PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jose Luis Cantero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takakeno Kumikura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kumikura has chosen Gallhammer - Blind my eyes as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Luis Cantero
vs
Kumikura

183 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
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, Jose Luis Cantero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takakeno Kumikura!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cantero closes the distance and clinches.
Kumikura working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Kumikura breaks the clinch.

Cantero shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kumikura trying to control the position.
Kumikura pulls Cantero in close to prevent any damage.
Let's hope that Kumikura has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Cantero working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cantero trying to control the position from guard on top but Kumikura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantero is stalling in the full guard.
Kumikura wants to get back to his feet but Cantero is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cantero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cantero has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cantero pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kumikura is keeping the position for now.
Cantero trying to control but Kumikura is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kumikura looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cantero is fending him off so far but Kumikura persists. Nope, Cantero circles away and we're back to standing.
Kumikura takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Cantero fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kumikura sprawls well initially but Cantero persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kumikura is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kumikura wants to get back to full guard.
Cantero is looking to take a break and control but Kumikura is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cantero is stalling here. Kumikura is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Cantero seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Kumikura has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Cantero sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Cantero tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Cantero is trying to maintain the position but Kumikura is very close to passing his half guard.
Cantero tries to get to full guard but Kumikura has control of the leg.
Cantero missing with punches from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantero tries to get to full guard but Kumikura has control of the leg.
Cantero is breathing heavily.
Cantero tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kumikura has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Kumikura tries to control but Cantero wriggling away.
Cantero is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Cantero tries to hold on but Kumikura postures up.
Cantero flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Cantero holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kumikura tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Cantero tries to lock up and control but Kumikura gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kumikura stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Cantero shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Luis Cantero dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kumikura tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cantero swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cantero fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cantero misses with a takedown attempt - Kumikura sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cantero looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kumikura is fending him off so far but Cantero persists. Nope, Kumikura circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Luis Cantero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kumikura fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kumikura keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Kumikura gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cantero takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kumikura wants a takedown.

Kumikura breaks the clinch.
Cantero avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kumikura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Kumikura has taken the fight to the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kumikura lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kumikura will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cantero up against the cage.
Kumikura lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cantero changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kumikura fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kumikura tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cantero fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Kumikura closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kumikura just leaning against Cantero, taking a breather.
Cantero tries to pull guard but Kumikura holds him up against the cage and eventually Cantero drops back down to his feet.
Kumikura lands with a right to the head.

That's two 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.
Kumikura lands a knee to the head.
Kumikura with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cantero goes for a takedown attempt but Kumikura pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kumikura looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cantero shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kumikura pinned against the cage. Kumikura gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Kumikura clinches up with Cantero and pushes him back against the cage.

Kumikura drags the fight down to the ground.
Kumikura working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cantero.
Kumikura looking to control.
Cantero with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantero postures up in Kumikura's guard and throws a big left but Kumikura blocks it.
Cantero stopping the sweep attempt from Kumikura.
Kumikura manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cantero manages to get himself to full guard.
Kumikura throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cantero is on top in guard.
Kumikura is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cantero is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cantero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cantero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cantero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cantero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kumikura is on top in guard.
Cantero is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kumikura pushes down on Cantero's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kumikura moves into full mount! Cantero won't be happy about that!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takakeno Kumikura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Cantero's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kumikura tries to close the distance and clinch but Cantero swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cantero looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kumikura is looking to clinch but Cantero is avoiding it.

Cantero closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cantero lands in his opponent's guard.
Cantero thows a big elbow that misses.
Cantero wants to control from the top but Kumikura keeps moving.
Cantero postures up.
Cantero wants to control from the top but Kumikura keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kumikura trying to keep a closed guard but Cantero is proving a slippery customer.
Cantero trying to control but Kumikura is working from the bottom.
Cantero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kumikura swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck for Kumikura with that takedown attempt.
Cantero shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kumikura throws a head kick that Cantero semi-blocks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kumikura tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cantero swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kumikura shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cantero but Cantero pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kumikura wants to clinch up but Cantero keeps it at a distance.
Jose Luis Cantero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cantero.
Cantero tries to move to mount but Kumikura blocks the move with his legs.
Cantero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kumikura keeps working.
Kumikura is looking for a sweep.
Kumikura wants to control but Cantero postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kumikura keeps working.
Kumikura is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kumikura is refusing to be controlled, as Cantero sits in half guard.
Cantero tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Kumikura.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Kumikura. No joy for Cantero on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Luis Cantero. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kumikura closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The referee calls for Kumikura to work.
Cantero goes for a takedown attempt but Kumikura pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kumikura fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kumikura tries a head kick but it misses.
Cantero shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kumikura as he avoids it easily.
Cantero shoots in but no luck this time.
Cantero connects with a high kick.
Kumikura tries to clinch there but Cantero circles away.
Jose Luis Cantero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cantero doesn't manage to clinch there - Kumikura circles away.
Kumikura tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kumikura wants to clinch.

Kumikura clinches up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cantero tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kumikura smiles and moves away.

Kumikura closes the distance and clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Takakeno Kumikura.
I think Kumikura 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Takakeno Kumikura!