PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ali Mazaheri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Makoto Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mazaheri
vs
Sato

157 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ali Mazaheri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Makoto Sato!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mazaheri drives through with a takedown into Sato's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Mazaheri is looking to work some ground and pound but Sato has wrist control.
Mazaheri stops Sato from standing up.
Mazaheri's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Mazaheri stops Sato from standing up.
Mazaheri postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mazaheri 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.
Sato keeping full guard, as Mazaheri tries to pass.
Sato wants to get back to his feet but Mazaheri is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mazaheri lands a couple of elbows.
Mazaheri looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sato wants to get back to his feet but Mazaheri is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazaheri controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ali Mazaheri.
Mazaheri uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sato.

Mazaheri gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mazaheri jumps guard but Sato stands there with Mazaheri around his waist. Mazaheri gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sato can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mazaheri has picked Sato up - he's going for a ride! Mazaheri dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Mazaheri perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sato wants to get back to his feet.
Mazaheri trying to control from Sato's half guard. Sato has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Mazaheri is pushing down on Sato's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sato is fighting to maintain full guard but Mazaheri has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mazaheri stops Sato from getting back to his feet.
Mazaheri performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Mazaheri is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sato sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato is trying to stand up here but Mazaheri is controlling him well.
Well, if Mazaheri is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Sato tries to kick Mazaheri off but Mazaheri keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Sato kicks Mazaheri off and gets back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Mazaheri.
Sato waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mazaheri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mazaheri staying out of range there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sato. Mazaheri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mazaheri takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The fighters circling - Sato throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sato throws a lazy right hand but Mazaheri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mazaheri slips under a jab.
Mazaheri slips a straight right by Sato.
Mazaheri lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Makoto Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mazaheri drops his hands momentarily and Sato takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mazaheri defending well as Sato loads up on a big left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sato misses with a looping right.
Mazaheri tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sato swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mazaheri looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Mazaheri dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mazaheri fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mazaheri slips a straight right by Sato.
Sato looks to score with a jab to the body but Mazaheri is just out of range.
Sato throws a body punch but Mazaheri moves out of range.
Sato throws a big shot that misses.
Sato might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Mazaheri bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Mazaheri throws a head kick but Sato moves out of range.
Mazaheri displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sato throws out the jab.
Sato throws a jab when Mazaheri was well out of range.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mazaheri.
Mazaheri happy to just control the position for now.
Sato is trying to buck Mazaheri off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazaheri wants to control but Sato is keeping him busy.
Sato pushes Mazaheri away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mazaheri gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Mazaheri stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Sato throws out a loose jab but Mazaheri uses good head movement to avoid it.

Sato tries to sprawl but Mazaheri drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazaheri winds up and cracks Sato with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mazaheri content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mazaheri is trying to control the action in half guard but Sato is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mazaheri takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sato keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Sato has one foot on Mazaheri's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mazaheri closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sato did well to prevent Mazaheri getting side control.
Ali Mazaheri overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mazaheri prevents Sato from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazaheri trying to control the pace.
Sato is looking to escape.
Sato is trying to escape back to his feet but Mazaheri uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Sato pushes Mazaheri away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mazaheri gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato bucks up and tries to throw Mazaheri off but instead Mazaheri has got his back!
Mazaheri really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Sato.
Mazaheri is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Sato up.
Mazaheri is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Sato. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sato is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Mazaheri is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Sato is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Mazaheri dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sato throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sato swings widly with a right hand

and Mazaheri counters with a single leg into guard. Sato didn't expect that.
Sato wants to stand but Mazaheri is controlling the position.
Mazaheri sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Mazaheri is in close to Sato's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Sato is working an open guard so Mazaheri takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Mazaheri throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sato tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mazaheri is in Sato's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mazaheri gets to his feet - Sato follows without any prompting.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sato enables Mazaheri to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sato manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Sato pushes Mazaheri off and gets back to his feet.
Sato throws a right hand that misses
and Mazaheri counters with a straight right hand.

Mazaheri closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mazaheri lands in his opponent's guard.
Sato wants to stand but Mazaheri is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mazaheri not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Ali Mazaheri has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Mazaheri moves out of range as Sato strikes.
Sato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ali Mazaheri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mazaheri was well out of range. Poor timing from Sato.
Sato throws a hook to the side of Mazaheri's head but Mazaheri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazaheri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sato.
Sato lands a lovely overhand right.

Sato gets caught flat footed, as Mazaheri shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Sato wants to get back to his feet but Mazaheri is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mazaheri landing some decent shots from guard.

Mazaheri stands and steps away. Sato gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mazaheri takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mazaheri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a hook to the side of Mazaheri's head but Mazaheri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sato throws a good cross that connects.
Sato throws a big shot that misses.
Sato throws a shot from downtown. Mazaheri moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circling - Sato throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mazaheri moves out of range of the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sato takes a swing at Mazaheri's ribcage but misses.
Sato throws a jab when Mazaheri was well out of range.
Sato missing with a left hand there. Mazaheri was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sato bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mazaheri's head backwards.
Mazaheri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sato.
Makoto Sato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ali Mazaheri is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mazaheri takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ali Mazaheri showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mazaheri, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ali Mazaheri!