PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Funyun Sandwich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nao Sakumichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Sandwich
vs
Sakumichi

171 cm
19
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

179 cm
21
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Funyun Sandwich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nao Sakumichi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sandwich throws a combination. Sakumichi tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sandwich. That's going to slow Sakumichi down.
Sandwich displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Sakumichi is rocked!

It looks like Nao Sakumichi has been cut.
Sandwich tries to clinch but Sakumichi moves out of range.
Sakumichi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sandwich sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sandwich goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sakumichi is still on wobbly legs! Can Sandwich finish him?
Sandwich tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakumichi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sakumichi seems to have recovered his senses.

Sakumichi drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakumichi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sandwich keeping moving, preventing Sakumichi from controlling successfully.
Sandwich keeping full guard, as Sakumichi tries to pass.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sandwich throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sakumichi wants to control from the top but Sandwich keeps moving.
Sandwich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sakumichi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sakumichi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sandwich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sakumichi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakumichi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sandwich trying to control the position.
Sandwich tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two 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.
Sakumichi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sandwich is keeping the position for now.
Sandwich working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakumichi.
Sakumichi forces his way into half guard.
Sakumichi thows a huge punch but Sandwich dodges it nicely.
Sakumichi trying to mount his opponent but Sandwich defends it.
Sandwich keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sandwich won't allow Sakumichi to pass to mount.
Sakumichi is looking to pass Sandwich's guard but actually Sandwich recovers to full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Sandwich wants to sweep but no luck.
Sandwich wants to get back to his feet but Sakumichi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakumichi throwing strikes from guard but Sandwich blocks nicely.
Sandwich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sakumichi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sandwich is keeping the position for now.
Sakumichi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sakumichi passes into half guard.
Sakumichi works his foot free and advances to mount.
Sakumichi throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Sakumichi looking to control but Sandwich is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sandwich regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakumichi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakumichi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sakumichi stalling away here and it's allowed Sandwich to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Sakumichi tries to free his leg and advance position but Sandwich is retaining full guard.
Sandwich utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sakumichi prevents Sandwich from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakumichi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sakumichi pushes down on Sandwich's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sakumichi takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sakumichi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Sandwich looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sandwich is trying to maintain the position but Sakumichi is very close to passing his half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sandwich is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Sandwich is trying to get back to full guard.
Sakumichi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sakumichi thows a huge punch but Sandwich dodges it nicely.
Sakumichi trying to mount his opponent but Sandwich defends it.
Sandwich wants to improve his position but Sakumichi is controlling well.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sakumichi tries to pass to full mount but Sandwich defends it.
Sandwich misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Sakumichi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sakumichi is looking to advance position but Sandwich won't allow it.

Sandwich actively working from the bottom here.
Sakumichi thows a huge punch but Sandwich dodges it nicely.
Sandwich wants to control but Sakumichi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sakumichi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sakumichi misses with a head shot. Sandwich uses the momentum to regain guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakumichi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Sandwich has his foot on Sakumichi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakumichi works his way back into a safe position though.
Sakumichi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sandwich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sakumichi trying to control but Sandwich is working from the bottom.
Sakumichi tries to free his leg and advance position but Sandwich is retaining full guard.
Sandwich wants to stand but Sakumichi is controlling the position.
Sakumichi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sandwich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sandwich trying to keep a closed guard but Sakumichi is proving a slippery customer.
Sakumichi trying to control but Sandwich is working from the bottom.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sandwich lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sakumichi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sandwich tries to clinch but Sakumichi moves out of range.
Sakumichi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sandwich tries to clinch up.
Sandwich tries to clinch but Sakumichi is having none of it.
Sandwich wants to clinch.
Sakumichi steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sandwich. That one must have hurt.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sandwich keeps Sakumichi at a distance using the push kick.

Sakumichi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sakumichi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sandwich is trying to stand back up but Sakumichi is controlling him
Sakumichi with the ground and pound but Sandwich uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Sakumichi throws a strike but Sandwich rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sakumichi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sakumichi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
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 Funyun Sandwich will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nao Sakumichi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sakumichi has a takedown stuffed.
Sandwich displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sakumichi.
Sandwich tries for a takedown but Sakumichi circles away easily

and Sakumichi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sandwich!
Sandwich tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sandwich is working hard here to advance position.
Sakumichi postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sandwich looks a forlorn figure.
Sakumichi is stalling here but it's allowed Sandwich to get half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sandwich trying to control but Sakumichi postures up.
Sakumichi wants to free his trapped foot but Sandwich is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sakumichi wants to advance to full mount but Sandwich doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Sakumichi throws a strike but Sandwich rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sandwich trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakumichi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sakumichi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakumichi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sakumichi prevents Sandwich from improving his position.
Sakumichi tries to pass to full mount but Sandwich defends it.
Sakumichi is looking to take a break and control but Sandwich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sandwich is trying to stand up here but Sakumichi is controlling him well.
Sandwich wants to control but Sakumichi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sandwich is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sakumichi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sakumichi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sakumichi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sandwich wants to control but Sakumichi is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakumichi prevents Sandwich from standing back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakumichi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakumichi is keen to just control but Sandwich is a slippery customer.
Sandwich wants to get back to his feet.
Sakumichi wants to control but Sandwich is keeping him busy.
Sakumichi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sakumichi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sandwich knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sandwich blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sakumichi.
Sandwich is trying to get back to full guard.
Sandwich wants to get back to his feet.
Sakumichi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sandwich knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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.
Sakumichi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nao Sakumichi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sandwich is looking for a sweep. Sakumichi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sandwich is in trouble now - Sakumichi has advanced to mount!
Sakumichi thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sandwich is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Sandwich is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Poor strikes thrown by Sakumichi there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Sakumichi thowing shots but they're missing.
Sakumichi misses with a head shot.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sandwich blocking the ground and pound.
Sakumichi breaks from Sandwich's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Sandwich working to try and regain half guard.
Sandwich blocking the ground and pound.
Sandwich avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sakumichi.
Sandwich tries to reverse the position but Sakumichi maintains control.
Sakumichi misses with a head shot.
Sakumichi thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sakumichi looking to ground and pound but Sandwich is blocking nicely.
Sakumichi throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Sakumichi looking to ground and pound but Sandwich is blocking nicely.
Sakumichi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Sakumichi throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Sandwich because Sakumichi loaded up on that one.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sakumichi looking to finish with strikes here!
Sakumichi throws some wild stikes that Sandwich manages to avoid easily.
Sakumichi throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Sakumichi thowing shots but they're missing.
Sakumichi 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.
Sandwich tries to reverse the position but Sakumichi maintains control.
Sakumichi thowing shots but they're missing.
Sandwich avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sakumichi.
Sakumichi throws some wild stikes that Sandwich manages to avoid easily.
Sakumichi punching from mount but Sandwich doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Sandwich blocking the ground and pound.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sakumichi throws some wild stikes that Sandwich manages to avoid easily.
Poor strikes thrown by Sakumichi there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Sandwich is bucking up trying to escape but Sakumichi cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Sakumichi throws some wild stikes that Sandwich manages to avoid easily.
Sakumichi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Sandwich wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sakumichi.
Sakumichi throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Sandwich because Sakumichi loaded up on that one.
Sakumichi thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sakumichi sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sandwich slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Sandwich wants to control but Sakumichi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sakumichi slows the pace down in half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sakumichi works his foot free and advances to mount.
Sakumichi throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Sakumichi wants to control the pace but Sandwich is squirming around nicely.
Sakumichi lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Sakumichi thowing shots but they're missing.
A nice elbow there by Sakumichi.
Sakumichi thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sandwich tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sakumichi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Sakumichi thowing shots but they're missing.
Sandwich avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sakumichi.
Sakumichi thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sandwich wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sakumichi.
Sakumichi punching from mount but Sandwich doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Sakumichi throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Sakumichi looking to finish with strikes here!
Sakumichi misses with a head shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nao Sakumichi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Nao Sakumichi!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Nao Sakumichi!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Nao Sakumichi!

Nao Sakumichi wins by unanimous decision!