PBP Commentary

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

Imanari
vs
Kiiti

165 cm
22
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dazuo Kiiti!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imanari uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kiiti.
Imanari thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice defenses there by Kiiti.
Imanari looks to score with a jab to the body but Kiiti is just out of range.

Imanari decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Imanari is thwarting Kiiti's attempts to control the position.
Imanari thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kiiti moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Imanari tries to free his leg and advance position but Kiiti is retaining full guard.
Kiiti working a defensive guard here.

Imanari is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Imanari is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kiiti is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kiiti has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiiti trying to control the position from guard on top but Imanari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Imanari working for a triangle but Kiiti defends it easily.

Imanari had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kiiti is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Imanari Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kiiti's back instead.
Kiiti turns into Imanari and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kiiti controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Kiiti drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Imanari manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kiiti has Imanari in his guard.
Kiiti trying to keep a closed guard but Imanari is proving a slippery customer.
Imanari loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Imanari tries to free his leg and advance position but Kiiti is retaining full guard.
Imanari is breathing heavily.
Kiiti 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.
Kiiti keeping full guard, as Imanari tries to pass.

Kiiti had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Imanari is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kiiti Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Imanari's back instead.
Imanari covers up after that shot from Kiiti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiiti is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Kiiti looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Imanari is controlling Kiiti 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Imanari postures up.
Kiiti wants to sweep here but Imanari controlling him for the moment.
Imanari tries to free his leg and advance position but Kiiti is retaining full guard.
Kiiti is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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.

Kiiti is looking for a triangle but Imanari pushes his legs off easily.
Kiiti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Imanari stopping the sweep attempt from Kiiti.
Imanari scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kiiti trying to control the position.
Imanari missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Imanari drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kiiti dives on top into guard.
Kiiti wants to stand but Imanari has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Kiiti is trying to defend against the choke here but Imanari has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Imanari Tightens the hold and Kiiti taps out furiously! Imanari displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Masakazu Imanari!