PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kotetsu Yamamoto (ranked 938 p4p, 105 weight class) and Bas Dekkers (ranked 1145 p4p, 125 weight class). Dekkers has chosen Shells - Get your roll on as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Yamamoto
vs
Dekkers

168 cm
29
149 lbs
21 - 9 - 2

167 cm
36
155 lbs
26 - 18 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Kotetsu Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Bas Dekkers!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Dekkers.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dekkers.
Dekkers scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dekkers throws a looping overhand right but Yamamoto ducks down to avoid it.
Dekkers gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kotetsu Yamamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamamoto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dekkers under the eye.
Dekkers motions for Yamamoto to come forward. Dekkers throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yamamoto throws a jab but it's blocked by Dekkers.
Yamamoto misses with a hook
and Dekkers counters with a nice leg kick.

Yamamoto closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Dekkers's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamamoto being controlled here momentarily.

Yamamoto drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Yamamoto jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Dekkers keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.
Yamamoto not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto passes Dekkers's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Yamamoto is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Yamamoto slows the pace down in half guard.

Yamamoto seems to be working for a kimura but Dekkers defends the submission attempt.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Dekkers defends it well.
Dekkers tries to roll over but Yamamoto keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Yamamoto trying to control from half guard but Dekkers is working away.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Dekkers defends it well.
Yamamoto is taking a breather. Dekkers says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Dekkers defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yamamoto trying to control the action but Dekkers is working from the bottom.

Yamamoto is working for a kimura but Dekkers is defending it quite comfortably.
Dekkers wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dekkers moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Yamamoto's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Dekkers seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Yamamoto engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Yamamoto trying to control but Dekkers is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dekkers gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Yamamoto.
Dekkers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yamamoto changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Yamamoto closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dekkers quickly recovers to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dekkers is pressing down on Yamamoto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Dekkers keeping moving, preventing Yamamoto from controlling successfully.

Yamamoto has gone for a leg lock! Dekkers slips out almost immediately though and dives into Yamamoto's guard.

Dekkers passes Yamamoto's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Dekkers is trying to control. Yamamoto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Yamamoto is trying to maintain the position but Dekkers is very close to passing his half guard.

Yamamoto looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dekkers content to control rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kotetsu Yamamoto dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Yamamoto moves out of range of the leg kick from Dekkers.
Yamamoto checks a low kick from Dekkers.
A little feinted left hand from Yamamoto on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Dekkers slips a straight right by Yamamoto.
Dekkers ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dekkers is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Yamamoto with a body shot.
Yamamoto misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Dekkers throws a chopping leg kick but Yamamoto manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dekkers buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yamamoto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dekkers tries a quick counter leg kick but Yamamoto is wise to it.
Good leg kick by Dekkers there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Yamamoto misses with an uppercut. Dekkers saw that one coming.
A countering left hand to the body from Dekkers misses.
Yamamoto misses with a right hand
and Dekkers counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dekkers throws a low kick but Yamamoto moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Dekkerss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Yamamoto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Dekkers. No joy for Yamamoto on that attempt.
Dekkers thinks about the counter body kick.
A big left from Yamamoto misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Yamamoto, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dekkers feints and then cracks Yamamoto's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yamamoto down.
Yamamoto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dekkers attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dekkers slips under a jab from Yamamoto.
Dekkers throws out a counter right but Yamamoto avoids it with no problem.
Dekkers slaps away a takedown attempt from Yamamoto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Yamamoto misses with a straight left.
Yamamoto backing away here, and Dekkers unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Yamamoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dekkers.
Yamamoto is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Dekkers.
Dekkers moves away from the strike by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto tries for a takedown but Dekkers sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kotetsu Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dekkers misses with a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dekkers.
Dekkers throws a body kick that misses.
Yamamoto appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Yamamoto.
Dekkers fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
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!
Dekkers displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yamamoto throws out the jab.
Dekkers appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dekkers attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Yamamoto drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Yamamoto is trying to get an arm triangle but Dekkers is defending well.
Dekkers wants to control but Yamamoto postures up.

Yamamoto thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Yamamoto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dekkers knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Dekkers manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dekkers is looking for a sweep. Yamamoto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Dekkers holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Dekkers is refusing to be controlled, as Yamamoto sits in half guard.
Dekkers manages to get to full guard.
Dekkers trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Yamamoto advances to half guard.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura but Dekkers is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Yamamoto to get the leverage.
Yamamoto trying to control the action but Dekkers is working from the bottom.

Yamamoto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dekkers sees it coming and defends easily.
Dekkers is staying active underneath Yamamoto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Yamamoto is looking for a kimura here.
Dekkers moves into full guard.
Yamamoto is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kotetsu Yamamoto will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Dekkers lands with a thumping leg kick.
Yamamoto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Dekkers thuds a left hand into Yamamoto's body.
Dekkers takes one to the chin there.
Dekkers displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yamamoto throws out the jab.
Yamamoto blocks the body kick.
Bas Dekkers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yamamoto looks to land a left hand but Dekkers moved out of range nicely.
Crunch! Dekkers slams his shin into Yamamoto's torso.
Yamamoto is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
No luck for Yamamoto with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamamoto misses with the combination.
Dekkers lands with a kick to the ribs.
Dekkers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Dekkers - that will leave a mark!
Yamamoto is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dekkers throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Yamamoto on the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Yamamoto misses the target.
Dekkers throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Dekkers fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Yamamoto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dekkers wants to counter the offense by Yamamoto and move into the clinch position.
Yamamoto takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Dekkers keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dekkers leaves Yamamoto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kotetsu Yamamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamamoto steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Dekkers. That one must have hurt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dekkers. That's going to slow Yamamoto down.
Some bone on bone action there as Yamamoto checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A quick step to the side and Yamamoto tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yamamoto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dekkers.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Yamamoto misses.
Dekkers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yamamoto will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dekkers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yamamoto moves away.
Bas Dekkers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Yamamoto.
Yamamoto tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bas Dekkers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good leg kick by Dekkers there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Dekkers dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dekkers turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dekkers slips a straight right by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto throws a lazy uppercut
and Dekkers counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Yamamoto.
Dekkers scores with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto lands with an uppercut that bounces Dekkers off the cage and back into range.
Yamamoto walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Yamamoto moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A clash of legs there as Yamamoto blocks the low kick.
Dekkers fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dekkers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yamamoto moves away.
Dekkers lands with a thumping leg kick.
Dekkers finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Dekkers throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Yamamoto throwing a counter right hand but Dekkers manages to avoid it.
Dekkers digs a good hook to Yamamoto's body.
Kotetsu Yamamoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yamamoto blocks a low kick nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Yamamoto.
Dekkers fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Yamamoto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dekkers throws a low kick, looking for Yamamoto's leg but Yamamoto calmly moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Dekkers.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dekkers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yamamoto manages to avoid it.
Yamamoto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Dekkers throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dekkers is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yamamoto.
Dekkers takes a jab right on the kisser.
Yamamoto moves out of range of the leg kick from Dekkers.
An attempted straight right counter from Yamamoto misses the target.
Yamamoto lands a jab to Dekkers's midsection.
Dekkers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yamamoto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Dekkers misses.
Dekkers tries to clinch there but Yamamoto circles away.
Nice shot by Yamamoto.
Dekkers ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yamamoto throws a looping overhand right but Dekkers ducks down to avoid it.
Dekkers flicks out a counter leg kick but Yamamoto steps away.
Yamamoto shoots and misses
and Dekkers counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bas Dekkers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yamamoto has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Kotetsu Yamamoto!
After winning the bout, Kotetsu Yamamoto thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.