PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Piotrek Nowak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Makoto Shibasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nowak might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Fabolous ft. Jeremih - It's My Time. Shibasaki is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: 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!

Nowak
vs
Shibasaki

175 cm
20
163 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

172 cm
21
164 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Piotrek Nowak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Makoto Shibasaki!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nowak tries to clinch up but Shibasaki circles away and keeps his distance.

Nowak gets a takedown into half guard.
Nowak is keen to just control but Shibasaki is a slippery customer.
Nowak tries to stand and escape but Shibasaki actually recovers to full guard.

Shibasaki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nowak gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Nowak avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nowak trying to control the position from guard on top but Shibasaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shibasaki keeping full guard, as Nowak tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shibasaki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Nowak avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nowak missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nowak trying to control the position from guard on top but Shibasaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nowak postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shibasaki pulls Nowak in to control the position.
Shibasaki wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nowak trying to control but Shibasaki is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Piotrek Nowak just wasn't active enough.
Nowak misses with the combination.
Nowak looks for a takedown but Shibasaki sprawls well.
Nowak misses with a combination
and Shibasaki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nowak throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nowak moves away from the strike by Shibasaki.
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!
Nowak takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Shibasaki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nowak.
Nowak with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shibasaki misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki misses with an uppercut.
Shibasaki takes one to the chin there.
Nowak ducks under a wild hook from Shibasaki.
Nowak stuffs the takedown attempt from Shibasaki. Shibasaki gets slowly back to his feet.
Shibasaki scores with a jab to the body.
Nowak tries to clinch but Shibasaki moves away
and Shibasaki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
No luck for Shibasaki with that takedown attempt.
Shibasaki misses with a series of wild punches.
Nowak uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shibasaki.
Shibasaki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Shibasaki slaps away a takedown attempt from Nowak, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki throws a body punch but Nowak moves out of range.
Shibasaki shoots in but no luck this time.
Piotrek Nowak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Makoto Shibasaki.

Nowak gets in close and instigates a clinch.
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!
Nowak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nowak tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shibasaki tries for a takedown. No joy.

Shibasaki decides to pull guard.
Shibasaki wants to sweep here but Nowak controlling him for the moment.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Shibasaki keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nowak stopping the sweep attempt from Shibasaki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Makoto Shibasaki dominated that round.
That's time! Nowak's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nowak drops his hands momentarily and Shibasaki takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shibasaki shoots in for a takedown but Nowak shows good takedown defense.
Nowak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shibasaki.
Piotrek Nowak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shibasaki scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nowak is looking to clinch but Shibasaki is avoiding it.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shibasaki sprawls well. Shibasaki wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nowak gets slowly back to his feet.
Shibasaki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shibasaki tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nowak is able to avoid easily.
Shibasaki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nowak shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak avoids a kick to the body.
Nowak is looking to clinch but Shibasaki is avoiding it.

Nowak darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nowak prevents Shibasaki from improving his position.

Nowak is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shibasaki has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shibasaki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shibasaki is trying to maintain the position but Nowak is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki pushes Nowak off looking to stand but Nowak dives back in and keeps control.
Nowak has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Nowak goes for an armbar but Shibasaki turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Shibasaki.
Makoto Shibasaki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nowak has momentary wrist control but Shibasaki slips an elbow through the middle.
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!
Shibasaki scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shibasaki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shibasaki won't allow Nowak to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nowak has momentary wrist control but Shibasaki slips an elbow through the middle.
Nowak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shibasaki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shibasaki slips nicely into half guard.
Nowak is refusing to be controlled, as Shibasaki sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Shibasaki prevents Nowak from standing back up.
Shibasaki scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Shibasaki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nowak sees it coming and defends easily.
Shibasaki not doing much here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shibasaki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shibasaki is trying to control. Nowak wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Shibasaki controlling the action here.
Shibasaki is keen to just control but Nowak is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Makoto Shibasaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shibasaki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Shibasaki leaning his opponent against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nowak just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shibasaki's brow.
Shibasaki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nowak is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nowak tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nowak is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nowak throws an elbow but it misses.
Nowak throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Shibasakis head.
Nowak tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shibasaki just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nowak has a couple of punches blocked by Shibasaki.
Nowak is trying to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nowak as Shibasaki tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shibasaki is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Nowak misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shibasaki.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Shibasaki gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Shibasaki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nowak's head.
Nowak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shibasaki content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Shibasaki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nowak has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shibasaki has managed to get both his arms back between Nowak's legs - danger averted.
Nowak can't keep his opponent in guard - Shibasaki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shibasaki misses with a head shot. Nowak uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nowak is trying to hold Shibasaki in close to prevent damage but Shibasaki has managed to pass into half guard.
Shibasaki is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Nowak blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shibasaki.
Shibasaki is nestled in close to Nowak, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowak is trying to get back to full guard.
Shibasaki is taking a breather. Nowak says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Nowak wants to control but Shibasaki is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shibasaki trying to control the action but Nowak is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Makoto Shibasaki wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nowak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nowak moves to clinch but Shibasaki breaks away
and Shibasaki counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shibasaki as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Piotrek Nowak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shibasaki misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shibasaki works Nowak's body with a nice hook.
Nowak gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Shibasaki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Shibasaki.
Shibasaki throws a head punch that misses.
Makoto Shibasaki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shibasaki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nowak backwards.
Nowak misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Shibasaki.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shibasaki blocks the elbow strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nowak tries a knee to the head but Shibasaki blocks it.

Shibasaki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Piotrek Nowak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Makoto Shibasaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shibasaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shibasaki cracks a nice hook into Nowak's ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Makoto Shibasaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shibasaki 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Makoto Shibasaki!
Post fight, an emotional Makoto Shibasaki said 'We are all one!'.