PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hans Lankari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lankari has chosen AC/DC - Thunderstruck as his entrance music. Hans Lankari has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shirahama
vs
Lankari

178 cm
31
134 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

177 cm
35
142 lbs
17 - 20 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenichi Shirahama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hans Lankari!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirahama misses the shot to the body.
Lankari tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Shirahama counters with a stiff right hand.
Lankari shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lankari shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shirahama but Shirahama pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Shirahama gets a takedown into half guard.

Lankari manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Shirahama keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Lankari trying to stall but Shirahama improves his position.
We've been hearing reports that Shirahama has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Shirahama lands a shot to the body.

Shirahama breaks the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Shirahama.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shirahama postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Lankari dodges the ground and pound from Shirahama.
Shirahama trying to control the action but Lankari is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama controlling the position.
Shirahama working away.

Shirahama is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lankari knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Lankari struggling a bit here.
Shirahama lands an elbow.
Shirahama throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Shirahama scoring with punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama wants to control but Lankari is keeping him busy.
Lankari gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Lankari is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shirahama scores with a couple of nice shots.
Shirahama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shirahama looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lankari is trying to maintain the position but Shirahama is very close to passing his half guard.
Shirahama throws a strike but Lankari avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama trying to control but Lankari is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lankari working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shirahama.

Lankari is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shirahama forces his way into half guard.
Lankari is trying is best to control the position here.
Shirahama is looking to advance position but Lankari won't allow it.
Lankari is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shirahama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shirahama's back!

Shirahama is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama trying to control the position but Lankari manages to sink in the hooks.

Lankari has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Lankari looking for the choke from the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shirahama rolls, trying to escape but Lankari keeps control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lankari trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Shirahama is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama dominated that round.
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.

Lankari shoots in but no luck this time.

Lankari throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Shirahama tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lankari is in Shirahama's guard.
Shirahama controls Lankari momentarily but Lankari frees himself.
Lankari looking to pass the guard.
Lankari postures up in Shirahama's guard and throws a big left but Shirahama blocks it.
Shirahama trying to keep a closed guard but Lankari is proving a slippery customer.
Lankari sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shirahama's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama is staying active underneath Lankari, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Shirahama is concentrating on defense, preventing Lankari from advancing position.

Lankari seems to be working for a kimura but Shirahama defends the submission attempt.
Shirahama slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Shirahama is trying to control the position but Lankari postures up.
Lankari trying to control the position from guard on top but Shirahama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shirahama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lankari stands and throws Shirahama's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama is looking for a sweep.
Lankari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shirahama keeps working.
Lankari gets to mount! Shirahama was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

Lankari stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Kenichi Shirahama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lankari tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shirahama manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shirahama throws a nice looking combination but Lankari bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lankari closes the distance and clinches up with Shirahama, looking for a takedown. Lankari pushes Shirahama against the cage but Shirahama circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lankari will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Lankari scores with a four punch combination!

Lankari scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Shirahama wants to control but Lankari passes into side.
Lankari trying to control the position but Shirahama is working away.
Shirahama is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Lankari asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Shirahama tries to bench press Lankari off him but Lankari keeps the position.
Shirahama wants to control but Lankari postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lankari has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Shirahama working to try and regain half guard.

Lankari swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Shirahama is now in Lankari's guard. A big mistake from Lankari there, giving up the dominant position!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shirahama lands a couple of digs.
Shirahama throwing strikes but missing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lankari is on top in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shirahama controls Lankari momentarily but Lankari frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hans Lankari 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! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shirahama misses with the combination.
Lankari shoots in and drives through. Shirahama sprawls well.
No joy there for Shirahama, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Shirahama clinches up against the cage.
Lankari wants to take the fight to the mat but Shirahama manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Shirahama really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Lankari pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Shirahama is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lankari's half guard.
Shirahama sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Lankari looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kenichi Shirahama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shirahama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Shirahama looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Shirahama seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Shirahama is thwarting Lankari's attempts to control the position.
Ground and pound from Shirahama.
Lankari is trying to maintain the position but Shirahama is very close to passing his half guard.
Lankari wants to improve his position but Shirahama is controlling well.
Shirahama is trying to control. Lankari wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama trying to control the pace.
Lankari has his hands clasped together around Shirahama's back. He's all about the action.
Shirahama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lankari's head.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Lankari makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lankari.

Shirahama avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shirahama trying to control but Lankari is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shirahama wants to pass the guard but Lankari is keeping the position.

Lankari looking for a guillotine here but Shirahama defends easily.
Shirahama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shirahama throwing strikes from guard but Lankari blocks nicely.
Lankari keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.
Shirahama is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Lankari is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lankari tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shirahama is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Shirahama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Shirahama postures up in Lankari's guard and throws a big left but Lankari blocks it.
Shirahama throwing strikes but missing.

Lankari throws his legs up looking for a submission but Shirahama uses it to pass to side control.
Lankari is pushing Shirahama's head away, looking to escape. Shirahama manages to hold on to the position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shirahama advances to full mount.
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 lands a couple of good shots and Lankari has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenichi Shirahama showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shirahama has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenichi Shirahama!