PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Guqin Sona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mon Key (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sona
vs
Key

190 cm
26
205 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

185 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Condemned

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Guqin Sona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mon Key!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Key defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sona.
Key throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Guqin Sona has been cut.
Key throws a head kick that misses

and Sona counters with a shoot takedown. Key fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Key wants to sweep but no luck.
Key is looking to stand up but Sona isn't so interested in that idea.
Sona has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sona drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Key dives on top into guard.

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

Sona looking for a guillotine here but Key defends easily.
Key lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Key with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Sona working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Key doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Key manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Key connects with a couple of short punches.

Sona is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Key is aware though and is defending well.
Key has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Key trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Sona looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sona is breathing heavily.
Key stands up over Sona, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Key got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sona has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Key has managed to get both his arms back between Sona's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Key is in close to Sona's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Key postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sona can't keep his opponent in guard - Key advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Key thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sona's head.
Key looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Key missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Key working the head and body with strikes.
Key scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sona wants to get back to full guard.

Sona looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Key lands a nice short elbow.
Sona avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Key.
Key is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Key is nestled in close to Sona, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Key winds up and cracks Sona with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sona keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sona looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sona wants to get back to full guard.
Sona keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sona blocking the ground and pound attempt from Key.
Key throwing shots but Sona is blocking nicely.
Sona is looking for a sweep. Key is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sona keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Key sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sona defending well though.
Key working over Sona with some ground and pound. Sona looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Key missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Key prevents Sona from improving his position.
Key working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Key throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Key missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Sona is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Key pulls his head out easily.
Key lands strikes from half guard.
Key looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sona with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Key looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sona with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sona blocking the ground and pound attempt from Key.

Sona actively working from the bottom here.
Key is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Key working over Sona with some ground and pound. Sona looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sona looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Key working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Key seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Key lands strikes from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Key connects with a nice short shot to Sona's temple.
Key scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sona blocking the ground and pound attempt from Key.

Sona is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Key pulls his head out easily.

Sona looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Key scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Key connects with a nice short shot to Sona's temple.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Key is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Key winds up and cracks Sona with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Key working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mon Key dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Guqin Sona's cut.
That's time! Sona's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Key moves to clinch but Sona breaks away

and Sona counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Key's guard now.

Sona has gone for a leg lock! Key slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sona's guard.
Key in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Sona working for a triangle but Key defends it easily.
Sona working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Key.

Sona working for a triangle but Key defends it easily.

Sona looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sona avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sona looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Key working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sona's head.
Key working some strikes from top position.
Key loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Key throws a big elbow that misses.
Key cracks Sona with a solid left hand.

Sona is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Key with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Sona has his foot on Key's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Key works his way back into a safe position though.
Sona has momentary wrist control but Key slips an elbow through the middle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Key's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Key throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sona works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Key postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Key's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sona avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Key avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Key chips away with some ground and pound.
Key is working Sona over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Key is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Key working some strikes from top position.
Key throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Key throwing strikes but missing.

Key avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Key working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Key works over Sona with some ground and pound from guard.
Key throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sona works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Sona looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Key throws a big right hand that misses.

Sona looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Key lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Key in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Key throws a big elbow that misses.

Sona is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Key postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Key lands a couple of digs.
Key landing with the ground and pound.
Key has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Key accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Key in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Key lands a couple of elbows.
Key lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sona is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Key makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Key postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mon Key has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sona preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Key with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Key accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Key scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Key keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sona's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Key accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Key lands a couple of elbows.
Sona preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Sona is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Key scoring with some ground and pound.
Key postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Sona escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Key gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mon Key showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Guqin Sona's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Key tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sona manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Key tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sona swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sona shoots in looking for a takedown. Key tries to sprawl out of it but Sona keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Key manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Key tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sona shoots for a double leg takedown but Key sprawls well. He's pushed Sona's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Key is looking to clinch but Sona is avoiding it.
Sona looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Key is fending him off so far but Sona persists. Nope, Key circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guqin Sona. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Key rushes Sona and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sona is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Key landing knees to the head.
Key is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sona is defending well for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sona managing to block the knees to the body from Key.
Sona avoiding damage as Key throws knees to the body.
Key lands a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Key.
Key lands a good knee to the midsection. Sona won't want to take too many of those.
Knees to the body from Key.
Sona takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sona takes a knee to the side of the body.
Key lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Key scores a nice knee to the body.
Key creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sona's defenses.
Key landing knees to the head.
Key trying to land knees to the body.
Key pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sona has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Key avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Key tries to land knees in the clinch but Sona avoids the damage to the body.
Key pushes off an throws an elbow but Sona leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Key prevents a takedown attempt there.
Key landing knees to the head.
Key prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Key landing knees to the head.
Key throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sona is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sona is looking for a takedown.
Key tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sona avoids it.
Sona takes an elbow to the temple.
Sona wants a takedown but no success here.
Sona drops down looking for an ankle pick but Key pulls his leg out and moves away.

Key clinches.
Key tries to land a knee to the head but Sona blocks with his arms.
Sona avoiding damage as Key throws knees to the body.
Key prevents the takedown attempt.
Key misses with a knee to the head.
Key missing with knees to the body.
Sona has Key pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Key manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Key missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sona is trying to drag Key to the mat but Key just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Key lands a damaging elbow.
Key stops a takedown attempt from Sona.
Sona wants a takedown.
Key missing with knees to the body.
Key missing with knees to the body.
Sona wants a takedown but no success here.
Sona is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sona blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sona wants to take the fight to the mat but Key manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sona has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Key is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sona blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sona has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Key after a bit of a struggle.
Sona looking for a takedown.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Key in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Key landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sona wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sona avoiding damage as Key throws knees to the body.
Sona is looking to take this one to the mat.
Key comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Key missing with knees to the body.
Key prevents the takedown attempt.
Key looks to throw an elbow but misses.
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!
Sona drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Key gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Key lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mon Key seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Key looking to throw knees to the head but Sona is blocking nicely.
Sona drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Key gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sona tries to score a body lock takedown but Key shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sona on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Guqin Sona has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mon Key is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sona misses with an elbow strike.
Sona misses with an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mon Key comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Key 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mon Key!
A relieved looking Mon Key thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.