PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoshi Doi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Neeson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Doi
vs
Neeson

170 cm
31
155 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

175 cm
29
146 lbs
8 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshi Doi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Liam Neeson!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Doi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Neeson.
Doi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Neeson dives in for a single leg takedown but Doi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Yoshi Doi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Neeson.
Doi controlling the action here for a moment.
Doi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Liam Neeson has been cut.

Doi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Yoshi Doi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Doi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Neeson as he jumps to the side.
Doi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Neeson tries to avoid it but Doi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Neeson to the ground. Neeson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Doi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Neeson shoots in and bounces Doi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Neeson trying to control but Doi is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neeson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Doi's head.
Neeson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Neeson preventing the sweep.
Neeson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Doi is keeping the position for now.
Doi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Neeson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Neeson trying to control but Doi is working from the bottom.
Neeson stops Doi from standing up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Doi shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Neeson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Neeson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Doi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Neeson looking for a guillotine here but Doi defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doi stopping the sweep attempt from Neeson.
Doi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Neeson looking to control.
Doi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Neeson is proving hard to escape from.
Doi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yoshi Doi.
The fighters circling - Neeson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Doi stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neeson dives in for a single leg takedown but Doi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Doi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Neeson takes an elbow to the forehead.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Neeson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Doi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Doi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Neeson up against the cage.
Our sources have told us that Doi has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Neeson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Doi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Doi is trying to trip Neeson. He has hold of a leg but Neeson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Doi persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Doi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Neeson looking to control.
Doi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Doi prevents Neeson from getting back to his feet.

Neeson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Doi sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Doi gets to his feet. Neeson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Neeson fails with a takedown attempt.
Doi shoots in looking for a takedown but Neeson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Doi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Doi shoots and misses

and Neeson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Doi's guard now.
Doi being controlled here, momentarily.
Doi is trying to hold Neeson in close to prevent damage but Neeson has managed to pass into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Doi tries to roll over but Neeson keeps him under control.
Doi is not content to let Neeson control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yoshi Doi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Liam Neeson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Doi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Neeson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Doi somewhat.
Neeson stuffs the takedown attempt from Doi. Doi gets slowly back to his feet.
Neeson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Neeson thows a body shot but no joy.
Doi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Neeson as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshi Doi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown but Doi shows good takedown defense.

Doi forces Neeson back against the cage and clinches.
Come on Doi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Doi manages to break the clinch.
Doi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Neeson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Doi!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neeson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Doi keeps working.
Neeson in side control lands a decent elbow.
Doi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Neeson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Doi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Neeson wants to work for an arm triangle but Doi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Neeson trying to control the action but Doi is working from the bottom.
Doi wants to get back to his feet.
Neeson content to control rather than advance.
Doi is trying to maintain the position but Neeson is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neeson trying to control the action but Doi is working from the bottom.
Doi is trying to stand back up but Neeson is controlling him

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Neeson looks for a takedown but Doi sprawls well.
Doi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Neeson but Neeson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Doi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Neeson's waist but Neeson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Doi off to one side.
Neeson stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Neeson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Doi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Yoshi Doi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Doi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Doi has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neeson lands a body shot.
Neeson shoots in looking for a takedown but Doi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Neeson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Neeson tries for a takedown but Doi circles away easily
and Doi counters with a series of strikes. Neeson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Doi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Doi checks a low kick from Neeson.
Neeson goes for a double leg but Doi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Doi continues to drive forward.

Doi jumps into guard, dragging Neeson to the mat.
Neeson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Doi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Doi being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neeson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Neeson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

OK we're going to have a standup here. Liam Neeson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Doi shoots in but no luck this time.
Neeson tries for a takedown but Doi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Neeson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Doi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Neeson somewhat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Neeson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Doi!
Doi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Neeson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Neeson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Liam Neeson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Neeson gets caught flat footed, as Doi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Doi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Neeson is proving hard to escape from.

Neeson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Neeson is on top in guard.
Neeson won't allow Doi to sweep him here.
Neeson stops Doi from standing up.
Doi trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Doi keeping moving, preventing Neeson from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Liam Neeson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Doi. No joy for Neeson on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doi misses with a takedown

and Neeson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Doi's guard.
Doi wants to hit a switch here but Neeson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Doi there!
Neeson raining down shots from the mount!
Neeson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Doi is trying to stand up.
Neeson with shots to the head and body - Doi looks very uncomfortable down there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neeson wants to control the pace but Doi is squirming around nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Doi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
My spies in Lock and Roll Grappling Gym inform me that Neeson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neeson breaks from Doi's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Doi defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Neeson.
Neeson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Doi's face.
Neeson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Neeson wants to control the pace but Doi is squirming around nicely.
Liam Neeson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Doi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Neeson landing punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Doi is desperately trying to improve his position but Neeson has a good base and remains in mount.

Doi defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Neeson.
Neeson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Doi working to try and regain half guard.
Neeson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Doi is looking to escape.
Doi tries to lock up and control but Neeson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Doi is in a horrible position here. Neeson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neeson scoring with strikes but Doi is staying in there.
Doi is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Neeson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Doi regains half guard.
Doi is refusing to be controlled, as Neeson sits in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Liam Neeson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Doi looks for a takedown but Neeson sprawls well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liam Neeson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Neeson 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 for Liam Neeson!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Liam Neeson!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Liam Neeson!

Liam Neeson wins by unanimous decision!
Liam Neeson was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.