PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kent Pedersen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xolani Ihejirika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pedersen
vs
Ihejirika

200 cm
24
245 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

200 cm
20
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Suit Up!

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kent Pedersen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Xolani Ihejirika!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pedersen tries to keep at a distance but Ihejirika has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pedersen trying to land knees to the body.

Ihejirika manages to break the clinch.
Xolani Ihejirika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ihejirika dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Pedersen. That did some damage!
Ihejirika tries to clinch up.
Pedersen moves out of range of the body kick from Ihejirika.
Ihejirika shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pedersen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ihejirika tries to clinch but Pedersen is having none of it.
Pedersen sizes up Ihejirika with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Pedersen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Ihejirika has closed the distance and engaged Pedersen in a clinch.
Pedersen is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ihejirika to keep the fight standing.
Ihejirika blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Pedersen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pedersen trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for Ihejirika to work.
Ihejirika has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Ihejirika breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ihejirika fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pedersen avoids it really well and circles away.

Ihejirika fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pedersen, pushing him back against the cage.
Pedersen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pedersen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pedersen misses with an elbow strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Pedersen obliges.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ihejirika as Pedersen tries to tie him up.
Pedersen pushes off an throws an elbow but Ihejirika leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ihejirika has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pedersen regains guard immediately.
This has been an exciting period of action!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Pedersen has his foot on Ihejirika's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ihejirika works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pedersen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Ihejirika tries to control Pedersen's body but Pedersen pushes him off. Ihejirika squirms to his side and now Pedersen has his back!
Ihejirika looks winded!

Pedersen has managed to slip his arm under Ihejirika's chin. This could be all over... yep, Ihejirika is tapping out! Submission win for Pedersen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kent Pedersen!
In his post fight interview, Kent Pedersen started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.