PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akisame Hikaru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiroyuki Saitou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hikaru comes to the cage accompanied by Ultimate Battle. Hiroyuki Saitou will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hikaru
vs
Saitou

172 cm
23
180 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

188 cm
23
176 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Valhalla Q160 Nutrition
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akisame Hikaru!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroyuki Saitou!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saitou throws a right hand that Hikaru ducks under and follows up with a left that Hikaru also avoids with ease.
Saitou lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Saitou throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hiroyuki Saitou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Hikaru with that takedown attempt.
Saitou lands a nice looking body shot.
Saitou misses with a combination
and Hikaru counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hikaru misses with a takedown attempt - Saitou sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Hikaru has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saitou tries to break the clinch but Hikaru is controlling the position.
Hikaru scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Saitou is trying to break the clinch but Hikaru has him pressed against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitou working hard to break the clinch.
Hikaru takes an elbow to the temple.
Saitou wants to get back to striking at distance but Hikaru won't allow it.
Hikaru pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Saitou has had enough of the clinch but Hikaru keeps him there for the moment.
Saitou is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hikaru is pushing Saitou up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Saitou tries to circle away but Hikaru has him pinned against the cage.
Hikaru throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Saitou tries to break the clinch but Hikaru is controlling the position.
Hikaru tries to pull guard but Saitou won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akisame Hikaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hikaru tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Saitou tries to throw a body punch but Hikaru avoids it by throwing Saitou back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saitou breaks the clinch.
Saitou misses with a combination
and Hikaru counters with a nice leg kick.
Hikaru throws the left hand but Saitou avoids the punch easily.
Saitou lands with a nice body punch.
Saitou throws a right hand that Hikaru ducks under and follows up with a left that Hikaru also avoids with ease.
Saitou fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Saitou misses with a two punch combination.
Saitou misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saitou swinging wildly here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saitou darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitou misses with a looping left.
A cross from Saitou lands.
Hikaru throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saitou throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hikaru sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Hikaru has Saitou up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Saitou's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Saitou managing to block the knees to the body from Hikaru.
Hikaru scores with a shoulder strike.
Saitou blocks an elbow strike.
Hikaru tries for a takedown. No joy.
Saitou has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Saitou wants to get back to striking at distance but Hikaru won't allow it.
Hikaru blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hikaru is trying to drag Saitou to the mat but Saitou just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Saitou is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Saitou wants to break free but Hikaru has control.
Saitou content to slow the pace in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saitou is trying to push Hikaru away but Hikaru has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short left from Saitou.
Hikaru works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Saitou breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hikaru misses with a low kick as Saitou jumps back.
Saitou misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hikaru misses with a hook.
Hikaru fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Saitou avoids it really well and circles away.
Saitou scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Saitou keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hikaru throws a shot from downtown. Saitou moves away and avoids it.
Saitou looks to land a right hand but Hikaru moved out of range.
Hikaru throws a big shot that misses.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Saitou enables Hikaru to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Saitou manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Saitou is trying to control the position but Hikaru postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hikaru chips away with some ground and pound.
Hikaru trying to control the position from guard on top but Saitou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Saitou is on top in guard.
Saitou trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hikaru might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hikaru looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Hikaru looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Saitou passes into half guard.
Hikaru moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saitou trying to control but Hikaru is working from the bottom.

Hikaru escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Saitou gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hikaru looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Saitou missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saitou wants to control from the top but Hikaru keeps moving.
Hikaru is trying to control the position but Saitou postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saitou postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hikaru is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Saitou, into his guard.
Saitou working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hikaru.
Hikaru wants to pass the guard but Saitou is keeping the position.
Hikaru advances to half guard.
Hikaru not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Saitou tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Hikaru not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Hikaru is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Saitou sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru wants to take a breather but Saitou is having none of it.
Hikaru throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Saitou trying to control here.
Hikaru tries to pass to full mount but Saitou defends it.
Hikaru takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Hikaru lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hikaru landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hikaru lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Saitou gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Hikaru dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Saitou fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Saitou connects with the punch.
Saitou throws a right and a left that Hikaru avoids nicely.
Saitou throws a hook but Hikaru blocks it.

Hikaru gets a takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Hikaru there.
Saitou is trying to get back to full guard.
Hikaru sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Saitou defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hikaru throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Saitou to regain full guard.
Hikaru 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.
Hikaru trying to control but Saitou is working from the bottom.
Hikaru stands up over Saitou, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hikaru trying to control but Saitou is working from the bottom.
Hikaru missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saitou wants to sweep but no luck.
Saitou is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hikaru trying to control but Saitou is working from the bottom.
Hikaru with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hikaru with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hikaru connects with a couple of short punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hikaru trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hikaru throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saitou works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hikaru wants to control from the top but Saitou keeps moving.
Hikaru looking to sit in guard and control but Saitou gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hikaru wants to sweep here but Saitou controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitou trying to control but Hikaru is working from the bottom.

Hikaru is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saitou controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Hikaru is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hikaru is trying to hold Saitou in close to prevent damage but Saitou has managed to pass into half guard.
Saitou is stalling here. Hikaru is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Saitou seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Hikaru has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru tries to advance to mount but Saitou denies him.
Hikaru in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hikaru working away.

Hikaru tries for a kimura but Saitou is defending well.
Saitou regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saitou is looking for a sweep. Hikaru is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saitou regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Hikaru.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Hikaru clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hikaru tries to clinch up but Saitou circles away and keeps his distance.
Saitou staying out of range there.
Saitou scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
No joy there for Saitou, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hikaru tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saitou was well out of range. Poor timing from Hikaru.
Hiroyuki Saitou seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hikaru ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saitou moves away.
Hikaru keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hikaru throws a body punch but Saitou moves out of range.
Hikaru misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saitou misses with a double jab

and Hikaru counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hikaru.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saitou manages to break the clinch.

Saitou moves into the clinch.

Saitou breaks the clinch.
Hiroyuki Saitou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Saitou clinches up with Hikaru and pushes him back against the cage.
Hikaru lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hikaru tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hiroyuki Saitou seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Saitou tries to stall but Hikaru uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Saitou breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saitou keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saitou has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Hikaru shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hikaru showed some decent athleticism there.
Akisame Hikaru overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hikaru not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saitou tries to roll over but Hikaru keeps him under control.
Saitou moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hikaru postures up in Saitou's guard and throws a big left but Saitou blocks it.
Hikaru with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hikaru throws a big elbow that misses.
Hikaru keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Saitou's head.
Hikaru works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saitou is looking to control Hikaru's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Saitou avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saitou keeps working.
Saitou tries to roll over but Hikaru keeps him under control.
Hikaru is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hikaru is pressing down on Saitou's thigh, looking to free his foot. Saitou is holding on for now.
Saitou is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hikaru's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hikaru's back!
Saitou is trying to stick to Hikaru's back but Hikaru is turning into Saitou. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Saitou's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hikaru.
Hikaru postures up in Saitou's guard and throws a big left but Saitou blocks it.
Hikaru is in close to Saitou's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru works over Saitou with some ground and pound from guard.
Hikaru pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saitou is keeping the position for now.
Hikaru makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hikaru trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hikaru accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hikaru trying to control but Saitou is working from the bottom.
Hikaru stands up over Saitou, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hikaru passes Saitou's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Hikaru is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akisame Hikaru had his way with Hiroyuki Saitou in that round.
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. This is the final round!

Saitou throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Saitou swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hikaru fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Saitou avoids it really well and circles away.
Saitou just misses with a punch to the body.
Saitou lands a nice looking body shot.
Hikaru tries to clinch there but Saitou circles away.
Saitou misses with a series of wild punches.
A combination from Saitou does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hikaru tries to clinch but Saitou moves out of range.
Saitou throws a series of punches but Hikaru moves out of range.

Saitou instigates a clinch.
Hikaru creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Saitou's defenses.

It looks like Hiroyuki Saitou has been cut.
Hikaru is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Saitou to keep the fight standing.
Hikaru trying to land knees to the body.
Hikaru takes a shot to the head.

Hikaru tightens his grip and picks Saitou up, before dumping him to the ground. Saitou manages to land in guard.
Hikaru looking to pass the guard.
Hikaru trying to control but Saitou is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru controls from within his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Saitou escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hikaru gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hikaru wants to control from the top but Saitou keeps moving.
Hikaru postures up in Saitou's guard and throws a big left but Saitou blocks it.
Hikaru landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hikaru trying to control the position from guard on top but Saitou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hikaru stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saitou swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saitou is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hikaru trying to control the position from guard on top but Saitou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hikaru slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru throws an elbow that misses. Saitou uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hikaru's guard. Nice move by Saitou!
Saitou trying to control the position from guard on top but Hikaru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akisame Hikaru is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saitou works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saitou tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hikaru knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hikaru desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saitou is trying to control. Hikaru wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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 Akisame Hikaru.
I think Hikaru 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:46
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akisame Hikaru!
Akisame Hikaru is the new welterweight champion!
Akisame Hikaru took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'It was only a matter of time. Who's next?'.