PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gareth Keenan Jr (ranked 2507 p4p, 2647 weight class) and Yamaoka Yukinobu (ranked 265 p4p, 276 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?

Keenan Jr
vs
Yukinobu

179 cm
31
150
12 - 11 - 0

170 cm
32
148
14 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gareth Keenan Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yamaoka Yukinobu!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Keenan Jr has closed the distance and engaged Yukinobu in a clinch.

Keenan Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Keenan Jr throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Yukinobu.
Yukinobu throws the kick towards the body but Keenan Jr avoids it.

Yukinobu gets a double leg takedown into Keenan Jr's guard.
Yukinobu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Keenan Jr is looking for a triangle but Yukinobu pushes his legs off easily.
Keenan Jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Keenan Jr 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 won't allow Keenan Jr to get back to his feet.

Keenan Jr working for a triangle but Yukinobu defends it easily.
Keenan Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Yukinobu trying to control the position from guard on top but Keenan Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Keenan Jr looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Yukinobu trying to control the position from guard on top but Keenan Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keenan Jr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yukinobu is one step ahead there.

Keenan Jr is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Yukinobu defends well.
Yukinobu sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Yukinobu scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Yukinobu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Keenan Jr is keeping the position for now.
Keenan Jr being controlled here, momentarily.
Yukinobu lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Keenan Jr manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Yukinobu manages to get himself to full guard.

Keenan Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yukinobu is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Keenan Jr stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Gareth Keenan Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yukinobu swings for the body but Keenan Jr moves out of range.
Yukinobu is looking to land body kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr throws out a loose jab but Yukinobu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yukinobu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Yukinobu connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Keenan Jr takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Yukinobu throws an overhand right that lands on Keenan Jr's shoulder, as Keenan Jr tries to avoid the shot.
Yukinobu avoids the body shot from Keenan Jr.
Keenan Jr bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Yukinobu's head backwards.
Yukinobu takes a jab right on the kisser.
Yukinobu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Yukinobu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Keenan Jr moves away.
Keenan Jr looks to throw the jab but Yukinobu is out of range.
Yukinobu lands the left hand.
Keenan Jr connects with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Keenan Jr takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Keenan Jr moves into range and clinches up with Yukinobu.

Yukinobu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yukinobu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Yukinobu shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Keenan Jr manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Yukinobu is in close to Keenan Jr's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Yukinobu works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Keenan Jr is looking to escape.
Yukinobu winds up and cracks Keenan Jr with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Keenan Jr is trying to get back to full guard.
Yukinobu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Yukinobu stalling away here and it's allowed Keenan Jr to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Yukinobu stopping the sweep attempt from Keenan Jr.

Keenan Jr 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.
Yukinobu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Keenan Jr looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that is 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! Keenan Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A combination from Yukinobu does no damage.
Yukinobu fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yukinobu lands a jab to Keenan Jr's midsection.
Keenan Jr misses with a double jab.
Yukinobu with the counter takedown but Keenan Jr avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Yukinobu misses the target.
Yukinobu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Keenan Jr throwing a counter right hand but Yukinobu manages to avoid it.
Yukinobu throws a jab when Keenan Jr was well out of range.
Keenan Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Keenan Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Keenan Jr goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Keenan Jr with a jab.
Keenan Jr avoids a punch combination nicely.
Keenan Jr throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Yamaoka Yukinobu has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yukinobu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Keenan Jr.
Yukinobu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Keenan Jr thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Yukinobu if he has to take too many more of those.
Keenan Jr looks to land a left hand but Yukinobu moved out of range nicely.
Yukinobu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yukinobu misses the shot to the body.
Yukinobu connects with the punch.
Yukinobu moves out of range of the strikes.
Yukinobu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Keenan Jr tries to counter by clinching up but Yukinobu breaks away and moves out of range.
Keenan Jr throws a head kick but Yukinobu moves out of range.
Yukinobu lands a nice leg kick that just misses Keenan Jr's sensitive parts.
Jab, jab by Keenan Jr - just one landing.
A jab from Keenan Jr does it's job there.
Keenan Jr throws a sloppy head kick

and Yukinobu counters with a single leg into guard. Keenan Jr didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Keenan Jr wants to get back to his feet but Yukinobu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Keenan Jr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yukinobu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Keenan Jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yamaoka Yukinobu has got the better of the ground game so far.

Yukinobu is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Keenan Jr wants to sweep here but Yukinobu controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr keeping moving, preventing Yukinobu from controlling successfully.
Keenan Jr wants to sweep here but Yukinobu controlling him for the moment.
Keenan Jr being controlled here, momentarily.
Yukinobu wants to pass the guard but Keenan Jr is keeping the position.
Yukinobu with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr wants to get back to his feet but Yukinobu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Yukinobu postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Keenan Jr is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Yukinobu, into his guard.

Keenan Jr avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yukinobu wants to stand and escape but Keenan Jr is having none of it.

Keenan Jr gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Keenan Jr crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Yukinobu - the referee stops the clock and Keenan Jr gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Yukinobu. Keenan Jr manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Keenan Jr slips a straight right by Yukinobu.
Keenan Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by Yukinobu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu moves forwards but Keenan Jr connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A low kick lands for Keenan Jr.
Keenan Jr throws a series of punches but Yukinobu moves out of range.
Yukinobu is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Yukinobu throws a push kick but Keenan Jr slaps the foot to one side.
Keenan Jr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice jab there from Keenan Jr.
Gareth Keenan Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yukinobu tries to bum rush Keenan Jr with a series of wild strikes but Keenan Jr uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Keenan Jr throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Keenan Jr throws a sloppy head kick and Yukinobu moves out of range easily.
Keenan Jr takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Keenan Jr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Keenan Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yukinobu feints the counter takedown.
Yukinobu throws a hook but Keenan Jr blocks it.
Keenan Jr works Yukinobu's body with a nice hook.
Keenan Jr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Keenan Jr staying out of range there.
Yukinobu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gareth Keenan Jr dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yamaoka Yukinobu's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Keenan Jr moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Yukinobu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Keenan Jr is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Keenan Jr takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Yukinobu.
An inside leg kick lands from Yukinobu.
Keenan Jr tries to clinch up but Yukinobu circles away and keeps his distance.
Keenan Jr takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Yukinobu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Keenan Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yukinobu.
Yukinobu blocks a head kick by Keenan Jr.
Yukinobu misses with a hook. Keenan Jr ducked under it nicely.
The fighters circling - Keenan Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
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!
Keenan Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Keenan Jr misses with a few strikes there.
Yukinobu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Keenan Jr is looking to counter the offense by Yukinobu and move into the clinch.
Keenan Jr catches Yukinobu with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Keenan Jr blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan Jr avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Keenan Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Keenan Jr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Keenan Jr moves away from the strike by Yukinobu.
Keenan Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Yukinobu ducks under a wild hook from Keenan Jr.
A telegraphed right hand from Yukinobu misses the target.
Keenan Jr on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Keenan Jr missing with a left hand there. Yukinobu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yukinobu lands with a kick to the ribs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yukinobu looks to land a left hand but Keenan Jr moved out of range nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Keenan Jr on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice jab there from Yukinobu.
Keenan Jr takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sloppy strikes from Keenan Jr. Those never looked like landing.
Keenan Jr takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gareth Keenan Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Keenan Jr does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Yukinobu scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Keenan Jr takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Yukinobu is looking to take a break and control but Keenan Jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Keenan Jr takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Yukinobu scoring with punches and elbows.
Yukinobu wants to control but Keenan Jr is keeping him busy.
Keenan Jr is looking for a sweep.
Yukinobu is chipping away with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Keenan Jr's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Keenan Jr manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Yukinobu trying to control the position from guard on top but Keenan Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yukinobu with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Keenan Jr lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Keenan Jr tries to stand but Yukinobu is controlling from the bottom.
Yukinobu is looking to stand up but Keenan Jr isn't so interested in that idea.
Keenan Jr preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr is fighting to break Yukinobu's control of his arms but Yukinobu is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Yukinobu is looking for a triangle but Keenan Jr pushes his legs off easily.
Yukinobu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Keenan Jr is one step ahead there.

Keenan Jr stands and steps away. Yukinobu gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Keenan Jr lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Keenan Jr misses with a head kick.
Yukinobu loads up on a big right hand but Keenan Jr slips the punch.
Keenan Jr throws a jab when Yukinobu was well out of range.
Yukinobu looks for the body kick but Keenan Jr saw that one coming.
Keenan Jr fakes the leg kick and cracks Yukinobu in the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Yamaoka Yukinobu.
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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

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