PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thomas West (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junichi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Watanabe comes into a darkened arena with his song building. "One Thing Leads to Another" by The Fixx kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Junichi Watanabe acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

West
vs
Watanabe

170 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
160 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thomas West!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Junichi Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watanabe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of West's head.

It looks like Thomas West has been cut.

Watanabe is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in West's half guard.
Watanabe working West over with strikes.
Watanabe scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Watanabe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
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.
West is looking to improve his position.
Watanabe missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
West trying to hold on to Watanabe's head to control him but Watanabe postures up.
West moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
West knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Watanabe on the ground.
Watanabe won't allow West to sweep him here.
Watanabe postures up and lands a big shot to West's brow.
Watanabe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Watanabe stopping the sweep attempt from West.

Watanabe got a little sloppy there for a moment and West has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Watanabe has managed to get both his arms back between West's legs - danger averted.

West throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
West is breathing heavily.
Watanabe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe stands up over West, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Watanabe works over West with some ground and pound from guard.
Watanabe lands a couple of elbows.
Watanabe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

West has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Watanabe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Watanabe content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Watanabe content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Watanabe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Watanabe cracks West with a solid left hand.
Watanabe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Watanabe chips away with some ground and pound.
Watanabe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Watanabe landing some decent shots from guard.
Watanabe postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Watanabe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

West escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Watanabe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Watanabe landing some decent shots from guard.
Watanabe chips away with some ground and pound.
Watanabe stands up over West, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

West working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Watanabe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Watanabe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Watanabe landing some decent shots from guard.
Watanabe content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Watanabe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Watanabe working some strikes from top position.
Watanabe is working West over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Watanabe is in close to West's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Watanabe cracks West with a solid left hand.
Watanabe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

West has his foot on Watanabe's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Watanabe works his way back into a safe position though.
Watanabe connects with a couple of short punches.
Watanabe lands a couple of decent looking shots.
West on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if West tries to get out of the position.
Watanabe landing some decent shots from guard.
West looking to hit a scissor sweep but Watanabe is one step ahead there.
West striking off his back but it's not causing Watanabe any problems.
West throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

West is looking for a triangle but Watanabe pushes his legs off easily.
West is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Watanabe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Watanabe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Watanabe scoring with punches to the head and body.
Watanabe chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Watanabe working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of West's head.
Watanabe works over West with some ground and pound from guard.
Watanabe lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Watanabe postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Watanabe postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
West not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Watanabe cracks West with a solid left hand.
Watanabe is in close to West's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Watanabe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Watanabe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watanabe landing with the ground and pound.
Watanabe keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of West's head.

West has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Watanabe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Watanabe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas West's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

West dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
West misses the jab.
Watanabe misses with a series of wild punches.
West thows a left - swing and a miss!
West throws a lazy right hand but Watanabe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Junichi Watanabe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Watanabe throws a jab but it's blocked by West.
West thows a body shot but no joy.
A slow jab from Watanabe misses its intended target.
Watanabe misses with a double jab.
Watanabe goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
West is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Watanabe.
West uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Watanabe.
West throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Watanabe does it's job there.

West shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. West showed some decent athleticism there.
West trying to mount his opponent but Watanabe defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

West is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Watanabe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time West.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
West trying to control from half guard but Watanabe is working away.
Watanabe trying to control but West postures up.
West tries to pass to full mount but Watanabe defends it.
Watanabe has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. West is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
West is trying to control the action in half guard but Watanabe is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
West is thwarting Watanabe's attempts to control the position.

West is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Watanabe gets back to full guard.
Watanabe looking to hit a scissor sweep but West is one step ahead there.

West has gone for a leg lock! Watanabe slips out almost immediately though and dives into West's guard.
Watanabe is working West over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Watanabe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Watanabe working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of West's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Watanabe won't allow West to sweep him here.
Watanabe working some strikes from top position.
Watanabe content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
West working a defensive guard here.
Watanabe lands a couple of decent looking shots.

West throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
West wants to sweep but no luck.
Watanabe postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Watanabe cracks West with a solid left hand.
Watanabe makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Watanabe lands a couple of digs.
West looking to control.
Watanabe distracts West with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Watanabe distracts West with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Watanabe scoring with punches to the head and body.
Watanabe landing some decent shots from guard.
Watanabe lands a couple of elbows.
Watanabe working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of West's head.
West looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

West looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Watanabe works over West with some ground and pound from guard.
Watanabe won't allow West to sweep him here.
West is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Watanabe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Thomas West's cut.
That's time! West's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Watanabe throws a right and a left that both miss.
West uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Watanabe.
West takes one on the chin but seems OK.
West ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
West fails with a takedown attempt.
West shoots for a double leg takedown but Watanabe sprawls well. He's pushed West's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Good exchange - Watanabe coming out on top.
A punch combination from Watanabe misses.
Watanabe lands a jab-cross combination.
Watanabe tries to bum rush West with a series of wild strikes but West uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Watanabe throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. West tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Watanabe is in West's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Watanabe is looking to work some ground and pound but West has wrist control.

West is looking for a triangle but Watanabe pushes his legs off easily.
Watanabe passes West's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
West is looking for a sweep. Watanabe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
West on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
West moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

West throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

West escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Watanabe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Watanabe connects with a couple of short punches.
West working a defensive guard here.
Watanabe postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Watanabe lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Watanabe scoring with some ground and pound.
West tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Junichi Watanabe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Watanabe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Watanabe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

West looking for a guillotine here but Watanabe defends easily.

West is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Watanabe defends well.
Watanabe cracks West with a solid left hand.
Watanabe landing with the ground and pound.
West wants to sweep but no luck.
Watanabe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Watanabe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Watanabe with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Watanabe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Watanabe scoring with punches to the head and body.
Watanabe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Watanabe works over West with some ground and pound from guard.
Watanabe with a nice head shot there.
West working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Watanabe.
West tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Watanabe cracks West with a solid left hand.
Watanabe postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
West bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Watanabe's guard.
West looking to pass the guard.
Watanabe wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and West is now in half guard.

West is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Watanabe does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
West sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Watanabe defending well though.
Watanabe slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

West drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Watanabe dives on top into guard.
Watanabe lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Watanabe's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Watanabe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Watanabe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now West is on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
West wants to control from the top but Watanabe keeps moving.
Thomas West has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Junichi Watanabe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Watanabe tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junichi Watanabe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Watanabe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight for Junichi Watanabe!
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight for Junichi Watanabe!
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight for Junichi Watanabe!

Junichi Watanabe wins by unanimous decision!