PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tanaka Matsuda (ranked 10 p4p, 65 weight class) and James Yarborough (ranked 1 p4p, 9 weight class). Matsuda's entrance music is Gojira - Another World. A fine choice. Yarborough has chosen Derezzed as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as James Yarborough enters the cage!

Matsuda
vs
Yarborough

190 cm
34
200
35 - 12 - 0

185 cm
32
190
26 - 11 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Brooklyn Apothecary
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tanaka Matsuda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Yarborough!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yarborough lands with an uppercut that bounces Matsuda off the cage and back into range.
Matsuda defending well as Yarborough loads up on a big left hand.
Matsuda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Yarborough connects with a high kick.

It looks like Tanaka Matsuda has been cut.
Matsuda drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Yarborough uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.
Matsuda swings for the body but Yarborough moves out of range.
Yarborough throws a big shot that misses.
Yarborough avoids the body shot from Matsuda.
Yarborough throws a hook but Matsuda blocks it.
Matsuda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yarborough moves away.
Matsuda throws a lazy right hand but Yarborough sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yarborough gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Matsuda decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yarborough's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuda wants to pass the guard but Yarborough is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsuda advances position into side control!
Yarborough is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Matsuda has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Yarborough is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Matsuda is trying to get an arm triangle but Yarborough is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yarborough wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Matsuda grinds an elbow into Yarborough's temple.
Yarborough is pushing Matsuda's head away, looking to escape. Matsuda manages to hold on to the position though.

Matsuda wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Yarborough, who protects the arm well.

Yarborough sneaks out the side door and pushes Matsuda away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Matsuda scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Matsuda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yarborough moves away.
James Yarborough seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yarborough takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Matsuda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsuda works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Matsuda connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Yarborough uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsuda.
Yarborough scores with the left hand. Matsuda knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yarborough's jab looks to have found its range, popping Matsuda under the eye.
Matsuda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Matsuda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Matsuda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yarborough.
Yarborough walks into a left hand.

Yarborough instigates a clinch.
Yarborough throws a head punch that misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Matsuda.
Yarborough has a couple of punches blocked by Matsuda.
Matsuda is trying to break the clinch but Yarborough has him pressed against the cage.
Yarborough lands a left hand.
Matsuda tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Matsuda tries to throw a body punch but Yarborough avoids it by throwing Matsuda back against the cage.
Matsuda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yarborough stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Matsuda is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yarborough to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yarborough working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Yarborough.
Matsuda misses with some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Yarborough.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yarborough struggles to land a body shot inside as Matsuda controls his hands.
Matsuda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Yarborough lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuda.
Matsuda tries to pull guard but Yarborough forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Matsuda tries a body shot but Yarborough blocks it.
Matsuda tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yarborough just stands there and leans against the cage.
Yarborough swings wildly with an uppercut but Matsuda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yarborough misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Yarborough breaks from the clinch.
Matsuda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matsuda blocks a head kick by Yarborough.

Yarborough closes the distance and clinches.
Yarborough lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Yarborough digs a right hand into Matsuda's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Matsuda's gas tank.
Yarborough lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Matsuda tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yarborough lands a left hand that snaps the head of Matsuda backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Yarborough manages to break the clinch.
Matsuda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsuda looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Yarborough moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matsuda defending well as Yarborough loads up on a big left hand.
Yarborough throws out a leg kick but Matsuda moves out of range and Yarborough only half commits.
Matsuda drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yarborough sprawls and moves away.
Yarborough looks for the body kick but Matsuda saw that one coming.
Matsuda takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yarborough avoids the body shot from Matsuda.
That kick from Yarborough tenderised Matsuda's leg. Matsuda is trying to keep his angry face on.
Yarborough throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
It looked like Matsuda wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Yarborough clinches up with Matsuda and pushes him back against the cage.
Yarborough makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yarborough working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matsuda jumps guard but Yarborough turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Yarborough breaks the clinch.
Yarborough misses with a hook. Matsuda ducked under it nicely.
Matsuda changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Yarborough forces Matsuda back against the cage and clinches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Yarborough dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tanaka Matsuda's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Matsuda moves out of range as Yarborough throws a body kick.
James Yarborough seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matsuda has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yarborough.
Yarborough tries to clinch but Matsuda moves away
and Matsuda counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Yarborough throws an overhand right that lands on Matsuda's shoulder, as Matsuda tries to avoid the shot.
Matsuda moves forwards but Yarborough connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Matsuda lands with a right hand.
Yarborough has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matsuda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yarborough as he avoids it easily.
Yarborough flicks out a counter leg kick but Matsuda steps away.
Yarborough looks to land a left hand but Matsuda moved out of range nicely.
Yarborough throws a nice inside leg kick.
A jab from Yarborough does it's job there.
An inside leg kick lands from Yarborough.
Yarborough tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsuda was well out of range. Poor timing from Yarborough.
Matsuda takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Yarborough lands with a cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yarborough is looking to clinch but Matsuda is avoiding it.
Yarborough moves out of range of the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Yarborough! But no joy.
Matsuda checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yarborough throws a low kick but Matsuda moves out of range easily.
Yarborough stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yarborough wants it to stay on the feet.
Yarborough throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yarborough ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yarborough looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yarborough tries a low kick but Matsuda avoids it.
Matsuda on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Yarborough throws a hook to the side of Matsuda's head but Matsuda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yarborough throws a head kick but Matsuda moves out of range.
Yarborough throws a body kick that misses.
Matsuda drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yarborough sprawls and moves away.
Yarborough fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsuda manages to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Yarborough throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsuda tries to counter with a takedown but Yarborough is quick to defend against it.
A low kick from Yarborough misses

and Matsuda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Matsuda.
Matsuda lands a couple of elbows.
Matsuda is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Matsuda wants to control from the top but Yarborough keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda prevents Yarborough from getting back to his feet.
Tanaka Matsuda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matsuda trying to control the position from guard on top but Yarborough is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Yarborough uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuda moves out of range of the strikes.
James Yarborough is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yarborough throws an overhand right that lands on Matsuda's shoulder, as Matsuda tries to avoid the shot.
Yarborough throws a nice inside leg kick.
Matsuda misses the shot to the body.
Yarborough misses with a straight left.
Matsuda on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yarborough. Yarborough obviously looking to wear him down.
Yarborough throws a leg kick

and Matsuda counters with a single leg into guard. Yarborough didn't expect that.
Yarborough is looking to stand up but Matsuda isn't so interested in that idea.
Matsuda 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Yarborough manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Matsuda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Yarborough lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice shot by Matsuda.
Yarborough lands with a straight right. Matsuda didn't see that one coming.
Yarborough throws a lazy right hand but Matsuda sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsuda uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Yarborough.
Matsuda attempts a counter takedown but Yarborough avoids it well and moves away.
Good exchange - Yarborough coming out on top.
Yarborough pivots, looking for a leg kick but Matsuda is out of range and Yarborough settles back down.
Matsuda throws a body shot but no joy.
Yarborough looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Yarborough with a nice calf kick.
Yarborough swings widly with a right hand

and Matsuda counters with a shoot takedown. Yarborough fights it but they end up in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yarborough is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Matsuda is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Matsuda is standing up over Yarborough. Yarborough looks to escape but Matsuda dives into side control.
Yarborough is not content to let Matsuda control the position.
Matsuda cracks Yarborough with a big elbow.

Yarborough throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Yarborough tries to land a leg kick but Matsuda saw it coming and moves away.
Matsuda takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yarborough scores with a leg kick.
Matsuda is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Matsuda checks a leg kick.

Yarborough gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Matsuda manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Yarborough tries to stand but Matsuda is controlling from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Yarborough showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tanaka Matsuda's cut.
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.

Yarborough ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsuda moves away.
Yarborough with a nice cross.
Yarborough misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuda.
A counter left hand to the body from Matsuda misses its target.
Matsuda moves away from the strike by Yarborough.
Nice shot by Yarborough.
Yarborough throws a lazy right hand but Matsuda sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yarborough thows a leg kick but Matsuda checks it
and Matsuda counters with a stiff right hand.
Yarborough avoids the body shot from Matsuda.
Matsuda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsuda tries to counter with a takedown but Yarborough is quick to defend against it.
Yarborough misses with a straight right.
Yarborough misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsuda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yarborough.
Yarborough misses with an uppercut

and Matsuda counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuda with a nice head shot there.

Yarborough wriggles free and stands up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Matsuda.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yarborough jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsuda changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Yarborough is looking to chop away at Matsuda's legs.
Matsuda scores with a jab to the head.
Yarborough thumps Matsuda with a low kick.
Yarborough tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matsuda goes for a double leg but Yarborough avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Yarborough continues to drive forward.
James Yarborough seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Yarborough presses Matsuda against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Yarborough misses with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Matsuda's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Matsuda tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yarborough smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good leg kick by Yarborough.
Yarborough misses with a straight left.
Yarborough tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matsuda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matsuda feinted with a counter takedown.
Yarborough steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matsuda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yarborough connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matsuda's hands.
Yarborough throws a big shot that misses.
Yarborough takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matsuda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yarborough.
Matsuda throws out a powerful jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yarborough fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matsuda looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matsuda with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Yarborough to score with a decent uppercut.
Matsuda on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Yarborough closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Yarborough misses the shot to the body.
Yarborough throws a poor cross that misses

and Matsuda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Matsuda.

Yarborough manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Yarborough lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuda.

Matsuda gets control of Yarborough's arms and successfully pulls guard. Matsuda will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Yarborough stands and steps away. Matsuda gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yarborough goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Yarborough uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsuda.
Matsuda backing away here, and Yarborough unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A big right from Yarborough misses.
Matsuda moves out of range of the body kick from Yarborough.
Yarborough cracks Matsuda with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yarborough tries to clinch up.
Matsuda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Yarborough misses with an uppercut.
Yarborough lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Matsuda shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Matsuda winds up and cracks Yarborough with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Matsuda scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
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!
Yarborough is trying to stand up here but Matsuda is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yarborough pushes Matsuda off and gets back to his feet.
Matsuda slips under a jab from Yarborough.
Matsuda lands a lovely overhand right.
Yarborough is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matsuda.
Matsuda drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yarborough sprawls and moves away.
A low kick from Yarborough misses

and Matsuda counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Yarborough!
Yarborough tries to escape but Matsuda is in control.
Matsuda is looking to take a break and control but Yarborough is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Yarborough wants to get back to his feet.
Matsuda trying to control the position but Yarborough is working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsuda prevents Yarborough from escaping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Yarborough really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tanaka Matsuda's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Yarborough tries to clinch but Matsuda moves out of range.
Matsuda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Yarborough thuds his right hand into Matsuda's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yarborough misses with a head kick.
Yarborough misses with a low kick.
Matsuda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsuda slips under a jab from Yarborough.
Yarborough connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Yarborough fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Matsuda is out of range.
Matsuda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matsuda swats away the attempt to clinch by Yarborough.
Matsuda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yarborough pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yarborough throws a head kick that misses.
Yarborough misses with a straight right.
Yarborough takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jab by Yarborough.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matsuda. Yarborough does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsuda misses with a looping right.
Matsuda blocks a low kick nicely.
Yarborough misses with a low kick.
Matsuda lands a lovely overhand right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yarborough. Matsuda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsuda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Matsuda throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yarborough's waist but Yarborough gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Matsuda off to one side.
Matsuda looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matsuda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yarborough.
Yarborough misses with a head kick.
Yarborough misses with a right hand

and Matsuda decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yarborough's guard.
Matsuda trying to control but Yarborough is working from the bottom.

Yarborough has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Matsuda is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Matsuda wants to take the fight to the mat but Yarborough manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Yarborough misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuda tries to pull guard but Yarborough holds him up against the cage and eventually Matsuda drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tanaka Matsuda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yarborough blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yarborough tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yarborough keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matsuda's efforts to push away.
Yarborough misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matsuda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yarborough lands a left hand that snaps the head of Matsuda backwards.

Matsuda jumps guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Matsuda has a closed guard, preventing Yarborough from standing up.

Yarborough stands up and waves to Matsuda to follow him.
An inside leg kick lands from Yarborough.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yarborough getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Matsuda throws a jab but it's blocked by Yarborough.
Yarborough throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Yarborough throws a leg kick which misses Matsuda's front leg but catches the back leg as Matsuda tries to avoid it.
Yarborough misses with a looping left.
Yarborough throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Matsuda changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Matsuda throws a body punch but Yarborough moves out of range.
Yarborough throws a big shot that misses.
Yarborough closes the distance but Matsuda moves to the side
and Matsuda counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Yarborough thinking.

Matsuda shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Yarborough's guard.

Yarborough uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuda takes a jab right on the kisser.
A decent looking cross lands there for Yarborough.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yarborough defending well as Matsuda loads up on a big left hand.
Yarborough throws a wild body kick that Matsuda sees coming a mile off.
Matsuda drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yarborough sprawls and moves away.
Yarborough cracks Matsuda with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Yarborough throws a shot to the body.
Matsuda throws a body shot but no joy.
Yarborough appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Yarborough.
Yarborough walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Yarborough tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yarborough looks to land a left hand but Matsuda moved out of range nicely.

Yarborough has managed to clinch.
Yarborough lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matsuda backwards.
Matsuda is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Yarborough scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yarborough lands a body punch in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Yarborough dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Tanaka Matsuda's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yarborough.
Yarborough keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yarborough throws a leg kick that is checked

and Matsuda counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Yarborough wants to get back to his feet.

Matsuda is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Matsuda prevents Yarborough from standing back up.
Yarborough taking some punishment here, with Matsuda in his half guard.
Yarborough scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Matsuda manages to mount him!
Matsuda lands a big elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yarborough wants to get back to his feet.
Matsuda lands a couple of good shots and Yarborough has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Matsuda scores with punches to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yarborough is trying to get back to his feet but Matsuda has full control of the position and if anything, Yarborough has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Matsuda is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Yarborough wants to get back to his feet.

Yarborough manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
Yarborough misses with a straight left.
Yarborough throws an overhand right that lands on Matsuda's shoulder, as Matsuda tries to avoid the shot.
Yarborough rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Matsuda counters with a takedown into side control.

Yarborough sneaks out the side door and pushes Matsuda away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsuda lands a slapping body shot.

Matsuda shoots in and bounces Yarborough off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Yarborough is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yarborough lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Matsuda misses with some punches.
Yarborough takes a shot to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Yarborough.

Yarborough breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Yarborough cracks Matsuda with a right hand to the side of the head.
Matsuda is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yarborough sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Yarborough lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yarborough looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsuda is just out of range.
Yarborough connects with an inside leg kick.
Yarborough motions for Matsuda to come forward. Yarborough throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Yarborough takes the fight into the clinch.
Matsuda jumps guard but Yarborough stands there with Matsuda around his waist. Matsuda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yarborough blocks an uppercut.
Matsuda blocking some punches.

Yarborough breaks from the clinch.
Yarborough throws a predictable looking body shot

and Matsuda counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Matsuda trying to pass the guard but Yarborough defending well.
Yarborough is trying to stand.
Yarborough is staying active underneath Matsuda, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tanaka Matsuda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yarborough wants to get back to his feet.
Matsuda trying to control from half guard but Yarborough is working away.
Yarborough is looking to escape.
Matsuda not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuda is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Yarborough is trying to stand.
Nice strikes from Matsuda there.

Matsuda is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Yarborough wants to get back to his feet.

Yarborough has one foot on Matsuda's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yarborough ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsuda moves away.
Matsuda tries to counter with a takedown but Yarborough is quick to defend against it.
Yarborough throws a hook to the side of Matsuda's head but Matsuda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Donk. Matsuda catches Yarborough right on the button with a cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsuda dives in for a single leg takedown but Yarborough sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Yarborough.
I've got Yarborough winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Yarborough!
James Yarborough is the new middleweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, James Yarborough thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.