PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Okabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ziggy Cliff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Cliff's choice of entrance music: GANJA FARMER. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Okabe
vs
Cliff

177 cm
32
181 lbs
25 - 12 - 0

182 cm
25
176 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Crippler's Corner

Convicted Trap House
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenji Okabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ziggy Cliff!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Okabe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cliff misses with a low kick.
Okabe shoots in for a takedown but Cliff shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Okabe misses with a lunging right hand
and Cliff counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Cliff lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Okabe works Cliff's body with a nice hook.
Ziggy Cliff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cliff misses the body punch
and Cliff takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cliff pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A leg kick checked by Okabe.
Cliff ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Okabe scores with a nice right hand.
A jab from Cliff does it's job there.
A bone on bone clash there as Okabe blocks the leg kick.
Cliff moves out of range as Okabe strikes.
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!
Okabe throws a looping overhand right but Cliff ducks down to avoid it.
Ziggy Cliff is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cliff slaps away a takedown attempt from Okabe, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Okabe tests Cliff's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cliff connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Cliff.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Okabe.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Okabe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okabe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cliff.
Cliff pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Okabe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cliff's head backwards.
Okabe misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cliff throws a wild body kick that Okabe sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okabe misses with a straight left.
Cliff keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cliff slips under a jab from Okabe.
Cliff just misses with a punch to the body.
Okabe throws a hook to the side of Cliff's head but Cliff sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cliff tries a head kick but it misses.
Okabe throws a jab when Cliff was well out of range.
Okabe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Okabe checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
An inside leg kick from Cliff misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Okabe darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Okabe scores with a takedown into Cliff's guard.
Okabe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cliff swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okabe trying to control but Cliff is working from the bottom.
Okabe looking to pass the guard.
Okabe trying to control but Cliff is working from the bottom.
Okabe tries to free his leg and advance position but Cliff is retaining full guard.
Okabe wants to control from the top but Cliff keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kenji Okabe just wasn't active enough.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cliff.
Cliff misses with a combination
letting Okabe counter with a right hand.
Cliff takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Cliff fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Okabe has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cliff connects with a leg kick. Okabe looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Okabe looks to land a right hand but Cliff moved out of range.
Okabe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters circling a little - Cliff finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
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.
Cliff lands with a thumping leg kick.
Okabe misses with a hook. Cliff ducked under it nicely.
Okabe moves out of range of the body kick from Cliff.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ziggy Cliff will probably get the nod.
That's time! Okabe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Okabe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Cliff misses the shot to the body.
Okabe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cliff circles away.
Okabe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Okabe misses with a body shot.
Cliff comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cliff misses with a wild body shot.
Cliff uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Okabe.
Cliff wants to slow Okabe down by chopping away at his legs.
Cliff swings away with a body shot that misses
and Okabe counters with a left to the body.
Cliff lands with a kick to the ribs.
Okabe throws a right hand that misses
and Cliff counters with a low kick, right behind Okabe 's knee.
Okabe checks a low kick from Cliff.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cliff throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okabe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cliff's head.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cliff.
Good work by Okabe as he checks the leg kick.
Okabe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Okabe is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Okabe is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cliff lands a jab to Okabe's midsection.
Cliff throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Okabe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Okabe blocks the leg kick.
Horrible takedown by Okabe or perhaps it was just good defense by Cliff which made him look bad.
Okabe shoots in looking for a takedown but Cliff manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Okabe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Okabe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cliff connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ziggy Cliff seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cliff keeps Okabe at a distance using the push kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okabe takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cliff moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Cliff misses with a body shot.
Cliff gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Okabe ducks under a wild hook from Cliff.
Cliff is looking to slow Okabe down with leg kicks.
Cliff throws out a leg kick but Okabe moves out of range and Cliff only half commits.
Okabe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Okabe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cliff sprawls well. Cliff wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Okabe gets slowly back to his feet.

Okabe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cliff sprawls well initially but Okabe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cliff makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cliff.
Okabe looking to pass the guard.
Okabe pushing down on Cliff's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cliff is looking for a sweep. Okabe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Okabe missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Okabe not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Okabe looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okabe with the ground and pound but Cliff uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Okabe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cliff is keeping the position for now.
Cliff working a defensive guard here.
Okabe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Okabe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Okabe wants to pass the guard but Cliff is keeping the position.
Okabe with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ziggy Cliff showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Okabe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cliff moves away.
Cliff uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Okabe.
Okabe misses with a hook to the body
and Cliff counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cliff cracks the inside of Okabe's front leg.
Okabe looks to throw the jab but Cliff is out of range.
Cliff works Okabe's body with a nice hook.
Okabe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cliff.
Cliff fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Cliff scores with a shot to the body.
Crunch! Cliff slams his shin into Okabe's torso.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cliff feints and then cracks Okabe's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Okabe down.
Cliff fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Okabe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cliff throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Okabe takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Cliff misses with a low kick.
Cliff tried to score with a low kick but Okabe checks it.
Okabe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cliff is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Okabe rather than just go for the knockout.
Cliff throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Donk. Cliff catches Okabe right on the button with a cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cliff. Okabe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Okabe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Okabe shoots for a double leg takedown but Cliff sprawls well. He's pushed Okabe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Okabe blocks the leg kick.
Okabe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cliff pinned against the cage. Cliff gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cliff lands a nice leg kick that just misses Okabe's sensitive parts.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cliff thows a body kick. Okabe tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Cliff takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cliff scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Cliff is looking to slow Okabe down with leg kicks.
Cliff stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Okabe has his takedown stuffed

and Cliff counters with a head kick that drops Okabe to the mat! Okabe scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Okabe is rocked!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Okabe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Okabe crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Cliff - the referee stops the clock and Okabe gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Cliff. Okabe manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cliff throws a nice looking combination but Okabe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kenji Okabe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cliff throws a leg kick but Okabe checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cliff throws a front kick that sends Okabe stumbling back into the cage.
Okabe throws out a loose jab but Cliff uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cliff scoring well with a low kick there.
Cliff throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cliff pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cliff throws a wild body kick that Okabe sees coming a mile off.
Okabe checks a leg kick nicely.
Cliff is looking to land body kicks.
Cliff throws a sloppy head kick and Okabe moves out of range easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Okabe checks a leg kick.
Okabe jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cliff lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Cliff looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Okabe will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Okabe thows a body shot but no joy.
Okabe takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice body kick from Cliff.
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!
A solid body kick from Cliff.
Okabe misses with a hook.
Cliff lands a jab to the head.
Cliff throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Okabe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cliff has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Okabe throws a sloppy body shot
and Cliff counters with a leg kick.
Ziggy Cliff is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cliff moves out of range of the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ziggy Cliff comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cliff winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ziggy Cliff!
Ziggy Cliff thanked the fans post fight for their support.