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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Akihito Yamato (ranked 4222 p4p, 475 weight class) and Rickson Zimmerman (ranked 2981 p4p, 360 weight class). Zimmerman has chosen Cosmic Sand - 9h00 as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 188 cm
20
188 lbs
6 - 1 - 0 |
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185 cm
26
199 lbs
7 - 3 - 0 |
BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine |
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BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akihito Yamato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rickson Zimmerman!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamato shoots in for a double leg but Zimmerman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yamato avoids a kick to the body.
Zimmerman swings for the body but Yamato moves out of range.
Zimmerman tries a head kick but it misses.
Rickson Zimmerman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zimmerman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yamato closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Yamato lands in his opponent's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Zimmerman is controlling Yamato's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zimmerman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zimmerman is trying to control the position but Yamato postures up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zimmerman 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.
Zimmerman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Yamato defends well.
Zimmerman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Zimmerman trying to mount his opponent but Yamato defends it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman trying to control the pace.
Yamato knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zimmerman on the ground.
Zimmerman is keen to just control but Yamato is a slippery customer.
Zimmerman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zimmerman sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Zimmerman seems to be working for a kimura but Yamato defends the submission attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman is looking to take a break and control but Yamato is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zimmerman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Yamato knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Zimmerman controlling the action here.
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.
Zimmerman is trying to control the action in half guard but Yamato is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zimmerman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zimmerman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zimmerman stands up from half guard.
Zimmerman looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yamato keeps the fight on the outside.
Yamato shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zimmerman defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rickson Zimmerman dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Zimmerman changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yamato tries to avoid it but Zimmerman manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yamato to the ground. Yamato escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yamato drops down looking for a counter takedown but Zimmerman sprawls and moves away.
Zimmerman fails to land the takedown.
Zimmerman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Akihito Yamato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rickson Zimmerman.
Zimmerman gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Yamato to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Zimmerman trying to strike off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zimmerman has his foot on Yamato's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yamato works his way back into a safe position though.
Zimmerman is looking for a triangle but Yamato pushes his legs off easily.
Zimmerman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zimmerman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yamato doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yamato manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zimmerman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yamato gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rickson Zimmerman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yamato engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman looking for a guillotine here but Yamato defends easily.
Zimmerman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zimmerman is trying to control the position but Yamato postures up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yamato defends it easily.
Yamato has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zimmerman wants to sweep here but Yamato controlling him for the moment.
Yamato stops Zimmerman from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zimmerman is on top in guard.
Zimmerman is looking to work some ground and pound but Yamato has wrist control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Yamato is working an open guard so Zimmerman takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Yamato fails with a takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Zimmerman's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Yamato shoots in for a takedown but Zimmerman shows good takedown defense.
Zimmerman drives through and clinches with Yamato against the cage.
Zimmerman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamato has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zimmerman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Yamato is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zimmerman pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Zimmerman looking to slow down the pace here.
Zimmerman pulls Yamato into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rickson Zimmerman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Yamato's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Yamato gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Zimmerman to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Zimmerman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zimmerman wants to control from the top but Yamato keeps moving.
Zimmerman gets to his feet - Yamato follows without any prompting.
Rickson Zimmerman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zimmerman throws a body kick that misses.
Yamato changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zimmerman is defended easily by Yamato.
Yamato feinted with a counter takedown.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Zimmerman.
Yamato stuffs the takedown.
Yamato closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zimmerman to the mat! Zimmerman manages to get full guard.
Zimmerman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zimmerman is looking for a triangle but Yamato pushes his legs off easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zimmerman is on top in guard.
Yamato avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zimmerman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Akihito Yamato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamato has momentary wrist control but Zimmerman slips an elbow through the middle.
Zimmerman wants to control from the top but Yamato keeps moving.
Zimmerman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Zimmerman wants to control from the top but Yamato keeps moving.
Yamato trying to keep a closed guard but Zimmerman is proving a slippery customer.
Zimmerman trying to control but Yamato is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Zimmerman throws an overhand right that lands on Yamato's shoulder, as Yamato tries to avoid the shot.
Yamato drops down looking for a counter takedown but Zimmerman sprawls and moves away.
Yamato catches Zimmerman with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zimmerman shoots in and drives through. Yamato sprawls well.
Akihito Yamato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rickson Zimmerman.
Nice sprawl there from Zimmerman as Yamato shoots in.
Yamato scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yamato shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Yamato was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Zimmerman is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Yamato is controlling him well.
Yamato working away.
Zimmerman is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamato is trying to ground and pound but Zimmerman uses the momentary lack of control by Yamato to regain half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rickson Zimmerman.
I've got Zimmerman 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rickson Zimmerman!
A very excited looking Rickson Zimmerman 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.
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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
31% |
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