PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Saito Shizuka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Pookiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Shizuka
vs
Pookiao

184 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Saito Shizuka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Manny Pookiao!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shizuka looks for a takedown but Pookiao sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shizuka is defended easily by Pookiao.

Pookiao feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Shizuka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pookiao manages to get himself to full guard.
Shizuka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pookiao is keeping the position for now.
Shizuka advances position into side control!

Shizuka looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shizuka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Shizuka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pookiao keeps working.

Shizuka is trying to get an arm triangle but Pookiao is defending well.
Pookiao is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Shizuka is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pookiao knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Shizuka trying to control the position but Pookiao is working away.

Shizuka is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pookiao is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Shizuka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shizuka is trying to get an arm triangle but Pookiao is defending well.
Shizuka trying to control the action but Pookiao is working from the bottom.

Shizuka is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pookiao knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Pookiao really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shizuka. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Shizuka working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Shizuka tries for a kimura but Pookiao is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shizuka looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saito Shizuka dominated that 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.

Pookiao closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Shizuka is staying active underneath Pookiao, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Pookiao is pressing down on Shizuka's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shizuka is holding on for now.
Shizuka trying to control from the bottom.
Shizuka is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Shizuka is refusing to be controlled, as Pookiao sits in half guard.
Pookiao trying to pass the guard but Shizuka defending well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pookiao connects with a nice short shot to Shizuka's temple.
Pookiao throws a strike but Shizuka avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pookiao working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Pookiao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pookiao must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pookiao with a nice head shot there.
Pookiao trying to control the position from guard on top but Shizuka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pookiao might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Shizuka kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Shizuka keeping full guard, as Pookiao tries to pass.
Pookiao with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Shizuka is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pookiao is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pookiao wants to control from the top but Shizuka keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pookiao is looking to work some ground and pound but Shizuka has wrist control.
Pookiao seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Pookiao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Pookiao got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shizuka has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pookiao has managed to get both his arms back between Shizuka's legs - danger averted.
Pookiao lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Shizuka has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Pookiao doesn't defend quickly enough and Shizuka has managed to lock this one up! Can Pookiao escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Shizuka on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Saito Shizuka!