PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Karl Hermann (ranked 1367 p4p, 1140 weight class) and Yamaoka Yukinobu (ranked 125 p4p, 102 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hermann
vs
Yukinobu

173 cm
36
145
26 - 17 - 0

170 cm
35
148
18 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 26 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Karl Hermann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yamaoka Yukinobu!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yukinobu lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Yukinobu has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Yukinobu throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Yukinobu misses with a kick to the body
and Hermann counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Yamaoka Yukinobu has been cut.
Hermann has been working on his boxing with his coaches at ELITE Island Gym - 19 Elite Coaches in the buildup to the fight.
Hermann throws a jab but it's blocked by Yukinobu.

Yukinobu closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hermann quickly recovers to half guard.

Hermann pushes Yukinobu off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Yukinobu pushes Hermann up against the cage in a clinch.

Yukinobu manages to break the clinch.
Yukinobu looks for the body kick but Hermann saw that one coming.
Yukinobu tries to bum rush Hermann with a series of wild strikes but Hermann uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Yukinobu misses with an uppercut
and Hermann counters with a left to the body.
Hermann throws a leg kick which misses Yukinobu's front leg but catches the back leg as Yukinobu tries to avoid it.
Hermann circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hermann counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Yukinobu misses.
Hermann swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Yukinobu tries to clinch but Hermann is having none of it.
Hermann is looking to counter with a body kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Yukinobu.
Yukinobu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Yukinobu tries to clinch but Hermann moves out of range.
Yukinobu scores with a kick to the body.
A cross from Hermann lands.
Yukinobu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
An attempted straight right counter from Hermann misses the target.
Yukinobu lands a right hook to the body.
Yukinobu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hermann manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Yukinobu tries to clinch but fails miserably
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Yukinobu is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hermann manages to avoid it.
Yukinobu tries to clinch there but Hermann circles away.
As Yukinobu looks to move away, Hermann throws a big counter combo but Yukinobu just gets out of the way.

Yukinobu has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hermann prevents a body shot from Yukinobu.
Yukinobu wants to break free but Hermann has control.

Yukinobu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yukinobu is looking to clinch but Hermann is avoiding it.
Hermann appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Hermann fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yukinobu is out of range.

Yukinobu closes the distance and clinches.

Yukinobu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Yukinobu shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hermann manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hermann pulls Yukinobu in close to prevent any damage.
Hermann is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermann controlling Yukinobu's posture.
Hermann wants to sweep here but Yukinobu controlling him for the moment.

Yukinobu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hermann has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Yukinobu has managed to get both his arms back between Hermann's legs - danger averted.
Yukinobu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Hermann is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yukinobu is aware though and is defending well.
Yukinobu preventing the sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Yukinobu misses with a body kick.
Hermann will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Yukinobu tries to clinch but Hermann moves out of range.
Yukinobu lands with a cross.

Hermann gets tackled into the cage by Yukinobu. Yukinobu maintains the clinch.

Yukinobu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yukinobu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hermann sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Yukinobu misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Hermann was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Yukinobu.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yamaoka Yukinobu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yamaoka Yukinobu's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A kick lands to the mid section there for Yukinobu.
Yukinobu lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Yukinobu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hermann misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yukinobu.
Hermann throws a shot from downtown. Yukinobu moves away and avoids it.
Yukinobu keeps Hermann at a distance using the push kick.
Hermann tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yukinobu was well out of range. Poor timing from Hermann.
Hermann misses the jab.
Hermann ducks right into an uppercut from Yukinobu.
Yukinobu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hermann gets tackled into the cage by Yukinobu. Yukinobu maintains the clinch.

Yukinobu breaks the clinch.
Hermann throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yukinobu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hermann looks to land a right hand but Yukinobu moved out of range.
Yukinobu with the counter takedown but Hermann avoids it easily.
Yamaoka Yukinobu seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yukinobu throws the kick towards the body but Hermann avoids it.
Hermann lands with a right hand.
Yukinobu misses with an uppercut
and Hermann connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yukinobu wants to clinch
and Hermann connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hermann blocks a jab.
Yukinobu misses with a jab to the body
and Hermann counters with a nice leg kick.
Yukinobu throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hermann counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Yukinobu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Yamaoka Yukinobu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yukinobu is looking to clinch.
Hermann throws a counter high kick but Yukinobu was just alert enough to avoid it.
A lazy left from Yukinobu finds it's target.
Hermann throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hermann's head backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yukinobu tries to clinch up.
Yukinobu throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Yukinobu works the jab nicely.
Yukinobu scores with a push kick.
Yukinobu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hermann swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Yukinobu scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Hermann manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Yukinobu doesn't manage to clinch there - Hermann circles away.
Hermann displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Yukinobu.
Hermann just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu blocks a head kick by Hermann.

Hermann gets caught flat footed, as Yukinobu shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hermann pushes Yukinobu off and gets back to his feet.
Yukinobu on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hermann. Hermann obviously looking to wear him down.
Yukinobu throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hermann counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Hermann drives through and clinches with Yukinobu against the cage.

Yukinobu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Yukinobu instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Yukinobu manages to break the clinch.
Yukinobu throws a right hand that misses
and Hermann counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermann walks into a straight right hand from Yukinobu.
Hermann avoids the body shot from Yukinobu.
Yukinobu slips a straight right by Hermann.
Yukinobu throws a counter combo.
Hermann fails to land with a series of punches.
Yukinobu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hermann swivels and escapes.
A little feinted left hand from Hermann on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Yukinobu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hermann can pounce on him.
Yukinobu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
It appears Hermann was looking to counter with a kick there.
Karl Hermann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamaoka Yukinobu.
Yukinobu with a poor takedown
and Hermann counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yukinobu is breathing heavily.

Yukinobu closes the distance and pushes Hermann back into the cage.

Hermann escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yukinobu misses with a left hand
letting Hermann counter with a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yukinobu misses with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Hermann dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yamaoka Yukinobu's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Yukinobu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yukinobu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yukinobu throws a body kick that misses
and Hermann counters with a stiff right hand.
A jab from Hermann misses.
Yukinobu darts in trying to clinch
and Hermann counters with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yukinobu dodges the punch combination from Hermann.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yukinobu. Hermann does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice defenses there by Yukinobu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yukinobu with a poor takedown
and Hermann counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Yukinobu has closed the distance and engaged Hermann in a clinch.
Yukinobu can't break the clinch.
Yukinobu blocks a body shot from Hermann.
Hermann goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yukinobu is trying to break the clinch but Hermann has him pressed against the cage.
Hermann doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hermann misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hermann pushes Yukinobu back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Yukinobu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hermann will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Yukinobu throws a lazy uppercut
and Hermann counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yukinobu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Karl Hermann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Yukinobu misses.
Hermann misses with a low kick as Yukinobu jumps back.
Yukinobu looks for the body kick but Hermann saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermann scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yukinobu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Karl Hermann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamaoka Yukinobu.
Hermann lands a nice shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hermann moves out of range of the body kick.
A shot to the body from Yukinobu misses
and Hermann counters with a nice uppercut.
Yukinobu misses with a looping left.
Yukinobu lands a jab to the nose.
Hermann swats away the attempt to clinch by Yukinobu.
Hermann appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu looks to throw a body kick
and Hermann counters with a body kick that stops Yukinobu in his tracks momentarily.
Yukinobu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hermann blocks a head kick by Yukinobu.
A punch lands to the side of Yukinobu 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Yukinobu wants to clinch up but Hermann keeps it at a distance.
Hermann darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Yukinobu with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hermann counters with a straight right hand.
A low kick lands for Hermann.
Hermann scores with a decent looking hook.

Yukinobu is rocked!
Hermann tries to clinch there but Yukinobu circles away.
Yukinobu is still on wobbly legs! Can Hermann finish him?
Yukinobu thuds his right hand into Hermann's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yukinobu seems to have recovered his senses.
Yukinobu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hermann manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yukinobu fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yukinobu shoots and misses
and Yukinobu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Yukinobu scores with a nice right hand.
Hermann slips under a jab.
Yukinobu wants to clinch but Hermann slips to the side
and Hermann counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Yukinobu misses with a hook
letting Hermann counter with a right hand.
Yukinobu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Yukinobu clobbers Hermann with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hermann takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hermann ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yukinobu moves away.
Yukinobu misses with a takedown attempt
letting Hermann counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Hermann showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hermann has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28

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