PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yasuhiru Kanayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake Wallace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Kanayama
vs
Wallace

167 cm
24
144 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

169 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yasuhiru Kanayama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Blake Wallace!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wallace shoots for a double leg takedown but Kanayama sprawls well. He's pushed Wallace's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Wallace fails with the takedown

and Kanayama counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Wallace is pressing down on Kanayama's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kanayama wants to control from the top but Wallace keeps moving.
Kanayama missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Wallace not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kanayama trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Wallace working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kanayama.
Kanayama trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yasuhiru Kanayama.
Wallace shoots in looking for a takedown. Kanayama tries to sprawl out of it but Wallace keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kanayama manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Yasuhiru Kanayama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Wallace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kanayama instigates a clinch.

Wallace manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Kanayama stands and steps away. Wallace gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Wallace stuffs the takedown.
Wallace shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kanayama but Kanayama pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Kanayama clinches up with Wallace and pushes him back against the cage.

Kanayama gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Wallace keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Wallace regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wallace has a closed guard, preventing Kanayama from standing up.
Kanayama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kanayama trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Wallace 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.

Kanayama decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Wallace, up you get!
Wallace scores with a kick to the midsection.
Kanayama cracks the inside of Wallace's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wallace fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kanayama, pushing him back against the cage.

Wallace gets control of Kanayama's arms and successfully pulls guard. Wallace will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Wallace looking for a sweep. Not yet Wallace, not yet.
Kanayama looking to sit in guard and control but Wallace gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kanayama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kanayama is trying to keep Wallace in close.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kanayama is controlling Wallace's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wallace trying to control the position from guard on top but Kanayama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kanayama is trying to hold Wallace in close to prevent damage but Wallace has managed to pass into half guard.
Kanayama is doing well to control the position and prevent Wallace from advancing to side control.
Kanayama wants to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kanayama looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kanayama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wallace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yasuhiru Kanayama dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kanayama moves into the clinch.

Wallace ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Wallace no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Wallace looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kanayama puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Kanayama passes into side control, despite Wallace's attempt to control the position.

Kanayama decides to stand back up.
Wallace doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kanayama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kanayama stands up from Wallace's guard - Kanayama perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kanayama misses with a takedown attempt - Wallace sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wallace shoots for a double leg takedown but Kanayama sprawls well. He's pushed Wallace's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanayama moves in looking to clinch but Wallace pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kanayama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wallace closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kanayama circles away.
Yasuhiru Kanayama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Wallace.
Kanayama misses with a body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Kanayama as Wallace shoots in.
Wallace is breathing heavily.
Kanayama throws a right hand that Wallace ducks under and follows up with a left that Wallace also avoids with ease.
Kanayama tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wallace swivels and escapes.
Wallace shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kanayama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kanayama wants to control from the top but Wallace keeps moving.
Kanayama has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanayama postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kanayama controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kanayama wants to pass the guard but Wallace is keeping the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wallace wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Kanayama is now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanayama takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kanayama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wallace keeps working.
Wallace blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kanayama.
Kanayama seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wallace does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Yasuhiru Kanayama just wasn't active enough.
Wallace tries to close the distance and clinch but Kanayama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wallace wants to clinch.
Kanayama fails with a takedown attempt.
Kanayama shoots in but Wallace avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kanayama rushes Wallace and presses him up against the cage.
Kanayama has had enough of the clinch but Wallace keeps him there for the moment.

Wallace jumps guard.
Yasuhiru Kanayama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kanayama sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kanayama trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wallace will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yasuhiru Kanayama dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kanayama misses with a takedown attempt - Wallace sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice sprawl there from Wallace as Kanayama shoots in.
Kanayama throws a combination that misses
and Kanayama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wallace closes the distance but Kanayama moves to the side

and Kanayama counters with a single leg into guard. Wallace didn't expect that.
Wallace looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kanayama is one step ahead there.
Wallace keeping moving, preventing Kanayama from controlling successfully.
Wallace is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kanayama wants to control but Wallace is keeping busy.
Kanayama tries to roll over but Wallace keeps him under control.
Wallace is thwarting Kanayama's attempts to control the position.
It looks like Wallace is going to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanayama is refusing to be controlled, as Wallace sits in half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kanayama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kanayama throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kanayama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wallace shoots for a double leg takedown but Kanayama sprawls well. He's pushed Wallace's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kanayama tries to clinch but Wallace is having none of it.
Wallace shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wallace takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kanayama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wallace.
Wallace tries to clinch but Kanayama moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace is looking to clinch.

Kanayama shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Wallace wants to sweep but no luck.
Kanayama pushing down on Wallace's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kanayama wants to take a breather but Wallace is having none of it.
Kanayama trying to pass the guard but Wallace defending well.

Kanayama stands up and beckons Wallace to join him on the feet.
Kanayama closes the distance and clinches up with Wallace, looking for a takedown. Kanayama pushes Wallace against the cage but Wallace circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yasuhiru Kanayama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kanayama fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanayama fails with the takedown.
Wallace shoots in looking for a takedown. Kanayama tries to sprawl out of it but Wallace keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kanayama manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wallace has his takedown stuffed

and Kanayama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
Wallace controlling Kanayama's posture.
Kanayama showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kanayama passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yasuhiru Kanayama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kanayama, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yasuhiru Kanayama!