PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Masakazu Imanari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cameron Rycroft (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Imanari
vs
Rycroft

165 cm
22
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

169 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masakazu Imanari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cameron Rycroft!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Sano and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Imanari decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rycroft is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Imanari working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Imanari is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rycroft wants to get back to full guard but Imanari has mounted him!
Rycroft is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Imanari cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Rycroft is working to get back to half guard.
Imanari has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rycroft's face.
Imanari prevents Rycroft from getting the reversal.
Imanari lands with some strikes.
Rycroft manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Rycroft wants to improve his position but Imanari is controlling well.

Imanari is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rycroft doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Imanari.
Imanari scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rycroft is trying to get back to full guard.
Imanari 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.
Rycroft moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Imanari drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Imanari jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Rycroft working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Imanari doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Imanari manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Imanari stopping the sweep attempt from Rycroft.
Rycroft looks gassed!
Imanari throwing strikes from guard but Rycroft blocks nicely.
Rycroft looking to hit a scissor sweep but Imanari is one step ahead there.
Imanari in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Imanari advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari moves into full mount! Rycroft won't be happy about that!
Rycroft is trying desperately to improve position.
Imanari trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rycroft is trying to escape the mount.

Imanari has hold of Rycroft's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Rycroft manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Rycroft is looking to improve his position but Imanari isn't that keen on the idea.
Imanari misses with a head shot.

Imanari working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Imanari swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:02 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Masakazu Imanari!