PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bashir Saladin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tokisjima Hakiyama (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.

Saladin
vs
Hakiyama

178 cm
18
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bashir Saladin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tokisjima Hakiyama!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hakiyama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hakiyama misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Hakiyama.
Hakiyama goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hakiyama keeps the fight on the outside.
Saladin throws a nice looking combination but Hakiyama bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hakiyama throws a nice head kick!
Saladin misses with a two punch combination.
Saladin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Saladin blocks a head kick by Hakiyama.
A slow jab from Saladin misses its intended target.
Hakiyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hakiyama lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Saladin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Saladin throws out a loose jab but Hakiyama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saladin cracks Hakiyama with a good jab.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that half lands.

Saladin forces Hakiyama back against the cage and clinches.
Hakiyama wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saladin has him pressed against the cage.
Hakiyama takes an elbow to the forehead.
Saladin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hakiyama backwards.
Saladin is trying to break free.

Hakiyama breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tokisjima Hakiyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hakiyama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saladin misses with an uppercut. Hakiyama saw that one coming.
Saladin connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hakiyama misses with a head kick.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that Saladin semi-blocks.
Hakiyama pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Saladin moves into range and clinches up with Hakiyama.
Hakiyama is looking to break free of the clinch but Saladin has double underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Saladin throws an elbow but misses.
Hakiyama is trying to break the clinch but Saladin has him pressed against the cage.
Hakiyama is looking to break free of the clinch but Saladin has double underhooks.
Saladin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saladin misses with some punches.
Hakiyama is looking to break free of the clinch but Saladin has double underhooks.
Saladin is looking to break free of the clinch but Hakiyama has double underhooks.
Saladin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The referee calls for Saladin to work.
Hakiyama is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hakiyama is trying to stall.

Saladin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saladin avoids the head kick by Hakiyama.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that misses.
Saladin throws a shot from downtown. Hakiyama moves away and avoids it.
Hakiyama throws a head kick but Saladin moves out of range.
Saladin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hakiyama lands with a slapping head kick.
A head kick misses from Hakiyama.
Tokisjima Hakiyama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saladin throws an overhand right that lands on Hakiyama's shoulder, as Hakiyama tries to avoid the shot.
Saladin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hakiyama slips under a jab.
Hakiyama throws a nice head kick!
Hakiyama goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Saladin has managed to clinch.
Saladin swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saladin wants to get back to striking at distance but Hakiyama won't allow it.
Hakiyama wants to get back to striking at distance but Saladin won't allow it.
Hakiyama tries for a takedown. No joy.
Saladin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hakiyama backwards.
Saladin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hakiyama backwards.
Saladin is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Saladin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hakiyama's brow.
Hakiyama is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Saladin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Saladin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Some wild striking there from Saladin.
Saladin misses with a double jab.
Saladin misses the jab.
A head kick misses from Hakiyama.
Saladin looks to land a body kick but Hakiyama moved away.
Hakiyama tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hakiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Hakiyama connects with a high kick.
Hakiyama lands a head kick. Saladin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hakiyama throws a head kick but Saladin moves out of range.
Saladin avoids the head kick by Hakiyama.
Jab from Saladin.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that misses.
Hakiyama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saladin avoids the head kick by Hakiyama.

Saladin forces Hakiyama back against the cage and clinches.
Saladin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hakiyama wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Saladin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Saladin has had enough of the clinch but Hakiyama keeps him there for the moment.
Saladin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Saladin has Hakiyama pushed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tokisjima Hakiyama dominated that round.
That's time! Saladin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Saladin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Saladin moves into the clinch.

Saladin manages to break the clinch.
Saladin misses with an uppercut.
Saladin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hakiyama lands with a slapping head kick.
Saladin throws a nice looking combination but Hakiyama bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hakiyama misses with a head kick.
Saladin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hakiyama tries to avoid it but Saladin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hakiyama to the ground. Hakiyama escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hakiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Saladin looks to land a right hand but Hakiyama moved out of range.
Hakiyama lands a high kick!
Hakiyama lands with a kick to the temple. Saladin shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hakiyama avoids the body shot from Saladin.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that misses.
Saladin blocks a head kick by Hakiyama.
Hakiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Hakiyama lands with a slapping head kick.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that misses.
Saladin avoids the head kick by Hakiyama.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hakiyama lands a high kick!
Saladin blocks a head kick by Hakiyama.
Saladin is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hakiyama dodges the punch combination from Saladin.
Saladin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hakiyama lands a head kick. Saladin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hakiyama throws a nice head kick!

Saladin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Saladin misses with some punches.
Saladin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Hakiyama is trying to maintain a safe position but Saladin gets an underhook and turns Hakiyama into the cage.
Hakiyama tries to work over Saladin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice left hand lands by Saladin.
Hakiyama wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saladin has him pressed against the cage.
Saladin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hakiyama has him pressed against the cage.
Saladin wants to break free but Hakiyama has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hakiyama wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short right from Saladin.
Saladin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Saladin is working for takedown but Hakiyama is calmly controlling the position for now.
Saladin has had enough of the clinch but Hakiyama keeps him there for the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saladin wants to get back to striking at distance but Hakiyama won't allow it.
Saladin looking to slow down the pace here.
Hakiyama looking to slow down the pace here.
Saladin lands a hook that snaps the head of Hakiyama backwards.
Saladin missing with knees to the body.
Saladin wants to break free but Hakiyama has control.
Hakiyama can't break the clinch.
Hakiyama tries to break the clinch but Saladin is controlling the position.
Saladin prevents Hakiyama from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saladin wants to break free but Hakiyama has control.
Hakiyama wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hakiyama wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hakiyama wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saladin has him pressed against the cage.
Saladin is trying to break the clinch but Hakiyama has him pressed against the cage.
Saladin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Saladin breaks the clinch.
Hakiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Saladin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hakiyama wants to clinch up but Saladin keeps it at a distance.
Hakiyama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hakiyama is looking to clinch.
Hakiyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hakiyama throws a sloppy head kick and Saladin moves out of range easily.
Hakiyama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice defenses there by Hakiyama.
Saladin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Saladin drives through and clinches with Hakiyama against the cage.
Hakiyama wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hakiyama has had enough of the clinch but Saladin keeps him there for the moment.
Hakiyama blocks an uppercut.
Saladin has Hakiyama pushed against the cage.
Hakiyama is trying to break the clinch but Saladin has him pressed against the cage.
Saladin lands a left hand.

Saladin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saladin throws a body punch but Hakiyama moves out of range.
Saladin closes the distance and clinches up with Hakiyama, looking for a takedown. Saladin pushes Hakiyama against the cage but Hakiyama circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bashir Saladin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saladin avoids the head kick by Hakiyama.
Hakiyama lands a head kick!
Hakiyama is looking to clinch but Saladin is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tokisjima Hakiyama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Hakiyama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Good exchange - Saladin coming out on top.
Hakiyama lands a head kick!
Hakiyama throws a nice head kick!
Hakiyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hakiyama throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Saladin's head.
A head kick misses from Hakiyama.
Hakiyama plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Saladin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hakiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Saladin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Saladin takes a swing at Hakiyama's ribcage but misses.
Hakiyama connects with a high kick.
Saladin misses with the combination.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that misses.
Hakiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Hakiyama goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Saladin misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hakiyama throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saladin.
Saladin misses with a double jab.
A head kick misses from Hakiyama.
A head kick from Hakiyama lands but Saladin takes it in his stride.
Saladin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Horrible takedown by Saladin or perhaps it was just good defense by Hakiyama which made him look bad.
Tokisjima Hakiyama seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saladin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hakiyama doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hakiyama throws a head kick but Saladin moves out of range.
Hakiyama ducks under a wild hook from Saladin.
Hakiyama throws a head kick that half lands.
Hakiyama lands with a kick to the temple. Saladin shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Saladin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hakiyama but Hakiyama pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saladin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hakiyama is fending him off so far but Saladin persists. Nope, Hakiyama circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bashir Saladin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hakiyama slips a jab and a cross from Saladin.
Hakiyama lands a head kick. Saladin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hakiyama lands a head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hakiyama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No joy there for Saladin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saladin avoids the head kick by Hakiyama.
Saladin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saladin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Saladin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hakiyama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saladin.
Hakiyama slips a straight right by Saladin.
Saladin avoids the head kick by Hakiyama.
Hakiyama goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hakiyama scores with a head kick.
Saladin misses with a series of wild punches.
Hakiyama lands a head kick. Saladin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A head kick misses from Hakiyama.
Bashir Saladin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saladin tries to land a front kick but Hakiyama steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Saladin misses the jab.
Saladin circles away from the clinch attempt

and Saladin counters with a shoot takedown. Hakiyama fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saladin won't allow Hakiyama to get back to his feet.
Saladin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bashir Saladin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saladin wanted to stand there but Hakiyama had control of the position.

Hakiyama pushes Saladin off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Saladin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Saladin motions for Hakiyama to come forward. Saladin throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saladin misses the shot to the body.
Hakiyama misses with a head kick.
Saladin misses with the combination.
No joy there for Saladin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saladin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Saladin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hakiyama is fending him off so far but Saladin persists. Nope, Hakiyama circles away and we're back to standing.
Hakiyama lands a high kick!
Saladin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hakiyama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saladin.
Hakiyama throws a sloppy head kick and Saladin moves out of range easily.
Hakiyama lands a head kick!
Hakiyama lands a high kick!
Hakiyama moves out of range of the strikes.
Saladin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hakiyama pinned against the cage. Hakiyama gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hakiyama lands a head kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tokisjima Hakiyama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hakiyama 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tokisjima Hakiyama!