PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Power (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Power
vs
Costa

179 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Double R Nutrients

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 Tokyo, James Power!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Antonio Costa!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Power swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Power.
James Power seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Costa moves into the clinch successfully.

Costa pulls guard successfully.

Costa wriggles free and stands up.
Power closes the distance looking to clinch

and Costa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Power's guard.

Costa stands and steps away. Power gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Power tries for a takedown but Costa circles away easily

and Costa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Power's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Costa passes Power's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Power is trying to stand back up but Costa is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa not doing much here.
Power knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Costa on the ground.

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.
Let's hope that Costa 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.

Costa decides to stand and escape the position.
Power throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Costa.
Costa throws a sloppy head kick and Power moves out of range easily.
Costa throws a series of punches but Power avoids them all with ease.

Costa feints and as Power raises his hands in defense, Costa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Power on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Power tries to get out of the position.
Costa's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Costa won't allow Power to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Costa stands up and waves to Power to follow him.
Costa looks gassed!
Power swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Power shoots and misses

and Costa counters with a takedown into side control.
Power is looking for a sweep.
Costa working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Costa in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Costa throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Costa dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Costa shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Costa stays in close to Power's body and controls the position.
Costa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Costa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Power works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Costa passes Power's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Costa decides to stand and escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Costa is breathing heavily.
Power is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Costa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Power knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power seems a little lost for a moment, as Costa dominates the positioning.
Power tries to bench press Costa off him but Costa keeps the position.
Power is not content to let Costa control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa tries to score with some ground and pound. Power controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Costa is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Power's shoulder. That is not cool.
Costa is looking to take a break and control but Power is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Costa controlling the position.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Antonio Costa.
Costa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A jab from Costa misses.
James Power is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Power shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Costa pinned against the cage. Costa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Power tries to clinch but Costa moves away

and Costa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Costa stands and steps away. Power gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Costa swats away the attempt to clinch by Power.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Costa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Power closes the distance but Costa moves to the side

and Costa counters with a takedown into side control.
Costa trying to control the position but Power is working away.
Power is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Costa has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Costa has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Power misses the shot to the body.
Costa throws a right and a left that Power avoids nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No joy there for Power, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Costa decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Costa trying to control the action but Power is working from the bottom.

Costa is working for a submission of some sort.
Power is not content to let Costa control the position.
James Power has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power won't allow Costa to pass to mount.
Power looks like he's trying to stand up.
Antonio Costa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Costa passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Power!
Costa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power tries to lock up and control but Costa gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Costa lands a nice shot to the head.
Power really wants to buck Costa off and get back to his feet.

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.
Costa controlling from mount.
Costa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Costa throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Antonio Costa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Costa controlling from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Costa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Costa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 26:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Costa!