PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Naoto Date (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jimmy King has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

King
vs
Date

175 cm
20
158 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

168 cm
23
148 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimmy King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Naoto Date!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by King!
King pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
King throws a hook but Date blocks it.
Date is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Date steps to the side to avoid the strikes from King.
King getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
King lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by King.

Date fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with King, pushing him back against the cage.
Date tries to score a body lock takedown but King shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Date works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Date works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Date seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Date trying to control the action but King is working from the bottom.

Date is sneakily working for an arm triangle but King sees it coming and defends easily.
King blocking the ground and pound attempt from Date.
King is not content to let Date control the position.

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.
King won't allow Date to pass to mount.
Date is keen to just control but King is a slippery customer.

Date looking for a submission but King manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Date trying to control the position from guard on top but King is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Naoto Date wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nice uppercut lands for King. That snapped Date's head back.

Date tries to sprawl but King drives through with a takedown into half guard.
King throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King lands strikes from half guard.
King thows a huge punch but Date dodges it nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Date can do anything to dispel that myth.
Date is pressing down on King's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Date has momentary wrist control but King slips an elbow through the middle.
King wants to control from the top but Date keeps moving.
King thows a big elbow that misses.
Date working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
King with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King throws a big right hand that misses.
Date is trying to control the position but King postures up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
King postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
King passes Date's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Date has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. King is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
King prevents Date from standing back up.
King is thwarting Date's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy King dominated that round.
That's time! King's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

King drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
King lands a decent elbow from side control.
King tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Date is looking to reverse the position.
Date is not content to let King control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Date is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Date holding on.
Date defending against the ground and pound.
King is trying to ground and pound but Date uses the momentary lack of control by King to regain half guard.
King misses with a head shot. Date uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Date preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
King throws a big right hand that misses.
Date looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Date bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in King's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date trying to control the position from guard on top but King is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Date forces his way into half guard.

Date is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but King still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, King has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Date parries the strikes from King easily there. King is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Date to escape.
Date is looking for a sweep.

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.
King lands a few punches from side control.
An elbow from King crashes against the mat.
Date is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on King's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
King missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
King takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Jimmy King overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
King throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
King thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Date to regain full guard.
King postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy King dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

King drives through with a takedown into guard.
King prevents Date from getting back to his feet.
King is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Date trying to keep a closed guard but King is proving a slippery customer.

King decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Date, up you get!
Date with a lazy takedown attempt
and King counters with a series of strikes. Date will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jimmy King seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Date misses with a takedown attempt
and King counters with a nice uppercut.
Date takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

King scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
King creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Date sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Date is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
King misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
King is working Date over with some ground and pound from side control.

King stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Date with a poor takedown
and Date takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jimmy King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Naoto Date.
King clobbers Date with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King throws a right hand that Date ducks under and follows up with a left that Date also avoids with ease.
Date doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting King counter with a right hand.
A nice combination there by King.
Date fails with the takedown
and King counters with a stiff right hand.
King is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Date showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from King.
King swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King misses with a double jab.
King just misses with a punch to the body.
Date showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from King.
Date takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
King connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
King throws a right hand that Date ducks under and follows up with a left that Date also avoids with ease.
Naoto Date has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
King lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Date at a distance.
Date moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Date tries to clinch up but King circles away and keeps his distance.
King throws a right and a left that both miss.
King takes a swing at Date's ribcage but misses.
Date uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by King.
King throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A punch combination from King misses.
King throws out a loose jab but Date uses good head movement to avoid it.
King throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jimmy King is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Date is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimmy King showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for King, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy King!