PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Richard Richmond IV (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saito Shinji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richard Richmond IV has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Richmond IV
vs
Shinji

160 cm
27
130 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

155 cm
25
138 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Richard Richmond IV!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Saito Shinji!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richmond IV fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shinji is out of range.
Richmond IV connects with a jab.
Richmond IV with a lazy takedown attempt

and Shinji counters with a takedown into side control.

Shinji tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Shinji tries to move into full mount but can't pass Richmond IV's legs.
Richmond IV parries the strikes from Shinji easily there. Shinji is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Richmond IV to escape.
Shinji is looking to take a break and control but Richmond IV is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shinji creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Richmond IV sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinji is looking to take a break and control but Richmond IV is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Shinji is trying to get an arm triangle but Richmond IV is defending well.

Shinji tries for a kimura but Richmond IV is defending well.
Richmond IV wants to control but Shinji postures up.
Richmond IV trying to remain calm as Shinji controls from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shinji is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Richmond IV knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Shinji is looking to take a break and control but Richmond IV is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Richmond IV being controlled for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shinji tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Richmond IV tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Shinji is trying to get an arm triangle but Richmond IV is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shinji swings around for an armbar but Richmond IV sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Shinji's guard.

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

Shinji is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Richmond IV defends well.
Richmond IV thows a big elbow that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Richmond IV distracts Shinji with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Shinji is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Shinji had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Richmond IV defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saito Shinji dominated that round.
That's time! Richmond IV's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shinji misses with an uppercut
and Richmond IV counters with a left to the body.
Shinji throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shinji swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Shinji throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Richmond IV was covering up waiting for the punch and Shinji finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Shinji is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Shinji trying to control the position from guard on top but Richmond IV is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shinji pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Richmond IV is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shinji drops back looking for a leg! Richmond IV is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Richmond IV manages to kick Shinji off! Shinji jumps back into Richmond IV's guard.

Shinji drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shinji jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Richmond IV trying to control the position.
Shinji throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shinji drops back looking for a leg! Richmond IV is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Richmond IV manages to kick Shinji off! Shinji jumps back into Richmond IV's guard.
Saito Shinji has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shinji trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shinji in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shinji slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Shinji's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinji is pushing down on Richmond IV's leg trying to pass to half guard. Richmond IV is fighting to maintain full guard but Shinji has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shinji not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Richmond IV blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shinji.
Richmond IV knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shinji on the ground.
Shinji not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Shinji seems to be looking for submissions.

Shinji is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinji throwing shots but Richmond IV is blocking nicely.

Shinji is trying to work for a kimura but Richmond IV is defending well.

Shinji looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Shinji is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saito Shinji showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shinji tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Richmond IV was well out of range. Poor timing from Shinji.
Shinji throws a shot from downtown. Richmond IV moves away and avoids it.
Shinji throws a lazy uppercut

and Richmond IV counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Shinji!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richmond IV landing strikes from the mount and Shinji is in trouble!
Richmond IV unloading with bombs!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shinji is in a horrible position here. Richmond IV smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Shinji is rocked!
Shinji is desperately trying to improve his position but Richmond IV has a good base and remains in mount.
Shinji is still in real trouble! Can Richmond IV finish him?
Shinji takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Richmond IV's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:04 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Richard Richmond IV!