PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Emanuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zion Wainui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emanuel comes to the cage accompanied by The Wizard by Black Sabbath. Wainui has chosen Fatboy Slim - The Rockafeller Skank as his entrance music. Matthew Emanuel had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Emanuel
vs
Wainui

187 cm
27
185 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

182 cm
28
185 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matthew Emanuel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zion Wainui!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emanuel throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Wainui thuds a left hand into Emanuel's body.
Emanuel tries to clinch up.
Emanuel closes the distance looking to clinch
and Wainui makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Emanuel instigates a clinch.

Emanuel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Emanuel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Wainui swings for the body but Emanuel moves out of range.
Emanuel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Wainui misses.
Wainui darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Emanuel misses with a head kick.
Emanuel goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Emanuel throws a push kick but Wainui slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emanuel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wainui misses with a straight right.
Emanuel tries to clinch up but Wainui circles away and keeps his distance.
Wainui throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Emanuel counters by moving into the clinch.

Emanuel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wainui throws a jab but it's blocked by Emanuel.
Emanuel throws a body kick that misses
and Wainui cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wainui fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Emanuel manages to avoid it.
Emanuel misses with a hook to the body
letting Wainui counter with a right hand.
Wainui circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wainui pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wainui takes a swing at Emanuel's ribcage but misses.
Emanuel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wainui misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emanuel dives in and grabs Wainui's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wainui pushes down on Emanuel's head and hops out.
Wainui fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Emanuel on the side of the head.
Wainui lands a head shot.
Wainui lands a jab to the head.
A swing and a miss from Emanuel.
Emanuel throws a head kick that misses
and Wainui counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Wainui thows a body shot but no joy.
Emanuel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wainui as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Emanuel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wainui rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Emanuel counters with a straight right hand.
Wainui swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wainui throws a jab but it's blocked by Emanuel.
Wainui tests Emanuel's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel has his takedown stuffed
and Wainui counters with a left to the body.
Wainui scores with a hook to the body. Emanuel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wainui lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Matthew Emanuel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wainui scores with a nice head shot.
Emanuel goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Emanuel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Wainui thows a body shot but no joy.
Emanuel throws a right hand that misses
and Wainui connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wainui throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut lands for Wainui. That snapped Emanuel's head back.
Wainui takes one on the button.
Wainui swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel tries for a takedown but Wainui circles away easily
and Wainui counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Emanuel tries to clinch but Wainui is having none of it.
Wainui swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wainui looks to land a right hand but Emanuel moved out of range.
Emanuel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Emanuel tries to clinch up.
Emanuel throws a hook to the side of Wainui's head but Wainui sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Emanuel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Wainui swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wainui throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Emanuel lands with a slapping head kick.
Wainui swings for the body but Emanuel moves out of range.
Wainui is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Emanuel had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wainui.
Zion Wainui is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wainui throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wainui tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Emanuel throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Wainui tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Emanuel is in Wainui's guard.
Emanuel is fighting to break Wainui's control of his arms but Wainui is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Wainui keeping moving, preventing Emanuel from controlling successfully.
Wainui is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wainui is on top in guard.
Emanuel keeping moving, preventing Wainui from controlling successfully.
Wainui is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Zion Wainui wasn't active enough on the ground.
Wainui punishes Emanuel's body with a nice straight punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wainui works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Wainui looks to land a right hand but Emanuel moved out of range.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel ducks under a wild hook from Wainui.
Wainui missing with a left hand there. Emanuel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice shot lands for Wainui.
Wainui misses the shot to the body.
Wainui misses with a wild combination.

Emanuel decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wainui tries to roll over but Emanuel keeps him under control.
Emanuel wants to pass the guard but Wainui is defending well.
Wainui is controlling Emanuel's trapped leg to prevent Emanuel from advancing to side control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wainui manages to get to full guard.
Emanuel stays in close to Wainui's body and controls the position.
Wainui wants to sweep but no luck.
Emanuel sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Wainui wants to sweep but no luck.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Wainui manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Emanuel manages to get himself to full guard.
Wainui tries to free his leg and advance position but Emanuel is retaining full guard.
Wainui looking to sit in guard and control but Emanuel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Wainui working a defensive guard here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emanuel won't allow Wainui to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zion Wainui 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.

Wainui misses with a hook
and Emanuel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wainui throws a right hand that misses

and Emanuel counters with a takedown into side control.
Wainui gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Wainui trying to control here.
Emanuel with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wainui wants to improve his position but Emanuel is controlling well.
Wainui wants to get back to full guard but Emanuel has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wainui is trying to improve his position.
Emanuel looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Wainui is avoiding damage well.
Wainui is trying to control Emanuel's posture but Emanuel avoids it.
Emanuel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wainui keeps working.
Wainui is trying to control Emanuel's posture but Emanuel avoids it.
Emanuel passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Wainui!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel trying to control but Wainui is having none of it.
Wainui working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel working the ground and pound effectively.
Wainui is looking to get to half guard.
Wainui sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Wainui is trying to maintain the position but Emanuel is very close to passing his half guard.

Wainui pushes Emanuel off and gets back to his feet.
Wainui misses with a looping right.
Emanuel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Wainui misses with a hook. Emanuel ducked under it nicely.
Emanuel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emanuel moves out of range of the strikes.
A big left from Wainui misses.
Wainui swings for the body but Emanuel moves out of range.
Wainui throws a lazy uppercut

and Emanuel counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wainui is breathing heavily.
Wainui keeping moving, preventing Emanuel from controlling successfully.
Emanuel looking to pass the guard.
Wainui is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Wainui has an active guard here but Emanuel has managed to pass into half guard.
Emanuel prevents Wainui from improving his position.
Emanuel is thwarting Wainui's attempts to control the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wainui wants to get back to full guard.
Emanuel stops Wainui from getting back to his feet.
Matthew Emanuel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Emanuel gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Emanuel shoots in looking for a takedown but Wainui manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Emanuel's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A slow jab from Wainui misses its intended target.
Wainui takes a swing at Emanuel's ribcage but misses.
Wainui throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Emanuel makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Emanuel is looking to land body kicks.
Nice sprawl there from Wainui as Emanuel shoots in.
Emanuel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Emanuel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Emanuel tries for a takedown but Wainui sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Wainui throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Emanuel throws a sloppy head kick and Wainui moves out of range easily.
Emanuel moves out of range as Wainui strikes.
Wainui scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Emanuel gets the takedown into side control.
Wainui is trying to buck Emanuel off.
Wainui is trying to improve his position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wainui manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Wainui is trying to stand back up but Emanuel is controlling him
Wainui wants to sweep but Emanuel has passed to side control!
Wainui being controlled for a moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emanuel trying to control the action but Wainui is working from the bottom.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Wainui tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Emanuel lands a decent elbow from side control.
Emanuel is looking to take a break and control but Wainui is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wainui is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Emanuel dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Emanuel pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Emanuel darts in and clinches Wainui up against the cage.
Emanuel goes for a takedown attempt but Wainui pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A big left from Wainui misses.
Emanuel takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Emanuel clinches.
Emanuel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wainui is looking for a takedown.
Emanuel lands with a light punch inside.
Emanuel struggles to land a body shot inside as Wainui controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emanuel can't find room to land a body shot as Wainui controls the action.
A body shot lands from Emanuel.
Wainui takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emanuel misses with a punch to the body.
Wainui drops down looking for an ankle pick but Emanuel pulls his leg out and moves away.
Emanuel shoots for a double leg takedown but Wainui sprawls well. He's pushed Emanuel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Wainui lands a nice looking body shot.
Wainui scores with a jab to the jaw.
Wainui throws the left hand but Emanuel avoids the punch easily.
Emanuel misses with a double jab.
Wainui misses with a left hand
and Emanuel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wainui takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Emanuel forces Wainui back against the cage and clinches.
Emanuel looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Emanuel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emanuel tries to score a body lock takedown but Wainui shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wainui is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Emanuel is defending well.
Wainui prevents Emanuel from breaking the clinch.
Emanuel tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Wainui can't get the takedown.
Emanuel struggles to land a body shot inside as Wainui controls his hands.
Emanuel is trying to break free.
Emanuel swings wildly with an uppercut but Wainui uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wainui has Emanuel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Emanuel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wainui is working for takedown but Emanuel is calmly controlling the position for now.
Emanuel tries to break the clinch but Wainui is controlling the position.
Wainui wants a takedown but no success here.
A head punch on the inside from Emanuel fails to land.
Emanuel tries to work over Wainui's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wainui can't get the takedown.
Emanuel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Emanuel gets underhooks to prevent Wainui's takedown attempt.
Wainui takes a shot to the head.
Emanuel gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Wainui.

Emanuel pulls guard effortlessly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wainui pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Emanuel is keeping the position for now.

Wainui stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Emanuel is looking to clinch but Wainui is avoiding it.
Emanuel tries to clinch up.
Wainui darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Wainui fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Emanuel manages to avoid it.
Emanuel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wainui throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emanuel scores with a push kick.
Emanuel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Emanuel shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Wainui's guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wainui pulls Emanuel in close to his closed guard and prevents Emanuel from doing any damage or advancing position.
Wainui's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Wainui not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wainui wants to get back to his feet but Emanuel passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emanuel passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Wainui!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel with shots to the head and body - Wainui looks very uncomfortable down there.
Wainui tries to lock up and control but Emanuel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Emanuel tries to control but Wainui wriggling away.
Wainui working to try and regain half guard.
Wainui wants to hold on but Emanuel pushes him away.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Wainui is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Emanuel is staying active.
Wainui regains half guard.
Emanuel wants to take a breather but Wainui is having none of it.
Wainui is trying to maintain the position but Emanuel is very close to passing his half guard.
Emanuel controlling the action here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Wainui avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wainui scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wainui waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Emanuel.
Emanuel misses with a takedown attempt
and Wainui counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Emanuel avoids the body shot from Wainui.
Wainui throws the left hand but Emanuel avoids the punch easily.
A big left from Wainui misses.
Emanuel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wainui swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emanuel looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wainui scores with a jab to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Emanuel fails with a takedown attempt.
Wainui ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Emanuel moves away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Emanuel tries to close the distance and clinch but Wainui swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Emanuel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Emanuel closes the distance looking to clinch
and Wainui counters with a series of strikes. Emanuel will be more careful next time no doubt.
Emanuel moves in looking to clinch but Wainui pushes him off.
Emanuel looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Emanuel misses with a head kick.
Zion Wainui seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Emanuel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wainui.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emanuel tries to clinch but Wainui moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Wainui. No joy for Emanuel on that attempt.
Emanuel throws a head kick but Wainui moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Matthew Emanuel.
I think Emanuel has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Zion Wainui!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Zion Wainui!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Zion Wainui!

Zion Wainui wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Zion Wainui thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.