PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Raji Adepoju (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gaara Kazekage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Adepoju comes to the cage accompanied by Fight Music- Eminem. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Adepoju
vs
Kazekage

169 cm
25
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Raji Adepoju!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gaara Kazekage!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Adepoju tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Adepoju tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kazekage paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Adepoju throws a series of punches but Kazekage moves out of range.

Adepoju clinches.
Kazekage tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Adepoju misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kazekage.
Adepoju prevents Kazekage from breaking the clinch.
Kazekage drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Adepoju gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kazekage is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Adepoju working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Adepoju connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kazekage's face.

It looks like Gaara Kazekage has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adepoju working Kazekage over with knees to the body.
Adepoju misses with a knee to the head.
Kazekage tries to pull guard but Adepoju holds him up against the cage and eventually Kazekage drops back down to his feet.
Adepoju is stalling here.

Adepoju pulls guard successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adepoju is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Adepoju manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kazekage manages to get himself to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Adepoju sitting in guard here, content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Adepoju is looking to work some ground and pound but Kazekage has wrist control.
Kazekage tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kazekage looks gassed!
Adepoju wants to control from the top but Kazekage keeps moving.

That's two 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.
Adepoju won't allow Kazekage to get back to his feet.
Adepoju might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Adepoju wants to control from the top but Kazekage keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Adepoju clinches.
Adepoju leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kazekage prevents a takedown attempt there.
Adepoju looking to throw knees to the head but Kazekage is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazekage has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Adepoju avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Raji Adepoju has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gaara Kazekage.
Kazekage tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Adepoju just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kazekage has Adepoju pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Adepoju manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kazekage has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Adepoju avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Adepoju with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Adepoju breaks the clinch.
Kazekage keeps the fight on the outside.

Adepoju clinches up against the cage.
Adepoju dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Adepoju has Kazekage pressed against the cage, preventing Kazekage from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Adepoju stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Adepoju lands a knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Adepoju.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adepoju lands a body shot in the clinch.
Adepoju manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A short body shot lands from Adepoju as the two fighters clinch.
Adepoju with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kazekage takes a knee right on the jaw!
Adepoju taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Adepoju lands a knee to the body.
Adepoju misses with a knee strike.
A nice left hand lands by Adepoju.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raji Adepoju dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gaara Kazekage's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Adepoju doesn't manage to clinch there - Kazekage circles away.
Kazekage moves in looking to clinch but Adepoju pushes him off.
Kazekage wants to clinch

and Adepoju moves into the clinch.
Kazekage tries to pull guard but Adepoju holds him up against the cage and eventually Kazekage drops back down to his feet.
Kazekage blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Adepoju lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kazekage backwards.
Kazekage jumps guard but Adepoju stands there with Kazekage around his waist. Kazekage gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kazekage has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Adepoju is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Raji Adepoju has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gaara Kazekage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adepoju putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kazekage in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Adepoju just leaning against Kazekage, taking a breather.

Adepoju manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Adepoju closes the distance and pushes Kazekage back into the cage.
Kazekage wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Adepoju has him pressed against the cage.

Adepoju pulls guard successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adepoju wants to sweep here but Kazekage controlling him for the moment.
Adepoju keeping moving, preventing Kazekage from controlling successfully.
Adepoju pulls Kazekage in close to prevent any damage.
Kazekage works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kazekage is trying to control the action in half guard but Adepoju is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Adepoju looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kazekage is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Adepoju is staying active underneath Kazekage, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Adepoju slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kazekage trying to control but Adepoju is working from the bottom.
Kazekage pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Adepoju is keeping the position for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Adepoju is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adepoju working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Adepoju thows a big elbow that misses.
Adepoju trying to control but Kazekage is working from the bottom.
Kazekage really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Adepoju. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Adepoju won't allow Kazekage to get back to his feet.
Adepoju trying to control but Kazekage is working from the bottom.
Adepoju content to stall in guard here.
Kazekage is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Adepoju accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kazekage tries to keep at a distance but Adepoju has taken the fight into the clinch.

Adepoju decides to pull guard.
Adepoju is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kazekage looking to sit in guard and control but Adepoju gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raji Adepoju dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gaara Kazekage's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Adepoju instigates a clinch.
Adepoju with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Adepoju lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kazekage tries to score a body lock takedown but Adepoju shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Adepoju tries a knee to the head but Kazekage blocks it.
Kazekage throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Adepoju blocks it with crossed arms.
Adepoju looking to throw knees to the head but Kazekage is blocking nicely.
Adepoju lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Adepoju.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Adepoju breaks the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Adepoju tries to clinch but Kazekage moves out of range.
Kazekage pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kazekage misses with a wild combination.
A head kick misses from Adepoju.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazekage with a poor takedown

and Adepoju counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Adepoju.

Adepoju's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Adepoju looks to clinch

and Kazekage counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kazekage thows a huge punch but Adepoju dodges it nicely.
Adepoju slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kazekage being controlled here momentarily.
Kazekage tries to free his leg and advance position but Adepoju is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adepoju pulls Kazekage in close to prevent any damage.
Kazekage looking to pass the guard.
Kazekage is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Adepoju keeping moving, preventing Kazekage from controlling successfully.
Adepoju wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazekage stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Adepoju swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Adepoju wants to clinch up but Kazekage keeps it at a distance.
Adepoju is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kazekage gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Adepoju counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Raji Adepoju has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gaara Kazekage.
Kazekage keeps the fight on the outside.

Adepoju moves into the clinch successfully.

Adepoju pulls Kazekage into guard.
Kazekage wants to get up but he can't break Adepoju's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions 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.
Kazekage trying to control the position from guard on top but Adepoju is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raji Adepoju is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Adepoju has control of Kazekage's left arm, preventing Kazekage from doing any damage.
Kazekage works over Adepoju with some ground and pound from guard.
Kazekage tries to free his leg and advance position but Adepoju is retaining full guard.
Kazekage preventing the sweep.
Kazekage wants to stand but Adepoju is controlling his posture from full guard.
Gaara Kazekage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Adepoju is pulling down on Kazekage's head to control his posture.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Raji Adepoju.
Well Adepoju has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raji Adepoju!