PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Billy Zane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shuu Hitoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zane comes to the cage accompanied by 2pac - changes. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Zane
vs
Hitoshi

190 cm
23
180 lbs
3 - 1 - 1

180 cm
23
182 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Win Nutritional - proof of quality
Win Nutritional - proof of quality

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 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Billy Zane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shuu Hitoshi!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hitoshi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hitoshi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zane, who protects the arm well.
Hitoshi trying to control the position but Zane is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zane is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Hitoshi is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Zane is trying to get back to half guard.
Hitoshi looking to control but instead Zane has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Zane tries to roll over but Hitoshi keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitoshi is keen to just control but Zane is a slippery customer.
Hitoshi is pressing down on Zane's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zane is holding on for now.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hitoshi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zane is fending him off so far but Hitoshi persists. Nope, Zane circles away and we're back to standing.
Hitoshi blocks a jab.
Zane throws out a powerful jab.
Zane throws a right and a left that Hitoshi avoids nicely.
Zane throws a body punch but Hitoshi moves out of range.
Hitoshi dodges the punch combination from Zane.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hitoshi.
Zane fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hitoshi fails with the takedown.
Billy Zane has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shuu Hitoshi.
Zane misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hitoshi.

Hitoshi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hitoshi is taking a breather. Zane says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Zane tries to kick Hitoshi off but Hitoshi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zane is in trouble now - Hitoshi has advanced to mount!
Hitoshi tries to control but Zane wriggling away.

Hitoshi moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Zane has worked his arm free - good work by Zane!

Hitoshi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Zane gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hitoshi is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zane wants to improve his position but Hitoshi is controlling well.
Hitoshi trying to control the action but Zane is working from the bottom.
Hitoshi is just content to waste time from the top position. Zane takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Hitoshi pushing down on Zane's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hitoshi wants to free his trapped foot but Zane is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hitoshi is just content to waste time from the top position. Zane takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shuu Hitoshi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hitoshi slips under a jab from Zane.

Hitoshi shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hitoshi wants to control but Zane is keeping him busy.
Hitoshi is looking to advance position but Zane won't allow it.
Zane pushes Hitoshi off looking to stand but Hitoshi dives back in and keeps control.
Hitoshi passes to side control.
Zane is not content to let Hitoshi control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hitoshi is trying to get an arm triangle but Zane is defending well.

Hitoshi goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Zane has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hitoshi but great work by Zane.
Hitoshi is breathing heavily.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Hitoshi regains half guard.
Hitoshi controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Hitoshi trying to control here.
Zane is taking a breather. Hitoshi says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zane trying to control from half guard but Hitoshi is working away.
Hitoshi manages to get to full guard.
Hitoshi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Hitoshi looking for a sweep. Not yet Hitoshi, not yet.
Zane wants to control from the top but Hitoshi keeps moving.
Zane is fighting to break Hitoshi's control of his arms but Hitoshi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Zane trying to control but Hitoshi is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi wants to sweep here but Zane controlling him for the moment.
Hitoshi controlling the position.
Zane won't allow Hitoshi to sweep him here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zane throws a nice looking combination but Hitoshi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Hitoshi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hitoshi lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hitoshi looking to pass the guard.
Zane keeping moving, preventing Hitoshi from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zane swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Zane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hitoshi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hitoshi tries to free his leg and advance position but Zane is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hitoshi works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hitoshi wants to free his trapped foot but Zane is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shuu Hitoshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hitoshi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zane circles away.
Zane misses the shot to the body.
Zane lands a head shot.

Hitoshi looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hitoshi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hitoshi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zane swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hitoshi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hitoshi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zane working for a triangle but Hitoshi defends it easily.
Hitoshi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shuu Hitoshi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hitoshi stands and throws Zane's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Zane is not content to let Hitoshi control the position.
Zane is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Hitoshi is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hitoshi happy to just control the position for now.
Hitoshi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zane keeps working.
Hitoshi takes a little break here. Zane wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Hitoshi has hold of Zane's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Zane tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Hitoshi cranks the arm and Zane screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Zane, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Shuu Hitoshi!