PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ahiga Otaktay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Otaktay comes to the cage accompanied by ISIS - THE TOWER. 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.

Otaktay
vs
Watanabe

169 cm
30
140 lbs
26 - 8 - 0

172 cm
27
145 lbs
15 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

160!
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ahiga Otaktay!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Kenji Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watanabe looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A low kick from Watanabe is predictable there
and Otaktay counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Watanabe misses with a hook.
Good work by Otaktay as he checks the leg kick.
Watanabe throws a combination. Otaktay tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Watanabe lands a body shot.
Otaktay tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Watanabe swivels and escapes.
Watanabe lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Watanabe looks to score with a jab to the body but Otaktay is just out of range.

Otaktay shoots in and gets a takedown into Watanabe's guard.
Otaktay trying to control but Watanabe is working from the bottom.
Watanabe keeping full guard, as Otaktay tries to pass.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Otaktay throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay throws a big right hand that misses.
Watanabe is trying to control the position but Otaktay postures up.
Otaktay trying to move into half guard but instead Watanabe has managed to sweep!
Watanabe stands and throws Otaktay's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Otaktay is trying to control Watanabe's posture but Watanabe avoids it.
Otaktay tries to improve position but can't.
Otaktay can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay manages to work his way to half guard, despite Watanabe's best efforts.
Watanabe trying to mount his opponent but Otaktay defends it.
Otaktay moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Watanabe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Otaktay trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Watanabe is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Otaktay is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Otaktay has escaped and now he's on top!
Otaktay trying to control the position from guard on top but Watanabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Otaktay stands up over Watanabe, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe has momentary wrist control but Otaktay slips an elbow through the middle.

Watanabe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Otaktay is aware though and is defending well.
Otaktay tries to free his leg and advance position but Watanabe is retaining full guard.
Otaktay in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Otaktay trying to control but Watanabe is working from the bottom.
Watanabe can't keep his opponent in guard - Otaktay advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Otaktay trying to control from half guard but Watanabe is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watanabe wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Otaktay motions for Watanabe to come forward. Otaktay throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Watanabe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Watanabe throws a low kick but Otaktay moves out of range easily.

Watanabe moves into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Watanabe as the two fighters clinch.
Watanabe on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Watanabe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Watanabe can't find room to land a body shot as Otaktay controls the action.
Otaktay throws an elbow that misses.
Otaktay tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Watanabe avoids it.
Otaktay misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Watanabe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Watanabe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Otaktay throws a knee to the head but misses.
Otaktay lands a hook to the side of the head.
Watanabe can't find room to land a body shot as Otaktay controls the action.
Otaktay tries to land knees in the clinch but Watanabe avoids the damage to the body.
Otaktay looking to throw knees to the head but Watanabe is blocking nicely.
Otaktay tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Otaktay back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay drops down looking for an ankle pick but Watanabe pulls his leg out and moves away.

Otaktay pushes Watanabe up against the cage in a clinch.
Otaktay's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Watanabe creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Watanabe blocks the elbow strike.
Watanabe looking to slow down the pace here.
Otaktay lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Watanabe on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Watanabe.

It looks like Ahiga Otaktay has been cut.
Watanabe can't find room to land a body shot as Otaktay controls the action.
Watanabe taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Watanabe wants to stall.
Otaktay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Watanabe throws a punch but it's blocked by Otaktay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay blocks a body shot from Watanabe.
Watanabe landing knees to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Watanabe swings wildly with an uppercut but Otaktay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Watanabe digs a right hand into Otaktay's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Otaktay's gas tank.
Watanabe misses with a knee to the head.
Watanabe with a knee to the head.
Otaktay fails to pull guard.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Otaktay misses with a hook from the clinch.
Watanabe misses with a punch to the body.
Otaktay scores with a shot to the side of Watanabe's head.
Watanabe using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Otaktay has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Watanabe tries to throw a body punch but Otaktay avoids it by throwing Watanabe back against the cage.
Watanabe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Otaktay lands a good knee to the midsection. Watanabe won't want to take too many of those.
Otaktay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Watanabe.
Otaktay working Watanabe over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Otaktay blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Otaktay is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ahiga Otaktay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Watanabe tries to land knees in the clinch but Otaktay avoids the damage to the body.
Otaktay working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Otaktay makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Watanabe blocking some punches.
Otaktay tries a body shot but Watanabe blocks it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Otaktay as Watanabe tries to tie him up.
Otaktay misses with a short punch on the inside.
Watanabe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Watanabe lands a good knee to the midsection. Otaktay won't want to take too many of those.
Otaktay misses with a short punch on the inside.
Watanabe avoids a wild elbow strike from Otaktay.
Otaktay misses with a hook to the ribs.
Otaktay tries to work over Watanabe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Otaktay has a couple of punches blocked by Watanabe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe trying to land knees to the body.
Otaktay lands an elbow just above Watanabe 's eye.
Watanabe with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Otaktay comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Kenji Watanabe has been cut.
Ahiga Otaktay has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Watanabe looking to throw knees to the head but Otaktay is blocking nicely.
Otaktay trying to land knees 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!
Watanabe connects with a nasty looking knee right to Otaktay's face.
Otaktay tries a body shot but Watanabe blocks it.
Watanabe slows down the pace here.
Otaktay trying to land knees to the body.
Watanabe avoiding damage as Otaktay throws knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Watanabe.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Watanabe on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Otaktay with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Otaktay throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Watanabe blocks it with crossed arms.
Watanabe lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ahiga Otaktay will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Otaktay tries to clinch up but Watanabe circles away and keeps his distance.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Otaktay.
Otaktay moves out of range of the strikes.
Good leg kick by Watanabe there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Watanabe fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Otaktay.
Otaktay with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Otaktay moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Watanabe circles away from the clinch attempt.
Otaktay throws out a leg kick but Watanabe moves out of range and Otaktay only half commits.
Otaktay throws a push kick but Watanabe slaps the foot to one side.
Watanabe is looking to chop away at Otaktay's legs.
Watanabe tries to land a front kick but Otaktay steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Otaktay fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Watanabe looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Watanabe finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Watanabe tries a head kick but it misses.
Otaktay tries to clinch but Watanabe moves away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Watanabe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Otaktay wants to clinch up but Watanabe keeps it at a distance.
Watanabe misses with a leg kick
and Otaktay counters with a thumping low kick.
Otaktay swings for the body but Watanabe moves out of range.
No luck for Otaktay with that takedown attempt.
Watanabe checks the leg kick.
Otaktay motions for Watanabe to come forward. Otaktay throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Otaktay moves out of range of the body kick from Watanabe.
Otaktay digs a good body shot into Watanabe's ribs.
Watanabe has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Otaktay.
Otaktay misses with a body kick.
Otaktay moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Watanabe's head.
A leg kick checked by Otaktay.
Watanabe connects with a solid leg kick.
Otaktay blocks a leg kick.
Otaktay goes for a spinning back kick but it 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!
Otaktay misses with a looping left.
Watanabe tries to work over Otaktay's front leg with a kick but Otaktay checks it.
Otaktay attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Otaktay throws a leg kick that is checked
and Watanabe counters with a slapping leg kick.
Otaktay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Otaktay blocks a low kick nicely.
Watanabe moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Otaktay drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Watanabe looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Otaktay throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ahiga Otaktay is winning the standup battle so far.
Otaktay defending well as Watanabe loads up on a big left hand.
Otaktay throws a sloppy head kick and Watanabe moves out of range easily.
Watanabe tries to score with a low kick but Otaktay moves his leg out of the way.
Otaktay throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Otaktay checks a low kick from Watanabe.
Kenji Watanabe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Otaktay throws a head kick that half lands.
Otaktay is looking to wear down Watanabe with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Watanabe misses with a body shot.
Otaktay cracks Watanabe with a good jab.
Otaktay misses with a leg kick
and Watanabe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Watanabe misses with a body kick.
Otaktay 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.
Otaktay misses the shot to the body.
Otaktay shoots in but Watanabe avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Watanabe misses the target.
Otaktay throws an overhand right that lands on Watanabe's shoulder, as Watanabe tries to avoid the shot.
Otaktay is looking to clinch.
Otaktay avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Otaktay pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Otaktay swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Otaktay looks to land a left hand but Watanabe moved out of range nicely.
Watanabe throws out a loose jab but Otaktay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Watanabe ducks under a wild hook from Otaktay.
Otaktay avoids a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Otaktay moves in looking to clinch but Watanabe pushes him off.
Watanabe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Otaktay scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Watanabe feints and then cracks Otaktay's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Otaktay down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahiga Otaktay clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Otaktay's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Watanabe tries to score with a low kick but Otaktay moves his leg out of the way.
Watanabe has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Otaktay.
Otaktay moves in looking to clinch but Watanabe pushes him off.
Otaktay misses the shot to the body.
Watanabe connects with a leg kick. Otaktay looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Watanabe lands with a slapping head kick.
Otaktay tries to clinch but Watanabe is having none of it.
Watanabe throws a sloppy body shot
and Otaktay counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Watanabe 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.
Otaktay gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Watanabe counters with a good low kick that Otaktay was not able to check.
Otaktay fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Watanabe misses with an uppercut

and Otaktay counters by clinching up.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Otaktay goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Otaktay trying to land knees to the body.
Otaktay trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Otaktay as the two fighters clinch.
Watanabe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Watanabe scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Otaktay tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Watanabe's elbow.
Watanabe using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Otaktay has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Otaktay is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Otaktay works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Otaktay blocks an uppercut.
Watanabe prevents a body shot from Otaktay.
Otaktay blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Otaktay missing with knees to the body.
Otaktay throws a punch but it's blocked by Watanabe.
Watanabe swings wildly with an uppercut but Otaktay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Otaktay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Watanabe is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Otaktay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe lands a body punch in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Watanabe tries to work over Otaktay's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Otaktay tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Otaktay misses with a hook to the ribs.
Watanabe misses with a body punch.
Otaktay lands an elbow inside.
Watanabe scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Watanabe managing to block the knees to the body from Otaktay.

Otaktay's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Otaktay throws a wild body kick that Watanabe sees coming a mile off.
Otaktay checks a leg kick nicely.
Otaktay swats away the attempt to clinch by Watanabe.
Watanabe scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Otaktay misses with a body kick.
Otaktay steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Watanabe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Otaktay drives through and clinches with Watanabe against the cage.
Otaktay lands a right hand that snaps the head of Watanabe backwards.
Watanabe takes an elbow to the forehead.
Watanabe misses with some punches.
Otaktay softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Otaktay scores with a shot to the side of Watanabe's head.
Watanabe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Otaktay tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Otaktay back against the cage.
Otaktay looking to throw knees to the head but Watanabe is blocking nicely.
Otaktay throws an elbow but it misses.
Otaktay is trying to pull guard but Watanabe has him pressed against the cage.
Watanabe working aggressively here.
Otaktay blocks a body shot from Watanabe.
Otaktay tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Watanabe stalling the fight.
Watanabe avoiding damage as Otaktay throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Otaktay has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Watanabe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Otaktay blocking some punches.
Otaktay missing with knees to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Watanabe avoiding damage as Otaktay throws knees to the body.
Otaktay misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Otaktay fails to land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watanabe tries to throw a body punch but Otaktay avoids it by throwing Watanabe back against the cage.
Watanabe swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Otaktay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Watanabe.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watanabe putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Otaktay in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Otaktay is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Watanabe is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Watanabe misses with a knee strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahiga Otaktay had his way with Kenji Watanabe in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A shot to the body from Otaktay misses
and Watanabe counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Watanabe shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Otaktay takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Otaktay tries to bum rush Watanabe with a series of wild strikes but Watanabe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Watanabe swings for the body but Otaktay moves out of range.
Otaktay checks the leg kick nicely there.
A low kick from Watanabe misses
and Otaktay counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Otaktay takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Otaktay misses with a body shot.
Watanabe throws a head kick but Otaktay moves out of range.
Watanabe cracks the inside of Otaktay's front leg.
Otaktay fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Otaktay pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A bone on bone clash there as Otaktay blocks the leg kick.
Otaktay tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Watanabe manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay tries for a takedown but Watanabe circles away easily
and Watanabe counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Watanabe pushes Otaktay away with a front kick.
Otaktay lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Watanabe circles away quickly and effectively.
Watanabe tries to work over Otaktay's front leg with a kick but Otaktay checks it.
Watanabe tried to score with a low kick but Otaktay checks it.
Watanabe chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Otaktay throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Otaktay has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short uppercut from Otaktay.
A short right from Otaktay on the inside.
Otaktay tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Watanabe avoids it.
Watanabe taking a breather.
Watanabe lands a knee to the head.
Kenji Watanabe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ahiga Otaktay is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Watanabe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Otaktay tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Otaktay misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Watanabe.
Watanabe crunches a lovely knee into Otaktay's ribcage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Otaktay being controlled against the cage.
Otaktay throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Watanabe blocks it with crossed arms.
Watanabe misses with a knee strike.

Otaktay breaks the clinch.
Watanabe tries to clinch up but Otaktay circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Watanabe misses.

Otaktay shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Watanabe is trying to defend but Otaktay finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Otaktay is looking to take a break and control but Watanabe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Otaktay passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Watanabe!
Otaktay prevents Watanabe from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Otaktay keeping full guard, as Watanabe tries to pass.
Watanabe throwing strikes but missing.

Watanabe has gone for a leg lock! Otaktay slips out almost immediately though and dives into Watanabe's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Otaktay passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kenji Watanabe.
I think Otaktay 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 49:46
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 49:47
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ahiga Otaktay!
Ahiga Otaktay retains his bantamweight title!
A very excited looking Ahiga Otaktay made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.