PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Cudlitz (ranked 3721 p4p, 2342 weight class) and Kurou Nishiyama (ranked 461 p4p, 305 weight class). Michael Cudlitz had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.2lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Cudlitz
vs
Nishiyama

183 cm
26
186
8 - 5 - 0

183 cm
21
167
4 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Cudlitz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kurou Nishiyama!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nishiyama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cudlitz.
Nishiyama looks to score with a jab to the body but Cudlitz is just out of range.
Nishiyama throws a sloppy head kick

and Cudlitz counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nishiyama trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Cudlitz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cudlitz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nishiyama pulls Cudlitz in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nishiyama looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Cudlitz has picked Nishiyama up and slammed him! Nishiyama can't keep hold of the triangle and Cudlitz manages to pass to side control!
Nishiyama is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cudlitz controlling the position from side mount.
Nishiyama is trying to buck Cudlitz off.
Cudlitz trying to control the position but Nishiyama is working away.
Cudlitz lands some shots froms side control.
Cudlitz is staying tight to Nishiyama's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Cudlitz in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cudlitz advances to mount.
Cudlitz lands a big elbow.
Cudlitz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cudlitz takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nishiyama is in a horrible position here. Cudlitz smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Cudlitz cracks Nishiyama with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Nishiyama wants to hold on but Cudlitz pushes him away.
Nishiyama keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cudlitz working Nishiyama over with strikes here.
Nishiyama is in a horrible position here. Cudlitz smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cudlitz postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Nishiyama in real trouble here! The ref calls for Nishiyama to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Michael Cudlitz!
Michael Cudlitz bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.