PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Troy Roman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Shirahama
vs
Roman

178 cm
31
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
135 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ White Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenichi Shirahama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Troy Roman!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirahama shoots in but Roman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Roman throws a head kick that misses.
Roman stuffs the takedown attempt from Shirahama. Shirahama gets slowly back to his feet.
Shirahama tries to score a power double leg takedown but Roman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shirahama somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenichi Shirahama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shirahama fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Shirahama fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shirahama on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Roman has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Shirahama is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Shirahama fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Roman avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roman throws a hook but Shirahama avoids it easily.
Roman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Roman wants it to stay on the feet.
Shirahama tries to score a power double leg takedown but Roman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shirahama somewhat.
Nice sprawl there from Roman as Shirahama shoots in.
Shirahama takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Roman attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Shirahama shoots in for a takedown but Roman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shirahama checks the leg kick nicely there.
Shirahama blocks a head kick by Roman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shirahama shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Roman pinned against the cage. Roman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shirahama tries to clinch up but Roman circles away and keeps his distance.
Roman clobbers Shirahama with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Troy Roman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Roman throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kenichi Shirahama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shirahama misses with a takedown attempt - Roman sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shirahama tries to close the distance and clinch but Roman swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Roman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Roman wants it to stay on the feet.
Shirahama closes this distance looking for a takedown but Roman circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shirahama moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shirahama ducks under a wild hook from Roman.
Shirahama shoots in for a takedown but Roman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Shirahama drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Shirahama is breathing heavily.
Shirahama scores with a couple of short elbows.
Roman wants to control but Shirahama postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Roman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Roman seems a little lost for a moment, as Shirahama dominates the positioning.
The ground and pound from Shirahama seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Roman is trying to buck Shirahama off.
Shirahama working the body and head with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Roman is avoiding damage well.
Roman takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Shirahama controls the position.
Roman tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Roman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shirahama. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Roman is trying to defend against the choke here but Shirahama has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Shirahama Tightens the hold and Roman taps out furiously! Shirahama displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kenichi Shirahama!