PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jock Strap (ranked 548 p4p, 66 weight class) and Takayama Yataro (ranked 1796 p4p, 205 weight class). Yataro has chosen Misoji Misaki 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.

Strap
vs
Yataro

176 cm
22
157 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

163 cm
21
143 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Sportivité

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 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jock Strap!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Takayama Yataro!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yataro tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Strap defends well and Yataro ends up having to push Strap into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Strap stalks Yataro and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Yataro's face. Yataro staggers backwards, shaken.
Yataro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Strap wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yataro fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Strap looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Yataro bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Yataro tries to score with some ground and pound. Strap controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yataro is working Strap over with some ground and pound from side control.
Strap prevents Yataro from improving position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yataro is putting a hurting on Strap here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Yataro.
Yataro has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Strap managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Yataro.
Yataro lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
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.
Strap is looking to reverse the position.
Yataro in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Yataro throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Yataro sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Strap is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Strap on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Yataro throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Yataro throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Yataro sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Strap is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Yataro trying to control the position but Strap is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yataro scoring with punches and elbows.
Yataro looks up at the clock and then as Strap takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Yataro smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Strap defending against the ground and pound.
Strap is looking for a sweep.
Yataro creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Strap sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Strap is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Strap definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Yataro fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Yataro connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Strap some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yataro tries to score with some ground and pound. Strap controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Strap takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Yataro looking to control but instead Strap has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Yataro scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Strap is doing well to control the position and prevent Yataro from advancing to side control.
Strap has hold of Yataro's hands but Yataro slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Yataro with the ground and pound but Strap uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Strap looking for a sweep. Not yet Strap, not yet.
Yataro lands a couple of digs.
Yataro with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yataro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Yataro trying to control but Strap is working from the bottom.
Strap wants to sweep here but Yataro controlling him for the moment.
Yataro stays in close to Strap's body and controls the position.
Yataro lands a couple of digs.
Strap not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takayama Yataro dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Yataro connects with a crisp jab.

Yataro closes the distance and clinches.
Strap lands a hook to the side of the head.
Strap swings wildly with an uppercut but Yataro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yataro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Strap breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strap avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yataro looks to land a left hand but Strap moved out of range nicely.
Strap throwing a counter right hand but Yataro manages to avoid it.
Yataro moves away from the strike by Strap.
Yataro misses with a body shot.
Strap swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Yataro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yataro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yataro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yataro loads up on a big right hand but Strap slips the punch.
Yataro connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yataro throws a poor cross that misses
and Strap counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A telegraphed right hand from Yataro misses the target.
Strap avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yataro bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Yataro has taken the fight to the clinch.
Yataro jumps guard but Strap stands there with Yataro around his waist. Yataro gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Yataro lands with a short shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Strap scores with a nice short uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Yataro creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Strap lands with a right to the head.

Yataro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A jab from Yataro misses.
Strap throws a body punch but Yataro moves out of range.
Yataro misses with a looping right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yataro changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yataro misses with a left hand
and Strap counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Strap lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Strap takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Yataro. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Strap misses with an uppercut.
Yataro changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Strap uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yataro.
It looked like Strap wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Strap catches Yataro with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Strap's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Strap duly obliges.
Yataro lands a really nice looking cross but Strap seems unphased.
Yataro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yataro misses with a hook.
Yataro thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strap tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yataro was well out of range. Poor timing from Strap.
Strap is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Yataro swings for the body but Strap moves out of range.
Yataro cracks Strap with a good jab.
Yataro scores with a hook to the body. Strap takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Strap blocks a jab.
It looked like Strap wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jock Strap is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yataro misses with a right hand
and Strap counters with a series of strikes. Yataro will be more careful next time no doubt.
A swing and a miss from Yataro.
A little feinted left hand from Strap on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Yataro connects with a body shot.
Yataro wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Yataro misses with an uppercut.
Yataro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yataro instigates a clinch.
A body shot lands from Yataro.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yataro is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Strap misses with some punches.
Yataro tries to throw a body punch but Strap avoids it by throwing Yataro back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yataro.

Strap breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yataro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Yataro! But no joy.
Strap fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A big right from Strap misses.
Strap swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Takayama Yataro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yataro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Strap.
Strap slips a jab from Yataro.
Strap avoids the body shot from Yataro.
Yataro throws out a loose jab but Strap uses good head movement to avoid it.
Strap throws a big counter combination but Yataro scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takayama Yataro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Yataro wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Yataro is looking to clinch.
Yataro connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Strap throws a hook but Yataro blocks it.
Yataro throws a sloppy body shot
and Strap counters with a nice body shot.
Yataro fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Strap scores with a jab.
Strap connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice straight punches there by Strap. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Strap.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yataro. Strap does a little dance to reset his feet.
An attempted straight right counter from Strap misses the target.
Strap moves out of range of the strikes.
Strap on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yataro tries to clinch up.
Strap ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A big right from Strap misses.
A cross from Strap lands.
Strap is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Strap throws a hook to the side of Yataro's head but Yataro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yataro scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Strap doesn't seem bothered though.
Yataro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strap moves away.
Strap is looking for a counter combo.
Yataro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strap.
Yataro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Strap walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Yataro changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yataro tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yataro just misses with a punch to the body.
Yataro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yataro slips under a jab from Strap.
Yataro lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Yataro throws a poor cross that misses
and Strap counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strap misses with an uppercut

and Yataro counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Yataro missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Yataro content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Yataro missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yataro is stalling here. Strap is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Yataro seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Strap has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Strap tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Yataro tries to improve position but can't.
Strap tries to stand but Yataro is controlling his head.
Yataro tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strap working away.

Strap decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Yataro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Yataro does it's job there.
Strap throws a hook but Yataro blocks it.
A little jabbing left from Yataro on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Yataro moves away from the strike by Strap.
Yataro with a nice cross.
Yataro lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Strap at a distance.
Yataro misses the shot to the body.
Strap takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Yataro connects with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yataro misses with a body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Strap misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Takayama Yataro just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Yataro lands a nice shot to the body.
Strap throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yataro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strap was well out of range. Poor timing from Yataro.
A quick step to the side and Strap tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yataro throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Takayama Yataro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yataro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Yataro misses the target.
Yataro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An attempted straight right counter from Strap misses the target.
Yataro throws an overhand right that lands on Strap's shoulder, as Strap tries to avoid the shot.
A little feinted left hand from Strap on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yataro throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Strap counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Strap takes one on the button.
Yataro lands a slapping body shot.
Strap throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strap on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice straight punches there by Yataro. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Yataro.
Strap throws a hook but Yataro avoids it easily.
Yataro swings for the body but Strap moves out of range.
Strap throws a hook but Yataro blocks it.
Yataro looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Strap swings for the body but Yataro moves out of range.
Strap looks to land a combination but Yataro avoids it well.

Yataro shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Strap is trying to defend but Yataro finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Strap is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yataro misses with a head shot. Strap uses the momentum to regain guard.
Yataro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Strap wants to sweep but no luck.
Yataro with a nice head shot there.
Strap will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Strap utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yataro is working Strap over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Yataro throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yataro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Yataro's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Yataro lands a couple of digs.
Yataro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yataro wants to pass the guard but Strap is keeping the position.
Yataro chips away with some ground and pound.
Yataro in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Yataro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strap is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yataro accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yataro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Yataro works over Strap with some ground and pound from guard.
Yataro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Strap's head.
Yataro throwing strikes from guard but Strap blocks nicely.
Yataro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yataro accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Yataro is working Strap over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Yataro postures up in Strap's guard and throws a big left but Strap blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takayama Yataro dominated that fourth 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!

Yataro lands a body shot.
A big left from Strap misses.
Yataro misses with an uppercut. Strap saw that one coming.
It looked like Strap wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Strap throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Yataro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Strap throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Yataro counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Strap doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Yataro misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Strap throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strap throws a body punch but Yataro moves out of range.
Yataro throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Yataro loads up on a big right hand but Strap slips the punch.
Yataro slips a straight right by Strap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yataro tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strap swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Strap looks to land a left hand but Yataro moved out of range nicely.
Strap looks to throw the jab but Yataro is out of range.
Strap takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yataro ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Yataro misses with a wild body shot.
Yataro works the jab nicely.
Yataro swings away with a body shot that misses
and Strap counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Strap ducks under a wild hook from Yataro.
Strap misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yataro.
Yataro missing with a left hand there. Strap was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Strap throwing a counter right hand but Yataro manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yataro throws a body punch but Strap moves out of range.
A big right from Yataro misses.
Yataro throws a body punch but Strap moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Strap throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yataro throws a lazy right hand but Strap sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Strap has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Strap there as he acknowledges the shot.
Yataro throws a looping overhand right but Strap ducks down to avoid it.
Strap takes one to the chin there.
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!
Strap avoids the body shot from Yataro.
Yataro scores with a body shot.
Yataro works Strap's body with a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yataro throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yataro misses with an uppercut
and Strap counters with a stiff right hand.
Strap with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Yataro to score with a decent uppercut.
Yataro throws a body punch but Strap moves out of range.
Yataro lands with a shot to the body.
Jock Strap has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Strap misses with a looping right.
Strap fails to land with a series of punches.
Yataro cracks a nice hook into Strap's ribs.
Yataro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strap was well out of range. Poor timing from Yataro.
Yataro fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Strap looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Strap comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Yataro finds it's target.
The fighters circling - Yataro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yataro wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yataro bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Strap's head.

Yataro looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Yataro trying to mount his opponent but Strap defends it.
Yataro looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Strap with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Strap is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Yataro pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takayama Yataro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yataro has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 45:50
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 45:50
Judge Josh West scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takayama Yataro!
Takayama Yataro is the new lightweight champion!
After winning the bout, Takayama Yataro thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.