PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ibushi Kota (ranked 4681 p4p, 24884 weight class) and Ryuji Mato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kota's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Just Close Your Eyes. 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.

Kota
vs
Mato

183 cm
23
200
1 - 1 - 0

184 cm
19
205
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ibushi Kota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryuji Mato!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kota throws a sloppy head kick and Mato moves out of range easily.
Mato is looking for the big counter here.

Kota forces Mato back against the cage and clinches.
Kota with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mato stalling.

Mato has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kota regains guard immediately.
Mato controlling from the top position.
Mato postures up in Kota's guard and throws a big left but Kota blocks it.
Kota is breathing heavily.

Mato gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ibushi Kota seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kota gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kota looking to slow down the pace here.

Mato has clasped his hands together around Kota's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
You can see the frustration on Kota's face as Mato controls the position.
Let's hope that Mato has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mato goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kota rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mato's guard! Nice work there by Kota!

Mato working for a triangle but Kota defends it easily.

Mato looking for a guillotine here but Kota defends easily.
Kota preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mato keeping moving, preventing Kota from controlling successfully.
Kota has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mato is proving hard to escape from.
Kota throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mato works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kota won't allow Mato to sweep him here.
Kota trying to control the position from guard on top but Mato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kota definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Mato looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mato's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kota trying to control the position from guard on top but Mato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kota throws a head kick that misses.

Kota drives through and clinches with Mato against the cage.

Kota manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Mato showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kota tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mato is stalling in the full guard.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Mato.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kota looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mato is one step ahead there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ibushi Kota dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mato closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kota's guard.
Mato is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kota utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mato sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Mato throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mato's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Kota takes the fight into the clinch.

Mato gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Mato's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mato in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kota avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Mato drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mato jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kota being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Kota has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mato is working for takedown but Kota is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mato drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kota pulls his leg out and moves away.

Mato closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kota stops Mato from passing to mount.
Mato controlling the position.

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

Mato tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mato has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Mato tries to advance to mount but can't.
Mato tries to move to full mount but Kota actually manages to regain half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mato is looking to advance position but Kota won't allow it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuji Mato showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kota closes the distance and clinches.
Kota prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mato tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kota just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mato goes for a takedown attempt but Kota pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ibushi Kota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryuji Mato.
Mato avoids the head kick by Kota.
Kota throws a nice outside leg kick.

Kota gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mato manages to break the clinch.

Kota moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mato wants to take the fight to the mat but Kota manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mato can't find room to land a body shot as Kota controls the action.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mato wants the takedown. Kota is fighting it off but Mato persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kota's guard against the cage.
Kota wants to stand and escape but Mato is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mato gets to his feet. Kota looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Kota has closed the distance and engaged Mato in a clinch.
Mato just leaning against Kota, taking a breather.
Kota missing with knees to the body.

Mato decides to pull guard.
Mato looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kota is one step ahead there.
Kota trying to control but Mato is working from the bottom.
Kota has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mato is proving hard to escape from.
Mato wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kota would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mato wants to sweep but no luck.
Kota passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mato is looking for a sweep.
Ryuji Mato has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mato is trying to work for a sweep but Kota has mounted him!
Mato wants to hold on but Kota pushes him away.
Mato is squirming around, avoiding Kota's attempts to control the action.
Kota controlling the position easily from mount.

Kota get's back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kota closes the distance and pushes Mato back into the cage.
Kota prevents the takedown attempt.

Mato tightens his grip and picks Kota up, before dumping him to the ground. Kota manages to land in guard.

Kota manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Kota tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick by Kota misses
and Mato counters with a series of strikes. Kota will be more careful next time no doubt.

Mato gets tackled into the cage by Kota. Kota maintains the clinch.
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!
Kota with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mato drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kota pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kota wants to get back to striking at distance but Mato won't allow it.
Mato is working for takedown but Kota is calmly controlling the position for now.

Kota breaks the clinch.

Kota clinches up with Mato and pushes him back against the cage.
Kota stops a takedown attempt from Mato.
Mato can't get the takedown.

Kota has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mato uses from the top position.
Mato must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kota tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mato prevents Kota from getting back to his feet.
Mato postures up in Kota's guard and throws a big left but Kota blocks it.
Mato controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ibushi Kota showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kota 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ibushi Kota!
Ibushi Kota decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.