PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazuya Michima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Layfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kazuya Michima has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Michima
vs
Layfield

195 cm
23
275 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

198 cm
22
265 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kazuya Michima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Layfield!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Steve Montenegro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Michima drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Michima preventing the sweep.

Michima drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Layfield manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Michima has Layfield in his guard.
Layfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Michima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Michima looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Layfield wants to control from the top but Michima keeps moving.

Michima looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Layfield passes into side control.

Layfield looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michima is looking to regain half guard here but Layfield keeps moving and retains side control.
Michima wants to control but Layfield postures up.

Layfield tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Layfield has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Layfield tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Layfield is trying to get an arm triangle but Michima is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Michima manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Michima is pressing down on Layfield's thigh, looking to free his foot. Layfield is holding on for now.

Michima is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Layfield is just riding it out for now. Michima eventually gives up the hold.
Layfield wants to improve his position but Michima is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Layfield is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Michima is stalling here. Layfield is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Michima seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Layfield has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Michima parries the strikes from Layfield easily there. Layfield is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Michima to escape.
Layfield misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Layfield wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michima keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Layfield shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Michima counters with a series of strikes. Layfield will be more careful next time no doubt.

Layfield closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Michima to the mat! Michima manages to get full guard.
Layfield trying to control but Michima is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Michima pulls Layfield in close to prevent any damage.
Layfield must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Layfield is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Michima is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Layfield drops back looking for a leg! Michima is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Michima manages to kick Layfield off! Layfield jumps back into Michima's guard.
Michima keeping full guard, as Layfield tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuya Michima dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Layfield shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Layfield lands strikes from half guard.
Layfield is controlling the pace.
Layfield stops Michima from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Layfield prevents Michima from improving his position.
Layfield seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Layfield is trying to work for a kimura but Michima is defending well.
Layfield tries to pass to full mount but Michima defends it.

Layfield is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Layfield tries to pass to full mount but Michima defends it.
Layfield throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Michima looking for submissions off his back.
Michima is refusing to be controlled, as Layfield sits in half guard.
Layfield is stalling here. Michima is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Layfield seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Michima has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Michima clobbers Layfield with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Michima doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Layfield counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Layfield wants to pass the guard but Michima is keeping the position.
Layfield landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michima keeping moving, preventing Layfield from controlling successfully.
Layfield passes into half guard.

Layfield is looking for a kimura here.
Layfield passes to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Layfield tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Layfield has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Layfield trying to control the action but Michima is working from the bottom.
Michima can't do much from the bottom here.
Michima is not content to let Layfield control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Layfield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Michima with a poor takedown

and Layfield counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Michima looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Michima keeping moving, preventing Layfield from controlling successfully.
Layfield is looking to work some ground and pound but Michima has wrist control.
Layfield trying to control but Michima is working from the bottom.
Layfield slips nicely into half guard.

Layfield wants to work for an arm triangle but Michima is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Layfield is keen to just control but Michima is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michima is trying to control but can't.
Layfield looks to land a strike but Michima avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Layfield pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Michima is keeping the position for now.
Layfield trying to control but Michima is working from the bottom.
Michima working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Michima has his takedown stuffed

and Layfield counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Layfield is just content to waste time from the top position. Michima takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Layfield sitting in guard here, content to control.
Michima keeping moving, preventing Layfield from controlling successfully.
Layfield trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

Layfield got a little sloppy there for a moment and Michima has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Layfield has managed to get both his arms back between Michima's legs - danger averted.
Layfield passes Michima's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michima keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mark Layfield has got the better of the ground game so far.

Layfield is working for a submission of some sort.
Michima is staying active underneath Layfield, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Michima taking some punishment here, with Layfield in his half guard.

Layfield is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Michima sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Michima is defending against the submission attempts here by Layfield.
Michima is looking for a sweep. Layfield is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Layfield is trying to control. Michima wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Layfield is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Layfield is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Michima doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Layfield.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Layfield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Layfield 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Layfield!