PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takashi Yoshida (ranked 72 p4p, 2 weight class) and Wamberto Boaz (ranked 151 p4p, 4 weight class). Boaz is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Preciso me encontrar. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yoshida
vs
Boaz

165 cm
23
135 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

164 cm
24
136 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
CAGED CROW Clothings 50$

Voodoo Nutrition
Sin City Allstars

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 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Takashi Yoshida!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Wamberto Boaz!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boaz cracks Yoshida with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Boaz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Boaz misses with a body shot.
Boaz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yoshida looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Yoshida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boaz takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Boaz takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Yoshida lands the left hand.
Yoshida sizes up Boaz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Yoshida gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yoshida wants to sweep but no luck.
Boaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yoshida looking to hit a scissor sweep but Boaz is one step ahead there.
Boaz controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida has control of Boaz's left arm, preventing Boaz from doing any damage.
Boaz controls from within his opponent's guard.
Boaz passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Yoshida struggling a bit here.

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.
Boaz tries to advance to mount but Yoshida denies him.
Yoshida is being controlled here.
Yoshida is looking to regain half guard here but Boaz keeps moving and retains side control.

Boaz working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Yoshida manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Boaz.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yoshida is looking to improve his position.
Boaz passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Yoshida!
Boaz controlling from mount.
Yoshida prevents Boaz from taking his back.
Yoshida can't escape the position.
Boaz fails to take his opponent's back.
Yoshida is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boaz looking to control and managing it successfully.
Yoshida is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at AK Beasties that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

Boaz wants to finish this one by submission but Yoshida is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Boaz.
Boaz trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Yoshida is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Boaz trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Boaz tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Boaz wants to control the pace but Yoshida is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wamberto Boaz dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Boaz ducks under a wild hook from Yoshida.
Yoshida tries to bum rush Boaz with a series of wild strikes but Boaz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A countering left hand to the body from Boaz misses.
Yoshida avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Boaz misses with a hook to the body
and Yoshida cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Boaz misses with a looping right.
A little feinted left hand from Yoshida on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Boaz moves out of range as Yoshida strikes.
Boaz slips a straight right by Yoshida.
Yoshida throws a nice inside leg kick.
Boaz throws a body punch but Yoshida moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Yoshida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Boaz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yoshida throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yoshida looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jab from Boaz.
Boaz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yoshida.
Boaz throws out a counter right but Yoshida avoids it with no problem.
Yoshida feints a jab promting Boaz to slip. Yoshida then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Boaz slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Boaz jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boaz misses with a right hand
and Yoshida counters with a nice uppercut.
Yoshida defending well as Boaz loads up on a big left hand.
Boaz tries to clinch up but Yoshida circles away and keeps his distance.
Yoshida darts in trying to clinch

and Boaz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Boaz.
Yoshida has his hands on Boaz's head, controlling the position.
Boaz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Yoshida keeping full guard, as Boaz tries to pass.
Boaz slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boaz passes to side control.
Boaz trying to control the position but Yoshida is working away.
The referee asks Boaz politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Boaz prefers to stall for the moment though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boaz wants to control but Yoshida is keeping him busy.
Yoshida is trying to improve his position.

Boaz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Yoshida working to try and regain half guard.
Boaz seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Yoshida is holding on tight.
Boaz trying to control but Yoshida is having none of it.
Yoshida is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Yoshida wants to control but Boaz is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Boaz is working for a guillotine from mount but Yoshida frees his head quite easily.
Boaz controlling his opponent.
Yoshida stops Boaz from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Boaz can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Yoshida is looking to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Boaz with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wamberto Boaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A slow jab from Yoshida misses its intended target.
Yoshida uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Boaz.
Yoshida is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Yoshida slips a straight right by Boaz.
Yoshida swings for the body but Boaz moves out of range.
Boaz misses with a straight left.
Boaz blocks a leg kick.
Nice shot by Yoshida.
Boaz misses with a body shot.
Yoshida feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Boaz wants to slow Yoshida down by chopping away at his legs.
Boaz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Takashi Yoshida is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yoshida connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Yoshida on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Boaz swings away with a body shot that misses
and Yoshida counters with a three punch combo that has Boaz backing up. Boaz nods at Yoshida to acknowledge the strikes.
Boaz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Yoshida counters with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Boaz blocks the low kick.
Boaz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Yoshida moves away from the strike by Boaz.
Yoshida throwing a counter right hand but Boaz manages to avoid it.
Boaz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice body punch from Boaz.
Yoshida uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Boaz.
Yoshida misses with a body kick.
Yoshida lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yoshida throws a poor cross that misses
letting Boaz counter with a right hand.
Yoshida blocks a head kick by Boaz.
Yoshida works over Boaz's head and body with a nice combination.
Yoshida fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Boaz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yoshida fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Boaz is out of range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Yoshida!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yoshida throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Boaz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Boaz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Boaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yoshida lands with a thumping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Boaz. Yoshida does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yoshida lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Boaz at a distance.
Yoshida takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Boaz steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Yoshida. That one must have hurt.
Boaz connects with a body shot that sends Yoshida's belly button to the back.
Yoshida throws a leg kick but Boaz sees it coming and moves out of range.
Boaz throws a looping overhand right but Yoshida ducks down to avoid it.
No joy there for Boaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yoshida throws a looping overhand right but Boaz ducks down to avoid it.
Yoshida defending well as Boaz loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A swing and a miss from Yoshida.
Yoshida uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Yoshida moves away from the strike by Boaz.
An attempted straight right counter from Yoshida misses the target.
Boaz misses with a wild body shot.
A slow jab from Boaz misses its intended target.
Yoshida wants to clinch up but Boaz keeps it at a distance.
Boaz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Yoshida. Those never looked like landing.
Boaz moves out of range of the strikes.
Yoshida moves out of range of the strikes.
Boaz defending well as Yoshida loads up on a big left hand.
Boaz with a hook.
Boaz misses with a body shot.
Boaz misses with a hook
and Yoshida counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boaz misses with a right hand
and Yoshida counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Yoshida dips to his left and cracks Boaz with an uppercut!
A chopping leg kick lands by Yoshida.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice uppercut lands for Yoshida. That snapped Boaz's head back.
Boaz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A telegraphed right hand from Boaz misses the target.
A little feinted left hand from Yoshida on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A jab from Yoshida misses.
Boaz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Boaz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Yoshida avoids a punch combination nicely.
Yoshida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yoshida lands a jab-cross combination.

Boaz drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Yoshida uses the cage to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takashi Yoshida clearly takes that round.
That's time! Yoshida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Yoshida swings for the body but Boaz moves out of range.
Boaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boaz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A slow jab from Boaz misses its intended target.
Yoshida on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Yoshida lands with a thumping leg kick.
Boaz loads up on a big right hand but Yoshida slips the punch.
Boaz throws a left and a right that both miss
and Yoshida counters with a stiff right hand.
Yoshida with a jab.
Yoshida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yoshida uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Boaz.
Yoshida looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Yoshida throws a shot from downtown. Boaz moves away and avoids it.
Boaz slips under a jab.
Boaz looks to land a left hand but Yoshida moved out of range nicely.
Yoshida swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida avoids the body shot from Boaz.
Boaz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Yoshida connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yoshida on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Boaz closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Yoshida.
Boaz working aggressively here.
Yoshida throws a head punch that misses.
Yoshida lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Yoshida.
Yoshida lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Boaz is trying to pull guard but Yoshida has him pressed against the cage.
Boaz is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yoshida to keep the fight standing.
Yoshida fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yoshida lands a shoulder strike.

Boaz breaks the clinch.
Boaz misses with an uppercut
and Yoshida counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boaz needs to keep his hands up - Yoshida had a free shot at his head there.
Yoshida connects with a single shot there.
Yoshida misses the jab.
Boaz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yoshida is fending him off so far but Boaz persists. Nope, Yoshida circles away and we're back to standing.
Takashi Yoshida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wamberto Boaz.
Yoshida looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Takashi Yoshida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boaz throws the left hand but Yoshida avoids the punch easily.
Yoshida throwing a counter right hand but Boaz manages to avoid it.
Yoshida uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Boaz.
Boaz has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Yoshida scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yoshida moves into range and connects with a jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Yoshida as he connects with a hook.
Boaz's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Yoshida uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Boaz.
Boaz lands with a cross.
Yoshida lands a nice shot that snaps Boaz's head back.
Yoshida tries to clinch there but Boaz circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Boaz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yoshida.
Boaz takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice takedown defense from Yoshida. No joy for Boaz on that attempt.
Yoshida throws out a loose jab but Boaz uses good head movement to avoid it.
A leg kick checked by Boaz.
Yoshida looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yoshida throws a looping overhand right but Boaz ducks down to avoid it.
Yoshida uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Boaz.
Yoshida displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Boaz throws out the jab.
Yoshida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Boaz manages to avoid it.
Boaz tries to bum rush Yoshida with a series of wild strikes but Yoshida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A looping hook to the body misses from Boaz. Yoshida does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida with a hook.
Boaz jabs Yoshida right on the nose. Yoshida blinks but takes it well.
The crowd cheers as Yoshida lands an impressive looking overhand right. Boaz doesn't seem phased though.
Boaz takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boaz misses with a takedown attempt
and Yoshida counters with a nice uppercut.
Yoshida looks to land a left hand but Boaz moved out of range nicely.
Yoshida looks to score with a jab to the body but Boaz is just out of range.
Boaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boaz motions for Yoshida to come forward. Boaz throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yoshida throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Boaz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Donk. Boaz catches Yoshida right on the button with a cross.
Yoshida looks to land a combination but Boaz avoids it well.
Yoshida scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A jab from Yoshida does it's job there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takashi Yoshida had his way with Wamberto Boaz in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Boaz misses with a hook
and Yoshida counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Boaz thinking.
Boaz blocks a jab.
Boaz doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Yoshida scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yoshida throws out a loose jab but Boaz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Boaz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yoshida just misses with a punch to the body.
Yoshida misses with a shot to the body
and Boaz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Boaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yoshida was well out of range. Poor timing from Boaz.
Boaz ducks under a wild hook from Yoshida.
Boaz connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yoshida blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boaz misses with a wild body shot.
Boaz lands a nice looking body shot.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Yoshida enables Boaz to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Yoshida manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boaz sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida is pulling down on Boaz's head to control his posture.
Boaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Boaz is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Let's hope that Boaz has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Boaz trying to control but Yoshida is working from the bottom.
Boaz content to stall in guard here.
Yoshida looking to hit a scissor sweep but Boaz is one step ahead there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.
Boaz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yoshida has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Boaz finds it's way round the side to connect with Yoshida's head.
Boaz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Boaz moves into range and clinches up with Yoshida.
Yoshida looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Boaz throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yoshidas head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Boaz.
Yoshida prevents a body shot from Boaz.
Yoshida doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Yoshida misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yoshida softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Boaz tries to pull guard but Yoshida holds him up against the cage and eventually Boaz drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boaz is trying to drag Yoshida to the mat but Yoshida just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Yoshida working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Yoshida fails to land.
Yoshida lands a left hand.
Yoshida fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Boaz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Boaz has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Yoshida is trying to keep an underhook but Boaz manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Boaz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Boaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida controlling the position well.

Boaz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Yoshida doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Boaz.
Yoshida wants to control but Boaz is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Boaz controlling the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wamberto Boaz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Boaz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wamberto Boaz!
Wamberto Boaz is the new bantamweight champion!
After the fight, Wamberto Boaz was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.