PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kajin Hitigaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luiz Thiaguinho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hitigaki's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Whistler. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hitigaki
vs
Thiaguinho

172 cm
21
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

164 cm
26
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Knox Energy

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kajin Hitigaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Luiz Thiaguinho!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thiaguinho displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hitigaki throws out the jab.
Thiaguinho closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hitigaki circles away.

Thiaguinho shoots in and bounces Hitigaki off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Thiaguinho postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hitigaki trying to control the position here.
Hitigaki controls Thiaguinho momentarily but Thiaguinho frees himself.
Hitigaki is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thiaguinho is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitigaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Hitigaki, not yet.
Thiaguinho trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hitigaki's guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Kajin Hitigaki wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Thiaguinho looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hitigaki is fending him off so far but Thiaguinho persists. Nope, Hitigaki circles away and we're back to standing.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hitigaki enables Thiaguinho to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hitigaki manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Thiaguinho trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thiaguinho controlling from the top position.
It looks like Thiaguinho might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Luiz Thiaguinho has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Thiaguinho with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hitigaki counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kajin Hitigaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Thiaguinho.
Thiaguinho uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hitigaki.
Hitigaki takes a swing at Thiaguinho's ribcage but misses.
Hitigaki jabs Thiaguinho to the body, keeping him at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hitigaki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hitigaki wants it to stay on the feet.
Thiaguinho gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hitigaki counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki shoots in for a takedown but Thiaguinho shows good takedown defense.
Thiaguinho changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hitigaki tries to avoid it but Thiaguinho manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hitigaki to the ground. Hitigaki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thiaguinho looks winded!

Hitigaki gets a takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Hitigaki seems content to control.
Hitigaki trying to control the action but Thiaguinho is working from the bottom.
Hitigaki wants to stand up but Thiaguinho has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Thiaguinho looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki is looking to take a break and control but Thiaguinho is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hitigaki is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Thiaguinho reverses the position - he's now on top in Hitigaki's guard.
Thiaguinho distracts Hitigaki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thiaguinho controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luiz Thiaguinho will probably get the nod.
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.

Hitigaki changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Thiaguinho fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Luiz Thiaguinho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thiaguinho misses with a takedown attempt
and Hitigaki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hitigaki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thiaguinho was well out of range. Poor timing from Hitigaki.

Hitigaki shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hitigaki was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hitigaki happy to just control the position for now.

Hitigaki decides to stand up, so the ref orders Thiaguinho to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thiaguinho fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hitigaki to the ground. Thiaguinho is now in Hitigaki's guard.
Thiaguinho controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hitigaki trying to keep a closed guard but Thiaguinho is proving a slippery customer.

Thiaguinho gets to his feet. Hitigaki looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Hitigaki throws a hook but Thiaguinho blocks it.
Thiaguinho takes one to the chin there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thiaguinho goes for a double leg but Hitigaki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hitigaki continues to drive forward.
Kajin Hitigaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Thiaguinho.
Thiaguinho drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Thiaguinho changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hitigaki fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hitigaki. Thiaguinho does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Hitigaki misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiaguinho misses with a takedown
and Hitigaki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thiaguinho shoots and misses
and Hitigaki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thiaguinho is breathing heavily.
Hitigaki leaves Thiaguinho with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hitigaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thiaguinho sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hitigaki somewhat.
Thiaguinho doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hitigaki counters with a nice body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Hitigaki there.
Hitigaki is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hitigaki lands with an uppercut that bounces Thiaguinho off the cage and back into range.
Hitigaki scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Thiaguinho doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki cracks Thiaguinho with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hitigaki misses with a hook to the body
and Thiaguinho counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kajin Hitigaki is winning the standup battle so far.
Hitigaki lands an overhand right.
Thiaguinho misses with an attempted mid kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hitigaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thiaguinho but Thiaguinho pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thiaguinho doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hitigaki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hitigaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Hitigaki connects with the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitigaki blocks a head kick by Thiaguinho.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kajin Hitigaki dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Thiaguinho tries for a takedown but Hitigaki circles away easily
and Hitigaki counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hitigaki scores with a jab.
Thiaguinho tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hitigaki defends well and Thiaguinho ends up having to push Hitigaki into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hitigaki keeps control of Thiaguinho as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Thiaguinho throws an elbow but misses.
Hitigaki is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hitigaki avoiding damage.
Thiaguinho is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kajin Hitigaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Thiaguinho.
Hitigaki prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thiaguinho has Hitigaki pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Thiaguinho pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hitigaki tumbling to the mat - Thiaguinho dives into Hitigaki's guard.
Thiaguinho takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thiaguinho stops Hitigaki from standing up.
Thiaguinho sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thiaguinho wants to stand and escape but instead Hitigaki has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Hitigaki stands up from Thiaguinho's guard - Hitigaki perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thiaguinho is defended easily by Hitigaki.
Hitigaki looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Hitigaki throws a right hand that misses

and Thiaguinho counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thiaguinho decides to stand back up.
Hitigaki lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Thiaguinho at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Thiaguinho as Hitigaki shoots in.
No luck for Thiaguinho with that takedown attempt.
Thiaguinho misses with a takedown attempt
and Hitigaki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hitigaki closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Hitigaki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Thiaguinho doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hitigaki.
Thiaguinho is looking to control Hitigaki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thiaguinho avoid being mounted?
Hitigaki is looking to take a break and control but Thiaguinho is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hitigaki wants to free his trapped foot but Thiaguinho is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki wants to stand up but Thiaguinho has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Thiaguinho keeping hold of Hitigaki's head, controlling as best he can.
Thiaguinho slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hitigaki throws a strike but Thiaguinho rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thiaguinho trying to control but Hitigaki is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Luiz Thiaguinho.
I think Thiaguinho 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luiz Thiaguinho!