PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kimbo Assis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Cranium (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Assis
vs
Cranium

186 cm
26
240 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

193 cm
27
250 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Strikefirst Nutrion

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kimbo Assis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Richard Cranium!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Assis shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cranium is trying to defend but Assis finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cranium on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Assis looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cranium with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Assis thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Cranium is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Assis pulls his head out easily.
Assis wants to get back to his feet.
Cranium pushes Assis off looking to stand but Assis dives back in and keeps control.
Assis is thwarting Cranium's attempts to control the position.
Assis trying to control from half guard but Cranium is working away.
Cranium tries to kick Assis off but Assis keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cranium is staying active underneath Assis, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cranium wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assis prevents Cranium from standing back up.

Assis is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cranium sees it coming and defends easily.
Cranium works his way to full guard. Good work.

Cranium looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cranium 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.
Cranium is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Assis wants to stand but Cranium has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Assis has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Cranium has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Assis can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cranium wants to sweep here but Assis controlling him for the moment.
Cranium is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cranium might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Assis kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Cranium looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cranium working a defensive guard here.

Assis gets to his feet. Cranium looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A combination from Cranium does no damage.
Cranium lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cranium.

Assis forces Cranium back against the cage and clinches.
Assis tries to throw a body punch but Cranium avoids it by throwing Assis back against the cage.
Cranium is looking to break free of the clinch but Assis has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Assis manages to pull guard.
Cranium won't allow Assis to sweep him here.

Assis has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Cranium off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Assis gets caught flat footed, as Cranium shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cranium won't allow Assis to sweep him here.
Cranium trying to control but Assis is working from the bottom.
Cranium slips nicely into half guard.

Cranium is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Cranium is working for a submission of some sort.
Cranium looks gassed!
Assis tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assis is refusing to be controlled, as Cranium sits in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cranium wants to free his trapped foot but Assis is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Cranium looking for a submission but Assis manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Assis trying to control the position.
Cranium wants to control from the top but Assis keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Assis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Craniumis looking to pass into half guard but Assis pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Assis is in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Richard Cranium will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cranium rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Assis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cranium throws a series of punches but Assis avoids them all with ease.
Assis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Assis wants to clinch up but Cranium keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Assis is defended easily by Cranium.
Assis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cranium as he jumps to the side.
Assis wants to clinch.

Assis rushes Cranium and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Assis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Assis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cranium misses with a takedown attempt - Assis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Assis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cranium fails to land the takedown.
Assis leaves Cranium with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kimbo Assis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Cranium.
Cranium throws a series of punches but Assis moves out of range.
Assis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Assis darts in trying to clinch
and Cranium counters with a series of strikes. Assis will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cranium misses with a series of wild punches.
Cranium avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cranium looks to land a combination but Assis avoids it well.

Assis instigates a clinch.
Assis trying to land knees to the body.
Cranium using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Assis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cranium is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Assis keeps control of Cranium as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Assis drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cranium pulls his leg out and moves away.
Assis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cranium swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cranium dives in and grabs Assis's left leg, looking for a takedown. Assis pushes down on Cranium's head and hops out.
Cranium circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cranium throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Richard Cranium is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cranium lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cranium.
Cranium is breathing heavily.
Cranium looks to land a combination but Assis avoids it well.
Assis stuffs the takedown.
Assis tries to clinch but Cranium is having none of it.
Cranium blocks a head kick by Assis.

Assis closes the distance and clinches.

Assis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Assis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Assis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cranium paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Assis decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Assis is nestled in close to Cranium, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Cranium is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Assis pulls his head out easily.

Assis is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cranium has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cranium is looking to improve his position.
Cranium pushes Assis off looking to stand but Assis dives back in and keeps control.

Cranium is defending against the submission attempts here by Assis.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cranium wants to improve his position but Assis is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kimbo Assis will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Assis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Assis wants it to stay on the feet.
Assis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Assis tries to clinch but Cranium is having none of it.

Assis has Cranium up against the cage in a clinch.
Cranium wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cranium wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Assis has him pressed against the cage.
Cranium is trying to break free.
Cranium looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cranium looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Assis tightens his grip and picks Cranium up, before dumping him to the ground. Cranium manages to land in guard.

Cranium has his foot on Assis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Assis works his way back into a safe position though.
Assis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Assis is working Cranium over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cranium takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Assis stands up from Cranium's guard - Assis perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Cranium does no damage.
Assis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Cranium manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Assis moves into the clinch.
Cranium gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Assis.

Assis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch combination from Cranium misses.
Cranium misses with a head kick.
Cranium fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Assis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cranium.
Kimbo Assis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Cranium.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assis doesn't manage to clinch there - Cranium circles away.
Cranium avoids the head kick by Assis.

Assis fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cranium sprawls well initially but Assis persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Assis postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Cranium to stand up.

Assis manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Cranium on his heels. He'll look to pass Cranium's guard now, I'm sure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cranium is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Assis is aware though and is defending well.

Cranium is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Cranium working for a triangle but Assis defends it easily.
Assis lands a couple of elbows.
Assis stops Cranium from standing up.
Kimbo Assis overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Assis decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cranium, up you get!
Assis goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Assis feints and as Cranium raises his hands in defense, Assis changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Cranium throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cranium wants to sweep here but Assis controlling him for the moment.
Cranium preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Assis postures up.

Assis gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Assis is looking to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cranium cracks Assis with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Assis.
Assis wants to clinch.
Cranium circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cranium closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cranium misses the shot to the body.
Cranium fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Assis rushes Cranium and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kimbo Assis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Assis has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kimbo Assis!