PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sly Guy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sly Guy has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Guy
vs
Shirahama

178 cm
26
115 lbs
11 - 9 - 1

178 cm
33
135 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 11 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sly Guy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenichi Shirahama!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Guy staying out of range there.
Shirahama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Shirahama. Those never looked like landing.
Sly Guy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Guy is looking to clinch.
Shirahama scores with a decent looking hook.
Guy throws a right and a left that Shirahama avoids nicely.

Shirahama closes the distance and pushes Guy back into the cage.
Shirahama taking a breather.
Guy is trying to break the clinch but Shirahama is controlling him.
Shirahama lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Guy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Guy is trying to break free.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Guy.

Guy is fighting off a takedown attempt but Shirahama is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Guy to the mat. Guy regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Shirahama scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama trying to control the position from guard on top but Guy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Guy really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Shirahama throws a big elbow that misses.
Shirahama is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Guy wants to stand and escape but Shirahama is having none of it.
Shirahama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Guy is keeping the position for now.
Guy keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shirahama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Some wild striking there from Shirahama.

Shirahama closes the distance and pushes Guy back into the cage.
Shirahama goes for a takedown in the clinch but Guy prevents it.
Shirahama is working for takedown but Guy is calmly controlling the position for now.
Good body shot from Shirahama.
Shirahama has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Guy seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Shirahama can turn it around.
Shirahama misses with a short punch on the inside.

Shirahama wants the takedown. Guy is fighting it off but Shirahama persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Guy's guard against the cage.
Shirahama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shirahama working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama wants to control from the top but Guy keeps moving.
Shirahama stops Guy from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Guy keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.
Shirahama throws an elbow that misses. Guy uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shirahama's guard. Nice move by Guy!

Shirahama lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Shirahama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Guy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shirahama loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Shirahama drops back, looking for a kneebar! Guy looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Guy looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Guy!

Shirahama struggling a bit here.
Shirahama tries to buck Guy off but Guy is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shirahama sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Guy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shirahama.
Shirahama throws a series of punches but Guy avoids them all with ease.
Guy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shirahama.
Shirahama throws out a powerful jab.

Guy pushes Shirahama up against the cage in a clinch.
Guy looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Guy is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Shirahama manages to break the clinch.
Guy throws a head kick that misses.
Shirahama tries to clinch but Guy is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Guy wants to clinch up but Shirahama keeps it at a distance.
Guy tries to clinch up.
Guy gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Shirahama shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Guy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Shirahama has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shirahama lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shirahama accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shirahama trying to control the position from guard on top but Guy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shirahama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Guy avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shirahama engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Shirahama in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Shirahama clinches.
Guy is trying to force a seperation but Shirahama has the dominant position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shirahama.
Guy blocking some punches.
Guy is looking to break free of the clinch but Shirahama has double underhooks.
Guy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Shirahama breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Guy takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Guy gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Guy closes the distance and clinches.
Shirahama has Guy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Guy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shirahama breaks the clinch.
Shirahama has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shirahama misses with a takedown attempt - Guy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sly Guy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenichi Shirahama.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Shirahama lands a right hand.
Shirahama can't get the takedown.
Shirahama struggles to land a body shot inside as Guy controls his hands.
Shirahama is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Shirahama works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Shirahama throws a big elbow that misses.
Shirahama stays in close to Guy's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guy wants to stand up but Shirahama is controlling him.
Guy keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.
Shirahama might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Guy haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Shirahama wants to pass the guard but Guy is keeping the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Guy avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Guy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shirahama wants to clinch.
No luck for Shirahama with that takedown attempt.
Shirahama misses the shot to the body.
Guy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shirahama shoots in looking for a takedown but Guy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shirahama's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sly Guy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenichi Shirahama.
Shirahama shoots in for a takedown but Guy shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Guy wants to clinch.
Shirahama tries to clinch up.
Shirahama takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Guy throws a sloppy head kick and Shirahama moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama misses with a wild body shot.
Shirahama misses with a straight left.
Shirahama wants to clinch.
Shirahama keeps the fight on the outside.

Guy has closed the distance and engaged Shirahama in a clinch.
I was talking to Guy's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Shirahama looking for a takedown.
Guy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shirahama has him pressed against the cage.

Shirahama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shirahama shoots in looking for a takedown but Guy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shirahama's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Guy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shirahama misses with a hook. Guy ducked under it nicely.
Sly Guy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guy tries a head kick but it misses.
Guy connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Shirahama throws a one two combo.
Guy throws a head kick that misses.
Guy looks for the body kick but Shirahama saw that one coming.
Shirahama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Guy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shirahama shoots in for a takedown but Guy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Guy throws a series of punches but Shirahama moves out of range.
A lazy left from Shirahama finds it's target.
Guy tries to clinch there but Shirahama circles away.
Guy avoids a punch combination nicely.

Guy has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shirahama keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Guy's efforts to push away.
Shirahama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Guy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama stalls.
Shirahama wants to take the fight to the mat but Guy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Shirahama looking for a takedown.
Guy gets underhooks to prevent Shirahama's takedown attempt.
Guy is trying to force a seperation but Shirahama has the dominant position.

Shirahama manages to break the clinch.
Guy misses the shot to the body.
Guy throws a wild body kick that Shirahama sees coming a mile off.
A jab lands there for Shirahama.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama works over Guy's head and body with a nice combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Guy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Guy scores with a leg kick.
Guy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Shirahama manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Guy on his heels. He'll look to pass Guy's guard now, I'm sure.
Kenichi Shirahama has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shirahama tries to free his leg and advance position but Guy is retaining full guard.
Shirahama looking to sit in guard and control but Guy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shirahama has control of Guy's left arm, preventing Guy from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sly Guy.
I think Shirahama 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

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