PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kieran Broderick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaji Maruo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maruo comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Avril Lavigne - Hello Kitty kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Kaji Maruo enters the cage!

Broderick
vs
Maruo

181 cm
18
152 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

165 cm
22
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kieran Broderick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kaji Maruo!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Sano and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Broderick swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Maruo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Broderick tries to avoid it but Maruo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Broderick to the ground. Broderick escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maruo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Broderick sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Broderick. No joy for Maruo on that attempt.
Kieran Broderick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaji Maruo.

Maruo clinches.
Broderick gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Maruo.

Maruo jumps guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Maruo kicks Broderick off and gets to his feet.

Maruo shoots in and bounces Broderick off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Broderick can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Maruo controls the pace.
Broderick is looking to stand up but Maruo isn't so interested in that idea.
Maruo looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broderick is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Maruo trying to control the position from guard on top but Broderick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maruo passes Broderick's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Maruo wants to take a breather but Broderick is having none of it.
Maruo prevents Broderick from standing back up.
Maruo trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kaji Maruo.
Maruo fails to land the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maruo.
Maruo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Broderick scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Broderick closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Maruo pushes Broderick up against the cage in a clinch.
Maruo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Broderick gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maruo goes for a takedown attempt but Broderick pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maruo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Broderick tries to avoid it but Maruo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Broderick to the ground. Broderick escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maruo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Broderick throws a nice looking combination but Maruo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Broderick displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maruo.
Maruo looks winded!
Broderick keeps the fight on the outside.
Kaji Maruo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Broderick enables Maruo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Broderick manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Broderick wants to stand up but Maruo is controlling him.
Maruo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Broderick is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maruo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Broderick wants to stand and escape but Maruo is having none of it.
Maruo wants to control from the top but Broderick keeps moving.
Broderick is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Maruo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kaji Maruo.

Maruo manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Broderick on his heels. He'll look to pass Broderick's guard now, I'm sure.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maruo trying to control but Broderick is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaji Maruo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Broderick lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maruo backs up against the cage.

Maruo gets a clinch.
Maruo can't get the takedown.
Maruo wants a takedown.
Broderick wants to break the clinch but can't.

Maruo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Broderick closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Maruo pulls guard.
Broderick wants to stand but Maruo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broderick wants to stand and escape but instead Maruo has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Maruo stays in close to Broderick's body and controls the position.
Maruo stands and throws Broderick's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Broderick is not content to let Maruo control the position.
Broderick tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maruo wants to control for a moment but Broderick uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Maruo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Broderick looks like he's trying to stand up.
Maruo not doing much here.
Broderick is trying to stand up here but Maruo is controlling him well.
Maruo content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kaji Maruo was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Maruo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Maruo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Broderick working a defensive guard here.
Broderick wants to stand but Maruo is controlling the position.
Broderick is striking but Maruo is not phased and passes to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Broderick is refusing to be controlled, as Maruo sits in half guard.
Maruo trying to control the pace.
Broderick wants to get back to his feet.
Maruo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kaji Maruo has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Maruo throws a combination that misses
and Broderick counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Maruo dives in for a single leg takedown but Broderick sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kieran Broderick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaji Maruo.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Broderick is trying to force a seperation but Maruo has the dominant position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maruo is trying to pull guard but Broderick has him pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Maruo - that landed with a thud.
Broderick is defending well against a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaji Maruo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Broderick lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maruo backwards.
Maruo is looking for a takedown.
Broderick stops a takedown attempt from Maruo.

Maruo breaks from the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Maruo tries to score a body lock takedown but Broderick shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kieran Broderick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaji Maruo.
Maruo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Broderick fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Maruo misses with a two punch combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Maruo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maruo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broderick lands an uppercut.
Broderick is trying to stall.
Broderick is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Broderick working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Maruo has Broderick pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Broderick manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Broderick lands an uppercut.
Broderick tries to circle away but Maruo has him pinned against the cage.
Maruo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Broderick scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Maruo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Broderick tries to pull guard but Maruo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Broderick lands a hook that snaps the head of Maruo backwards.
Maruo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Broderick's efforts to push away.
Broderick looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Broderick works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Maruo manages to break the clinch.
Maruo is looking to clinch but Broderick is avoiding it.
Maruo tries to bum rush Broderick with a series of wild strikes but Broderick uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Broderick works over Maruo's head and body with a nice combination.

Broderick pushes Maruo up against the cage in a clinch.
Maruo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Broderick is defending well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Broderick is trying to push Maruo away but Maruo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kieran Broderick has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Broderick lands an uppercut.
Maruo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Broderick to keep the fight standing.
Broderick tries to break the clinch but Maruo is controlling the position.
Maruo wants to take the fight to the mat but Broderick manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Broderick is trying to break the clinch but Maruo has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broderick lands with a left to the head.
Broderick tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maruo's elbow.
Maruo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Broderick has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Maruo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Maruo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Broderick gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Broderick lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Maruo.
Broderick is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Broderick scores with a shoulder strike.
Broderick lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Maruo or not.
Broderick wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Maruo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Broderick's efforts to push away.
Maruo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Broderick gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Broderick lands a nice uppercut.
Kieran Broderick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Maruo wants a takedown.

Broderick breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Broderick feints a jab promting Maruo to slip. Broderick then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Maruo slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Broderick throws a series of punches but Maruo moves out of range.

Maruo gets a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice left hand lands by Broderick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Maruo jumps into guard, dragging Broderick to the mat.
Broderick has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Maruo is proving hard to escape from.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kieran Broderick showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Maruo 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaji Maruo!