PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Robert Van De Velde (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuta Yamashita (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Yuta Yamashita enters the ring!

Van De Velde
vs
Yamashita

225 cm
34
205 lbs
8 - 19 - 0

183 cm
27
205 lbs
9 - 15 - 0

Excellent MT
Very strong

Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Robert Van De Velde!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yuta Yamashita!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A bit of stalling here from Van De Velde.
Van De Velde lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Van De Velde really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Van De Velde displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yamashita throws out the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamashita. Van De Velde does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Van De Velde was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Van De Velde gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Van De Velde has Yamashita pressed against the ropes.
Van De Velde just leaning against Yamashita, taking a breather.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Van De Velde for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

Van De Velde breaks from the clinch.

Van De Velde has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van De Velde misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Yamashita manages to break the clinch.
Yamashita throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Van De Velde gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamashita being controlled against the ropes.
The referee calls for Van De Velde to work.
Van De Velde taking a breather.

Van De Velde manages to break the clinch.
Yuta Yamashita seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamashita lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Van De Velde circles away quickly and effectively.
Yamashita throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Van De Velde moves into the clinch.

Van De Velde breaks from the clinch.

Van De Velde drives through and clinches with Yamashita against the ropes.

Yamashita breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamashita throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamashita throws a nice looking combination but Van De Velde bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yamashita looks to land a right hand but Van De Velde moved out of range.

Van De Velde instigates a clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Van De Velde takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Van De Velde lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Van De Velde goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Van De Velde slowing the pace effectively.
Van De Velde doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Yamashita manages to break the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamashita misses with a series of wild punches.
Yamashita misses with a hook
and Van De Velde counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Yamashita looks winded!

Van De Velde closes the distance and pushes Yamashita back into the ropes.
Yamashita tries to work over Van De Velde's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yamashita misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamashita doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Van De Velde pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van De Velde throws a right hand that Yamashita ducks under and follows up with a left that Yamashita also avoids with ease.

Van De Velde has Yamashita up against the ropes in a clinch.
Van De Velde working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yamashita working aggressively here.
Yamashita tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van De Velde's elbow.
Van De Velde effectively controlling the action here.

Yamashita's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yamashita throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Van De Velde takes the fight into the clinch.
Van De Velde lands a body shot.
Stalling in the clinch from Van De Velde.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Van De Velde gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Yamashita breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Van De Velde pushes Yamashita up against the ropes in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yamashita goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Van De Velde displaying some good clinch control by pressing Yamashita up against the ropes.
Van De Velde lands a nice shot to the body.
Van De Velde lands a body shot.
The referee calls for Van De Velde to work.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Van De Velde.

Van De Velde breaks from the clinch.

Van De Velde forces Yamashita back against the ropes and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Van De Velde dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Van De Velde tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Yamashita manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Van De Velde defending well as Yamashita loads up on a big left hand.

Yamashita gets tackled into the ropes by Van De Velde. Van De Velde maintains the clinch.

Van De Velde escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Van De Velde has managed to clinch.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch.

Van De Velde has Yamashita up against the ropes in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Van De Velde.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Van De Velde.
Van De Velde is struggling to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Van De Velde escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Robert Van De Velde is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Van De Velde is looking to clinch but Yamashita is avoiding it.
Yamashita now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Yamashita misses with a straight left.
Van De Velde appears to be looking for a big counter.

Van De Velde fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Yamashita, pushing him back against the ropes.
Van De Velde is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yamashita can do to turn this around?
A bit of stalling here from Van De Velde.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Come on Van De Velde - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Van De Velde tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yamashita's elbow.
A nice left hand lands by Van De Velde.

Van De Velde escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Van De Velde closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Yamashita is breathing heavily.

Van De Velde moves into the clinch successfully.
Yamashita tries a body shot but Van De Velde blocks it.

Van De Velde's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jab by Yamashita.

Van De Velde has managed to clinch.
Van De Velde throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Van De Velde lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van De Velde lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Van De Velde blocks a body shot from Yamashita.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van De Velde escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Van De Velde closes the distance and clinches.
Van De Velde is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Van De Velde presses Yamashita against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short uppercut from Van De Velde.
Van De Velde dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Van De Velde is stalling here.
Van De Velde lands with a left to the head.

Van De Velde pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Yamashita misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamashita misses the shot to the body.
Yamashita misses with a body shot.
Van De Velde fails with an attempt to clinch.

Van De Velde moves into the clinch.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Van De Velde takes the fight into the clinch.
Yamashita takes a shot to the head.

Yamashita manages to break the clinch.
Van De Velde tries to clinch up but Yamashita circles away and keeps his distance.
Yuta Yamashita seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Yamashita tries to keep at a distance but Van De Velde has taken the fight into the clinch.
Yamashita being controlled against the ropes.
A short left from Van De Velde.
Yamashita is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van De Velde can't find room to land a body shot as Yamashita controls the action.
Van De Velde lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yamashita backwards.
Van De Velde misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Van De Velde creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Van De Velde's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Van De Velde tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Van De Velde moves into range and clinches up with Yamashita.
Yamashita's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Yamashita breaks the clinch.

Van De Velde gets a clinch.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A shot to the body from Yamashita misses

and Van De Velde counters with a right, a left and a big uppercut that drops Yamashita to the mat! Van De Velde runs to a neutral corner to get the count going quickly. 3,4,5,6 and Yamashita is back to his feet. He seems ready to continue - the ref agrees so we're back at it!

Yamashita is rocked!
Yamashita punishes Van De Velde's body with a nice straight punch.
Yamashita is still on wobbly legs! Can Van De Velde finish him?
Yamashita misses the shot to the body.
Yamashita lands with a good body shot.
Yamashita seems to have recovered his senses.

Van De Velde gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Van De Velde will take that round after scoring the only knockdown of the round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Van De Velde uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamashita.
Yamashita throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Van De Velde scores with a jab and follows up with an uppercut that drops Yamashita to his knees! He bounces straight back to his feet but is forced to take the mandatory standing 8 count before he's allowed to continue. We're back under way and the fighters meet in the middle of the canvas to re-engage.
Van De Velde misses with a wild body shot.

Van De Velde fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Yamashita, pushing him back against the ropes.
Van De Velde is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Van De Velde is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Van De Velde working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Van De Velde breaks the clinch.
Yamashita circles away from the clinch attempt.
Van De Velde showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yamashita.
It looked like Van De Velde was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Yamashita takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Van De Velde wants to clinch up but Yamashita keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yamashita gets tackled into the ropes by Van De Velde. Van De Velde maintains the clinch.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Van De Velde closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Van De Velde struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamashita controls his hands.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Van De Velde lands with a good body shot.
A combination from Yamashita does no damage.
Yamashita keeps the fight on the outside.
Yamashita lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Van De Velde is looking to clinch.

Van De Velde gets a clinch.

Yamashita escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Van De Velde is looking to clinch but Yamashita is avoiding it.
Van De Velde misses with a double jab
and Yamashita counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A punch combination from Yamashita misses.

Van De Velde closes the distance and clinches.

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!

Van De Velde breaks from the clinch.
Van De Velde steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yamashita.

Van De Velde darts in and clinches Yamashita up against the ropes.
Van De Velde taking a breather.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch.
Van De Velde fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yamashita let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Yamashita swings for the body but Van De Velde moves out of range.
Van De Velde was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Van De Velde darts in and clinches Yamashita up against the ropes.
Van De Velde pushes Yamashita back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Van De Velde is leaning against Yamashita and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Van De Velde's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yamashita misses with a body shot.

Van De Velde forces Yamashita back against the ropes and clinches.
Yamashita being controlled against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van De Velde lands a hook to the side of the head.
Van De Velde working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yamashita blocks a body shot from Van De Velde.
Van De Velde is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Van De Velde creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Van De Velde lands a left hand.

Van De Velde's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Van De Velde instigates a clinch.
Van De Velde lands a body punch in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Van De Velde.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van De Velde breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Van De Velde fails with an attempt to clinch.
Van De Velde scores with a one two! Yamashita had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van De Velde cracks Yamashita with a perfect right hand that drops him to the mat! Yamashita is sitting up but I can't see if he's OK from my position. The referee's count has reached 5,6,7 and Yamashita is still not up. Can he make it? 8,9,10! He's out! Yamashita could not beat the count!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Robert Van De Velde!