430 weight class) and Takahiro Yoshida (ranked 204 p4p, 313 weight class). Landry Stephenson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stephenson
vs
Yoshida

178 cm
25
154
10 - 6 - 1

175 cm
26
162
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $110 160q Rec&St

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Landry Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takahiro Yoshida!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yoshida slaps away a takedown attempt from Stephenson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stephenson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yoshida sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stephenson looks for a takedown but Yoshida sprawls well.
A countering left hand to the body from Yoshida misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Landry Stephenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stephenson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yoshida sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stephenson somewhat.
Stephenson darts in looking for a takedown but Yoshida gets double underhooks and turns Stephenson into the cage.
Stephenson tries for a takedown. No joy.

Yoshida has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Stephenson regains guard immediately.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yoshida controlling from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
It looks like Yoshida might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Yoshida throwing strikes from guard but Stephenson blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yoshida is looking to work some ground and pound but Stephenson has wrist control.
Yoshida not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Yoshida throws a strike but Stephenson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Stephenson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yoshida has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stephenson has managed to get both his arms back between Yoshida's legs - danger averted.
Stephenson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Yoshida looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yoshida manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stephenson manages to get himself to full guard.

Stephenson is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Yoshida has his hands clasped together but Stephenson extends and breaks Yoshida's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Stephenson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Landry Stephenson!
A relieved looking Landry Stephenson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.