PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kotetsu Yama (ranked 3253 p4p, 5631 weight class) and Kieth Stokes (ranked 383 p4p, 475 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Yama
vs
Stokes

168 cm
19
159
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
160
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kotetsu Yama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kieth Stokes!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yama slaps away a takedown attempt from Stokes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Yama feinted with a counter takedown.
Stokes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yama appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A telegraphed right hand from Yama misses the target.
Stokes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A swing and a miss from Stokes.
Stokes throws an overhand right that lands on Yama's shoulder, as Yama tries to avoid the shot.
Yama attempts a counter takedown but Stokes avoids it well and moves away.
Stokes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yama attempts a counter takedown but Stokes avoids it well and moves away.

Stokes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Yama is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stokes's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stokes's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Yama.
Yama is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Yama gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Yama gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Yama apologises and we restart here on the feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stokes wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Yama keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stokes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stokes.
Kotetsu Yama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kieth Stokes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yama drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've been hearing that Yama has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Yama's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stokes trying to control the position.
Stokes wants to control the position but Yama says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Yama lands a nice short elbow.
Yama trying to control the action but Stokes is working from the bottom.
Stokes gets full guard.
Yama preventing the sweep.
Yama with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Yama distracts Stokes with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stokes keeping moving, preventing Yama from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stokes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Stokes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Yama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Yama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stokes preventing the sweep.
Stokes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Yama keeping moving, preventing Stokes from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stokes is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Yama has momentary wrist control but Stokes slips an elbow through the middle.
Yama is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Yama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stokes told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Stokes won't allow Yama to sweep him here.

Yama is looking for a triangle but Stokes pushes his legs off easily.
Stokes trying to control but Yama is working from the bottom.
Yama trying to keep a closed guard but Stokes is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Yama tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Yama has his foot on Stokes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stokes works his way back into a safe position though.
Yama has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stokes landing some decent shots from guard.
Stokes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stokes controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Stokes looking to pass the guard.
Yama trying to keep a closed guard but Stokes is proving a slippery customer.
Stokes looking to sit in guard and control but Yama gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stokes wants to sweep but no luck.
Yama postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stokes with a hook.
Yama swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stokes walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stokes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stokes lands a jab to the nose.
Stokes fails to land with a series of punches.
Stokes gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Yama slips a jab and a cross from Stokes.
Stokes tries to clinch there but Yama circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yama looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Yama lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Yama with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yama moves out of range as Stokes strikes.
Yama appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Stokes throws a lazy right hand but Yama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stokes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yama misses with a looping left.
Stokes goes for a double leg but Yama avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Yama continues to drive forward.
Yama changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Stokes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yama.
Stokes looks to land a combination but Yama avoids it well.
Yama feinted with a counter takedown.
Stokes throws a jab when Yama was well out of range.
Yama ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stokes has a takedown stuffed.
Stokes throws a body shot but no joy.
Stokes tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yama defends well and Stokes ends up having to push Yama into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kotetsu Yama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kieth Stokes.
Stokes connects with the punch.
Stokes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kieth Stokes seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stokes slips a jab from Yama.

Yama gets the takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stokes tries to buck Yama off but Yama is having none of it.
Kotetsu Yama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yama lands a few punches from side control.
Stokes manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Yama working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Yama working the head and body with strikes.

Stokes looking for submissions off his back.
Stokes tries to get to full guard but Yama has control of the leg.

Stokes looking for submissions off his back.
Stokes is staying active underneath Yama, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stokes tries to get to full guard but Yama has control of the leg.
Yama wants to pass to mount but Stokes is defending the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yama winds up and cracks Stokes with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Yama drops an elbow to the side of Stokes's head.
Stokes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Yama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Yama's back!
Stokes trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Yama rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Yama actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stokes is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Yama doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stokes.
Stokes wants to take a breather but Yama is having none of it.
Stokes prevents Yama from improving his position.
Yama makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Yama.
Yama keeping moving, preventing Stokes from controlling successfully.

Yama had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stokes defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kotetsu Yama dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yama blocks a jab.
Stokes lands with a hook. Yama tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stokes takes one to the side of the head.
Stokes throws a hook but Yama blocks it.
Yama feinted with a counter takedown.
Stokes thows a leg kick but Yama checks it

and Yama counters with a shoot takedown. Stokes fights it but they end up in guard.
Yama working some strikes from top position.
Yama postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stokes tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Stokes is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yama is aware though and is defending well.
Stokes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Yama avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yama postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yama chips away with some ground and pound.
Yama stands up over Stokes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Stokes has his foot on Yama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yama works his way back into a safe position though.
Yama scoring with punches to the head and body.

Stokes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stokes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stokes keeping moving, preventing Yama from controlling successfully.
Yama postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Yama working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Stokes's head.
Yama chips away with some ground and pound.
Stokes throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.

Yama drops back looking for a leg! Stokes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stokes manages to kick Yama off! Yama jumps back into Stokes's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stokes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yama gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Yama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stokes can do to turn this around?
Yama is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Yama passes Stokes's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Yama lands with a punch from half guard.
Yama seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Yama wants to control but Stokes is keeping him busy.
Yama prevents Stokes from improving his position.

Yama is working for a kimura but Stokes is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yama is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Yama frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kotetsu Yama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yama tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Stokes is in all sorts of trouble here.
Yama takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Stokes can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stokes tries to hold on but Yama pushes him away.
Stokes really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stokes is still trying to improve position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kotetsu Yama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Yama, 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kotetsu Yama!