PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Yamasaki (ranked 1385 p4p, 1273 weight class) and Paul Stahl (ranked 109 p4p, 97 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Yamasaki
vs
Stahl

167 cm
24
142
8 - 3 - 0

167 cm
24
135
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel
Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroshi Yamasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Stahl!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamasaki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stahl as he avoids it easily.
Yamasaki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stahl pinned against the cage. Stahl gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Yamasaki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Yamasaki is defended easily by Stahl.
Stahl doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroshi Yamasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stahl scores with a one two! Yamasaki had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Stahl lands with a slapping head kick.
Stahl connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamasaki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stahl.

Stahl drives through and clinches with Yamasaki against the cage.
Stahl has a couple of punches blocked by Yamasaki.

Yamasaki pulls Stahl into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stahl 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.

Yamasaki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Yamasaki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stahl engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Yamasaki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Stahl wants to control from the top but Yamasaki keeps moving.

Yamasaki working for a triangle but Stahl defends it easily.
Yamasaki seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Yamasaki working for a triangle but Stahl defends it easily.
Stahl works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Yamasaki is trying to get back to full guard.
Yamasaki is pressing down on Stahl's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yamasaki keeping full guard, as Stahl tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Yamasaki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stahl is aware though and is defending well.
Yamasaki can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stahl controls the pace.

Yamasaki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stahl gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stahl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yamasaki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stahl 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.

Yamasaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stahl defends well.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Stahl trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Yamasaki working for a triangle but Stahl defends it easily.

Stahl got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yamasaki has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stahl has managed to get both his arms back between Yamasaki's legs - danger averted.

Yamasaki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stahl can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Stahl avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Yamasaki looking for a guillotine here but Stahl defends easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Yamasaki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yamasaki being controlled here, momentarily.
Stahl with a flurry of punches that miss.

Yamasaki looking for a guillotine here but Stahl defends easily.
Stahl looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Yamasaki looking for a guillotine here but Stahl defends easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Yamasaki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stahl slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Yamasaki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stahl defends it easily.

Yamasaki has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Stahl 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.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stahl's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Yamasaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Yamasaki has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stahl is working away from the top position though.

Yamasaki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Yamasaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Stahl is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Yamasaki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stahl pulls his head out easily.
Yamasaki is trying to get back to full guard.
Stahl wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yamasaki keeps working.
Yamasaki gets full guard.

Yamasaki has his foot on Stahl's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stahl works his way back into a safe position though.

Yamasaki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stahl is aware though and is defending well.
Yamasaki looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Stahl must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stahl 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 nine minutes gone in the round.

Yamasaki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stahl controls from within his opponent's guard.
Stahl wants to control from the top but Yamasaki keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Yamasaki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stahl doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stahl manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Yamasaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Yamasaki, not yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Yamasaki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stahl defends it easily.

Yamasaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stahl defends well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Paul Stahl will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stahl jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Yamasaki has his takedown stuffed
and Stahl counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Yamasaki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stahl pinned against the cage. Stahl gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Yamasaki fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroshi Yamasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body punch from Stahl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Yamasaki is defended easily by Stahl.
Stahl throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A lazy left from Stahl finds it's target.
Yamasaki needs to keep his hands up - Stahl had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stahl catches Yamasaki with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Yamasaki manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Stahl on his heels. He'll look to pass Stahl's guard now, I'm sure.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Stahl holds on and takes a little breather.

Yamasaki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stahl tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stahl pulls Yamasaki in close to his closed guard and prevents Yamasaki from doing any damage or advancing position.

Yamasaki has gone for a leg lock! Stahl slips out almost immediately though and dives into Yamasaki's guard.

Yamasaki is trying to keep Stahl in close.
Stahl 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yamasaki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stahl defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stahl sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Yamasaki working for submissions but it's allowed Stahl to get to half guard.
Yamasaki is looking to improve his position.
Yamasaki trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Yamasaki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stahl perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Yamasaki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stahl pulls his head out easily.
Stahl thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yamasaki's head.
Stahl stalling.
Hiroshi Yamasaki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Yamasaki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stahl content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stahl trying to pass the guard but Yamasaki defending well.

Yamasaki actively working from the bottom here.
Yamasaki is looking for a sweep. Stahl is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yamasaki is trying to maintain the position but Stahl is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice body kick there by Stahl.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stahl bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Paul Stahl seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yamasaki shoots in for a takedown but Stahl shows good takedown defense.
Stahl throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Good exchange - Stahl coming out on top.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Stahl uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamasaki.
Yamasaki takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yamasaki misses with a takedown attempt - Stahl sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Yamasaki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stahl.
Stahl dips to his left and cracks Yamasaki with an uppercut!
Hiroshi Yamasaki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stahl feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Yamasakis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stahl with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice sprawl there from Stahl as Yamasaki shoots in.
A little jabbing left from Stahl on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Stahl tries a head kick but it misses.
Yamasaki changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Yamasaki has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Stahl finds it's way round the side to connect with Yamasaki's head.
Yamasaki's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stahl connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Yamasaki scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stahl lands with a nice body kick.
Yamasaki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stahl avoids it really well and circles away.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stahl but Stahl pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yamasaki dives in and grabs Stahl's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stahl pushes down on Yamasaki's head and hops out.
Yamasaki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stahl is fending him off so far but Yamasaki persists. Nope, Stahl circles away and we're back to standing.
Stahl with a nice cross.
Yamasaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stahl tries to avoid it but Yamasaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stahl to the ground. Stahl escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stahl works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Yamasaki is rocked!
Stahl tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Stahl lands a big head kick that sends Yamasaki tumbling to the mat! Stahl takes a step backwards and waves Yamasaki back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Oh Yamasaki is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stahl lands a nice looking body shot.

Yamasaki looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Stahl is pressing down on Yamasaki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stahl wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stahl is on top in guard.

Stahl stays in close to Yamasaki's body and controls the position.
Yamasaki seems to have got his legs back now.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki keeping moving, preventing Stahl from controlling successfully.

Yamasaki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stahl can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Yamasaki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stahl is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Stahl's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stahl trying to control but Yamasaki is working from the bottom.

Yamasaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stahl defends well.
Yamasaki keeping moving, preventing Stahl from controlling successfully.

Yamasaki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stahl defends it easily.

Yamasaki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Yamasaki looking for a guillotine here but Stahl defends easily.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Yamasaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stahl defends well.

Yamasaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stahl defends well.
Stahl stays in close to Yamasaki's body and controls the position.
Stahl passes Yamasaki's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Yamasaki looking for submissions off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Stahl 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! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yamasaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stahl but Stahl pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yamasaki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stahl circles away.
Stahl throws a lazy right hand but Yamasaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yamasaki shoots in looking for a takedown but Stahl manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yamasaki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroshi Yamasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Yamasaki.
Nice jab there from Stahl.
Stahl lands an overhand right.
Yamasaki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stahl.
Stahl misses the shot to the body.
Yamasaki shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stahl scores with a nice head shot.
Yamasaki tries a head kick but it misses.
Stahl looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Yamasaki darts in looking for a takedown but Stahl gets double underhooks and turns Yamasaki into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stahl goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Stahl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamasaki blocks a body shot from Stahl.
Yamasaki is looking for a takedown.
Stahl gets through Yamasaki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Yamasaki blocks a body shot from Stahl.
Yamasaki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stahl walks away with a smile on his face. Yamasaki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Stahl stuffs the takedown attempt from Yamasaki. Yamasaki gets slowly back to his feet.
Yamasaki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stahl lands a jab to the head.

Yamasaki scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stahl is looking for a sweep. Yamasaki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stahl regains full guard. Nicely done.
Yamasaki postures up in Stahl's guard and throws a big left but Stahl blocks it.

Yamasaki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stahl wants to sweep here but Yamasaki controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stahl keeps trying to improve his position.
Yamasaki connects with a couple of short punches.
Yamasaki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Yamasaki is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Stahl is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Yamasaki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stahl keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Stahl's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stahl controls the position for a moment.

Yamasaki is trying to get an arm triangle but Stahl is defending well.

Yamasaki tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Yamasaki has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Stahl can't do much from the bottom here.

Stahl throws Yamasaki to one side and escapes!
Stahl is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stahl swings for the body but Yamasaki moves out of range.
Stahl has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stahl.
Stahl misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yamasaki.
Yamasaki defending well as Stahl loads up on a big left hand.
Stahl misses with a straight left.
Stahl buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yamasaki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stahl as he avoids it easily.
Yamasaki shoots in and drives through. Stahl sprawls well.
Stahl throws a hook but Yamasaki avoids it easily.
Nice jab there from Stahl.
Yamasaki fails to land with a series of punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamasaki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stahl's waist but Stahl gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Yamasaki off to one side.
Stahl misses the jab.
Yamasaki misses with a takedown attempt - Stahl sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Yamasaki takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Stahl lands a nice looking body shot.
Stahl explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Yamasaki has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yamasaki there as he acknowledges the shot.

Yamasaki shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Stahl is trying to stand back up but Yamasaki is controlling him
Stahl is looking to improve his position.
Yamasaki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Yamasaki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stahl doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yamasaki.
Stahl gets full guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki won't allow Stahl to get back to his feet.
Stahl working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Yamasaki.
Stahl wants to sweep but no luck.
Stahl keeping full guard, as Yamasaki tries to pass.

Yamasaki is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Stahl is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Stahl has escaped and now he's on top!

Yamasaki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Yamasaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stahl defends well.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Stahl avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Yamasaki working for a triangle but Stahl defends it easily.

Yamasaki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stahl can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Yamasaki lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Paul Stahl is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Stahl 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.

Yamasaki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Yamasaki trying to control but Stahl is working from the bottom.
Yamasaki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stahl avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stahl utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stahl has his hands on Yamasaki's head, controlling the position.
Stahl keeping full guard, as Yamasaki tries to pass.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Yamasaki pushing down on Stahl's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Yamasaki seems to be working for a kimura but Stahl defends the submission attempt.
Hiroshi Yamasaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Yamasaki is trying to work for a kimura but Stahl is defending well.

Yamasaki wants to work for an arm triangle but Stahl is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Stahl avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yamasaki.
Stahl tries to roll over but Yamasaki keeps him under control.
Yamasaki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Yamasaki prevents Stahl from improving his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Stahl comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stahl 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Stahl!
A very excited looking Paul Stahl made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.