PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shibukawa Gouki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chan Wathan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gouki
vs
Wathan

168 cm
26
140 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

170 cm
25
140 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shibukawa Gouki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chan Wathan!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gouki looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Wathan!
Wathan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Gouki has hold of Wathan's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Wathan manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wathan tries to lock up and control but Gouki gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Gouki is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Wathan to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Wathan shrugs it off.
Wathan slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Wathan is positioning himself well to prevent Gouki advancing to mount.
Wathan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gouki is working away from the top position though.

Wathan looking for submissions off his back.

Wathan actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Wathan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Gouki postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Wathan is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gouki, into his guard.
Wathan wants to control from the top but Gouki keeps moving.
Wathan postures up in Gouki's guard and throws a big left but Gouki blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gouki looking to control.
Gouki keeping moving, preventing Wathan from controlling successfully.
Wathan postures up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wathan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gouki defends well.
Gouki looking to pass the guard.
Wathan is trying to control the position but Gouki postures up.

Wathan has his foot on Gouki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gouki works his way back into a safe position though.
Gouki wants to control from the top but Wathan keeps moving.

Gouki drops back looking for a leg! Wathan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wathan manages to kick Gouki off! Gouki jumps back into Wathan's guard.
Gouki is breathing heavily.
Gouki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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.

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

Gouki 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gouki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wathan as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chan Wathan will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gouki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wathan lands a nice shot to the body.
Wathan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gouki is out of range and Wathan settles back down.
Wathan digs a good body shot into Gouki's ribs.
Wathan misses with an uppercut.
Wathan misses with a straight right.
Wathan looks to throw the jab but Gouki is out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gouki ducks under a wild hook from Wathan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gouki slips under a jab from Wathan.
Wathan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gouki sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Gouki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wathan is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Gouki off and has taken his back!
Wathan slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
The referee is taking a good look at Gouki as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Wathan!
Wathan controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wathan lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Wathan controls the action.

Wathan is persistently looking for the submission but Gouki is defending it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wathan missing with strikes.
Wathan is not going to allow Gouki to sit and survive in this position.
Wathan lands shots from the back.
Gouki covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wathan throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Wathan gets his hands free as Gouki looks to control.
Can Gouki hold on?! Wathan is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Wathan looking to hold on to the position here but Gouki rolls and ends up regaining guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chan Wathan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Wathan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wathan throws a hook to the side of Gouki's head but Gouki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gouki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wathan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wathan misses with a wild combination.
Gouki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wathan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gouki gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wathan is pushing down on Gouki's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gouki is fighting to maintain full guard but Wathan has managed to sneak the leg through.
Wathan trying to pass the guard but Gouki defending well.
Wathan wants to control but Gouki is keeping him busy.
Wathan is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Gouki trying to hold on to Wathan's head to control him but Wathan postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wathan wants to take a breather but Gouki is having none of it.
Wathan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wathan is looking to take a break and control but Gouki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wathan performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wathan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Chan Wathan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gouki fails with a takedown attempt.
Wathan tries for a takedown but Gouki circles away easily

and Gouki counters with a takedown into side control.
Gouki working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gouki thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wathan struggling a bit here.
Wathan regains half guard.
Wathan gets full guard.
Shibukawa Gouki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wathan is controlling Gouki's posture.

Wathan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gouki drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Wathan manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gouki has Wathan in his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chan Wathan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Wathan has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chan Wathan!