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. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Otaktay
vs
Watanabe

169 cm
31
140 lbs
28 - 8 - 0

172 cm
28
145 lbs
16 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
STEEL PENN'S 160 OF STEEL $50 Rio

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 28 - 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 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Kenji Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watanabe lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Otaktay connects with a right hand. Watanabe shakes it off.
Watanabe throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Otaktay dives in and grabs Watanabe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Watanabe pushes down on Otaktay's head and hops out.
Watanabe is looking to score with low kicks.
Watanabe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Otaktay.
Otaktay tries to clinch but Watanabe is having none of it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Watanabe, right into the meat.
Otaktay throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Otaktay slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Watanabe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Watanabe lands with a good body shot.
Otaktay throws a jab when Watanabe was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay lands a nice looking body shot.
Watanabe turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Otaktay.
Otaktay uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Watanabe.
Watanabe moves out of range of the body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Otaktay misses the target.
Watanabe is looking to chop away at Otaktay's legs.
Otaktay stuns Watanabe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Otaktay throws a head kick but Watanabe moves out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Watanabe.
Otaktay throws a solid leg kick but Watanabe takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Otaktay.
Otaktay swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Watanabe.

Otaktay shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Watanabe napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Otaktay tries to score with some ground and pound. Watanabe controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay wants to control but Watanabe is keeping him busy.

Otaktay is trying to get an arm triangle but Watanabe is defending well.
Watanabe is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Otaktay lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Watanabe is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe being controlled for a moment.
Watanabe tries to buck Otaktay off but Otaktay is having none of it.
Otaktay lands some shots froms side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Otaktay in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Otaktay sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Watanabe is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Watanabe struggling a bit here.
Watanabe is not content to let Otaktay control the position.
Otaktay throws a strike aimed at the side of Watanabe's head but Watanabe avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay cracks Watanabe with a big elbow.
Otaktay creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Watanabe sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Otaktay laying and praying for a moment but Watanabe takes advantage and regains half guard.
Watanabe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Otaktay.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Otaktay is trying to control. Watanabe wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Otaktay working over Watanabe with some ground and pound. Watanabe looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahiga Otaktay dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Otaktay throws a front kick aimed at Watanabe's knee but Watanabe avoids it well.
A combination from Watanabe does no damage.
Watanabe throws a leg kick
and Otaktay makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Otaktay has Watanabe up against the cage in a clinch.
Otaktay wants to take the fight to the mat but Watanabe manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Watanabe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Otaktay backwards.
Nice body punch from Watanabe.
Watanabe tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Otaktay's elbow.
Watanabe prevents a body shot from Otaktay.
Otaktay looking for a takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Watanabe fails to land.
Watanabe lands a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Otaktay.
Watanabe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Watanabe lands with a short shot to the head.
Otaktay avoiding damage as Watanabe throws knees to the body.
Otaktay missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Watanabe.
Watanabe with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Otaktay.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Watanabe misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Otaktay.
Otaktay misses with a body punch.
Watanabe lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Otaktay misses with a body punch.
Watanabe landing knees to the head.

It looks like Ahiga Otaktay has been cut.
Otaktay softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Otaktay works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Otaktay tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Otaktay back against the cage.
Otaktay is trying to pull guard but Watanabe turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ahiga Otaktay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otaktay unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Otaktay blocks a body shot from Watanabe.
Otaktay landing knees to the body.
Watanabe tries to land knees in the clinch but Otaktay avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Otaktay jumps guard and drags Watanabe to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Otaktay is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Watanabe tries to free his leg and advance position but Otaktay is retaining full guard.
Otaktay is trying to control the position but Watanabe postures up.
Watanabe pushing down on Otaktay's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Watanabe wants to take a breather but Otaktay is having none of it.
Otaktay tries to get to full guard but Watanabe has control of the leg.
Watanabe is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay looking for a sweep. Not yet Otaktay, not yet.
Otaktay working a defensive guard but Watanabe passes into half guard.
Ahiga Otaktay overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Otaktay gets full guard.
Watanabe pushes down on Otaktay's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Otaktay holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Otaktay trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Watanabe stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Otaktay blocks a low kick nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Watanabe.
Watanabe lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Watanabe moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Watanabe content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Otaktay goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A short right from Otaktay on the inside.
Watanabe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Watanabe dodges an elbow strike from Otaktay.
Otaktay tries a body shot but Watanabe blocks it.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kenji Watanabe will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ahiga Otaktay's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Some bone on bone action there as Watanabe checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Otaktay fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Watanabe has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Otaktay connects with a leg kick. Watanabe looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Watanabe lands a nice leg kick that just misses Otaktay's sensitive parts.

Otaktay clinches up with Watanabe and pushes him back against the cage.
Otaktay lands a nice knee to the body.
Watanabe lands a nice knee to the body.
Otaktay misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Watanabe with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Watanabe lands a body punch.
Watanabe takes a knee right on the jaw!
Otaktay pushes Watanabe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Watanabe goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Watanabe scores with a shoulder strike.
Watanabe misses with the head strike.
Otaktay is trying to pull guard but Watanabe has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay wants a takedown.
Otaktay misses with a hook to the ribs.
Watanabe pushes Otaktay back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Otaktay misses with a short punch on the inside.
Watanabe throws a punch but it's blocked by Otaktay.
Watanabe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Otaktay blocks it with crossed arms.

Otaktay manages to pull guard.
Otaktay tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Watanabe wants to control from the top but Otaktay keeps moving.
Otaktay keeping full guard, as Watanabe tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Otaktay is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kenji Watanabe was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Watanabe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Otaktay lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Kenji Watanabe has been cut.
Otaktay moves away from the strike by Watanabe.
Otaktay lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Otaktay comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Otaktay gets a clinch.
Otaktay lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Watanabe.
Otaktay prevents a body shot from Watanabe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Otaktay as Watanabe tries to tie him up.
Otaktay lands an uppercut.
Otaktay tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Watanabe's elbow.
Otaktay throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Otaktay changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Watanabe fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ahiga Otaktay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otaktay fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Watanabe manages to avoid it.
Watanabe throws a body kick that misses.
A low kick from Watanabe misses
and Watanabe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Otaktay has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Watanabe.
Watanabe throws the kick towards the body but Otaktay avoids it.
Watanabe takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe wants to clinch up but Otaktay keeps it at a distance.
Watanabe tries to land a leg kick but Otaktay saw it coming and moves away.
Ahiga Otaktay is winning the standup battle so far.
Otaktay misses with a kick to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Otaktay.
Otaktay throws a low kick but Watanabe avoids it.
Otaktay moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Otaktay throws a nice outside leg kick.
Otaktay keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Watanabe misses with a leg kick
and Otaktay counters with a nice body kick.
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.
Watanabe lands with a nice body kick.
Otaktay lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Watanabe finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
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.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Watanabe lands a nice hook to Otaktay's body. Otaktay takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Watanabe throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Otaktay tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Watanabe paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Otaktay misses with the body kick
and Watanabe counters with a nice leg kick.
Watanabe displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Otaktay.
Watanabe turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Watanabe scores with a leg kick.
Otaktay lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Otaktay manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Watanabe on his heels. He'll look to pass Watanabe's guard now, I'm sure.
Otaktay is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Watanabe trying to keep a closed guard but Otaktay is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe keeping moving, preventing Otaktay from controlling successfully.
Otaktay controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Otaktay pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Watanabe is keeping the position for now.
Watanabe controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Watanabe throws a leg kick which misses Otaktay's front leg but catches the back leg as Otaktay tries to avoid it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Watanabe.
Watanabe throws a front kick aimed at Otaktay's knee but Otaktay avoids it well.
Watanabe shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Otaktay throws a chopping leg kick but Watanabe manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Watanabe swats away the attempt to clinch by Otaktay.
Watanabe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A low kick from Watanabe is predictable there

and Otaktay counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Otaktay won't allow Watanabe to get back to his feet.
Watanabe is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Otaktay.
Otaktay manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Watanabe manages to get himself to full guard.
Otaktay trying to control the position from guard on top but Watanabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Watanabe working for a triangle but Otaktay defends it easily.
Watanabe trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Otaktay accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Otaktay throws a big right hand that misses.
Watanabe keeping moving, preventing Otaktay from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watanabe controlling Otaktay's posture.
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 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!

Otaktay ducks under a wild hook from Watanabe.
Otaktay misses with a low kick as Watanabe jumps back.
Otaktay looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Watanabe clinches up with Otaktay and pushes him back against the cage.
Watanabe lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Otaktay drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Watanabe gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kenji Watanabe seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Otaktay tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Otaktay throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Watanabe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Watanabe lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Otaktay tries a knee to the head but Watanabe blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay blocking some punches.
Watanabe misses with a knee strike.
Watanabe works on Otaktay's body with a couple of short punches.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Otaktay misses with a hook to the ribs.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Watanabe takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Otaktay misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Otaktay is working for takedown but Watanabe is calmly controlling the position for now.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Otaktay avoids it.
Watanabe connects with a nasty looking knee right to Otaktay's face.
Otaktay throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Otaktay tries to land knees in the clinch but Watanabe avoids the damage to the body.
Otaktay blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Otaktay throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Otaktay landing some nice looking knees to the body.
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 cracks Watanabe with a nice body shot.
Watanabe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Otaktay backwards.
Watanabe's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Watanabe misses with a punch on the inside.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Watanabe.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Still in the clinch, Watanabe scores with a nice short uppercut.
Otaktay creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Watanabe prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ahiga Otaktay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otaktay tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Watanabe avoids it.
Watanabe swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Otaktay lands a hook to the side of the head.
Watanabe stalling.
Otaktay jumps guard but Watanabe stands there with Otaktay around his waist. Otaktay gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Otaktay's elbow.
Watanabe blocking some punches.
Watanabe misses with a hook from the clinch.
A body shot lands from Watanabe.
Watanabe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Otaktay using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Watanabe has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Watanabe throws a knee to the head but misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Watanabe.
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.
A nice right hand lands inside from Otaktay.
Watanabe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Watanabe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Watanabe misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe lands a knee to the head.
Watanabe has Otaktay pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Otaktay.
Watanabe misses with a knee strike.
Watanabe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Watanabe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Watanabe throws a head punch that misses.
Watanabe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Watanabe pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Otaktay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Watanabe.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Watanabe.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Otaktay blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Watanabe unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Watanabe tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nice body punch from Watanabe.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Watanabe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 48:47
Judge Josh West scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ahiga Otaktay!
Ahiga Otaktay retains his bantamweight title!
After winning the bout, Ahiga Otaktay thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.