PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Makoto Shibasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Kitano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shibasaki comes to the cage accompanied by Genki Sudo - 'Mind Shift'. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Shibasaki
vs
Kitano

172 cm
20
164 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

172 cm
23
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Prefers standup

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Makoto Shibasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Takeshi Kitano!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kitano throws a lazy right hand but Shibasaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kitano rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Shibasaki counters with a takedown into side control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Shibasaki controlling the position.
Kitano tries to improve position but can't.
Shibasaki controlling the position.
Kitano tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kitano is being controlled here.
Kitano is working to avoid the ground and pound but Shibasaki connects with a decent elbow.
Kitano is trying to get back to half guard.
Kitano is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kitano tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shibasaki moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Shibasaki grinds an elbow into Kitano's temple.
Shibasaki scoring with punches and elbows.
Shibasaki lands a decent elbow from side control.
Shibasaki landing strikes.
Shibasaki is chipping away with strikes.
Shibasaki moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Shibasaki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Shibasaki cracks Kitano with a big elbow.
Kitano is looking for a sweep.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shibasaki has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kitano!
Kitano in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Shibasaki has isolated one of Kitano's arms. Kitano looking to fight him off but Shibasaki twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Makoto Shibasaki!
Makoto Shibasaki looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'We are all one!'.