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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenshin Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Fantana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Fantana's choice of entrance music: The Sex Panther Is Out Tonight - Barry White feat. Brian Fantana. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 169 cm
32
147 lbs
17 - 3 - 1 |
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165 cm
25
144 lbs
12 - 2 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
17 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenshin Yamamoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brian Fantana!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fantana connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fantana just misses with a punch to the body.
Fantana moves out of range of the strikes.
Yamamoto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fantana shoots in and drives through. Yamamoto sprawls well.
Yamamoto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fantana ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Yamamoto misses with a body punch
and Fantana counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fantana throws a looping overhand right but Yamamoto ducks down to avoid it.
Fantana throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto throws a shot to the body.
Fantana lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Yamamoto backs up against the cage.
Yamamoto is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fantana's half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamamoto thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fantana's head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Yamamoto seems content to control.
Fantana is pressing down on Yamamoto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yamamoto wants to control from the top but Fantana keeps moving.
Fantana controls Yamamoto momentarily but Yamamoto frees himself.
Fantana controlling the position.
Yamamoto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fantana works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Fantana can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Yamamoto controls the pace.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fantana cracks a nice hook into Yamamoto's ribs.
Yamamoto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fantana avoids it really well and circles away.
Yamamoto shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Fantana counters with a nice uppercut.
Yamamoto has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Yamamoto there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fantana misses with a straight left.
Fantana scores with a shot to the body.
Fantana missing with a left hand there. Yamamoto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fantana keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fantana lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Yamamoto at a distance.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Fantana connects with a crisp jab.
Fantana shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto shows good takedown defense.
Yamamoto half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A cross from Fantana lands.
Fantana's jab looks to have found its range, popping Yamamoto under the eye.
Yamamoto throws a jab but it's blocked by Fantana.
Yamamoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fantana scores with a hook to the body. Yamamoto takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fantana lands a nice shot that snaps Yamamoto's head back.
Yamamoto shoots in and drives through. Fantana sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenshin Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantana fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto avoids it really well and circles away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana misses with a hook.
Kenshin Yamamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantana ducks under a wild hook from Yamamoto.
Fantana now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Fantana throws the left hand but Yamamoto avoids the punch easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fantana fails to land the takedown.
Fantana digs a good body shot into Yamamoto's ribs.
Yamamoto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Yamamoto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Yamamoto showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yamamoto is pressing down on Fantana's thigh, looking to free his foot. Fantana is holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Brian Fantana dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Fantana throws the left hand but Yamamoto avoids the punch easily.
Fantana just misses with a punch to the body.
Fantana drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantana working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Yamamoto's head.
Yamamoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fantana postures up and lands a big shot to Yamamoto's brow.
Yamamoto trying to keep a closed guard but Fantana is proving a slippery customer.
Fantana trying to control the position from guard on top but Yamamoto 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fantana postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Fantana working his ground and pound in the gym.
Fantana passes easily into side control. Nice work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fantana has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantana throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Yamamoto is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Yamamoto trying to hold on to Fantana's head to control him but Fantana postures up.
Yamamoto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yamamoto is refusing to be controlled, as Fantana sits in half guard.
Yamamoto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fantana pulls his head out easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Yamamoto is not content to let Fantana control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Yamamoto wants to improve his position but Fantana is controlling well.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fantana slips a jab from Yamamoto.
Fantana throws out a counter right but Yamamoto avoids it with no problem.
Fantana throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yamamoto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fantana lands with a straight right. Yamamoto didn't see that one coming.
Fantana works Yamamoto's body with a nice hook.
Yamamoto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fantana sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fantana comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana looks to land a right hand but Yamamoto moved out of range.
Yamamoto changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fantana misses with a looping left.
Fantana throws a combination. Yamamoto tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A big right from Fantana misses.
A shot to the liver by Fantana. Beautiful body shot.
Yamamoto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yamamoto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fantana.
Yamamoto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fantana.
Yamamoto attempts a counter takedown but Fantana avoids it well and moves away.
Yamamoto scores with a shot to the body.
Yamamoto misses with a takedown attempt
and Fantana counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana misses with a body shot.
Fantana jabs at Yamamoto's 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!
Fantana closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Yamamoto's guard.
Fantana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Yamamoto keeping moving, preventing Fantana from controlling successfully.
Fantana 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.
Brian Fantana has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yamamoto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Brian Fantana 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!
A telegraphed right hand from Fantana misses the target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Fantana darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yamamoto just misses with a punch to the body.
Fantana jabs Yamamoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Fantana fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fantana dives in for a single leg takedown but Yamamoto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Yamamoto ducks under a wild hook from Fantana.
Fantana tries to bum rush Yamamoto with a series of wild strikes but Yamamoto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Yamamoto misses.
Fantana cracks Yamamoto with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Yamamoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana fails with the takedown.
Yamamoto appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Fantana dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fantana stuffs the takedown attempt from Yamamoto. Yamamoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Yamamoto gets the takedown into side control.
Yamamoto misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Yamamoto goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Fantana rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Yamamoto's guard! Nice work there by Fantana!
Fantana passes easily into side control. Nice work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantana wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yamamoto keeps working.
Yamamoto struggling a bit here.
Fantana creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Yamamoto sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Fantana working the strikes but Yamamoto uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fantana prevents Yamamoto from improving his position.
Fantana is looking to take a break and control but Yamamoto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto wants to control but Fantana is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Yamamoto works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fantana throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yamamoto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fantana throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Yamamoto looking to control.
Yamamoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fantana is one step ahead there.
Fantana throws an elbow that misses. Yamamoto uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fantana's guard. Nice move by Yamamoto!
Yamamoto trying to control but Fantana is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana working a defensive guard here.
Yamamoto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Fantana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Yamamoto closes the distance and clinches up with Fantana, looking for a takedown. Yamamoto pushes Fantana against the cage but Fantana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenshin Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamamoto walks into a straight right hand from Fantana.
Yamamoto misses the shot to the body.
Fantana tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yamamoto was well out of range. Poor timing from Fantana.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Brian Fantana really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Yamamoto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fantana ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fantana throws a sloppy body shot
and Yamamoto counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantana is refusing to be controlled, as Yamamoto sits in half guard.
Fantana is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fantana is staying active underneath Yamamoto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto not doing much here.
Yamamoto working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Fantana's thigh. Fantana counters though and makes it back to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Fantana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yamamoto throwing strikes from guard but Fantana blocks nicely.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yamamoto misses with a straight right.
Yamamoto shoots in looking for a takedown. Fantana tries to sprawl out of it but Yamamoto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fantana manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's two 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.
Yamamoto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Yamamoto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fantana under the eye.
Fantana takes a swing at Yamamoto's ribcage but misses.
Yamamoto appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fantana.
Yamamoto throws a hook but Fantana blocks it.
Fantana avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
Fantana doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Fantana uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Yamamoto has time to react.
Yamamoto misses with a shot to the body
and Fantana counters with a takedown into side control.
Yamamoto is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Team Beta Male, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana lands a nice forearm strike.
Yamamoto tries to improve position but can't.
Yamamoto is not content to let Fantana control the position.
Fantana is working Yamamoto over with some ground and pound from side control.
Fantana landing a few strikes.
Yamamoto is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Fantana lands a few punches from side control.
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.
Fantana working the ground and pound.
Fantana cracks Yamamoto with a big right hand but Yamamoto just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Fantana misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Yamamoto is not content to let Fantana control the position.
Fantana decides to stand back up.
Fantana misses with a straight left.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A jab from Yamamoto misses.
Fantana throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamamoto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fantana under the eye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Brian Fantana dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Yamamoto has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fantana finds it's way round the side to connect with Yamamoto's head.
Yamamoto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fantana at a distance.
Fantana closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Yamamoto did well to prevent Fantana getting side control.
Fantana is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Yamamoto is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fantana scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fantana trying to control the action but Yamamoto is working from the bottom.
Yamamoto is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fantana is trying to control the action in half guard but Yamamoto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana prevents Yamamoto from improving his position.
Yamamoto wants to get back to full guard but Fantana has passed into side control.
The ground and pound from Fantana seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Yamamoto taking a bit of punishment here - Fantana scoring with strikes.
Fantana creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Fantana wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yamamoto keeps working.
Fantana landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantana throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Fantana controls the position from side control.
Yamamoto is not content to let Fantana control the position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yamamoto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fantana looks to land a right hand but Yamamoto moved out of range.
Fantana slips a straight right by Yamamoto.
Fantana drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Fantana makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fantana avoids the body shot from Yamamoto.
Fantana slips under a jab from Yamamoto.
Fantana misses with an uppercut
and Yamamoto counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Fantana!
Fantana is trying to get back to half guard.
Fantana struggling a bit here.
Fantana being controlled for a moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana is looking for a sweep.
Brian Fantana is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yamamoto tries to advance to mount but can't.
Fantana can't do much from the bottom here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kenshin Yamamoto.
Well Fantana 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Fantana!
Brian Fantana is the new bantamweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Brian Fantana thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
42% |
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