PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nick Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hatiko Arigato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cage
vs
Arigato

192 cm
20
197 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

178 cm
26
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Nick Cage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hatiko Arigato!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cage drives through with a takedown into guard.
Arigato wants to sweep here but Cage controlling him for the moment.
Arigato not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cage loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cage wants to pass the guard but Arigato is keeping the position.
Cage missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cage working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cage looking to pass the guard.
Cage will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Arigato wants to sweep but no luck.
Arigato has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cage has passed into side control.
Cage throws a strike aimed at the side of Arigato's head but Arigato avoids it well.
Cage working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arigato gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Arigato tries to hold on but Cage pushes him away.
Arigato is looking to get to half guard.
Cage working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Cage goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Arigato turns into him and now he's in Cage's guard.

Cage is looking for a triangle but Arigato pushes his legs off easily.
Cage controlling the position.
Arigato must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Arigato stopping the sweep attempt from Cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arigato looking to sit in guard and control but Cage gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cage decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Arigato, up you get!

Arigato lands a left and a right that send Cage crashing to the mat, dazed. Arigato thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Cage is rocked!

It looks like Nick Cage has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arigato is throwing a storm of strikes! Right hook, left hook and follows it up with a spinning back fist! Cage hits the canvas like a rag doll! And just like that, this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Hatiko Arigato!