PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shazaam McDaniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Ishikawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McDaniels comes to the cage accompanied by Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. Ishikawa has chosen mindshift genki sudo as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McDaniels
vs
Ishikawa

176 cm
29
144 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

150 cm
36
147 lbs
34 - 21 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shazaam McDaniels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Ishikawa!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ishikawa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
McDaniels is trying to stand back up but Ishikawa is controlling him
McDaniels is staying active underneath Ishikawa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

McDaniels makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Ishikawa closes the distance but McDaniels moves to the side

and McDaniels counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ishikawa tries to roll over but McDaniels keeps him under control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

McDaniels decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Ishikawa has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ishikawa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McDaniels defends well and Ishikawa ends up having to push McDaniels into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
McDaniels tries to circle away but Ishikawa has him pinned against the cage.
Ishikawa prevents McDaniels from breaking the clinch.
Ishikawa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McDaniels gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDaniels gets underhooks to prevent Ishikawa's takedown attempt.
Shazaam McDaniels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Ishikawa.
Ishikawa is trying to pull guard but McDaniels has him pressed against the cage.
Ishikawa keeps control of McDaniels as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ishikawa tries a knee to the head but McDaniels blocks it.
Ishikawa missing with knees to the body.

McDaniels breaks the clinch.
Ishikawa tries to clinch but fails miserably

and McDaniels counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McDaniels will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McDaniels wants to stand but Ishikawa has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Ishikawa is looking for a triangle but McDaniels pushes his legs off easily.

McDaniels stands up from Ishikawa's guard - McDaniels perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ishikawa is looking to clinch but McDaniels is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDaniels keeps the fight on the outside.
McDaniels definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ishikawa wants to clinch.
Ishikawa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDaniels paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ishikawa closes this distance looking for a takedown but McDaniels circles away.

Ishikawa clinches with his opponent.
McDaniels looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McDaniels is trying to force a seperation but Ishikawa has the dominant position.
McDaniels is trying to break the clinch but Ishikawa is controlling him.
Ishikawa keeps control of McDaniels as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McDaniels's efforts to push away.
McDaniels can't break the clinch.
Ishikawa keeps control of McDaniels as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

McDaniels's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ishikawa wants to clinch.
Ishikawa fails in his attempt to clinch.

Ishikawa rushes McDaniels and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ishikawa is trying to stall.
Ishikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

McDaniels breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDaniels stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McDaniels wants it to stay on the feet.
McDaniels avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No luck for Ishikawa with that takedown attempt.
Ishikawa shoots in for a double leg but McDaniels sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ishikawa tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and McDaniels counters with a takedown into side control.

McDaniels stands up.
Ishikawa closes the distance looking to clinch

and McDaniels decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ishikawa's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shazaam McDaniels 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.

McDaniels defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ishikawa wants to clinch

and McDaniels counters with a takedown into side control.

McDaniels has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ishikawa or perhaps it was just good defense by McDaniels, which made it look bad.
Shazaam McDaniels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Ishikawa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishikawa shoots in but no luck this time.
Ishikawa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ishikawa tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishikawa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McDaniels manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McDaniels is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ishikawa can do to turn this around?

Ishikawa has taken the fight to the clinch.
McDaniels is pressed up against the cage. Ishikawa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McDaniels down to the mat. McDaniels avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ishikawa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McDaniels swivels and escapes.
Ishikawa dives in and grabs McDaniels's left leg, looking for a takedown. McDaniels pushes down on Ishikawa's head and hops out.
Ishikawa is breathing heavily.

Ishikawa pushes McDaniels up against the cage in a clinch.
McDaniels wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ishikawa is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McDaniels pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McDaniels is trying to push Ishikawa away but Ishikawa has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
McDaniels tries to break free but Ishikawa pushes him back against the cage.
Ishikawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ishikawa keeps control of McDaniels as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDaniels tries to break the clinch but Ishikawa is controlling the position.
Ishikawa has McDaniels pressed against the cage, preventing McDaniels from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McDaniels tries to break the clinch but Ishikawa is controlling the position.

McDaniels escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ishikawa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McDaniels pinned against the cage. McDaniels gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ishikawa is looking to clinch but McDaniels is avoiding it.
Ishikawa tries to clinch but McDaniels moves out of range.
Akira Ishikawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

McDaniels tries to keep at a distance but Ishikawa has taken the fight into the clinch.
McDaniels tries to circle away but Ishikawa has him pinned against the cage.

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

Ishikawa instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDaniels has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ishikawa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McDaniels looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ishikawa throws an elbow that misses.
McDaniels looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McDaniels wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Ishikawa wants the takedown. McDaniels is fighting it off but Ishikawa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in McDaniels's guard against the cage.
McDaniels is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ishikawa is controlling him.

McDaniels has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Ishikawa has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
McDaniels working hard to break the clinch.

McDaniels breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ishikawa or perhaps it was just good defense by McDaniels, which made it look bad.
Ishikawa fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa fails with a takedown attempt.
Shazaam McDaniels is winning the standup battle so far.
McDaniels swats away the attempt to clinch by Ishikawa.
Ishikawa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ishikawa fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No luck for Ishikawa with that takedown attempt.
Ishikawa fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shazaam McDaniels dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

McDaniels keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ishikawa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McDaniels defends it nicely.
Ishikawa closes the distance but McDaniels moves to the side

and McDaniels counters with a shoot takedown. Ishikawa fights it but they end up in guard.
McDaniels is looking to stand up but Ishikawa won't let him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishikawa wants to sweep but no luck.
McDaniels is looking to stand up but Ishikawa won't let him.
Ishikawa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishikawa prevents McDaniels from standing back up.

Ishikawa wants to work for an arm triangle but McDaniels is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ishikawa is trying to control. McDaniels wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
McDaniels tries to kick Ishikawa off but Ishikawa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

McDaniels has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Ishikawa is on him like a limpet, forcing McDaniels back against the cage.
McDaniels gets underhooks to prevent Ishikawa's takedown attempt.
Shazaam McDaniels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Ishikawa.
Ishikawa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ishikawa.
Ishikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ishikawa keeps control of McDaniels as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McDaniels tries to break the clinch but Ishikawa is controlling the position.
Ishikawa can't get the takedown.
McDaniels is trying to break free.

McDaniels is fighting off a takedown attempt but Ishikawa is just too persistent for him and manages to trip McDaniels to the mat. McDaniels regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
McDaniels wants to stand and escape but Ishikawa is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDaniels has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ishikawa off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ishikawa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McDaniels defends well and Ishikawa ends up having to push McDaniels into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ishikawa keeps control of McDaniels as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McDaniels prevents the takedown attempt.
Ishikawa keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McDaniels's efforts to push away.

McDaniels breaks from the clinch.
Ishikawa is looking to clinch but McDaniels is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa doesn't manage to clinch there - McDaniels circles away.
McDaniels circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ishikawa goes for a double leg but McDaniels avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McDaniels continues to drive forward.
McDaniels is trying to force a seperation but Ishikawa has the dominant position.
Ishikawa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ishikawa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning McDaniels up against the cage.
McDaniels is trying to push Ishikawa away but Ishikawa has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ishikawa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Ishikawa wants the takedown. McDaniels is fighting it off but Ishikawa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in McDaniels's guard against the cage.

McDaniels scrambles and gets back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ishikawa is defended easily by McDaniels.
Akira Ishikawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shazaam McDaniels is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ishikawa tries to clinch but McDaniels moves away

and McDaniels counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ishikawa!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

McDaniels stands up.
McDaniels slaps away a takedown attempt from Ishikawa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ishikawa misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shazaam McDaniels showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McDaniels, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shazaam McDaniels!
Shazaam McDaniels really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Outkast Clothing Line logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.