PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Fenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mana Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Marcus Fenix has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Fenix
vs
Sato

210 cm
25
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
285 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marcus Fenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mana Sato!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fenix shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Fenix wants to finish this one by submission but Sato is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Fenix.

Fenix goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Sato turns into him and now he's in Fenix's guard.
Sato sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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

Fenix is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sato defends well.
Sato is pushing down on Fenix's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fenix is fighting to maintain full guard but Sato has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Fenix.
Sato tries to pass the half guard into mount. Fenix knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Fenix looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Fenix looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sato is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fenix manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fenix will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sato looks gassed!

Fenix is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sato is aware though and is defending well.
Sato is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sato trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato pushing down on Fenix's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Fenix looking for subs from the bottom but Sato mounts him!
Fenix can't escape the position.
Sato controlling the position easily from mount.
Sato dominating with strikes here.
Sato takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Fenix tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sato sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fenix is wriggling around trying to escape.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sato trying to control but Fenix is having none of it.

Sato jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Fenix is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Fenix and Sato has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Fenix looking for a sweep but Sato has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fenix is looking to improve his position but Sato isn't that keen on the idea.
Sato controlling from the full mount.
Fenix is desperately trying to improve his position but Sato has a good base and remains in mount.
Sato controlling from mount.
Sato trying to control but Fenix is having none of it.
Sato takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Fenix keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mana Sato will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sato gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Fenix counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fenix wants to free his trapped foot but Sato is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Fenix is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Fenix goes for an armbar but Sato turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Sato.
Sato stays in close to Fenix's body and controls the position.

Fenix looking for a guillotine here but Sato defends easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato controls from within his opponent's guard.

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

Fenix has his foot on Sato's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sato works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sato controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Mana Sato hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sato doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Fenix counters with a shoot takedown. Sato fights it but they end up in guard.

Fenix has gone for a leg lock! Sato slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fenix's guard.

Fenix escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sato gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fenix being controlled here, momentarily.
Sato has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Fenix is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fenix working for a triangle but Sato defends it easily.
Sato is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sato wants to get up but he can't break Fenix's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sato not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mana Sato wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sato with a poor takedown

and Fenix counters with a single leg into guard. Sato didn't expect that.
Marcus Fenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mana Sato.

Fenix drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sato manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Fenix has Sato in his guard.
Sato wants to pass the guard but Fenix is keeping the position.
Sato must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fenix keeping moving, preventing Sato from controlling successfully.
Sato might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Fenix kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Fenix looking for a guillotine here but Sato defends easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fenix wants to sweep here but Sato controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Fenix 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!

Sato shoots in and gets a takedown into Fenix's guard.

Fenix looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Sato is defending well. Fenix quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Sato has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Fenix celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marcus Fenix!