PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Otaku Senzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eli Cordero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Senzuri comes to the cage accompanied by Carl Orff-Carmina Burana. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Senzuri
vs
Cordero

185 cm
22
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Otaku Senzuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Eli Cordero!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Senzuri defending well as Cordero loads up on a big left hand.
Cordero throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Senzuri on the side of the head.
Senzuri staying out of range there.
Cordero fails to land with a series of punches.
Senzuri walks into a left hand.

Senzuri darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Senzuri is just content to waste time from the top position. Cordero takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Senzuri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Senzuri throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Senzuri is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Senzuri wants to stand but Cordero is controlling his posture from full guard.
Cordero keeping full guard, as Senzuri tries to pass.
Senzuri pushing down on Cordero's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cordero is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Senzuri lands with a punch from half guard.
Senzuri trying to control from Cordero's half guard. Cordero has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Senzuri looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Senzuri trying to control but Cordero is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Senzuri stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Eli Cordero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Senzuri slips under a jab from Cordero.
Cordero throws a hook but Senzuri blocks it.
Senzuri tries to clinch but Cordero is having none of it.
Cordero fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Cordero stuffs the takedown attempt from Senzuri. Senzuri gets slowly back to his feet.
Cordero swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Senzuri fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cordero, pushing him back against the cage.
Senzuri tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cordero wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cordero tries to circle away but Senzuri has him pinned against the cage.
Senzuri keeps control of Cordero as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Senzuri pulls guard.

Senzuri had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cordero defends it easily.
Cordero really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Senzuri. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Senzuri is breathing heavily.
Senzuri controls Cordero momentarily but Cordero frees himself.
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 Otaku Senzuri will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Cordero scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Senzuri fails to land the takedown.
Cordero misses with a jab, cross combination.
Otaku Senzuri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cordero scores with a jab to the head.
Cordero throws a hook but Senzuri blocks it.
Senzuri fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Senzuri has taken the fight to the clinch.
Senzuri fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Otaku Senzuri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cordero stops a takedown attempt from Senzuri.
Cordero has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Senzuri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Senzuri keeps control of Cordero as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Senzuri jumps guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cordero avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Senzuri has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cordero can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

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.
Cordero misses with a straight right.
Nice uppercut lands for Cordero. That snapped Senzuri's head back.
Cordero throws a nice looking combination but Senzuri bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Senzuri shoots in for a takedown but Cordero shows good takedown defense.
A jab from Cordero misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cordero lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Senzuri shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cordero pinned against the cage. Cordero gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Senzuri looks for a takedown but Cordero sprawls well.
Cordero uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Senzuri has time to react.
Cordero might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Some wild striking there from Cordero.
Cordero misses with a double jab.

Senzuri closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cordero to the mat! Cordero manages to get full guard.

Senzuri is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cordero is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cordero has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Senzuri is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Cordero 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!

Cordero bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Senzuri's head.

Senzuri instigates a clinch.

Senzuri manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Senzuri is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cordero is aware though and is defending well.

Cordero decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Senzuri, up you get!
Cordero loads up on a big right hand but Senzuri slips the punch.

Senzuri looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Cordero!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Senzuri goes for an armbar but Cordero turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Cordero.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Senzuri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cordero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cordero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Senzuri had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cordero defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Senzuri has an active guard here but Cordero has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cordero tries to stand and escape but Senzuri is controlling the position.
Senzuri punching from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Senzuri gets full guard.

Cordero got a little sloppy there for a moment and Senzuri has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cordero has managed to get both his arms back between Senzuri's legs - danger averted.
Senzuri trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Otaku Senzuri.
I think Senzuri 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Otaku Senzuri!