PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tim Rogers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryuu Kokoro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rogers
vs
Kokoro

188 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
202 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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, Tim Rogers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryuu Kokoro!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rogers fails to land the takedown.
Rogers tries to close the distance and clinch but Kokoro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kokoro dives in and grabs Rogers's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rogers pushes down on Kokoro's head and hops out.

Rogers closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kokoro to the mat! Kokoro manages to get full guard.
Kokoro has a closed guard, preventing Rogers from standing up.

Rogers drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kokoro dives on top into guard.
Rogers is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kokoro actively working from the bottom here.
Rogers is nestled in close to Kokoro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rogers is thwarting Kokoro's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokoro might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rogers kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Rogers is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kokoro has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kokoro is trying to get back to full guard.
Kokoro is not content to let Rogers control the position.
Kokoro tries to kick Rogers off but Rogers keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

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.

Rogers is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kokoro wants to improve his position but Rogers is controlling well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kokoro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kokoro shoots in for a takedown but Rogers shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rogers slips a jab and a cross from Kokoro.
Kokoro swats away the attempt to clinch by Rogers.
Rogers leaves Kokoro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tim Rogers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryuu Kokoro.
Kokoro looks gassed!
Rogers defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kokoro.
Kokoro stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogers tries to clinch but Kokoro is having none of it.
Rogers slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rogers shoots in looking for a takedown. Kokoro tries to sprawl out of it but Rogers keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kokoro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rogers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kokoro counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rogers!
Kokoro avoids the attempt from Rogers to control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kokoro punching from mount but Rogers doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Kokoro thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Kokoro avoids the attempt from Rogers to control.
Rogers is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Feeble punches landing from Rogers - he's mounted - they can't hurt.
Kokoro throwing strikes here but Rogers is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Rogers avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kokoro.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rogers is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rogers tries to lock up and control but Kokoro gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rogers is trying desperately to improve position.
Rogers sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Rogers wants to control but Kokoro is keeping busy and won't allow it.
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 Tim Rogers will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Rogers.
Rogers closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kokoro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rogers's guard.
Kokoro trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rogers is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rogers is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Kokoro blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rogers.
Kokoro is breathing heavily.
Rogers frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Rogers thowing shots but they're missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokoro is squirming around, avoiding Rogers's attempts to control the action.
Kokoro is trying desperately to improve position.
Kokoro is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Rogers working for a guillotine from mount but Kokoro is in no mood to give up.

Rogers goes for an armbar but Kokoro turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kokoro.

That's two 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.
Kokoro 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.
Kokoro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kokoro must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kokoro prevents Rogers from getting back to his feet.
Rogers controls Kokoro momentarily but Kokoro frees himself.
Kokoro in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kokoro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rogers is keeping the position for now.
Kokoro prevents Rogers from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogers utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rogers throws a combination. Kokoro tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Ryuu Kokoro has been cut.
Rogers with a poor takedown

and Kokoro moves into the clinch.
Rogers looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rogers jumps guard but Kokoro stands there with Rogers around his waist. Rogers gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Rogers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rogers tries to work over Kokoro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rogers is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kokoro keeps control of Rogers as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kokoro as Rogers tries to tie him up.
Rogers wants a takedown but no success here.
Rogers working hard to break the clinch.

Kokoro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice takedown defense from Rogers. No joy for Kokoro on that attempt.
Tim Rogers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rogers fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogers shoots for a takedown but Kokoro saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rogers shoots in for a takedown but Kokoro shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kokoro changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rogers tries to avoid it but Kokoro manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rogers to the ground. Rogers escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Rogers or perhaps it was just good defense by Kokoro which made him look bad.
Rogers with a poor takedown

and Kokoro holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rogers wants a takedown.
Rogers has Kokoro pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kokoro manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kokoro wants a takedown.
Rogers tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kokoro just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kokoro throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rogers blocks it with crossed arms.
Rogers is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Kokoro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ryuu Kokoro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ryuu Kokoro's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rogers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kokoro counters with a thumping low kick.
Kokoro keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rogers fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rogers tries for a takedown but Kokoro sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Rogers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kokoro is defended easily by Rogers.
Kokoro fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rogers wants to clinch

and Kokoro holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rogers tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kokoro just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokoro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rogers tries to circle away but Kokoro has him pinned against the cage.
Kokoro goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rogers prevents it.

Kokoro manages to break the clinch.
Rogers shoots for a takedown but Kokoro saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rogers fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A nice combination there by Rogers.
Rogers closes the distance but Kokoro moves to the side

and Kokoro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rogers's guard.
Rogers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kokoro throwing strikes from guard but Rogers blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kokoro is looking to work some ground and pound but Rogers has wrist control.

Rogers wriggles free and stands up.
Rogers fails with a takedown attempt.
Rogers dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kokoro fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Rogers.
Rogers shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kokoro pinned against the cage. Kokoro gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogers with a poor takedown
and Kokoro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rogers shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kokoro pinned against the cage. Kokoro gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kokoro shoots in but Rogers avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rogers fails to land the takedown.
Kokoro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rogers swivels and escapes.
Rogers is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kokoro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rogers fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

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.
A head kick misses from Rogers.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rogers gets underhooks to prevent Kokoro's takedown attempt.
Rogers tries to pull guard but Kokoro holds him up against the cage and eventually Rogers drops back down to his feet.
Rogers can't get the takedown.

Kokoro pulls guard.

Kokoro is looking for a triangle but Rogers pushes his legs off easily.
Rogers postures up.
Rogers missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryuu Kokoro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kokoro has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ryuu Kokoro!