PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Apachi Kempachi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sanchez
vs
Kempachi

190 cm
25
290 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rafael Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Apachi Kempachi!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kempachi avoids the head kick by Sanchez.
Kempachi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kempachi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kempachi throws a nice head kick!
Kempachi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sanchez throws a poor cross that misses
and Kempachi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kempachi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kempachi should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kempachi checks a leg kick.
Kempachi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Apachi Kempachi has been cut.
Kempachi throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Kempachi throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Kempachi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sanchez tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kempachi is able to avoid easily.
Kempachi misses with a low kick.
Sanchez throws a leg kick but Kempachi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A good leg kick by Sanchez.
Sanchez does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kempachi throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with a low kick.
Sanchez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sanchez misses with a wild body shot.
Sanchez connects with a solid leg kick.
Sanchez throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.
Kempachi staying out of range there.
Kempachi swings for the body but Sanchez moves out of range.
Kempachi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kempachi checks the leg kick.
Sanchez throws a leg kick but Kempachi checks it.
Kempachi misses with a hook.
Sanchez thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kempachi if he has to take too many more of those.
Apachi Kempachi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanchez tried to score with a low kick but Kempachi checks it.
Sanchez takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kempachi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Kempachi. That snapped Sanchez's head back.
Sanchez throws a sloppy head kick and Kempachi moves out of range easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kempachi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Kempachi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kempachi lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sanchez will feel that in the morning.
Sanchez tries to work over Kempachi's front leg with a kick but Kempachi checks it.
Kempachi avoids the head kick by Sanchez.
Kempachi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kempachi throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kempachi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kempachi. Sanchez shrugs it off though.
Kempachi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Sanchez.
Kempachi throws a head kick that misses
and Sanchez counters with an outside leg kick.
Sanchez will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A lazy left from Kempachi finds it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Kempachi moves out of range.
Sanchez avoids a kick to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sanchez.
Sanchez sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kempachi misses with a head kick.
Sanchez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sanchez throws a low kick but Kempachi avoids it.
Kempachi misses with a head kick.
Kempachi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sanchez.
Sanchez chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kempachi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Kempachi moves out of range.
Sanchez misses with an uppercut. Kempachi saw that one coming.
Kempachi misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kempachi.
Kempachi throws a sloppy head kick and Sanchez moves out of range easily.
Sanchez throws a leg kick but Kempachi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kempachi misses with a hook.
Sanchez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kempachi throws a sloppy head kick and Sanchez moves out of range easily.
Kempachi moves out of range as Sanchez strikes.
Sanchez tries a head kick but it misses.
Kempachi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kempachi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kempachi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanchez feints and then cracks Kempachi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kempachi down.
Sanchez avoids a kick to the body.
Kempachi checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Apachi Kempachi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Apachi Kempachi'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.

A low kick from Sanchez is predictable there
and Kempachi counters with a solid body kick.
Sanchez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kempachi checks a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kempachi.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez cracks the inside of Kempachi's front leg.
Sanchez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kempachi lands with a kick to the temple. Sanchez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kempachi scores with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez avoids the head kick by Kempachi.
Sanchez throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sanchez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kempachi moves away.
Kempachi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kempachi throws a sloppy head kick and Sanchez moves out of range easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Kempachi. That snapped Sanchez's head back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kempachi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kempachi takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Sanchez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kempachi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kempachi throws a leg kick that misses.
Kempachi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sanchez can pounce on him.
Sanchez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sanchez chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sanchez moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sanchez lands a leg kick that knocks Kempachi off balance momentarily.
Kempachi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sanchez can pounce on him.
Sanchez pushes Kempachi away with a front kick.
Kempachi misses with a head kick.
Kempachi blocks a head kick by Sanchez.
Kempachi throws a leg kick which misses Sanchez's front leg but catches the back leg as Sanchez tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kempachi throws a leg kick but Sanchez sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sanchez throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kempachi's head.
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!
Crunch! Kempachi slams his shin into Sanchez's torso.
Sanchez walks into a straight right hand from Kempachi.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sanchez. Kempachi shrugs it off though.
Kempachi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sanchez takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kempachi tries a head kick but it misses.
Sanchez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kempachi lands a high kick!
Sanchez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kempachi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a leg kick
and Kempachi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez looks to score with a jab to the body but Kempachi is just out of range.
Sanchez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kempachi moves away.
Kempachi thumps Sanchez with a low kick.
Kempachi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sanchez's head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sanchez. That's going to slow Kempachi down.
Sanchez misses with a low kick.
Kempachi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sanchez.
Kempachi throws a head kick that misses
and Sanchez makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kempachi really felt that one!
Sanchez wants to slow Kempachi down by chopping away at his legs.
Sanchez throws a jab when Kempachi was well out of range.
Kempachi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kempachi blocks the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kempachi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sanchez blocks a low kick nicely.
Kempachi throws a lazy head kick
and Sanchez counters with a good low kick that Kempachi was not able to check.
Kempachi throws a head kick that misses.
Kempachi misses with a head kick.
Sanchez throws a sloppy head kick and Kempachi moves out of range easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sanchez crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kempachi - the referee stops the clock and Sanchez gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kempachi. Sanchez manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sanchez tries to score with a low kick but Kempachi moves his leg out of the way.
Sanchez throws a low kick but Kempachi moves out of range easily.
Sanchez misses with a head kick.
Kempachi scores with a nice strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kempachi was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanchez.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kempachi throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Kempachi tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Apachi Kempachi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Apachi Kempachi'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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sanchez throws a leg kick which misses Kempachi's front leg but catches the back leg as Kempachi tries to avoid it.
Sanchez avoids a kick to the body.
Apachi Kempachi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kempachi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kempachi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sanchez throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sanchez throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kempachi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice straight punches there by Kempachi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kempachi.
Kempachi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kempachi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sanchez.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sanchez.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanchez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kempachi manages to avoid it.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sanchez ducks under a wild hook from Kempachi.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kempachi checks a leg kick.
Sanchez throws a sloppy head kick and Kempachi moves out of range easily.
Sanchez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kempachi connects with a solid leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Kempachi finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Sanchez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kempachi. That did some damage!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sanchez.
Kempachi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sanchez checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Some bone on bone action there as Kempachi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sanchez misses with a head kick.
Kempachi avoids the head kick by Sanchez.
Kempachi lands with a slapping head kick.
Sanchez scores with a spinning back kick!
Sanchez is looking to score with low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez moves out of range of the body kick from Kempachi.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kempachi.
Sanchez avoids the head kick by Kempachi.
Sanchez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kempachi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kempachi throws a body kick that misses.
Kempachi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sanchez scores with a leg kick.
Kempachi scores with a nice right hand.
A head kick misses from Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a leg kick but Kempachi checks it.
Kempachi changes levels and 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!
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kempachi. That did some damage!
A low kick from Sanchez is predictable there
and Kempachi counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez keeps Kempachi at a distance using the push kick.
Kempachi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kempachi throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez misses with a head kick.
A solid body kick from Kempachi.
Sanchez takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kempachi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sanchez throws a push kick but Kempachi slaps the foot to one side.
Sanchez tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kempachi is able to avoid easily.
Sanchez motions for Kempachi to come forward. Sanchez throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kempachi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kempachi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sanchez finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kempachi looks for the body kick but Sanchez saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kempachi throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez defending well as Kempachi loads up on a big left hand.
Sanchez throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kempachi.
Good shot there by Kempachi.
Sanchez throws a leg kick that misses.
Kempachi throws a body kick that misses.
Sanchez's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kempachi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sanchez scrambles back to his feet.
Sanchez lands a head kick. Kempachi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Sanchez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kempachi misses with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez scores with a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kempachi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sanchez is out of range.
Rafael Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Apachi Kempachi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sanchez is looking to slow Kempachi down with leg kicks.
Sanchez moves out of range of the leg kick from Kempachi.

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 Rafael Sanchez.
Well Kempachi 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Apachi Kempachi!
Apachi Kempachi took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.