PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tatsuya Kimura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dylan James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kimura comes to the ring accompanied by Inner Light by Shocking Lemon. Tatsuya Kimura has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Kimura
vs
James

190 cm
23
196 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

165 cm
19
210 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tatsuya Kimura!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dylan James!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters circling a little - Kimura finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
James keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kimura is looking to score with low kicks.
Kimura uses good head movement to avoid the hook from James.
Kimura keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kimura fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. James looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kimura circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kimura clinches up with James and pushes him back against the ropes.
James trying to stall but Kimura improves his position.
Kimura looks to throw an elbow but misses.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
James takes a shot to the head.
Kimura lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt James or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura scores with a shot to the side of James's head.
Kimura tries a body shot but James blocks it.
Kimura tries to land knees in the clinch but James avoids the damage to the body.
Kimura tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Kimura back against the cage.
Kimura stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kimura lands a body punch in the clinch.
James stalling the fight.
Kimura missing with knees to the body.
Kimura throws an elbow that misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kimura lands a knee to the body.
Kimura working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kimura tries a body shot but James blocks it.
Kimura lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kimura tried to land a shot to the body but connects with James's elbow.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Dylan James has been cut.

Kimura is fighting off a takedown attempt but James is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kimura to the mat. Kimura regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
James has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kimura preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
James working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James trying to control but Kimura is working from the bottom.
Kimura will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
James would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kimura keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
Kimura is trying to control the position but James postures up.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Kimura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kimura swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James tries a low kick but Kimura avoids it.
A good leg kick by Kimura.
Nice shot by Kimura.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kimura's waist but Kimura gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
Kimura tries to close the distance and clinch but James swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kimura fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
James takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
James shoots for a takedown but Kimura saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tatsuya Kimura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dylan James.
James has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kimura rushes James and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Kimura blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James jumps guard but Kimura stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kimura works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A body shot lands from Kimura.
James looks gassed!
Kimura scores with a knee to the head.
A body shot lands from Kimura.
Kimura throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kimura swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kimura tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kimura stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kimura pushes James back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kimura is working James over against the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kimura crunches a lovely knee into James's ribcage.
Kimura lands a good knee to the midsection. James won't want to take too many of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsuya Kimura dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dylan James's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jab by Kimura.
James misses the body punch
and Kimura counters with a nice low kick that buckles James's knee momentarily.
James takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
James walks into a straight right hand from Kimura.
Kimura swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kimura doesn't manage to clinch there - James circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kimura punishes James's body with a nice straight punch.
Kimura misses the shot to the body.
Kimura dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura scores with a body shot.
James doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Kimura. That snapped James's head back.
James fails with the takedown
and Kimura counters with a low kick, right behind James 's knee.

Kimura instigates a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kimura.
Good body shot from Kimura.
Kimura misses with a body punch.
James tries to break free but Kimura pushes him back against the ropes.
Kimura missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kimura lands a body shot.
James is breathing heavily.
A shot in the inside from Kimura.
Kimura is leaning against James and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
James looking to throw knees to the head but Kimura is blocking nicely.
Kimura presses James against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kimura unloads a knee to the mid-section.
James tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kimura just stands there and leans against the ropes.
A left hand lands to the body for Kimura.
Kimura is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. James is defending well for now.
Kimura lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kimura works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kimura digs a right hand underneath James's ribcage. James let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kimura lands a knee to the head.
Nice body punch from Kimura - that landed with a thud.
Kimura lands with a short shot to the head.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Kimura here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
James on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tatsuya Kimura has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kimura is working James over against the ropes.
Nice elbow from Kimura.
A short body shot lands from Kimura as the two fighters clinch.
Kimura digs a right hand into James's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on James's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kimura utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kimura scores a nice knee to the body.
Kimura works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kimura lands a damaging elbow.
Kimura lands a nice shot to the body.
Kimura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?
Kimura lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.
Kimura digs a right hand into James's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on James's gas tank.
James tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kimura smiles and moves away.
Tatsuya Kimura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dylan James.
James keeps the fight on the outside.
Kimura connects with a right hand. James shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Kimura counter with a right hand.
James fails with the takedown
and Kimura makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
James sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kimura throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent James stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kimura lands with a hook. James tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James moves forwards but Kimura connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tatsuya Kimura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kimura lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsuya Kimura dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dylan James's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kimura closes the distance but James moves to the side

and James counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kimura keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kimura is looking to control James's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kimura avoid being mounted?
James not landing any meaningful shots this time.
James trying to advance position but Kimura counters by regaining guard.
Kimura avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Kimura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throwing strikes from guard but Kimura blocks nicely.
James trying to control but Kimura is working from the bottom.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kimura lands a slapping body shot.
James has his takedown stuffed
and Kimura counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Kimura has James up against the ropes in a clinch.

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.
Kimura works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kimura unloads a knee to the mid-section. James lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kimura lands a hook that snaps the head of James backwards.
Kimura landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kimura putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kimura lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short body shot lands from Kimura as the two fighters clinch.
Kimura works on James's body with a couple of short punches.
Kimura pushes James back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kimura landing knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Kimura.
Kimura lands an uppercut.
Kimura landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kimura scores with a hook to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Kimura.
Kimura putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kimura landing knees to the body.
Kimura lands a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Kimura.
Good body shot from Kimura.
Kimura scores with a hook to the body.
James blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kimura cracks James with a nice body shot.
Kimura lands a shot to the body.
Kimura lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kimura stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kimura lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kimura misses with a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Kimura.
Kimura lands a body punch.
Kimura lands a hook that snaps the head of James backwards.
Kimura lands an elbow inside that James shrugs off.
Kimura landing knees to the body.
James stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kimura cracks James with a nice body shot.
Kimura lands a shoulder strike.
Kimura lands a body punch.
Kimura lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of James backwards.

James pulls guard successfully.
Kimura looking to pass the guard.
James working a defensive guard but Kimura manages to pass into side control anyway.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James is trying to escape the position but Kimura is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsuya Kimura clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Dylan James's cut.
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.

James gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kimura counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kimura paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kimura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but James was well out of range. Poor timing from Kimura.
Kimura wants to clinch.
Dylan James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
James misses with a takedown attempt
letting Kimura counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kimura dodges the punch combination from James.
Kimura looks to clinch

and James counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by James.
James is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura controlling the position.
James advances to half guard.

James is looking for a kimura here.
Kimura has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. James is working away from the top position though.
Kimura is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
James is trying to control the action in half guard but Kimura is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kimura manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Kimura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James controlling from the top position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kimura is pulling down on James's head to control his posture.
James is working Kimura over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kimura trying to control the position.
James wanted to stand there but Kimura had control of the position.
Kimura working a defensive guard here.
James postures up in Kimura's guard and throws a big left but Kimura blocks it.
James wants to stand and escape but instead Kimura has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
James is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kimura stops James from standing up.
Kimura wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

James tries to keep at a distance but Kimura has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James tries to land a knee to the head but Kimura blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dylan James dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Dylan James's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kimura clinches with his opponent.
Kimura tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Kimura back against the cage.
Kimura putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
James avoiding damage as Kimura throws knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Kimura.
Kimura tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
James tries to land a knee to the head but Kimura blocks with his arms.
Kimura is leaning against James and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
James tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kimura just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Kimura trying to land knees to the body.
Kimura lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Kimura lands a shoulder strike.
Kimura lands a hook to the side of the head.
James is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kimura misses with a punch to the body.
James blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.
Kimura pushes off an throws an elbow but James leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James avoiding damage as Kimura throws knees to the body.
Kimura lands a knee to the body.
Kimura lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kimura works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A body shot lands from Kimura.
Kimura comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
James avoiding damage as Kimura throws knees to the body.
Kimura with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kimura lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kimura cracks James with a nice body shot.
Kimura is working James over against the ropes.
James jumps guard but Kimura stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
James jumps guard but Kimura stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tatsuya Kimura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dylan James.
Kimura lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kimura misses with a punch to the body.
James blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kimura cracks James with a nice body shot.
Kimura throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kimura digs a right hand underneath James's ribcage. James let out a lung full of air as it connected.

James gets control of Kimura's arms and successfully pulls guard. James will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kimura distracts James with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
James is trying to keep Kimura in close.
Kimura trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James is looking to stand up but Kimura isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kimura wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.

James has an active guard here but Kimura has managed to pass into half guard.
Kimura perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Dylan James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
James tries to roll over but Kimura keeps him under control.
James is trying to control but can't.
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.
James wants to sweep but Kimura has passed to side control!
Kimura creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
James takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tatsuya Kimura showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kimura 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Tatsuya Kimura!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Tatsuya Kimura!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Tatsuya Kimura!

Tatsuya Kimura wins by unanimous decision!
Tatsuya Kimura is the new light heavyweight champion!