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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kai Yamaguchi (ranked 149 p4p, 18 weight class) and Will Rock (ranked 32 p4p, 5 weight class). Yamaguchi comes to the cage accompanied by Yama Yama. Rock is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by I Wanna Rock. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Will Rock was going to win. Let's see if he was right.
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| 176 cm
32
160 lbs
27 - 8 - 1 |
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180 cm
28
160 lbs
19 - 5 - 2 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
27 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Yamaguchi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
19 - 5 - 2, fighting out of New York, Will Rock!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rock moves into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rock creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rock's elbow.
Yamaguchi takes a shot to the head.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Rock controls the action.
Rock struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Yamaguchi tries a body shot but Rock blocks it.
Rock jumps guard but Yamaguchi stands there with Rock around his waist. Rock gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch.
Rock lands with a right to the head.
Rock blocking some punches.
Yamaguchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rock pulls guard successfully.
Rock is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rock working for a triangle but Yamaguchi defends it easily.
Yamaguchi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rock is keeping the position for now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock looking for a guillotine here but Yamaguchi defends easily.
Yamaguchi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yamaguchi gets to his feet - Rock follows without any prompting.
Rock gets a clinch.
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.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rock.
Rock lands a hook that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Yamaguchi swings wildly with an uppercut but Rock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rock jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yamaguchi walks away with a smile on his face. Rock gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Yamaguchi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rock.
Will Rock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamaguchi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Yamaguchi checks a leg kick.
Rock misses with a looping left.
Yamaguchi misses with a wild body shot.
Rock throws a right hand that misses
and Yamaguchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rock walks into a jab.
Rock misses with a wild body shot.
Jab, jab by Rock - just one landing.
Rock misses with a lunging right hand
and Yamaguchi counters with a series of strikes. Rock will be more careful next time no doubt.
A good leg kick by Rock.
Yamaguchi blocks a low kick nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rock, right into the meat.
Yamaguchi is looking to slow Rock down with leg kicks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rock connects with a nice looking jab.
Rock misses with a wild body shot.
Rock attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Yamaguchi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rock is out of range and Yamaguchi settles back down.
A swing and a miss from Yamaguchi.
Rock turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rock moves out of range of the body kick.
Yamaguchi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rock tries to counter by closing the distance.
Yamaguchi blocks a jab.
Yamaguchi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rock is out of range.
Yamaguchi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rock throws a right hand that Yamaguchi ducks under and follows up with a left that Yamaguchi also avoids with ease.
Rock lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rock avoids a kick to the body.
Rock wants to counter the offense by Yamaguchi and move into the clinch position.
Rock lands with a right hand.
Rock takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rock changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rock tries to clinch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Yamaguchi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yamaguchi lands a jab to the nose.
Rock stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yamaguchi.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rock, right into the meat.
Rock connects with a nice looking jab.
Rock takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yamaguchi.
Rock pushes Yamaguchi up against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Yamaguchi fails to land.
A short uppercut from Rock.
Rock misses with a body punch.
Yamaguchi misses with a punch on the inside.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Rock controls the action.
Rock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yamaguchi tries to throw a body punch but Rock avoids it by throwing Yamaguchi back against the cage.
Rock taking a breather.
Yamaguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Rock.
Rock blocks a body shot from Yamaguchi.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Yamaguchi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Will Rock will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Rock tries to clinch there but Yamaguchi circles away.
Yamaguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
Rock throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rock misses with a straight right.
Yamaguchi throws a quick counter kick to the body but Rock avoids it.
Rock tries to clinch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Kai Yamaguchi is winning the standup battle so far.
Rock ducks under a wild hook from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yamaguchi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yamaguchi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A punch lands to the side of Rock 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rock gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi digs a right hand into Rock's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rock's gas tank.
Yamaguchi tries a body shot but Rock blocks it.
Rock misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rock.
Rock jumps guard but Yamaguchi turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Yamaguchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Rock - that landed with a thud.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi lands a hook that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
Rock jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yamaguchi walks away with a smile on his face. Rock gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Yamaguchi digs a good hook to Rock's body.
Decent striking displayed by Rock there.
Rock misses with a wild body shot.
Rock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi takes one to the chin there.
Yamaguchi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rock is able to avoid easily.
Good leg kick by Rock there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Yamaguchi throws a solid leg kick but Rock takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rock scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamaguchi.
Rock throws a body punch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Rock with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Yamaguchi lands a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rock ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rock misses with an uppercut
and Yamaguchi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Yamaguchi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Yamaguchi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rock tries to pull guard but Yamaguchi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kai Yamaguchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Rock.
A short left from Rock.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rock.
A hook to the body from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi misses with some punches.
Rock blocking some punches.
Will Rock seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rock lands a body punch.
Rock blocks a body shot from Yamaguchi.
Rock tries to throw a body punch but Yamaguchi avoids it by throwing Rock back against the cage.
Yamaguchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rock lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi scores with a shot to the side of Rock's head.
Rock lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Yamaguchi.
Rock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rock is trying to pull guard but Yamaguchi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rock throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Yamaguchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yamaguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
I was talking to Yamaguchi's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Yamaguchi lands a shot to the body.
Yamaguchi tries a body shot but Rock blocks it.
Rock lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rock pulls guard effortlessly.
Yamaguchi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi slips nicely into half guard.
Rock is trying to get back to full guard.
Rock trying to hold on to Yamaguchi's head to control him but Yamaguchi postures up.
Yamaguchi is figuring out what he wants to do next.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Will Rock will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Rock scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Yamaguchi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rock throws out the jab.
Rock pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yamaguchi motions for Rock to come forward. Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rock jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rock throws a sloppy body shot
and Yamaguchi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rock.
Rock comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Yamaguchi misses the shot to the body.
Rock blocks a head kick by Yamaguchi.
Nice defenses there by Yamaguchi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi feints and then cracks Rock's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rock down.
Yamaguchi lands with a hook. Rock tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rock throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yamaguchi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rock feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yamaguchi's calf.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Yamaguchi throws a body punch but Rock moves out of range.
Rock throws out a powerful jab.
Yamaguchi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the side of Rock's head but Rock sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yamaguchi takes one on the button.
Rock throws a hook to the side of Yamaguchi's head but Yamaguchi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A quick step to the side and Yamaguchi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Yamaguchi checks a leg kick.
Rock misses with a straight left.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Yamaguchi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rock has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rock and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rock defending well as Yamaguchi loads up on a big left hand.
Yamaguchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rock.
Yamaguchi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rock fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Yamaguchi misses with a head kick.
Rock throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yamaguchi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yamaguchi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rock.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamaguchi throws a low kick but Rock avoids it.
Rock throws a low kick but it's checked well by Yamaguchi.
Rock fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Yamaguchi swats away the attempt to clinch by Rock.
Yamaguchi loads up on a big right hand but Rock slips the punch.
Yamaguchi throws a body punch but Rock moves out of range.
Rock scores with a nice strike.
Yamaguchi throws a front kick aimed at Rock's knee but Rock avoids it well.
Yamaguchi checks a low kick from Rock.
Rock fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Yamaguchi.
Rock closes the distance and clinches.
Yamaguchi throws a head punch that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rock.
Yamaguchi lands an uppercut.
Rock swings wildly with an uppercut but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yamaguchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Rock controls the action.
Yamaguchi throws a punch but it's blocked by Rock.
Rock throws a punch but it's blocked by Yamaguchi.
Rock working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Yamaguchi blocks a body shot from Rock.
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rock is trying to pull guard but Yamaguchi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rock scores with a hook to the body.
Rock blocking some punches.
Yamaguchi lands an uppercut.
Yamaguchi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi lands a body shot in the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rock lands a right hand that snaps the head of Yamaguchi backwards.
Rock scores with a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamaguchi is working Rock over against the cage.
Yamaguchi pushes Rock back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rock's elbow.
Rock blocking some punches.
Rock is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yamaguchi to keep the fight standing.
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yamaguchi presses Rock against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rock takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yamaguchi stalls.
Yamaguchi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
Yamaguchi letting Rock take a breather here.
Yamaguchi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
Yamaguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yamaguchi lands a hook that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
Yamaguchi lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Will Rock just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Rock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamaguchi.
Rock will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Yamaguchi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rock. That did some damage!
Donk. Rock catches Yamaguchi right on the button with a cross.
Rock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yamaguchi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yamaguchi connects with a crisp jab.
Yamaguchi scores with a jab.
Rock closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi tries a body shot but Rock blocks it.
Yamaguchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rock working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Yamaguchi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
A right hand to the body from Yamaguchi.
A head punch on the inside from Yamaguchi fails to land.
Yamaguchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock successfully pulls guard.
Yamaguchi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rock is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yamaguchi is aware though and is defending well.
Yamaguchi postures up.
Yamaguchi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Yamaguchi wants to control from the top but Rock keeps moving.
Rock looking for a guillotine here but Yamaguchi defends easily.
Rock looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi stopping the sweep attempt from Rock.
Rock is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yamaguchi is aware though and is defending well.
Rock being controlled here, momentarily.
Rock throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rock controls Yamaguchi momentarily but Yamaguchi frees himself.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi ducks under a wild hook from Rock.
As Rock backs away, Yamaguchi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Yamaguchi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rock needs to keep his hands up - Yamaguchi had a free shot at his head there.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rock pulls guard effortlessly.
Yamaguchi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Yamaguchi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Yamaguchi stands up from Rock's guard - Yamaguchi perhaps looking for a knockout.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rock throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rock lands a jab to Yamaguchi's midsection.
Yamaguchi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rock. Rock circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rock explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Yamaguchi misses with a body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yamaguchi.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamaguchi throws a lazy right hand but Rock sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rock wants to counter with a clinch but Yamaguchi pushes him away.
Yamaguchi misses with a wild body shot.
Rock getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rock tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rock misses with a low kick as Yamaguchi jumps back.
Yamaguchi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yamaguchi slips under a jab from Rock.
Rock throws a low kick, looking for Yamaguchi's leg but Yamaguchi calmly moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kai Yamaguchi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
No joy there for Rock, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yamaguchi throws a push kick but Rock slaps the foot to one side.
Yamaguchi misses with a low kick.
Yamaguchi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rock.
Yamaguchi moves out of range as Rock strikes.
Yamaguchi wants to slow Rock down by chopping away at his legs.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A jab from Yamaguchi misses.
Rock let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Rock ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rock avoids the head kick by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi loads up on a big right hand but Rock slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rock moves away from the strike by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi tries to work over Rock's front leg with a kick but Rock checks it.
Yamaguchi needs to keep his hands up - Rock had a free shot at his head there.
Rock rushes Yamaguchi and presses him up against the cage.
Rock prevents a body shot from Yamaguchi.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Yamaguchi.
Rock misses with the head strike.
Yamaguchi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rock lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Yamaguchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Yamaguchi tries to work over Rock's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rock scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yamaguchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rock scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yamaguchi's elbow.
Rock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Yamaguchi is leaning against Rock and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Yamaguchi struggles to land a body shot inside as Rock controls his hands.
Rock misses with some punches.
Yamaguchi misses with a punch to the body.
Rock lands a shot to the body.
Yamaguchi lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right hook to the body lands for Yamaguchi.
Kai Yamaguchi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi lands a shoulder strike.
Rock lands a left hand.
Rock is trying to pull guard but Yamaguchi has him pressed against the cage.
Rock jumps into guard, dragging Yamaguchi to the mat.
Yamaguchi stands and steps away. Rock gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Yamaguchi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rock scores with a punch to the head.
Rock is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Yamaguchi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yamaguchi misses with a wild body shot.
Rock throws out a counter right but Yamaguchi avoids it with no problem.
Rock goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A little feinted left hand from Yamaguchi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rock throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yamaguchi misses with a looping left.
Yamaguchi sets himself, and Rock steps forward looking for the clinch! Yamaguchi avoids it this time.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Yamaguchi sets himself, and Rock steps forward looking for the clinch! Yamaguchi avoids it this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi stuns Rock with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rock rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yamaguchi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yamaguchi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Yamaguchi.
Rock avoids the body shot from Yamaguchi.
Rock buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yamaguchi slips under a jab.
Rock closes the distance looking to clinch
and Yamaguchi counters with a good low kick that Rock was not able to check.
Will Rock is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yamaguchi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rock.
Yamaguchi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rock moves out of range as Yamaguchi strikes.
Yamaguchi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rock moves out of range of the body kick from Yamaguchi.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rock.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rock tries to clinch there but Yamaguchi circles away.
Rock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamaguchi.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamaguchi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rock is out of range and Yamaguchi settles back down.
A jab from Yamaguchi misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Yamaguchi. That's going to slow Rock down.
Yamaguchi looks to throw the jab but Rock is out of range.
Rock lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rock darts in and clinches Yamaguchi up against the cage.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rock's elbow.
Rock blocking some punches.
Yamaguchi lands a shoulder strike.
Yamaguchi working aggressively here.
Yamaguchi throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Rock - that landed with a thud.
Rock misses with a body punch.
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 Kai Yamaguchi.
I think Rock 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 48:48
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Kai Yamaguchi!
Kai Yamaguchi is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Kai Yamaguchi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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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
65% |
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