PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Koyomuki Yashigawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artur Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tavares has chosen Lacuna Coil - Enjoy The Silence as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Yashigawa
vs
Tavares

177 cm
29
161 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

171 cm
26
151 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Koyomuki Yashigawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Artur Tavares!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Matheus Silva and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yashigawa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tavares counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Yashigawa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tavares.
Tavares with the ground and pound but Yashigawa uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Yashigawa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tavares.
Tavares throws a big elbow that misses.
Tavares wants to control from the top but Yashigawa keeps moving.
Tavares makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tavares postures up in Yashigawa's guard and throws a big left but Yashigawa blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares throwing strikes but missing.
Tavares trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tavares in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tavares trying to control the position from guard on top but Yashigawa 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.
Tavares throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tavares throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yashigawa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tavares throwing strikes from guard but Yashigawa blocks nicely.
Yashigawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yashigawa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tavares throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tavares being controlled here momentarily.
Tavares postures up in Yashigawa's guard and throws a big left but Yashigawa blocks it.
Tavares throwing strikes but missing.
Tavares trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Yashigawa keeping moving, preventing Tavares from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is looking to work some ground and pound but Yashigawa has wrist control.
Yashigawa working a defensive guard but Tavares passes into half guard.
Tavares throwing shots but Yashigawa is blocking nicely.
Tavares thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yashigawa's head.
Tavares not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tavares slips a nice elbow through Yashigawa's hands, connecting with Yashigawa's forehead.
Tavares thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yashigawa's head.
Tavares not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tavares missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yashigawa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tavares.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yashigawa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tavares with the ground and pound but Yashigawa uses the opportunity to regain guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tavares accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tavares accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tavares keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Yashigawa's head.
Tavares throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tavares missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tavares trying to control but Yashigawa is working from the bottom.
Tavares trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Tavares dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tavares bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yashigawa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tavares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yashigawa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tavares avoids it really well and circles away.
Yashigawa misses with a wild body shot.
A cross from Yashigawa lands.

Tavares cracks Yashigawa with a big right hand and Yashigawa goes down!

Yashigawa is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares 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.
Oh Yashigawa is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tavares throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yashigawa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tavares postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tavares passes Yashigawa's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tavares missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Yashigawa tries to get to full guard but Tavares has control of the leg.
Yashigawa seems to have got his legs back now.
Tavares not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tavares throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tavares thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yashigawa's head.
Tavares wants to control but Yashigawa is keeping him busy.
Yashigawa taking some punishment here, with Tavares in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yashigawa trying to hold on to Tavares's head to control him but Tavares postures up.
Tavares throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tavares working Yashigawa over with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tavares thows a huge punch but Yashigawa dodges it nicely.
Artur Tavares has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tavares thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tavares throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tavares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yashigawa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tavares throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tavares throwing shots but Yashigawa is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tavares lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Tavares throwing shots but Yashigawa is blocking nicely.
Tavares throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Yashigawa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tavares trying to control the action but Yashigawa is working from the bottom.
Tavares not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tavares is trying to control. Yashigawa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tavares is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares thows a huge punch but Yashigawa dodges it nicely.
Yashigawa on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Yashigawa tries to get out of the position.
Yashigawa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tavares not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tavares throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Yashigawa to regain full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavares stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yashigawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tavares throwing strikes from guard but Yashigawa blocks nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yashigawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Tavares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Yashigawa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Yashigawa fails with the takedown
and Tavares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Yashigawa misses with a takedown attempt

and Tavares counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tavares.

Tavares is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Yashigawa can't fight it off and eventually Tavares manages to take the fight to the floor. Yashigawa looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tavares throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yashigawa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tavares is looking to work some ground and pound but Yashigawa has wrist control.
Yashigawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tavares trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares cracks Yashigawa with a solid left hand.
Tavares throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yashigawa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yashigawa keeping moving, preventing Tavares from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yashigawa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Yashigawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tavares is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Yashigawa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tavares throws an elbow that misses. Yashigawa uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tavares's guard. Nice move by Yashigawa!
Tavares wants to stand but Yashigawa is controlling the position.
Yashigawa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tavares works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yashigawa prevents Tavares from getting back to his feet.

Tavares scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Tavares.
Koyomuki Yashigawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yashigawa moves out of range of the strikes.
Yashigawa doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tavares counters with a single leg into guard. Yashigawa didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Koyomuki Yashigawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yashigawa keeping moving, preventing Tavares from controlling successfully.
Tavares throws a strike but Yashigawa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tavares is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Yashigawa is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tavares pushes Yashigawa off and gets back to his feet.
Artur Tavares is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yashigawa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tavares avoids it really well and circles away.
Yashigawa misses with a hook

and Tavares counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Yashigawa. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tavares lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yashigawa backwards.
Tavares effectively controlling the action here.
Yashigawa has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tavares after a bit of a struggle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artur Tavares comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tavares 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artur Tavares!
An out of breath Artur Tavares thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.