PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raijin Kage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikola Mester (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Raijin Kage has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kage
vs
Mester

165 cm
20
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

163 cm
28
150 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Xtreme Merchandise

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raijin Kage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nikola Mester!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mester shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kage as he jumps to the side.
Kage keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mester is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kage sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Raijin Kage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikola Mester.
Kage looks to score with a jab to the body but Mester is just out of range.

Mester gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kage wants to control from the top but Mester keeps moving.
Mester utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kage wants to control from the top but Mester keeps moving.
Kage throws a big elbow that misses.
Mester trying to control the position here.
Kage throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mester works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kage trying to control the position from guard on top but Mester is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kage loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kage advances position into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ground and pound from Kage seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mester tries to buck Kage off but Kage is having none of it.
Kage trying to control the action but Mester is working from the bottom.
Mester tries to buck Kage off but Kage is having none of it.

Kage swings around for an armbar but Mester sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kage's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mester controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mester trying to control but Kage is working from the bottom.

Kage is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mester defends well.
Mester stays in close to Kage's body and controls the position.
Mester sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kage's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mester seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Mester's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kage is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mester scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kage avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mester.
Mester is keen to just control but Kage is a slippery customer.
Mester wants to free his trapped foot but Kage is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mester not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kage is trying to control but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mester is looking to advance position but Kage won't allow it.
Mester missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nikola Mester will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mester avoids the head kick by Kage.
Kage throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kage tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Mester is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kage's half guard.

Kage actively working from the bottom here.
Mester tries to pass to full mount but Kage defends it.
Mester trying to control from half guard but Kage is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mester thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kage's head.
Mester is just content to waste time from the top position. Kage takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kage keeping moving, preventing Mester from controlling successfully.
Mester throws a big right hand that misses.
Mester trying to control but Kage is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mester is pushing down on Kage's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kage is fighting to maintain full guard but Mester has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mester is keen to just control but Kage is a slippery customer.
Mester content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mester is looking to advance position but Kage won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kage looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mester trying to control from half guard but Kage is working away.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nikola Mester wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kage misses with a kick to the body.
Mester tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kage sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mester somewhat.
Mester takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kage takes a swing at Mester's ribcage but misses.

Kage shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Kage is trying to work for a kimura but Mester is defending well.

Mester looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mester trying to hold on to Kage's head to control him but Kage postures up.
Kage thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nikola Mester will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Kage's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mester shoots in looking for a takedown. Kage tries to sprawl out of it but Mester keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kage manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Mester gets a double leg takedown into Kage's guard.
Mester stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kage swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Kage working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Mester has passed into half guard!
Mester wants to control but Kage is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mester looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Mester wants to take a breather but Kage is having none of it.
Kage has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mester is working away from the top position though.
Nikola Mester has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mester trying to control from half guard but Kage is working away.

Nikola Mester has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
An inside leg kick from Kage misses.
Raijin Kage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kage throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mester shoots and misses
and Kage counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Kage closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mester did well to prevent Kage getting side control.
Mester tries to get to full guard but Kage has control of the leg.

Kage is looking for a kimura but Mester is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kage to get the leverage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kage not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kage wants to take a breather but Mester is having none of it.

Kage wants to work for an arm triangle but Mester is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Kage is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mester doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kage.
Mester is trying to maintain the position but Kage is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mester is looking for a sweep. Kage is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mester is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mester wants to control but Kage is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kage trying to control the action but Mester is working from the bottom.
Kage throwing shots but Mester is blocking nicely.
Kage is looking to stall here but Mester recovers full guard.
Mester looking for a sweep. Not yet Mester, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mester is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Mester throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mester keeping moving, preventing Kage from controlling successfully.
Kage is looking to work some ground and pound but Mester has wrist control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kage got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mester has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kage has managed to get both his arms back between Mester's legs - danger averted.
Mester controls Kage momentarily but Kage frees himself.

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 Raijin Kage.
I think Mester 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Nikola Mester!