PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sean Price (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Kakihara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Price
vs
Kakihara

185 cm
18
179 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
175 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sean Price!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Kakihara!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Felipe Paraventi and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Price uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kakihara.

Price clinches.
Price leaning against his opponent.
Price with a knee to the head.
Price has Kakihara pushed against the cage.
Price lands a nice elbow.

Kakihara pulls guard.

Kakihara looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kakihara keeping full guard, as Price tries to pass.

Price avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kakihara looks gassed!
Price wants to control from the top but Kakihara keeps moving.
Price lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Price avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Price is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Kakihara has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Price can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Price wants to control from the top but Kakihara keeps moving.

Price drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kakihara dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Kakihara drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kakihara jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Price uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Price fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kakihara swats away the attempt to clinch by Price.

Price instigates a clinch.
Kakihara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Price's elbow.
Price avoiding damage.
Kakihara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Price just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kakihara on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Price leaning his opponent against the cage.
Price trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakihara wants a takedown but no success here.
Kakihara is looking to break free of the clinch but Price has double underhooks.
Kakihara is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Price is keeping busy.
Price prevents Kakihara from breaking the clinch.

Price lands a takedown into guard.

Kakihara looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Price makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Kakihara is looking for a triangle but Price pushes his legs off easily.
Price has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Kakihara is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kakihara looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Price passes into side control.
Kakihara can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakihara is trying to improve his position.
Kakihara is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Price's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kakihara is looking for a sweep. Price is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Price stands up and beckons Kakihara to join him on the feet.
Price misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Price avoids the head kick by Kakihara.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sean Price will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Price moves into the clinch successfully.
Kakihara tries to pull guard but Price holds him up against the cage and eventually Kakihara drops back down to his feet.
Price works on Kakihara's body with a couple of short punches.
Price lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kakihara avoiding damage as Price throws knees to the body.
Kakihara using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kakihara is trying to break the clinch but Price has him pressed against the cage.
A short uppercut from Price.
Price gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Price trying to land knees to the body.
Kakihara can't break the clinch.
Kakihara tries to break the clinch but Price is controlling the position.
Price misses with an elbow strike.
Kakihara is looking to break free of the clinch but Price has double underhooks.
Kakihara trying to land knees to the body.
Price lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Price leaning his opponent against the cage.

Price tightens his grip and picks Kakihara up, before dumping him to the ground. Kakihara manages to land in guard.

Kakihara working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Price has passed into half guard!
Kakihara is breathing heavily.
Price passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakihara is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Price's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kakihara moves into full guard.

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

Price stands up and waves to Kakihara to follow him.
Kakihara tries to clinch but fails miserably

so Price counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Kakihara escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Price gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Price preventing the sweep.

Kakihara is looking for a triangle but Price pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Price stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kakihara swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kakihara has his foot on Price's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Price works his way back into a safe position though.
Price wanted to stand there but Kakihara had control of the position.
Price trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Price wants to stand but Kakihara is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kakihara wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakihara can't keep his opponent in guard - Price advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kakihara is pressing down on Price's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Kakihara working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Price doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Price manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

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

Kakihara has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
I really don't envy Price right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Price manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kakihara's guard. Nice work there by Price.
Price knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kakihara on the ground.
Price trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

Kakihara working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Price has passed into half guard!

Kakihara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kakihara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kakihara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thiago Kakihara will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kakihara throws a head kick that misses

and Price counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Price breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Price moves into the clinch.
Kakihara has had enough of the clinch but Price keeps him there for the moment.
Kakihara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Price just stands there and leans against the cage.
Price lands an elbow that stopped Kakihara in his tracks for a moment.

Price escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Price clinches but Kakihara breaks the clinch

and Kakihara counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kakihara.
Price is looking to stand up but Kakihara isn't so interested in that idea.
Kakiharais looking to pass into half guard but Price pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Price is in guard.
Kakihara takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Price controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Kakihara looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Price has picked Kakihara up and slammed him! Kakihara can't keep hold of the triangle and Price manages to pass to side control!
Price trying to control the action but Kakihara is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Price working the head with strikes.
Price working the ground and pound from side control.
Kakihara is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Price's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kakihara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Price trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Price passes to side control.
Kakihara is looking to regain half guard here but Price keeps moving and retains side control.

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.
Kakihara is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Price asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Thiago Kakihara has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kakihara regains half guard.
Kakihara taking some punishment here, with Price in his half guard.

Price stands up and beckons Kakihara to join him on the feet.

Price moves into range and clinches up with Kakihara.

Kakihara breaks the clinch.
Kakihara throws a nice looking combination but Price bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kakihara tries a head kick but it misses.

Price moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakihara wants to get back to striking at distance but Price won't allow it.
Kakihara tries to break the clinch but Price is controlling the position.
Price tries for a takedown but Kakihara manages to get underhooks.
Kakihara wants to break free but Price has control.
Kakihara fails to pull guard.
Price has Kakihara pressed against the cage.
Price lands a damaging elbow.
Price lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kakihara backwards.
Nice elbow from Price.
Price tries for a takedown but Kakihara manages to get underhooks.

Price breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kakihara takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Price tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kakihara swats him away and circles back towards the center.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kakihara prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sean Price. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Price lands with a right to the head.
Price crunches a lovely knee into Kakihara's ribcage.
Price is leaning against Kakihara and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Price is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kakihara wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Price has him pressed against the cage.
Price looking to throw knees to the head but Kakihara is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakihara has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Price avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kakihara is pressed up against the cage. Price has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kakihara down to the mat. Kakihara avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Price fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kakihara is looking to clinch but Price is avoiding it.
Price tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kakihara swivels and escapes.
Price tries to clinch but Kakihara is having none of it.
Price wants to clinch but Kakihara slips to the side

and Kakihara counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Price's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Kakihara drops back, looking for a kneebar! Price looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Price looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Price!
A lull in the action here as Price stalls from top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kakihara is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kakihara wants to get back to his feet but Price drags him back down.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Thiago Kakihara.
I think Kakihara has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Sean Price!