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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Yamasaki (ranked 30 p4p, 72 weight class) and Richard Mesquita (ranked 3 p4p, 11 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 176 cm
30
157
20 - 7 - 0 |
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180 cm
29
163
23 - 9 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Katsu Yamasaki!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Richard Mesquita!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Phil Schofield.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mesquita lands with an uppercut that bounces Yamasaki off the cage and back into range.
Mesquita swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mesquita missing with a left hand there. Yamasaki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yamasaki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mesquita sprawls and moves away.
Mesquita swings for the body but Yamasaki moves out of range.
Mesquita fails with the takedown.
Yamasaki tries to counter with a takedown but Mesquita is quick to defend against it.
A big left from Yamasaki misses.
We've been hearing reports that Yamasaki has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Nice takedown defense from Yamasaki. No joy for Mesquita on that attempt.
Yamasaki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mesquita sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamasaki staying out of range there.
Yamasaki throws a hook but Mesquita blocks it.
Mesquita misses with a wild body shot.
Yamasaki staying out of range there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yamasaki as he jumps to the side.
Katsu Yamasaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Mesquita.
Mesquita thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mesquita tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yamasaki swivels and escapes.
Yamasaki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Mesquita throws a jab when Yamasaki was well out of range.
Yamasaki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Yamasaki gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Mesquita to score an easy takedown into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Yamasaki is on top in guard.
Yamasaki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mesquita is keeping the position for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki postures up.
Yamasaki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mesquita swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Yamasaki pushing down on Mesquita's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Mesquita trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mesquita gets back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mesquita gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mesquita looking to control but Yamasaki passes into half guard.
Yamasaki moves nicely into side control.
Mesquita is looking for a sweep.
Mesquita wants to control but Yamasaki postures up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Yamasaki wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mesquita, who protects the arm well.
Mesquita takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamasaki trying to control the action but Mesquita is working from the bottom.
Mesquita is looking for a sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Katsu Yamasaki will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Yamasaki gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Mesquita fails with a takedown attempt.
Mesquita waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yamasaki.
Yamasaki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mesquita takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Yamasaki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mesquita scores with a takedown into Yamasaki's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita stands up over Yamasaki, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mesquita wants to control from the top but Yamasaki keeps moving.
Yamasaki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mesquita is one step ahead there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Richard Mesquita has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mesquita trying to control but Yamasaki is working from the bottom.
Yamasaki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mesquita is one step ahead there.
Mesquita throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yamasaki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mesquita landing with the ground and pound.
Mesquita has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mesquita sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Yamasaki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Yamasaki working for a triangle but Mesquita defends it easily.
Mesquita wants to control from the top but Yamasaki keeps moving.
Yamasaki wants to sweep here but Mesquita controlling him for the moment.
Mesquita wants to control from the top but Yamasaki keeps moving.
Yamasaki looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mesquita passes into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita lands with a punch from half guard.
Yamasaki tries to get to full guard but Mesquita has control of the leg.
Mesquita controlling the pace.
Yamasaki is trying to get back to full guard.
Yamasaki is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mesquita scores with a couple of nice shots.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita slips a nice elbow through Yamasaki's hands, connecting with Yamasaki's forehead.
Yamasaki manages to get to full guard.
Mesquita stopping the sweep attempt from Yamasaki.
Yamasaki lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mesquita 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.
Yamasaki sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mesquita's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Richard Mesquita showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Mesquita fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yamasaki slips a jab from Mesquita.
Mesquita shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mesquita showed some decent athleticism there.
Yamasaki works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mesquita stands and throws Yamasaki's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamasaki is looking to regain half guard here but Mesquita keeps moving and retains side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamasaki is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Yamasaki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Yamasaki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yamasaki lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Mesquita bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Yamasaki's guard.
Mesquita is in close to Yamasaki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Yamasaki working for a triangle but Mesquita defends it easily.
Yamasaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Yamasaki, not yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Yamasaki looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mesquita puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Mesquita wants to control but Yamasaki is keeping him busy.
Yamasaki is trying to get back to full guard.
Mesquita seems to be looking for submissions.
Yamasaki is not content to let Mesquita control the position.
Mesquita lands strikes from half guard.
Mesquita is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Yamasaki has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nice strikes from Mesquita there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita prevents Yamasaki from improving his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mesquita lands a nice short elbow.
Mesquita drops an elbow to the side of Yamasaki's head.
Yamasaki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Yamasaki.
Mesquita trying to control the position from guard on top but Yamasaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mesquita with a flurry of punches that miss.
Yamasaki keeping moving, preventing Mesquita from controlling successfully.
Yamasaki manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mesquita manages to get himself to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yamasaki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Yamasaki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mesquita swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mesquita looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Yamasaki has picked Mesquita up and slammed him! Mesquita can't keep hold of the triangle and Yamasaki manages to pass to side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mesquita trying to control but Yamasaki flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Yamasaki tightening his grip on Mesquita, looking for the choke.
Yamasaki doesn't have the hooks in and Mesquita manages to turn into his guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Richard Mesquita really dominated that round.
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.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mesquita looks for a takedown but Yamasaki sprawls well.
Yamasaki keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Yamasaki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Katsu Yamasaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Mesquita.
Yamasaki slips under a jab.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mesquita or perhaps it was just good defense by Yamasaki, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Yamasaki as he jumps to the side.
Yamasaki feinted with a counter takedown.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita misses with a right hand
and Yamasaki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mesquita can't keep his opponent in guard - Yamasaki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Yamasaki wants to free his trapped foot but Mesquita is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mesquita wants to improve his position but Yamasaki is controlling well.
Mesquita won't allow Yamasaki to pass to mount.
Yamasaki is stalling here. Mesquita is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Yamasaki seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Mesquita has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki regains half guard.
Mesquita is nestled in close to Yamasaki, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Mesquita scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Yamasaki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Yamasaki has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Mesquita is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Yamasaki.
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 tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mesquita wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mesquita trying to control the position but Yamasaki is working away.
Mesquita tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki sneaks back into half guard.
Mesquita lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mesquita seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Yamasaki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mesquita lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mesquita seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Yamasaki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Yamasaki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki wants to get back to full guard but Mesquita has passed into side control.
Yamasaki is trying to get back to half guard.
Mesquita scoring with punches and elbows.
Yamasaki tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mesquita wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mesquita is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Yamasaki has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamasaki regains half guard.
Mesquita 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Richard Mesquita will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. And we move into the final round!
Yamasaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mesquita throws a predictable looking body shot
and Yamasaki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Yamasaki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mesquita lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Yamasaki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mesquita doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mesquita manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mesquita landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamasaki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mesquita defends it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita distracts Yamasaki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Yamasaki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mesquita is aware though and is defending well.
Mesquita sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Yamasaki's guard.
Yamasaki is not content to let Mesquita control the position.
Yamasaki moves into full guard.
Mesquita postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Yamasaki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mesquita defends it easily.
Mesquita working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Yamasaki's head.
Katsu Yamasaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita trying to control but Yamasaki is working from the bottom.
Mesquita controls from within his opponent's guard.
Yamasaki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mesquita gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mesquita makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mesquita pushing down on Yamasaki's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Yamasaki is pressing down on Mesquita's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita scoring with punches to the head and body.
Yamasaki keeping moving, preventing Mesquita from controlling successfully.
Yamasaki lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Yamasaki wants to pass the guard but Mesquita is keeping the position.
Mesquita is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yamasaki is aware though and is defending well.
Yamasaki passes Mesquita's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Yamasaki has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mesquita is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Richard Mesquita is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yamasaki working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mesquita slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Mesquita is pressing down on Yamasaki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Yamasaki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mesquita has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 47:48
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 46:49
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Richard Mesquita!
Richard Mesquita is the new lightweight champion!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
35% |
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