PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ephram Urani (ranked 102 p4p, 17 weight class) and Kai Yamaguchi (ranked 59 p4p, 9 weight class). Yamaguchi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Yama Yama. Kai Yamaguchi will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Urani
vs
Yamaguchi

165 cm
31
158 lbs
23 - 11 - 1

176 cm
36
160 lbs
34 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)
Urban Fighter

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 23 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Ephram Urani!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Yamaguchi!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Urani on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Yamaguchi misses with an uppercut. Urani saw that one coming.
Yamaguchi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Urani.
Urani takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamaguchi. Urani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Urani misses with an attempted mid kick.
Yamaguchi throws a hook but Urani avoids it easily.
Yamaguchi has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Urani is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Urani throws a hook but Yamaguchi avoids it easily.
Urani throws a head kick but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamaguchi tests Urani's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Yamaguchi tries to work over Urani's front leg with a kick but Urani checks it.
Yamaguchi scores with a spinning back kick!
Yamaguchi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yamaguchi takes a swing at Urani's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Urani tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yamaguchi misses the shot to the body.
Urani swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Yamaguchi jabs Urani to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Urani misses with a body kick.
Yamaguchi lands a right hook to the body.
Yamaguchi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Urani looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Urani throws a body shot but no joy.
Urani seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Yamaguchi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Urani on the side of the head.
Yamaguchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick that misses
and Urani makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Yamaguchi really felt that one!
Urani takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Urani throws a lazy right hand but Yamaguchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yamaguchi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice straight punches there by Urani. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Urani.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi throws a head kick that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Urani pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good standup being displayed there by Yamaguchi as he connects with a hook.
Yamaguchi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yamaguchi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Yamaguchi misses with an uppercut. Urani saw that one coming.
Yamaguchi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yamaguchi misses with a low kick.
Urani was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Yamaguchi connects with a solid leg kick.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the side of Urani's head but Urani sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yamaguchi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Kai Yamaguchi has been cut.
Kai Yamaguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yamaguchi takes a swing at Urani's ribcage but misses.
A big left from Urani misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A swing and a miss from Urani.
Yamaguchi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Urani looks to land a left hand but Yamaguchi moved out of range nicely.
Urani moves out of range of the leg kick from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a solid leg kick but Urani takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yamaguchi.
Urani is looking to counter punch.
Good leg kick by Yamaguchi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Yamaguchi looks to land a body kick but Urani moved away.
Yamaguchi is looking to land body kicks.
Urani misses with a body shot.
Yamaguchi tests Urani's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Urani's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Yamaguchi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Urani scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Yamaguchi misses.
Yamaguchi works the jab nicely.
A head kick by Urani misses
and Yamaguchi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Yamaguchi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Urani connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Urani takes one to the chin there.
Urani finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Yamaguchi swings for the body but Urani moves out of range.
Yamaguchi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Yamaguchi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Yamaguchi throws the left hand but Urani avoids the punch easily.
Urani moves away from the strike by Yamaguchi.
A bone on bone clash there as Urani blocks the leg kick.
Urani was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Urani gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Yamaguchi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kai Yamaguchi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jab from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A bone on bone clash there as Urani blocks the leg kick.
It looked like Urani wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yamaguchi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Yamaguchi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Yamaguchi misses with a low kick.
Urani swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Urani has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yamaguchi.
Urani on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Urani throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamaguchi throws out a counter right but Urani avoids it with no problem.
Yamaguchi lands with a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Urani takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Yamaguchi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Urani's sensitive parts.
Urani takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Yamaguchi lets loose with a powerful body kick. Urani will feel that in the morning.
Yamaguchi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi takes a swing at Urani's ribcage but misses.
Yamaguchi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Yamaguchi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Yamaguchi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Urani will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Yamaguchi connects with a body shot that sends Urani's belly button to the back.
Yamaguchi swinging wildly here.
Urani tried to counter with a leg kick but Yamaguchi avoided it.
Yamaguchi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice straight punches there by Yamaguchi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Yamaguchi.
Urani misses with a body shot
and Urani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Yamaguchi scores with a decent looking hook.
Urani is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Yamaguchi throws a body kick that misses.
Urani half committed to a counter leg kick.
Urani moves out of range as Yamaguchi throws a body kick.
Yamaguchi avoids a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Urani.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamaguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Yamaguchi cracks Urani with a right hand to the side of the head.
Urani slips under a jab from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Urani is looking to counter with head kicks.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick which misses Urani's front leg but catches the back leg as Urani tries to avoid it.
Yamaguchi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Urani's sensitive parts.
Urani takes a swing at Yamaguchi's ribcage but misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Yamaguchi. That's going to slow Urani down.
Urani cracks Yamaguchi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Urani throws a head kick that misses.
Urani misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Yamaguchi to counter with a crisp jab.
Urani walks into a straight right hand from Yamaguchi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Urani throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yamaguchi counters with a body kick.
Yamaguchi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Urani steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Yamaguchi cracks Urani with an open hand slap.
A swing and a miss from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a jab but it's blocked by Urani.
Yamaguchi is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Urani misses with a looping right.
Urani throws a body punch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Urani takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Urani throws a lazy uppercut
and Urani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Urani ducks under a wild hook from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi throws a right hand that misses
and Urani counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Yamaguchi thinking.
A low kick from Urani misses
and Yamaguchi counters with a nice uppercut.
Yamaguchi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the body
and Urani counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Yamaguchi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Urani blocks a leg kick.
Yamaguchi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Yamaguchi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Urani circles away quickly and effectively.
Urani looks to land a body kick but Yamaguchi moved away.
Urani moves out of range of the strikes.
Urani staying out of range there.
Urani throws a quick counter kick to the body but Yamaguchi avoids it.
Urani misses the shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Yamaguchi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kai Yamaguchi's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Urani closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Yamaguchi connects with a jab.
Urani avoids a kick to the body.
Urani throws a quick counter head kick but Yamaguchi was just out of range.
Urani throws a lazy uppercut
and Yamaguchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yamaguchi scores with a jab.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Urani steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Yamaguchi. That one must have hurt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi lands a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Urani misses with a straight left.
Yamaguchi flicks out a counter leg kick but Urani steps away.
Yamaguchi scores with a push kick.
Yamaguchi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamaguchi misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Urani looks to score with a jab to the body but Yamaguchi is just out of range.
Urani scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yamaguchi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Urani looks to land a right hand but Yamaguchi moved out of range.
Urani throws a lazy right hand but Yamaguchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Yamaguchi feints a counter leg kick.
Yamaguchi connects with the punch.
Urani swings widly with a right hand
and Yamaguchi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Yamaguchi lands with a nice body punch.
Yamaguchi with a hook.
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 Urani has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Urani and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Yamaguchi lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamaguchi scores with a jab. Urani acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Yamaguchi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Yamaguchi, right into the meat.
Urani misses with a hook. Yamaguchi ducked under it nicely.
Urani slips a jab from Yamaguchi.
A solid leg kick lands there for Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick
and Urani counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Yamaguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Urani.
Yamaguchi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Urani was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Yamaguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Urani.
Yamaguchi moves out of range as Urani strikes.
It seemed like Yamaguchi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Urani keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Urani throws an overhand right that lands on Yamaguchi's shoulder, as Yamaguchi tries to avoid the shot.
Yamaguchi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Urani.
Urani looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
An inside leg kick from Yamaguchi misses.
Jab from Urani.
Yamaguchi wants to slow Urani down by chopping away at his legs.
Yamaguchi connects with the punch.
Urani scores with a nice head shot.
Urani fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Yamaguchi on the side of the head.
Yamaguchi takes a swing at Urani's ribcage but misses.
Urani swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Yamaguchi swings widly with a right hand
and Urani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yamaguchi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Urani misses with a hook. Yamaguchi ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yamaguchi moves out of range of the body kick.
Yamaguchi misses with a looping left.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Urani might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Urani throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamaguchi throws a big shot that misses.
Urani fires out a quick counter leg kick but Yamaguchi just manages to avoid it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi cracks Urani with an open hand slap.
Yamaguchi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Urani. That did some damage!
Yamaguchi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick
and Urani counters with a good low kick that Yamaguchi was not able to check.
Urani comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Yamaguchi blocks a head kick by Urani.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Yamaguchi really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kai Yamaguchi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Urani avoids a punch combination nicely.
Yamaguchi staying out of range there.
Urani takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Yamaguchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick but Urani checks it.
Urani throws a sloppy head kick and Yamaguchi moves out of range easily.
Yamaguchi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Urani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yamaguchi.
Urani throws a body punch but Yamaguchi moves out of range.
Yamaguchi throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Urani to counter with a crisp jab.
Yamaguchi scores with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaguchi lands a right hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yamaguchi. Urani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Urani misses with a hook. Yamaguchi ducked under it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Yamaguchi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Yamaguchi scoring well with a low kick there.
Yamaguchi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Urani.
Urani checks a leg kick.
As Yamaguchi backs away, Urani returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Urani avoids the body shot from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Urani throws out a loose jab but Yamaguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yamaguchi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A low kick from Yamaguchi misses
and Urani counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A big right from Urani misses.
No joy there for Yamaguchi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi ducks under a wild hook from Urani.
A big right from Urani misses.
Urani moves into range and connects with a jab.
Yamaguchi connects with a high kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yamaguchi swings for the body but Urani moves out of range.
Urani throws a quick counter head kick but Yamaguchi was just out of range.
Yamaguchi wants to slow Urani down by chopping away at his legs.
Urani appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Yamaguchi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Urani checks a leg kick.
Urani throws a hook to the side of Yamaguchi's head but Yamaguchi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It seemed like Yamaguchi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Yamaguchi misses with a wild body shot.
Yamaguchi throws a lazy body kick
and Urani counters with a slapping leg kick.
Urani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Urani.
Urani ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Yamaguchi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Yamaguchi tries to clinch but Urani moves out of range.
Yamaguchi cracks Urani with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Yamaguchi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Urani takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A shot to the body from Yamaguchi misses
and Urani counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Urani throws a lazy uppercut
and Yamaguchi counters with a straight right hand.
Urani blocks a jab.
A slow jab from Yamaguchi misses its intended target.
Urani takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Urani throws a looping overhand right but Yamaguchi ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamaguchi misses with a straight left.
Kai Yamaguchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi throws a hook but Urani blocks it.
Urani stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Yamaguchi.
Urani dips to his left and cracks Yamaguchi with an uppercut!
Yamaguchi misses with a straight left.
Urani jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Urani misses the jab.
Yamaguchi lands with a hook. Urani tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Yamaguchi misses with a shot to the body
and Urani counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Urani scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Urani moves forwards but Yamaguchi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Kai Yamaguchi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kai Yamaguchi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Urani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yamaguchi misses with a left hand
and Urani counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Urani on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Yamaguchi throws a leg kick which misses Urani's front leg but catches the back leg as Urani tries to avoid it.
Yamaguchi misses with a body kick.
Yamaguchi wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Urani misses its intended target.
Yamaguchi checks a leg kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Yamaguchi! But no joy.
Yamaguchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Urani.
Urani ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yamaguchi.
Urani looks to land a right hand but Yamaguchi moved out of range.
Yamaguchi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Urani has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Yamaguchi looks for the body kick but Urani saw that one coming.
Yamaguchi checks a low kick from Urani.
Yamaguchi scores with a spinning back kick!
Yamaguchi is looking to chop away at Urani's legs.
Crunch! Yamaguchi slams his shin into Urani's torso.
Yamaguchi lands a jab to the head.
Urani misses with a hook to the body
and Urani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Urani avoids a kick to the body.
Yamaguchi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ephram Urani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Urani checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Urani is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Yamaguchi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Yamaguchi throws a push kick but Urani slaps the foot to one side.
It looked like Urani wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yamaguchi lunges at Urani with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Urani's hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circling - Urani throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yamaguchi throws a hook but Urani blocks it.
Yamaguchi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yamaguchi lands the left hand.
Urani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Yamaguchi misses with a low kick.
Yamaguchi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Yamaguchi chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaguchi with a nice cross.
Yamaguchi throws a poor cross that misses
letting Urani counter with a right hand.
Yamaguchi lands with a right hand.
Urani throws a leg kick
and Urani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Yamaguchi throws a sloppy head kick and Urani moves out of range easily.
It looked like Urani wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yamaguchi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab lands there for Yamaguchi.
Urani on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi obviously looking to wear him down.
A low kick from Yamaguchi misses
and Urani counters with a nice low kick that buckles Yamaguchi's knee momentarily.
A shot to the body from Yamaguchi misses
and Urani counters with a left to the body.
Yamaguchi is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Yamaguchi scores with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamaguchi moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Urani checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Yamaguchi lands with a cross.
Urani throws a jab when Yamaguchi was well out of range.
Urani throws an off balance right hand
and Urani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Urani throws a hook but Yamaguchi blocks it.
Urani lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Urani moves out of range of the body kick from Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Urani misses with the body kick
and Yamaguchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yamaguchi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kai Yamaguchi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Urani throws a hook but Yamaguchi blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kai Yamaguchi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yamaguchi 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 45:50
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kai Yamaguchi! Kai Yamaguchi retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Kai Yamaguchi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.