PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Keizo Sawaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JP Alcano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sawaki's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, 'Kodo' by The Yoshida Brothers. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as JP Alcano enters the ring!

Sawaki
vs
Alcano

175 cm
23
155 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

178 cm
26
153 lbs
10 - 6 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Keizo Sawaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, JP Alcano!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Kenichi Hosakawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alcano throws a one two combo.

It looks like Keizo Sawaki has been cut.
Sawaki avoids the body shot from Alcano.
Alcano fails to land with a series of punches.

Sawaki shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Alcano wants to get back to full guard.
Alcano has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sawaki is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Sawaki seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Alcano is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sawaki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sawaki's back!

Alcano has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Sawaki has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Sawaki tries to break free.
Alcano throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

Alcano working for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alcano thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Alcano is hanging on to Sawaki's back as he tries to escape.
Sawaki is working hard here to advance position.
Sawaki covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Alcano is looking for a rear naked choke here but Sawaki reverses the position brilliantly into Alcano's guard!
Alcano wants to sweep but no luck.

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

Alcano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sawaki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Alcano looks gassed!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sawaki scores with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Alcano stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alcano wants it to stay on the feet.
Alcano takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Sawaki rushes Alcano and presses him up against the ropes.
Sawaki lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sawaki obliges.
Sawaki is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Alcano fails to pull guard.
Sawaki trying to land knees to the body.
Alcano fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Sawaki has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Alcano regains guard immediately.
Sawaki advances to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Sawaki prevents Alcano from improving his position.

Sawaki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Alcano doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sawaki.
Alcano is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sawaki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sawaki's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alcano looking to break Sawaki's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Sawaki remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Alcano will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Sawaki trying to control the hands but Alcano won't let him.

Alcano patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Sawaki breaks Alcano's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Sawaki trying to control but Alcano is working from the bottom.
Alcano working a defensive guard but Sawaki manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sawaki lands some shots froms side control.
Alcano sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Alcano is looking to improve his position.
Sawaki wants to control but Alcano is keeping him busy.

Sawaki is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Alcano has managed to free his arm - good work.
Alcano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Alcano.
Alcano tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sawaki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Alcano looking for a sweep. Not yet Alcano, not yet.
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 Keizo Sawaki will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Keizo Sawaki's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sawaki is looking to clinch but Alcano is avoiding it.
Sawaki lands with a straight right. Alcano didn't see that one coming.
Alcano darts in trying to clinch
and Sawaki counters with a nice uppercut.

Alcano gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alcano misses with a hook to the ribs.
Alcano has Sawaki pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Sawaki manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Alcano has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sawaki avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alcano goes for a takedown attempt but Sawaki pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Keizo Sawaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JP Alcano.
Alcano looks to land a right hand but Sawaki moved out of range.

Sawaki gets the takedown into side control.
Sawaki advances nicely into full mount.
Alcano is breathing heavily.
Sawaki tries to control but Alcano wriggling away.

Sawaki has control of Alcano's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Alcano regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sawaki is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Alcano is surviving well by controlling Sawaki's body position as best he can.
Alcano is trying to escape the mount.

Sawaki looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Alcano is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Alcano is in a horrible position here. Sawaki smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sawaki scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Alcano?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Alcano wants to control but Sawaki is having none of it.
Alcano is looking to improve his position but Sawaki isn't that keen on the idea.
Alcano is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sawaki is landing with some decent strikes but Alcano is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Alcano really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The referee warns Alcano that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Alcano is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sawaki jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Alcano manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Sawaki looks up at the clock and then as Alcano takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sawaki smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Alcano manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sawaki's best efforts.
Alcano regains full guard. Nicely done.

Alcano escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sawaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sawaki working some strikes from top position.
Alcano working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alcano is trying to hold Sawaki in close to prevent damage but Sawaki has managed to pass into half guard.
Keizo Sawaki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Alcano is trying to control but can't.
Alcano tries to roll over but Sawaki keeps him under control.

Sawaki wants to work for an arm triangle but Alcano is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Alcano trying to get back to full guard but Sawaki takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Sawaki connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Sawaki tries to control but Alcano wriggling away.
Sawaki is really struggling to control Alcano but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keizo Sawaki dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Keizo Sawaki's cut.
That's time! Sawaki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Alcano fails with an attempt to clinch.
Alcano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sawaki is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Some wild striking there from Alcano.

Alcano darts in and clinches Sawaki up against the ropes.
Sawaki digs a right hand into Alcano's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Alcano's gas tank.

Alcano jumps into guard, dragging Sawaki to the mat.

Sawaki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sawaki slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Alcano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sawaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Alcano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sawaki wants to pass the guard but Alcano is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawaki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sawaki is pushing down on Alcano's leg trying to pass to half guard. Alcano is fighting to maintain full guard but Sawaki has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sawaki is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Sawaki is trying to work for a kimura but Alcano is defending well.
Alcano is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Sawaki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Alcano is just riding it out for now. Sawaki eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Alcano moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Alcano controls Sawaki momentarily but Sawaki frees himself.
Alcano might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sawaki kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Alcano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sawaki postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alcano tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

Alcano looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sawaki advances to half guard.

Sawaki is looking for a kimura but Alcano is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sawaki to get the leverage.
Sawaki trying to pass the guard but Alcano defending well.
Sawaki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Alcano slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alcano is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alcano got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sawaki has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Alcano has managed to get both his arms back between Sawaki's legs - danger averted.
Alcano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Alcano is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Sawaki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sawaki keeping moving, preventing Alcano from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alcano stands and throws Sawaki's legs to the side, diving into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to JP Alcano.
I think Sawaki 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Keizo Sawaki!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Keizo Sawaki!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Keizo Sawaki!

Keizo Sawaki wins by unanimous decision!