PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yoko Kagawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jerome McMann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kagawa
vs
McMann

180 cm
19
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Yoko Kagawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jerome McMann!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Chris Edwards and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Kagawa.
McMann fails with a takedown attempt.
Kagawa misses with a body shot.
McMann doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kagawa counters with a single leg into guard. McMann didn't expect that.
Kagawa tries to free his leg and advance position but McMann is retaining full guard.
Kagawa trying to control the position from guard on top but McMann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McMann trying to keep a closed guard but Kagawa is proving a slippery customer.
Kagawa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yoko Kagawa has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kagawa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McMann circles away quickly and effectively.
McMann lands the left hand.
McMann fails in his attempt to clinch.
No luck for McMann with that takedown attempt.
Yoko Kagawa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jerome McMann.
Kagawa shoots in looking for a takedown. McMann tries to sprawl out of it but Kagawa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McMann manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jerome McMann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kagawa closes the distance and clinches up with McMann, looking for a takedown. Kagawa pushes McMann against the cage but McMann circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

McMann fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kagawa, pushing him back against the cage.

Kagawa jumps guard.
Kagawa pulls McMann in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kagawa trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kagawa trying to control the position.
McMann is working Kagawa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kagawa is pulling down on McMann's head. It's preventing any offense from McMann, at least for the moment.
Kagawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
McMann wanted to stand there but Kagawa had control of the position.
McMann throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McMann accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kagawa looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yoko Kagawa.
McMann circles away from the clinch attempt.
McMann tries a head kick but it misses.
Kagawa moves forwards but McMann connects with a nice, crisp jab.
McMann cracks Kagawa with a good jab.
Kagawa fails with an attempt to clinch.

McMann clinches.
McMann stalling against the cage.
McMann gets underhooks to prevent Kagawa's takedown attempt.
Kagawa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McMann is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kagawa is breathing heavily.
McMann wants to stall.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kagawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMann misses with a takedown attempt - Kagawa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kagawa throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McMann connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kagawa. Kagawa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kagawa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
McMann will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kagawa closes the distance and clinches up with McMann, looking for a takedown. Kagawa pushes McMann against the cage but McMann circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McMann shoots in for a double leg but Kagawa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McMann connects with the punch.
McMann avoids the head kick by Kagawa.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McMann shoots in but no luck this time.
McMann blocks a head kick by Kagawa.
Kagawa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kagawa wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jerome McMann will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McMann closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kagawa counters with a single leg into guard. McMann didn't expect that.
Kagawa is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kagawa wants to control from the top but McMann keeps moving.
Kagawa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

We're going to have a standup here because Yoko Kagawa wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McMann jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

McMann tries to sprawl but Kagawa drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kagawa trying to pass the guard but McMann defending well.
Well, if Kagawa is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
McMann is staying active underneath Kagawa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
McMann is looking to control Kagawa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McMann avoid being mounted?
Kagawa could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yoko Kagawa.
Kagawa fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McMann lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kagawa.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McMann manages to get back to half guard.
Kagawa tries to stand but can't do so whilst McMann controls his leg.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kagawa in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kagawa is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for McMann!
McMann wants to hold on but Kagawa pushes him away.
Kagawa tries to control but McMann wriggling away.
McMann is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
McMann tries to get back to half guard but can't.
McMann wants to hold on but Kagawa pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMann is looking to improve his position but Kagawa isn't that keen on the idea.

Kagawa working for a guillotine from mount but McMann is in no mood to give up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McMann keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoko Kagawa dominated that second 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!

McMann shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kagawa sprawls well. Kagawa wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McMann gets slowly back to his feet.
Jerome McMann seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McMann tests Kagawa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McMann tries to clinch there but Kagawa circles away.
Kagawa wants to clinch but McMann slips to the side
and McMann makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Oooooh!!! McMann has knocked Kagawa down with a huge combo! McMann steps away and waves a wobbly Kagawa back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Yoko Kagawa has been cut.
Yoko Kagawa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McMann wants to clinch.
Kagawa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting McMann counter with a right hand.

Kagawa pushes McMann up against the cage in a clinch.
McMann wants a takedown but no success here.
Kagawa manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMann is looking to break free of the clinch but Kagawa has double underhooks.
McMann tries to pull guard but Kagawa won't allow it.
Yoko Kagawa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jerome McMann.
McMann is trying to break free.
Kagawa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Kagawa manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McMann wants to stand but Kagawa is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kagawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kagawa on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kagawa tries to get out of the position.
McMann takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kagawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kagawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McMann trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McMann throws a big elbow that misses.
McMann trying to control the position from guard on top but Kagawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kagawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kagawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McMann wants to get up but he can't break Kagawa's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
McMann seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
McMann in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kagawa has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jerome McMann.
Kagawa fails with a takedown attempt.
McMann shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kagawa but Kagawa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McMann gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kagawa holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kagawa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMann jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kagawa walks away with a smile on his face. McMann gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kagawa works the jab nicely.

Kagawa closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kagawa lands in his opponent's guard.
Kagawa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McMann is keeping the position for now.
Kagawa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jerome McMann comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McMann 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight for Jerome McMann!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Jerome McMann!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Jerome McMann!

Jerome McMann wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Jerome McMann thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.