PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stepfaner Sarejoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wadatsumi Shirahoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stepfaner Sarejoe has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sarejoe
vs
Shirahoshi

190 cm
24
270 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stepfaner Sarejoe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wadatsumi Shirahoshi!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirahoshi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sarejoe circles away quickly and effectively.

Sarejoe closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shirahoshi to the mat! Shirahoshi manages to get full guard.
Shirahoshi wants to stand but Sarejoe is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sarejoe trying to control but Shirahoshi is working from the bottom.
Sarejoe stops Shirahoshi from standing up.
Sarejoe wants to get up but he can't break Shirahoshi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sarejoe trying to control but Shirahoshi is working from the bottom.

Shirahoshi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shirahoshi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sarejoe wants to control from the top but Shirahoshi keeps moving.
Shirahoshi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sarejoe is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Stepfaner Sarejoe.
Shirahoshi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarejoe looks to land a combination but Shirahoshi avoids it well.
Sarejoe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shirahoshi moves away.

Shirahoshi has Sarejoe up against the cage in a clinch.

Shirahoshi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sarejoe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sarejoe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shirahoshi.
Sarejoe shoots in for a takedown but Shirahoshi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Sarejoe gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Shirahoshi wants to stand but Sarejoe has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sarejoe looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sarejoe wants to stand up but Shirahoshi is controlling him.
Shirahoshi wants to pass the guard but Sarejoe is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahoshi is looking to stand up but Sarejoe won't let him.
Sarejoe is looking to stand up but Shirahoshi isn't so interested in that idea.
Shirahoshi postures up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Shirahoshi has taken the fight to the clinch.

Shirahoshi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Sarejoe postures up.
Sarejoe pushing down on Shirahoshi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Shirahoshi looks winded!
Sarejoe trying to control from half guard but Shirahoshi is working away.
Sarejoe missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Sarejoe decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Sarejoe looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarejoe fails to land the takedown.
Sarejoe wants to clinch but Shirahoshi slips to the side
and Shirahoshi counters with a left to the body.
Sarejoe takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sarejoe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shirahoshi pinned against the cage. Shirahoshi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stepfaner Sarejoe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shirahoshi checks the leg kick nicely there.

Shirahoshi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sarejoe was covering up waiting for the punch and Shirahoshi finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Shirahoshi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shirahoshi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sarejoe's guard.
Sarejoe could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Sarejoe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahoshi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sarejoe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Shirahoshi's guard.
Sarejoe stands and throws Shirahoshi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sarejoe tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Sarejoe tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Shirahoshi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sarejoe off and has taken his back!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sarejoe holding both Shirahoshi 's hands and preventing any damage.
Shirahoshi avoiding Sarejoe 's attempts to control his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wadatsumi Shirahoshi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shirahoshi checks a low kick from Sarejoe.
Sarejoe throws a sloppy head kick and Shirahoshi moves out of range easily.
Shirahoshi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Shirahoshi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shirahoshi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sarejoe's efforts to push away.

Shirahoshi manages to break the clinch.
Shirahoshi misses with a two punch combination.
Shirahoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Sarejoe moves out of range easily.
Shirahoshi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sarejoe is able to avoid easily.
Sarejoe misses with the combination.
Shirahoshi throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahoshi fails to land the takedown.
Shirahoshi tries a head kick but it misses.
Shirahoshi is breathing heavily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sarejoe is defended easily by Shirahoshi.
Sloppy strikes from Sarejoe. Those never looked like landing.
Shirahoshi misses with a head kick.
Sarejoe pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Shirahoshi back to the cage. Sarejoe follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Shirahoshi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sarejoe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sarejoe wants to clinch up but Shirahoshi keeps it at a distance.
Shirahoshi scores with a nice right hand.
Shirahoshi tries to clinch up but Sarejoe circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarejoe avoids the head kick by Shirahoshi.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sarejoe.
Sarejoe blocks a head kick by Shirahoshi.
Sarejoe misses with a double jab.
Stepfaner Sarejoe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sarejoe fails with the takedown

and Shirahoshi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stepfaner Sarejoe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sarejoe working a defensive guard here.
Shirahoshi wants to stand but Sarejoe is controlling his posture from full guard.
Shirahoshi won't allow Sarejoe to get back to his feet.
Sarejoe manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shirahoshi manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sarejoe stands up from Shirahoshi's guard - Sarejoe perhaps looking for a knockout.
Shirahoshi throws a nice looking combination but Sarejoe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sarejoe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shirahoshi circles away.
Sarejoe dives in and grabs Shirahoshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shirahoshi pushes down on Sarejoe's head and hops out.
Sarejoe dodges the punch combination from Shirahoshi.
Shirahoshi checks the leg kick.
Sarejoe misses with a low kick.
Wadatsumi Shirahoshi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shirahoshi leaves Sarejoe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahoshi throws a shot to the body.
Shirahoshi connects with a body shot that sends Sarejoe's belly button to the back.
Shirahoshi lands with a shot to the body.
Shirahoshi misses with a head kick.
Shirahoshi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sarejoe rather than just go for the knockout.
Sarejoe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shirahoshi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sarejoe.

Shirahoshi dives in and scores a takedown into Sarejoe's guard.
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!
Shirahoshi won't allow Sarejoe to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sarejoe is trying to keep Shirahoshi in close.
Sarejoe managing to control the position.
Sarejoe keeping moving, preventing Shirahoshi from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wadatsumi Shirahoshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shirahoshi pushes Sarejoe up against the cage in a clinch.
Sarejoe wants to get back to striking at distance but Shirahoshi won't allow it.
Sarejoe struggles to land a body shot inside as Shirahoshi controls his hands.

Shirahoshi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sarejoe shoots in but Shirahoshi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sarejoe shoots in for a takedown but Shirahoshi shows good takedown defense.
No joy there for Shirahoshi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shirahoshi throws a head kick but Sarejoe moves out of range.

Shirahoshi rushes Sarejoe and presses him up against the cage.
Sarejoe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shirahoshi has him pressed against the cage.
Sarejoe wants to take the fight to the mat but Shirahoshi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stepfaner Sarejoe. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shirahoshi breaks the clinch.

Sarejoe gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shirahoshi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sarejoe is proving hard to escape from.
Shirahoshi slips nicely into half guard.
Shirahoshi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sarejoe slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sarejoe trying to control the position.
Shirahoshi is fighting to break Sarejoe's control of his arms but Sarejoe is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sarejoe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shirahoshi is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahoshi throwing strikes but missing.
Shirahoshi wants to get up but he can't break Sarejoe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sarejoe is trying to control the position but Shirahoshi postures up.
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!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Stepfaner Sarejoe.
Shirahoshi misses with a wild combination.
Shirahoshi looks to land a combination but Sarejoe avoids it well.
Sarejoe checks a leg kick.
Sarejoe tries to clinch there but Shirahoshi circles away.
Shirahoshi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sarejoe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarejoe tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shirahoshi swivels and escapes.

Sarejoe closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Shirahoshi did well to prevent Sarejoe getting side control.
Sarejoe scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sarejoe wants to control but Shirahoshi is keeping him busy.
Shirahoshi tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shirahoshi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shirahoshi wants to get back to his feet.
Sarejoe throwing shots but Shirahoshi is blocking nicely.
Sarejoe wants to get back to his feet.
Stepfaner Sarejoe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Shirahoshi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sarejoe pulls his head out easily.
Sarejoe tries to stand but can't do so whilst Shirahoshi controls his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahoshi tries to kick Sarejoe off but Sarejoe keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shirahoshi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sarejoe.
Sarejoe throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sarejoe tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Sarejoe looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sarejoe throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stepfaner Sarejoe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wadatsumi Shirahoshi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sarejoe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

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 Stepfaner Sarejoe.
I think Shirahoshi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wadatsumi Shirahoshi!