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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kai Yamaguchi (ranked 121 p4p, 14 weight class) and Will Rock (ranked 12 p4p, 1 weight class). Yamaguchi's entrance music is Yama Yama. A fine choice. Rock is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: I Wanna Rock. 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.
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| 176 cm
35
160 lbs
32 - 9 - 1 |
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180 cm
31
156 lbs
24 - 7 - 3 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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BJJ Red Belt
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
32 - 9 - 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
24 - 7 - 3, fighting out of New York, Will Rock!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rock throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Yamaguchi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rock.
Yamaguchi scores with a punch to the head.
Yamaguchi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rock. Rock obviously looking to wear him down.
Rock walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Yamaguchi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A big left from Yamaguchi misses.
Yamaguchi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Will Rock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamaguchi checks a low kick from Rock.
Rock has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rock struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Rock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rock successfully pulls guard.
Rock is working an open guard so Yamaguchi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamaguchi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rock moves out of range as Yamaguchi strikes.
Yamaguchi lands a jab.
Yamaguchi throws an overhand right that lands on Rock's shoulder, as Rock tries to avoid the shot.
Rock slips under a jab from Yamaguchi.
Rock connects with a body shot that sends Yamaguchi's belly button to the back.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yamaguchi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rock scores with a hook to the body. Yamaguchi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rock takes a swing at Yamaguchi's ribcage but misses.
Yamaguchi looks to land a left hand but Rock moved out of range nicely.
Yamaguchi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rock lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Yamaguchi at a distance.
Yamaguchi lands a lovely overhand right.
Rock tried to score with a low kick but Yamaguchi checks it.
Rock throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamaguchi. Rock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yamaguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rock was well out of range. Poor timing from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yamaguchi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Yamaguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Rock ducks under a wild hook from Yamaguchi.
Rock throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi checks it.
It looked like Yamaguchi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Rock.
Yamaguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rock.
Yamaguchi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Yamaguchi misses with a leg kick
and Rock counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rock keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Yamaguchi's efforts to push away.
Rock lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rock prevents a body shot from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rock lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Yamaguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Yamaguchi.
Rock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rock blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rock struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Yamaguchi misses with the head strike.
Rock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rock is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yamaguchi to keep the fight standing.
Rock misses with a body punch.
Yamaguchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Yamaguchi misses with some punches.
Yamaguchi struggles to land a body shot inside as Rock controls his hands.
Rock tries to throw a body punch but Yamaguchi avoids it by throwing Rock back against the cage.
Rock blocking some punches.
A right handed body shot lands from Yamaguchi.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yamaguchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rock blocks a body shot from Yamaguchi.
A short right from Yamaguchi on the inside.
Rock is trying to pull guard but Yamaguchi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Yamaguchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rock gets through Yamaguchi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rock tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rock looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kai Yamaguchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Rock.
Yamaguchi misses with a punch on the inside.
Yamaguchi blocks a body shot from Rock.
Rock struggles to land a body shot inside as Yamaguchi controls his hands.
Rock takes a shot to the head.
Yamaguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rock pushes Yamaguchi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rock manages to pull guard.
Rock looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yamaguchi is one step ahead there.
Rock has a closed guard, preventing Yamaguchi from standing up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rock looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yamaguchi is one step ahead there.
Rock is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rock throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yamaguchi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rock is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Yamaguchi stands up from Rock's guard - Yamaguchi perhaps looking for a knockout.
Yamaguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rock.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamaguchi misses the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Kai Yamaguchi will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Rock looks to land a right hand but Yamaguchi moved out of range.
Rock misses with a wild body shot.
A swing and a miss from Rock.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the side of Rock's head but Rock sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yamaguchi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kai Yamaguchi is winning the standup battle so far.
Yamaguchi is looking to score with low kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rock.
Rock misses with a low kick as Yamaguchi jumps back.
Yamaguchi is looking to counter punch.
Yamaguchi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nice defenses there by Yamaguchi.
Rock lands a nice shot to the body.
Rock takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rock scores with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rock fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi is out of range.
Yamaguchi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Yamaguchi throws a lazy right hand but Rock sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rock chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Yamaguchi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rock connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Yamaguchi scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamaguchi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook.
Rock thuds a left hand into Yamaguchi's body.
Yamaguchi lands with a good body shot.
Rock displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yamaguchi throws out the jab.
Rock attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Yamaguchi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Good exchange - Rock coming out on top.
Yamaguchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rock blocks a low kick nicely.
Rock moves out of range of the leg kick from Yamaguchi.
Rock cracks the inside of Yamaguchi's front leg.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rock looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yamaguchi was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamaguchi.
Rock tries to counter with a clinch but Yamaguchi shakes him off and moves away.
Rock avoids a kick to the body.
Yamaguchi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Yamaguchi is looking to land body kicks.
Rock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yamaguchi manages to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock swings for the body but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamaguchi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Good work by Yamaguchi as he checks the leg kick.
Rock works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rock throws a looping overhand right but Yamaguchi ducks down to avoid it.
It appears Yamaguchi was looking to counter with a kick there.
Rock lands a nice shot that snaps Yamaguchi's head back.
Rock lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rock throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi checks it.
Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rock.
Rock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rock moves away from the strike by Yamaguchi.
Rock scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rock lands with a thumping leg kick.
Yamaguchi thuds his shin into the meat of Rock's side.
Rock misses with a hook. Yamaguchi ducked under it nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rock, right into the meat.
Rock scores with a hook.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rock manages to avoid it.
Rock throws the left hand but Yamaguchi avoids the punch easily.
Yamaguchi throws a head kick but Rock moves out of range.
Yamaguchi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rock.
Yamaguchi tried to score with a low kick but Rock checks it.
Rock throws a hook but Yamaguchi avoids it easily.
Rock connects with a good right hand that stumbles Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rock lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Yamaguchi at a distance.
Rock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamaguchi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rock is out of range.
Rock wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rock connects with a looping right hand.
Rock ducks under a wild hook from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a body punch but Rock moves out of range.
Rock motions for Yamaguchi to come forward. Rock throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yamaguchi slips under a jab from Rock.
Rock uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi looks to land a left hand but Rock moved out of range nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rock connects with an inside leg kick.
Rock misses with a looping left.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rock throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yamaguchi lands a jab to the nose.
Rock throws an overhand right that lands on Yamaguchi's shoulder, as Yamaguchi tries to avoid the shot.
Yamaguchi lands a right hook to the body.
Yamaguchi cracks the inside of Rock's front leg.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yamaguchi.
Good exchange - Yamaguchi coming out on top.
Yamaguchi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Yamaguchi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rock throws a right hand that misses
and Yamaguchi counters with a thumping low kick.
Rock throws a hook to the side of Yamaguchi's head but Yamaguchi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rock turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rock lands a nice shot to the body.
Yamaguchi throws a front kick aimed at Rock's knee but Rock avoids it well.
Yamaguchi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Will Rock showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Rock swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Yamaguchi throws a front kick aimed at Rock's knee but Rock avoids it well.
Yamaguchi throws a front kick aimed at Rock's knee but Rock avoids it well.
Yamaguchi looks to land a right hand but Rock moved out of range.
Rock lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Yamaguchi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rock connects with a body shot that sends Yamaguchi's belly button to the back.
Yamaguchi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rock throws a lazy right hand but Yamaguchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rock throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yamaguchi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Yamaguchi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rock has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yamaguchi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rock scoring well with a low kick there.
Yamaguchi misses with a straight left.
Rock misses the jab.
Yamaguchi throws a jab but it's blocked by Rock.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamaguchi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rock steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi tries to work over Rock's front leg with a kick but Rock checks it.
Yamaguchi misses with a straight left.
Rock on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Yamaguchi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Yamaguchi defending well as Rock loads up on a big left hand.
Rock lands a nice shot that snaps Yamaguchi's head back.
Rock rushes Yamaguchi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Yamaguchi on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rock.
Rock lands with a short shot to the head.
Rock tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Yamaguchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Rock.
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!
Yamaguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yamaguchi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
Yamaguchi tries to break free but Rock pushes him back against the cage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock prevents a body shot from Yamaguchi.
Rock lands a nice uppercut.
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kai Yamaguchi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rock tries a body shot but Yamaguchi blocks it.
Rock tries to pull guard but Yamaguchi won't allow it.
Yamaguchi cracks Rock with a nice body shot.
Yamaguchi lands a hook that snaps the head of Rock backwards.
Yamaguchi working aggressively here.
Yamaguchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rock misses with a punch to the body.
Rock pushes Yamaguchi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Yamaguchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Yamaguchi throws a punch but it's blocked by Rock.
Yamaguchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Rock.
Rock can't find room to land a body shot as Yamaguchi controls the action.
Yamaguchi lands a body shot.
Yamaguchi throws a head punch that misses.
Rock pushes Yamaguchi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rock lands a shot to the body.
Rock tries to pull guard but Yamaguchi holds him up against the cage and eventually Rock drops back down to his feet.
Kai Yamaguchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Rock.
Yamaguchi misses with the head strike.
Yamaguchi misses with a body punch.
Yamaguchi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rock jumps guard and drags Yamaguchi to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Yamaguchi trying to control but Rock is working from the bottom.
Rock has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yamaguchi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rock working for a triangle but Yamaguchi defends it easily.
Rock looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi tries to free his leg and advance position but Rock is retaining full guard.
Yamaguchi wants to stand but Rock is controlling his posture from full guard.
Yamaguchi stands up from Rock's guard - Yamaguchi perhaps looking for a knockout.
Yamaguchi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rock connects with a right hand. Yamaguchi shakes it off.
Yamaguchi missing with a left hand there. Rock was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yamaguchi thumps Rock with a low kick.
A jab from Yamaguchi misses.
Yamaguchi scores with a jab to the head.
Rock's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Yamaguchi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Rock scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yamaguchi misses with a low kick.
Rock is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Rock slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rock checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rock buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Kai Yamaguchi did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!
Rock has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yamaguchi.
Rock slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rock misses with a hook. Yamaguchi ducked under it nicely.
Yamaguchi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rock.
Nice defenses there by Rock.
Yamaguchi misses with a looping right.
Yamaguchi scores with a sloppy right hand. Rock should have avoided that one.
Rock takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rock tries to clinch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Rock cracks Yamaguchi with a good jab.
Yamaguchi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yamaguchi misses with a straight right.
Rock lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rock dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yamaguchi. That did some damage!
Yamaguchi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A clash of legs there as Yamaguchi blocks the low kick.
Yamaguchi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rock. That's going to slow Yamaguchi down.
A leg kick checked by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Yamaguchi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Yamaguchi throws a good cross that connects.
Yamaguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rock manages to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Rock there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick that misses.
Rock's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rock throws a leg kick that misses.
Rock tries to move into range but Yamaguchi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rock stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nice body kick there by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice defenses there by Yamaguchi.
Rock scores with a slapping inside leg 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!
Yamaguchi throws a nice inside leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi checks a leg kick.
Rock misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Yamaguchi counters with a leg kick.
Rock connects with a solid leg kick.
Rock thuds his right hand into Yamaguchi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yamaguchi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rock wants to counter with a clinch but Yamaguchi pushes him away.
A slow jab from Rock misses its intended target.
Yamaguchi throws a looping overhand right but Rock ducks down to avoid it.
Rock wants to counter the offense by Yamaguchi and move into the clinch position.
Yamaguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rock manages to avoid it.
Rock throws a nice inside leg kick.
Yamaguchi blocks a jab.
Yamaguchi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yamaguchi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yamaguchi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rock is out of range.
Rock missing with a left hand there. Yamaguchi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A punch combination from Yamaguchi misses.
Yamaguchi misses with a body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi misses with a hook.
A bone on bone clash there as Yamaguchi blocks the leg kick.
Rock avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rock wants to land a leg kick but Yamaguchi is out of range.
Rock feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yamaguchi's calf.
Yamaguchi misses with a looping right.
Yamaguchi uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rock has time to react.
Rock pushes Yamaguchi up against the cage in a clinch.
Rock is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yamaguchi to keep the fight standing.
Yamaguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Rock.
Rock decides to pull guard.
Yamaguchi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Yamaguchi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rock is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rock keeping moving, preventing Yamaguchi from controlling successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rock is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Yamaguchi defends well.
Rock looking to control.
Yamaguchi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Yamaguchi stands and steps away. Rock gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Yamaguchi scores with a leg kick.
Rock lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yamaguchi's sensitive parts.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rock.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rock scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yamaguchi throws a push kick but Rock slaps the foot to one side.
Rock feints and then cracks Yamaguchi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yamaguchi down.
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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Yamaguchi thumps Rock with a low kick.
Rock works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Yamaguchi moves out of range of the leg kick from Rock.
A counter left hand to the body from Yamaguchi misses its target.
Yamaguchi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Some bone on bone action there as Rock checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Yamaguchi misses with a wild body shot.
A jab from Yamaguchi misses.
Yamaguchi throws a wild body kick that Rock sees coming a mile off.
Rock fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yamaguchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rock throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rock with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Yamaguchi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Yamaguchi blocks the leg kick.
Rock scores with a jab to the body.
Rock takes one to the chin there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi throws the left hand but Rock avoids the punch easily.
Nice shot lands for Rock.
A good leg kick by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick that misses.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rock looks to throw the jab but Yamaguchi is out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Yamaguchi misses the target.
Yamaguchi missing with a left hand there. Rock was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rock throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rock getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Yamaguchi is looking to chop away at Rock's legs.
Yamaguchi jabs at Rock's body.
Rock throws a leg kick that is checked
and Yamaguchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yamaguchi throws a looping overhand right but Rock ducks down to avoid it.
Rock throws a leg kick but Yamaguchi sees it coming and moves out of range.
A slow jab from Rock misses its intended target.
An inside leg kick lands from Yamaguchi.
Will Rock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rock avoids the body shot from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but Rock sees it coming and moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Yamaguchi.
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!
Rock connects with the punch.
Rock lands a leg kick that knocks Yamaguchi off balance momentarily.
Yamaguchi looks for the body kick but Rock saw that one coming.
Rock scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yamaguchi throws a big shot that misses.
Yamaguchi tries to land a leg kick but Rock saw it coming and moves away.
Rock does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Yamaguchi misses with a low kick.
Rock throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yamaguchi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rock scores with a nice strike.
Rock slips a straight right by Yamaguchi.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi tries a head kick but it misses.
Rock swings for the body but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Yamaguchi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Rock just manages to avoid it.
Rock takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Yamaguchi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but Rock checks it.
Rock ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rock shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Yamaguchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yamaguchi slips under a jab from Rock.
Rock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Yamaguchi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rock.
A telegraphed right hand from Yamaguchi misses the target.
Rock takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A big left from Rock misses.
Rock gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rock blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi scores with a hook to the body.
Rock blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yamaguchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yamaguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rock's elbow.
Rock pulls guard.
Yamaguchi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Yamaguchi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Yamaguchi ducks under a wild hook from Rock.
Yamaguchi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Yamaguchi sizes up Rock with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Yamaguchi cracks Rock with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Yamaguchi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A jab from Rock misses.
Kai Yamaguchi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yamaguchi punishes Rock's body with a nice straight punch.
Yamaguchi scores with a spinning back kick!
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 Yamaguchi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kai Yamaguchi!
Kai Yamaguchi is the new lightweight champion!
A victorious Kai Yamaguchi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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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
74% |
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