PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Richard Crotch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JP Alcano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crotch comes to the ring accompanied by Why Can't We Be Friends? by War. JP Alcano has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Crotch
vs
Alcano

150 cm
21
130 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

178 cm
24
145 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Richard Crotch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, JP Alcano!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alcano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Crotch fails to land the takedown.
Alcano throws a head kick but Crotch moves out of range.
Alcano throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Crotch.
Alcano throws a head kick but Crotch moves out of range.
Alcano misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Crotch with that takedown attempt.

Crotch drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crotch stopping the sweep attempt from Alcano.
Crotch working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Crotch trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Crotch passes Alcano's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Crotch is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Alcano defends it well.
Crotch wants to free his trapped foot but Alcano is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Alcano moves into full guard.
Crotch sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Alcano's guard.
Alcano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Alcano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crotch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alcano is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Crotch is controlling him.
Alcano working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Alcano is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Crotch wants to pass the guard but Alcano is keeping the position.
Alcano is trying to control the position but Crotch postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Crotch takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Alcano misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alcano looks gassed!
Crotch avoids the head kick by Alcano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alcano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
JP Alcano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crotch shoots in for a takedown but Alcano shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Crotch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alcano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Alcano.
Alcano tries to bum rush Crotch with a series of wild strikes but Crotch uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice sprawl there from Alcano as Crotch shoots in.
Alcano is looking to slow Crotch down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Alcano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alcano pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Crotch scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Crotch is working for a kimura but Alcano is defending it quite comfortably.
Crotch prevents Alcano from improving his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Crotch works his way into full mount!
Alcano regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but JP Alcano will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Alcano swinging wilding here.
Alcano misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Crotch blocks a head kick by Alcano.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alcano throws a head kick that misses.
Alcano is breathing heavily.
Crotch looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Alcano pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crotch shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alcano as he avoids it easily.
Alcano lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Alcano tries a head kick but it misses.
Alcano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alcano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Crotch fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Crotch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Crotch.

Crotch wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Alcano, who protects the arm well.
Alcano regains half guard.

Crotch is working for a submission of some sort.
Crotch is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alcano is working to get back to half guard.
Crotch lands a nice shot to the head.
Crotch moves to the back.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Crotch doesn't have the hooks in and Alcano manages to turn into his guard.

Crotch is looking for a triangle but Alcano pushes his legs off easily.

Alcano stands up from Crotch's guard - Alcano perhaps looking for a knockout.
Crotch avoids the head kick by Alcano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alcano throws a low kick but Crotch avoids it.
Alcano throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Crotch's head.
Alcano keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Alcano throws a sloppy head kick and Crotch moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but JP Alcano will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Crotch's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Alcano misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alcano tries to bum rush Crotch with a series of wild strikes but Crotch uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Alcano throws a jab but it's blocked by Crotch.
Alcano tries a head kick but it misses.
Crotch slips a jab from Alcano.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alcano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Alcano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Crotch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alcano's waist but Alcano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Crotch off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crotch shoots in but Alcano avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Crotch shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Alcano is looking for a triangle but Crotch pushes his legs off easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Crotch's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Crotch passes Alcano's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Crotch is looking for a kimura here.

Alcano is defending against the submission attempts here by Crotch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alcano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Alcano.

Alcano had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Crotch is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Alcano Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Crotch's back instead.
Alcano doesn't have the hooks in and Crotch manages to turn into his guard.
Alcano looking for a sweep. Not yet Alcano, not yet.
Crotch stops Alcano from standing up.
Crotch pushing down on Alcano's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Crotch looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Alcano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Alcano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crotch drops back looking for a leg! Alcano is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Alcano manages to kick Crotch off! Crotch jumps back into Alcano's guard.
JP Alcano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Alcano scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Alcano moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Alcano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Alcano throws an overhand right that lands on Crotch's shoulder, as Crotch tries to avoid the shot.
JP Alcano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Crotch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Crotch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Crotch scores with a takedown into Alcano's guard.
Alcano manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Richard Crotch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alcano sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

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 Richard Crotch.
I think Alcano 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:30

The fight is ruled a draw!