PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yudai Kitamura (ranked 5824 p4p, 4451 weight class) and Brian Ortega (ranked 0 p4p, 393 weight class). The key to victory for Yudai Kitamura has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kitamura
vs
Ortega

173 cm
18
145
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yudai Kitamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brian Ortega!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ortega shoots in and bounces Kitamura off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kitamura wants to stand up but Ortega is controlling him.
Kitamura knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ortega on the ground.
Kitamura can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ortega controls the pace.
Kitamura wants to stand and escape but Ortega is having none of it.
Ortega showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitamura is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ortega accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ortega engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kitamura misses with a body shot.
Danga de danga de dang - Kitamura scores with a four punch combination!
Ortega showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kitamura.
Kitamura checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ortega swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kitamura lands with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortega on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A big left from Ortega misses.
Kitamura throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ortega is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ortega shoots in for a double leg but Kitamura sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Kitamura tries to sprawl but Ortega drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kitamura pushes Ortega off looking to stand but Ortega dives back in and keeps control.

Ortega stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Nice straight punches there by Kitamura. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kitamura.
Ortega looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kitamura lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitamura blocks the body kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kitamura.
Ortega doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Kitamura counter with a right hand.
Yudai Kitamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Ortega.
Ortega looks winded!
Kitamura lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Ortega forces Kitamura back against the cage and clinches.
Kitamura avoiding damage as Ortega throws knees to the body.
Kitamura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Ortega breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A low kick from Ortega misses
and Kitamura connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitamura fails to land with a series of punches.
Kitamura looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kitamura misses with a double jab.
Kitamura punishes Ortega's body with a nice straight punch.
Ortega is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kitamura.
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!
Kitamura lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ortega circles away quickly and effectively.
Kitamura misses with a few strikes there.
Ortega wants to counter with a clinch but Kitamura pushes him away.
Kitamura swings for the body but Ortega moves out of range.

Ortega shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kitamura manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Ortega drops back looking for a leg! Kitamura is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kitamura manages to kick Ortega off! Ortega jumps back into Kitamura's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yudai Kitamura dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kitamura lands a right hook to the body.
No joy there for Kitamura, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A punch lands to the side of Ortega 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ortega avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitamura lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kitamura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ortega can do to turn this around?
Ortega takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kitamura lands with a straight right. Ortega didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ortega clinches up against the cage.
Kitamura keeps control of Ortega as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ortega working aggressively here.
Kitamura gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ortega.
Ortega wants to break the clinch but can't.

Kitamura breaks from the clinch.
Kitamura throws out a powerful jab.
A jab from Kitamura misses.
Jab by Kitamura.
Kitamura displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortega fails with the takedown
and Kitamura cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ortega is breathing heavily.
Kitamura scores with a jab.
Ortega shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kitamura counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ortega thinking.
Yudai Kitamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Ortega.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kitamura scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ortega takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kitamura closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Ortega rushes Kitamura and presses him up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Kitamura's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Kitamura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitamura bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ortega's head.

Ortega gets a clinch.

Kitamura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kitamura fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ortega on the side of the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ortega.
Kitamura dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kitamura throws out a powerful jab.
Kitamura misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitamura jabs Ortega right on the nose. Ortega blinks but takes it well.
Ortega tries to move into range but Kitamura moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kitamura cracks a nice hook into Ortega's ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kitamura jabs Ortega to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kitamura!
A solid leg kick lands there for Kitamura.
Kitamura lands a right hook to the body.
Kitamura misses with a double jab.
Kitamura throws a right hand that Ortega ducks under and follows up with a left that Ortega also avoids with ease.
Kitamura rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ortega moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yudai Kitamura dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ortega misses with a wild combination.
Kitamura slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ortega closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ortega fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ortega shoots in for a double leg but Kitamura sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kitamura is looking to counter the offense by Ortega and move into the clinch.
Ortega takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ortega tries to move into range but Kitamura moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheers as Kitamura lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ortega doesn't seem phased though.

Ortega manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kitamura on his heels. He'll look to pass Kitamura's guard now, I'm sure.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kitamura kicks Ortega off and gets to his feet.
A combination from Kitamura does no damage.
Ortega has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ortega shoots in but Kitamura avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yudai Kitamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Ortega.
Kitamura misses with a wild combination.
Sloppy strikes from Kitamura. Those never looked like landing.
Kitamura buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kitamura throws a good cross that connects.
Nice jab there from Kitamura.
Kitamura works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitamura lands a leg kick that knocks Ortega off balance momentarily.

Ortega shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ortega trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Kitamura manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Brian Ortega has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kitamura gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kitamura swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ortega lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Yudai Kitamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kitamura with the inside leg kick.
Kitamura punishes Ortega's body with a nice straight punch.
Ortega takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kitamura throws a series of punches but Ortega moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ortega fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kitamura, pushing him back against the cage.

Ortega breaks the clinch.
Yudai Kitamura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kitamura with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ortega shoots in but Kitamura avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kitamura moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Ortega takes the fight into the clinch.

Kitamura manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitamura lands a jab to the nose.
Kitamura dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kitamura digs a good hook to Ortega's body.
Kitamura avoids a kick to the body.
Ortega misses with a takedown
and Kitamura counters with a nice uppercut.
Yudai Kitamura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kitamura bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ortega's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ortega takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kitamura scores with a jab to the head.
Kitamura tests Ortega's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Brian Ortega has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kitamura lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yudai Kitamura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kitamura, 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yudai Kitamura!
Yudai Kitamura was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.