PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ken Kei Katsuro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiroshi Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Katsuro's entrance music is Lil Wayne - Playin With Fire. A fine choice. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Kei Katsuro
vs
Kobayashi

170 cm
22
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

182 cm
19
154 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Kei Katsuro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroshi Kobayashi !
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Sano and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katsuro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kobayashi swivels and escapes.
Katsuro misses with a takedown attempt - Kobayashi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Kobayashi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Katsuro trying to hold on to Kobayashi 's head to control him but Kobayashi postures up.
Kobayashi wants to pass to mount but Katsuro is defending the position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kobayashi in particular looking to stall.
Katsuro won't allow Kobayashi to pass to mount.
Katsuro is trying to get back to full guard.
Kobayashi is looking to take a break and control but Katsuro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsuro is looking to control Kobayashi 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Katsuro avoid being mounted?
Kobayashi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kobayashi has his takedown stuffed

and Katsuro counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kobayashi won't be happy with that.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kobayashi is not content to let Katsuro control the position.
Kobayashi is looking to reverse the position.
Kobayashi defending against the ground and pound.
Kobayashi wants to control but Katsuro postures up.
Katsuro advances nicely into full mount.
Katsuro content just to control the position here.
Katsuro avoids the attempt from Kobayashi to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro fails to advance to Kobayashi 's back.
BOOM! Katsuro connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Katsuro trying to control but Kobayashi is having none of it.
Kobayashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Katsuro. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Katsuro punishing his opponent with strikes.
Kobayashi is trying desperately to improve position.
Kobayashi tries to hold on but Katsuro pushes him away.
Kobayashi manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Katsuro passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kobayashi !
Kobayashi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kobayashi looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro is keen to just control but Kobayashi is a slippery customer.
Kobayashi is trying to maintain the position but Katsuro is very close to passing his half guard.
Katsuro wants to get back to his feet.
Kobayashi is trying to control but can't.
Kobayashi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kobayashi trying to control from the bottom.
Katsuro is looking to advance position but Kobayashi won't allow it.
Katsuro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kobayashi keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kobayashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Katsuro tries for a takedown but Kobayashi circles away easily

and Kobayashi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Katsuro!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Kei Katsuro. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kobayashi looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Katsuro is looking to get to half guard.
Kobayashi controlling from mount.

Kobayashi looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kobayashi trying to control but Katsuro is having none of it.
Katsuro might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Katsuro wants to hold on but Kobayashi pushes him away.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro is looking to improve his position but Kobayashi isn't that keen on the idea.
Kobayashi content just to control the position here.
Katsuro working to try and regain half guard.
Katsuro sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Katsuro is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kobayashi 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kobayashi 's back!

Katsuro looking for the RNC.
Kobayashi manages to reverse the position and now he's in Katsuro's guard. Nice work there by Kobayashi .
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kobayashi preventing the sweep.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

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

Katsuro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kobayashi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Katsuro has his foot on Kobayashi 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kobayashi works his way back into a safe position though.

Katsuro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kobayashi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Katsuro is looking for a triangle but Kobayashi pushes his legs off easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kobayashi trying to control but Katsuro is working from the bottom.
Katsuro wants to sweep but no luck.
Katsuro bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kobayashi 's guard.
Katsuro won't allow Kobayashi to sweep him here.
Katsuro stands and throws Kobayashi 's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Katsuro wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kobayashi , who protects the arm well.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro wants to take a breather but Kobayashi manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Katsuro.

Katsuro stands up from Kobayashi 's guard - Katsuro perhaps looking for a knockout.
Katsuro takes a swing at Kobayashi 's ribcage but misses.
Katsuro throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Katsuro doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kobayashi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Katsuro!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro wants to hold on but Kobayashi pushes him away.
Kobayashi prevents Katsuro from getting the reversal.
Katsuro's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Kobayashi controlling from mount.
Kobayashi tries to control but Katsuro wriggling away.
Katsuro is controlling an arm, preventing Kobayashi from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Katsuro is looking to improve his position but Kobayashi isn't that keen on the idea.

Kobayashi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Katsuro can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Katsuro is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro regains half guard.
Katsuro keeping control of the position.
Katsuro gets back to full guard.
Katsuro wants to sweep here but Kobayashi controlling him for the moment.
Kobayashi trying to control but Katsuro is working from the bottom.
Kobayashi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kobayashi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Kei Katsuro dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Katsuro with a poor takedown

and Kobayashi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kobayashi stalling.
Katsuro is holding on to half guard well.
Katsuro won't allow Kobayashi to pass to mount.
Kobayashi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Katsuro keeps working.

Kobayashi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Katsuro tries to roll over but Kobayashi keeps him under control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Katsuro is pressing down on Kobayashi 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Katsuro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsuro working a defensive guard but Kobayashi manages to pass into side control anyway.
Katsuro is looking for a sweep.
The ground and pound from Kobayashi seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Katsuro is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kobayashi tries to advance to mount but Katsuro denies him.
Kobayashi trying to control the position but Katsuro is working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Katsuro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kobayashi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kobayashi controlling the action here.
Katsuro tries to roll over but Kobayashi keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kobayashi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Katsuro trying to keep a closed guard but Kobayashi is proving a slippery customer.
Kobayashi wants to control from the top but Katsuro keeps moving.
Katsuro lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kobayashi !
Kobayashi tries to hold on but Katsuro pushes him away.
Katsuro content just to control the position here.
Kobayashi can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kobayashi hang on?
Katsuro misses with a head shot.
Kobayashi wants to control but Katsuro is having none of it.
Kobayashi just holding on.
Kobayashi is desperately trying to improve his position but Katsuro has a good base and remains in mount.
Ken Kei Katsuro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kobayashi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Katsuro sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Katsuro looking to secure an arm triangle but Kobayashi defends it well.
Kobayashi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Katsuro in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Kobayashi is desperately trying to improve his position but Katsuro has a good base and remains in mount.
Kobayashi wants to control but Katsuro is having none of it.
Kobayashi is squirming around, avoiding Katsuro's attempts to control the action.
Kobayashi can't escape the position.
Kobayashi wants to hold on but Katsuro pushes him away.
Kobayashi is squirming around, avoiding Katsuro's attempts to control the action.
Katsuro avoids the attempt from Kobayashi to control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro lands a big shot there that rocks Kobayashi but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kobayashi manages to control the position for a moment.
Kobayashi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kobayashi tries to hold on but Katsuro postures up.

Despite being in the dominant position, Hiroshi Kobayashi just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Katsuro gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kobayashi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Kei Katsuro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kobayashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Katsuro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kobayashi looking to sit in guard and control but Katsuro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Katsuro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro trying to control but Kobayashi is working from the bottom.

Kobayashi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Katsuro tries to stand but Kobayashi is controlling from the bottom.
Kobayashi is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kobayashi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kobayashi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Katsuro counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Katsuro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Katsuro looking to pass the guard.
Kobayashi is trying to control the position but Katsuro postures up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Katsuro would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Kobayashi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Katsuro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kobayashi is trying to keep Katsuro in close.
Kobayashi trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Katsuro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kobayashi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kobayashi trying to pass the guard but Katsuro defending well.
Kobayashi controlling the pace.
Kobayashi prevents Katsuro from improving his position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi is pressing down on Katsuro's thigh, looking to free his foot. Katsuro is holding on for now.
Kobayashi is controlling the pace.
Kobayashi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Katsuro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kobayashi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Let's hope that Kobayashi has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Kobayashi is looking to advance position but Katsuro won't allow it.
Kobayashi trying to control from half guard but Katsuro is working away.
Katsuro is looking to improve his position.

Katsuro is defending against the submission attempts here by Kobayashi .

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

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

Kobayashi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Katsuro looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kobayashi is looking to take a break and control but Katsuro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kobayashi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kobayashi is looking to take a break and control but Katsuro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Katsuro sneaks back into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroshi Kobayashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Hiroshi Kobayashi !
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Ken Kei Katsuro!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Ken Kei Katsuro!

Ken Kei Katsuro wins by split decision!
Ken Kei Katsuro retains his lightweight title!