PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joao Gabriel (ranked 3137 p4p, 3044 weight class) and Mario Yamasaki (ranked 331 p4p, 325 weight class). Gabriel comes to the cage accompanied by Circo das Galinhas. Yamasaki is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 2Pac - The Warriors Way. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gabriel
vs
Yamasaki

185 cm
22
177
4 - 2 - 0

167 cm
30
170
12 - 10 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joao Gabriel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mario Yamasaki!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Illya Tyunina and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gabriel defending well as Yamasaki loads up on a big left hand.
Gabriel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yamasaki sprawls and moves away.
Yamasaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gabriel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Yamasaki looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Gabriel slips a jab from Yamasaki.
Mario Yamasaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamasaki misses with a hook.
We've been hearing reports that Gabriel has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Yamasaki connects with a nice looking jab.
Yamasaki scores with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamasaki throws a poor cross that misses

and Gabriel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Yamasaki won't be happy with that.

Yamasaki throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A slow jab from Yamasaki misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamasaki looks to throw the jab but Gabriel is out of range.
Gabriel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gabriel walks into a stiff left hand from Yamasaki.
Gabriel slips a jab from Yamasaki.
Gabriel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yamasaki.
Yamasaki throws an off balance right hand

and Gabriel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Gabriel drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Yamasaki dives on top into guard.

Gabriel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gabriel working for a triangle but Yamasaki defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gabriel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yamasaki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yamasaki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gabriel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yamasaki seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Gabriel wants to sweep here but Yamasaki controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gabriel is on top in guard.

Yamasaki is looking to stand up but Gabriel isn't so interested in that idea.
Gabriel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gabriel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gabriel throwing strikes but missing.

Gabriel drops back looking for a leg! Yamasaki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Yamasaki manages to kick Gabriel off! Gabriel jumps back into Yamasaki's guard.
Gabriel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gabriel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yamasaki trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Yamasaki is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Gabriel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gabriel throwing strikes from guard but Yamasaki blocks nicely.
Gabriel throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gabriel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Yamasaki has momentary wrist control but Gabriel slips an elbow through the middle.
Gabriel throws a big elbow that misses.
Gabriel is fighting to break Yamasaki's control of his arms but Yamasaki is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Gabriel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Yamasaki pulls Gabriel in close to prevent any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mario Yamasaki will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Yamasaki throws a right hand that misses

and Gabriel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Yamasaki won't be happy with that.

Gabriel goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Yamasaki has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gabriel but great work by Yamasaki.
Gabriel regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gabriel tries to roll over but Yamasaki keeps him under control.
Gabriel regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gabriel tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yamasaki passes Gabriel's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gabriel gets back to full guard.
Yamasaki content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gabriel is looking for a triangle but Yamasaki pushes his legs off easily.

Gabriel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gabriel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yamasaki not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Yamasaki won't allow Gabriel to sweep him here.
Gabriel is working hard here to advance position.
Gabriel has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Yamasaki has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Yamasaki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gabriel is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Yamasaki's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Yamasaki prevents Gabriel from improving his position.
Yamasaki is taking a breather. Gabriel says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Gabriel is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gabriel. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gabriel is pressing down on Yamasaki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yamasaki sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gabriel looking for a sweep. Not yet Gabriel, not yet.
Yamasaki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mario Yamasaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yamasaki throws a poor cross that misses

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

Yamasaki scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki lands a nice shot to the body.
Yamasaki throws an overhand right that lands on Gabriel's shoulder, as Gabriel tries to avoid the shot.
Gabriel feinted with a counter takedown.
Gabriel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
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!
Yamasaki lands a jab to the nose.
Yamasaki looks to land a combination. Gabriel sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Yamasaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Yamasaki misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Gabriel counters with a single leg into guard. Yamasaki didn't expect that.
Gabriel distracts Yamasaki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Yamasaki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gabriel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gabriel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gabriel lands a couple of digs.
Gabriel working some strikes from top position.

Gabriel drops back looking for a leg! Yamasaki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Yamasaki manages to kick Gabriel off! Gabriel jumps back into Yamasaki's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gabriel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gabriel throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yamasaki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamasaki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Yamasaki pushes Gabriel off and scrambles back to his feet.
Yamasaki throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gabriel stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mario Yamasaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yamasaki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yamasaki throws a body punch but Gabriel moves out of range.
Gabriel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Yamasaki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gabriel feinted with a counter takedown.
Gabriel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yamasaki throws a hook to the side of Gabriel's head but Gabriel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gabriel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yamasaki sprawls and moves away.
Yamasaki darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
No joy there for Yamasaki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yamasaki tries to bum rush Gabriel with a series of wild strikes but Gabriel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamasaki with a jab.

Gabriel is rocked!
Yamasaki connects with a left and a right that sees a clearly hurt Gabriel covering up! Yamasaki comes in with a big uppercut and Gabriel goes doooown! He's slumped up against the cage, eyes staring blankly into space.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Mario Yamasaki!
Mario Yamasaki 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.