PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kyoto Kasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spike Spiegel (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.

Kasaki
vs
Spiegel

185 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyoto Kasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Spike Spiegel!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kasaki throws a right hand that Spiegel ducks under and follows up with a left that Spiegel also avoids with ease.
Spiegel tries to clinch but Kasaki is having none of it.
No joy there for Kasaki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Spiegel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kasaki throws out the jab.

Spiegel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kasaki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Spiegel pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kasaki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Spiegel works Kasaki's body with a nice hook.
Kasaki misses with a two punch combination.
Spiegel avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kasaki swinging wilding here.
Spiegel lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kasaki at a distance.
Spiegel avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spiegel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Spiegel dodges the punch combination from Kasaki.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Spiegel.
Spiegel lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Spiegel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Spiegel lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kasaki takes a step back to recover.
Spiegel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kasaki's hands.
Kasaki throws a combination that misses

and Spiegel counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kasaki wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Spiegel goes for a takedown attempt but Kasaki pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nice shot lands for Spiegel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spiegel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kyoto Kasaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spike Spiegel.
Kasaki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Spiegel finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Kasaki swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Spiegel counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Spiegel rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kasaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Kasaki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Kasaki tries to control but Spiegel wriggling away.
Spiegel is desperately trying to improve his position but Kasaki has a good base and remains in mount.
Kasaki pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kasaki misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Spiegel avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kasaki.
Kasaki is breathing heavily.
Spiegel is in a horrible position here. Kasaki smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spiegel tries to reverse the position but Kasaki maintains control.
Spiegel tries to hold on but Kasaki pushes him away.
Kasaki postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Spiegel looks a forlorn figure.
Kasaki takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kasaki thowing shots but they're missing.
BOOM! Kasaki connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Spiegel really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kasaki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Spiegel is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kasaki looking to finish Spiegel with some ground and pound. This is bad for Spiegel!
Spiegel is working to get back to half guard.
Kasaki punching from mount but Spiegel doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spiegel really wants to buck Kasaki off and get back to his feet.
Kasaki wants to control the pace but Spiegel is squirming around nicely.

Kasaki swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Spiegel is now in Kasaki's guard. A big mistake from Kasaki there, giving up the dominant position!
Spiegel trying to control but Kasaki is working from the bottom.
Kasaki on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kasaki tries to get out of the position.
Kasaki trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Spiegel gets to his feet. Kasaki looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kasaki throws a jab when Spiegel was well out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kasaki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Spike Spiegel will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kasaki shoots in but Spiegel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kasaki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Spiegel counters with a big head kick but Kasaki shrugs it off.
Spiegel is looking to clinch but Kasaki is avoiding it.
Spiegel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Spiegel tries to close the distance and clinch but Kasaki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Spiegel jabs at Kasaki's body.
Kasaki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Spiegel counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spiegel throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kasaki.
Kasaki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Spiegel counters with a two punch combo.
Kyoto Kasaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Spiegel lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Spiegel lands but Kasaki takes it in his stride.
Crunch! Spiegel slams his shin into Kasaki's torso.
Kasaki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Spiegel counters with a three punch combo that has Kasaki backing up. Kasaki nods at Spiegel to acknowledge the strikes.
Spiegel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kasaki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Spiegel!
Kasaki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Spiegel counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Spiegel throws a combination. Kasaki tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kasaki misses with a combination
and Spiegel makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kasaki really felt that one!
Spiegel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spiegel throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kasaki takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Spiegel throws a nice head kick!
Kasaki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Spiegel counters with a nice body kick.
Spiegel throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kasaki's head.
Spiegel wants to clinch up but Kasaki keeps it at a distance.
Spiegel throws a head kick that half lands.
Spiegel lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kasaki takes a step back to recover.
Left hook, right uppercut from Spiegel.

Spiegel rushes Kasaki and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Spiegel lands a body shot.
Spiegel gets underhooks to prevent Kasaki's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyoto Kasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spiegel wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kasaki has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spiegel breaks from the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Spiegel scores with a four punch combination!
Spiegel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kyoto Kasaki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spiegel fakes the leg kick and cracks Kasaki in the body.
Kasaki misses with a double jab
and Spiegel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Spiegel rushes Kasaki and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kasaki wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Spiegel has him pressed against the cage.
Kasaki prevents Spiegel from breaking the clinch.
Spiegel is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Spiegel prevents the takedown attempt.
Spiegel is trying to break free.

Spiegel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spiegel fails to land the takedown.
Kasaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kasaki throws a combination that misses
and Spiegel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Spiegel lands a high kick!
Spiegel throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Spiegel connects with a high kick.
Kasaki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Spiegel counters with a head kick.
Spiegel throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kasaki misses with a combination
and Spiegel counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Spiegel throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kasaki misses with a double jab
and Spiegel counters with a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spike Spiegel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Spiegel clinches up against the cage.
Spiegel has had enough of the clinch but Kasaki keeps him there for the moment.
Spiegel is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kasaki wants a takedown.
Kasaki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kasaki tries for a takedown but Spiegel manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyoto Kasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spiegel is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kasaki will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Spiegel wants to break the clinch but can't.
Spiegel tries to break the clinch but Kasaki is controlling the position.
Spiegel prevents the takedown attempt.

Spiegel manages to break the clinch.
Spiegel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kasaki as he avoids it easily.
Kasaki walks forward, straight into a front kick from Spiegel.
Spiegel lands a right hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spiegel is looking to clinch.
Spiegel cracks the inside of Kasaki's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spiegel darts in and clinches Kasaki up against the cage.
Kasaki wants a takedown.

Spiegel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kasaki is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Spiegel throws a head kick that half lands.
Kasaki throws a left and a right that both miss
and Spiegel makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Spiegel thuds a left hand into Kasaki's body.
Spiegel tries to close the distance and clinch but Kasaki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Spiegel shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Spiegel showed some decent athleticism there.
Kasaki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kasaki is trying to get back to full guard.
Spiegel wants to pass the guard but Kasaki is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kasaki is trying to get back to full guard.
Spiegel prevents Kasaki from standing back up.
Kasaki tries to roll over but Spiegel keeps him under control.
Kasaki is working hard here to advance position.
Spiegel wants to take a breather but Kasaki is having none of it.
Kasaki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spiegel.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Kasaki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Spiegel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spiegel stuns Kasaki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kasaki misses with a double jab

and Spiegel counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kasaki wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Spiegel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spiegel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Spiegel lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kasaki will feel that in the morning.
Spiegel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kasaki stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Spiegel fails with the takedown.
A nice leg kick lands there from Spiegel.
Spiegel scores with a one two! Kasaki had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kasaki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Spiegel counters with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kasaki crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Spiegel - the referee stops the clock and Kasaki gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Spiegel. Kasaki manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kasaki throws a left and a right that both miss
and Spiegel counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kasaki moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Spiegel throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kyoto Kasaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spiegel scores with a one two! Kasaki had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A big left from Kasaki misses.
Spiegel wants to clinch up but Kasaki keeps it at a distance.
Kasaki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Spiegel lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kasaki will feel that in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Spike Spiegel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Spiegel 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spike Spiegel!