PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Iwamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Kapatos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kapatos has chosen Angels and Airwaves- The War as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Iwamura
vs
Kapatos

178 cm
22
153 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

173 cm
19
152 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yoshihiro Iwamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Kapatos!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Kavanagh and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Kapatos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Iwamura throws a series of punches but Kapatos moves out of range.
Iwamura throws a combination that misses
and Kapatos counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Iwamura tries to close the distance and clinch but Kapatos swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Iwamura shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Iwamura is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Kapatos wants to get back to his feet.

Iwamura is trying to work for a kimura but Kapatos is defending well.
Iwamura has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kapatos tries to hold on but Iwamura postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwamura looking to ground and pound but Kapatos is blocking nicely.
Iwamura looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Iwamura thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Kapatos wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Iwamura.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kapatos can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kapatos tries to buck Iwamura off but he can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kapatos is squirming around, avoiding Iwamura's attempts to control the action.
Iwamura with good strikes from the mount here!
Iwamura throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Iwamura trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iwamura sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Iwamura unloads with some shots from mount but Kapatos bucks and avoids them well.
Iwamura throwing strikes here but Kapatos is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iwamura throws some wild stikes that Kapatos manages to avoid easily.
Iwamura 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.
Iwamura scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kapatos?
Iwamura looking to control but Kapatos is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kapatos is trying to escape the mount.
Iwamura landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iwamura tries to control but Kapatos wriggling away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Iwamura cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kapatos is in a horrible position here. Iwamura smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Iwamura lands with some strikes.

Kapatos is rocked!
Iwamura connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kapatos is still in real trouble! Can Iwamura finish him?
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!
Kapatos holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Iwamura tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Kapatos seems to have recovered his senses.
Kapatos is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Iwamura dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Iwamura drives through with a takedown into guard.

Iwamura is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Iwamura has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kapatos is proving hard to escape from.
Iwamura postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Iwamura trying to control but Kapatos is working from the bottom.
Kapatos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwamura throwing strikes but missing.
Kapatos wants to get back to his feet but Iwamura is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Iwamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Kapatos has wrist control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kapatos throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Iwamura counters by clinching up.
Iwamura changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kapatos fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Iwamura rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kapatos moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kapatos tries to clinch but Iwamura is having none of it.
Kapatos wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A right-left combo lands from Kapatos.
Iwamura misses with a double jab
letting Kapatos counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kapatos throws a big shot that misses.
Iwamura with a poor takedown
and Kapatos counters with a left and a right that stings Iwamura.
Kapatos fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nick Kapatos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Iwamura lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Iwamura.
Kapatos throws a predictable looking body shot

and Iwamura moves into the clinch.
Iwamura misses with an elbow strike.
Kapatos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Iwamura lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kapatos goes for a takedown in the clinch but Iwamura prevents it.
A frustrated look appears on Kapatos's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Iwamura creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kapatos's defenses.
Iwamura tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshihiro Iwamura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kapatos has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Iwamura is trying to keep an underhook but Kapatos manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Kapatos trying to control from half guard but Iwamura is working away.
Nice strikes from Kapatos there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kapatos missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kapatos throws a strike but Iwamura avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Iwamura keeping moving, preventing Kapatos from controlling successfully.
Kapatos stopping the sweep attempt from Iwamura.

Iwamura manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Iwamura ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Iwamura takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iwamura works over Kapatos's head and body with a nice combination.
Iwamura takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kapatos connects with a right hand. Iwamura shakes it off.
Iwamura throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Iwamura slips a jab and a cross from Kapatos.
Yoshihiro Iwamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kapatos looks to score with a jab to the body but Iwamura is just out of range.
Iwamura connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Iwamura throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice jab there from Iwamura.
Iwamura throws a nice looking combination but Kapatos bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Iwamura gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Iwamura throws a series of punches but Kapatos avoids them all with ease.
Kapatos chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Iwamura can pounce on him.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Iwamura.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Iwamura connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Iwamura shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kapatos as he avoids it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Iwamura uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kapatos has time to react.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Iwamura dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Iwamura tries a head kick but it misses.
Kapatos looks to land a combination but Iwamura avoids it well.
Iwamura tries to bum rush Kapatos with a series of wild strikes but Kapatos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Kapatos clinches with his opponent.
Iwamura misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kapatos.
Iwamura's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kapatos tries for a takedown but Iwamura manages to get underhooks.
Iwamura displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kapatos up against the cage.
Kapatos looking for a takedown.
Kapatos wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Iwamura breaks the clinch.
Kapatos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Iwamura.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kapatos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kapatos swinging wildly here.
Kapatos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwamura gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kapatos counters with a stiff right hand.

Iwamura feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Yoshihiro Iwamura overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Iwamura stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kapatos lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Iwamura backs up against the cage.

Iwamura moves into the clinch.
Iwamura is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Iwamura lands an elbow inside that Kapatos shrugs off.
Iwamura lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kapatos tries to break free but Iwamura pushes him back against the cage.

Iwamura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Iwamura attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Iwamura misses with a head kick.
Kapatos moves in looking to clinch but Iwamura pushes him off.

Iwamura has managed to clinch.

Iwamura has picked Kapatos up - he's going for a ride! Iwamura dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Iwamura is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kapatos has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kapatos is trying to stand up here but Iwamura is controlling him well.
Iwamura is looking to take a break and control but Kapatos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kapatos is trying to maintain the position but Iwamura is very close to passing his half guard.
Iwamura missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iwamura tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kapatos controls his leg.
Iwamura not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Iwamura seems to be working for a kimura but Kapatos defends the submission attempt.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kapatos cracks Iwamura with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nick Kapatos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Danga de danga de dang - Iwamura scores with a four punch combination!
Kapatos looks to land a combination but Iwamura avoids it well.
Yoshihiro Iwamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Iwamura fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshihiro Iwamura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kapatos throws a combination that misses
and Iwamura counters with a right hand to the body.
Kapatos scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Iwamura doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four 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.
Kapatos moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Iwamura fails with the takedown
and Kapatos counters with a two punch combo.
Kapatos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Iwamura misses with a low kick.
Iwamura fails with the takedown.
Kapatos lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kapatos lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Good shot there by Kapatos.
Iwamura misses with a double jab
and Kapatos counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Iwamura fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kapatos catches Iwamura with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A lazy left from Kapatos finds it's target.
Iwamura lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kapatos circles away quickly and effectively.
Yoshihiro Iwamura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kapatos throws a series of punches but Iwamura moves out of range.

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 Yoshihiro Iwamura.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Iwamura, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshihiro Iwamura!