PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Japheth Vasya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Koji Kenjahara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenjahara has chosen Roll wit Uz by Thai as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Vasya
vs
Kenjahara

176 cm
23
130 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

161 cm
19
135 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

MMA's Best Nutrition

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Japheth Vasya !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Koji Kenjahara!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Kenjahara or perhaps it was just good defense by Vasya which made him look bad.
Kenjahara fails with an attempt to clinch.

Vasya closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kenjahara to the mat! Kenjahara manages to get full guard.
Kenjahara trying to control the position.

Vasya thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Vasya thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kenjahara tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Kenjahara working for a triangle but Vasya defends it easily.
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.

Vasya is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Vasya trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenjahara looking to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Kenjahara shoots in and bounces Vasya off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

Vasya is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vasya is breathing heavily.
Vasya lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kenjahara!

Vasya is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kenjahara can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Kenjahara keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vasya working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Kenjahara is wriggling around trying to escape.

Vasya wants to finish this one by submission but Kenjahara is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Vasya .
Kenjahara tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kenjahara sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kenjahara works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kenjahara looking for a sweep. Not yet Kenjahara, not yet.

Kenjahara working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vasya doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vasya manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Vasya drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Vasya jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vasya thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Vasya is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kenjahara had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Vasya is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kenjahara Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Vasya 's back instead.
Kenjahara is hanging on to Vasya 's back as he tries to escape.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kenjahara throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Vasya wants to escape the position.

Kenjahara is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Vasya has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Kenjahara loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Vasya hold on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasya rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Kenjahara is keen to just control but Vasya is a slippery customer.
Kenjahara uses his free foot to push down on Vasya 's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Vasya .
Vasya regains half guard.
Kenjahara wants to take a breather but Vasya is having none of it.

Vasya looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kenjahara frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kenjahara trying to control but Vasya is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Koji Kenjahara will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kenjahara shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Vasya is trying to get back to full guard.
Vasya is working hard here to advance position.
Vasya really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenjahara works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kenjahara manages to capitalize on a mistake by Vasya to take his back!
Kenjahara trying to control.
The referee is taking a good look at Vasya as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Kenjahara!
Vasya covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Vasya defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Kenjahara's arms.
Vasya is really stuck here.

Vasya showing good submission defense here.
Kenjahara is trying to stick to Vasya 's back but Vasya is turning into Kenjahara. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kenjahara's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Vasya .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasya forces his way into half guard.
Vasya tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kenjahara knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kenjahara wants to improve his position but Vasya is controlling well.
Vasya tries to pass to full mount but Kenjahara defends it.

Vasya is trying to work for a kimura but Kenjahara is defending well.
Kenjahara slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Vasya looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vasya thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kenjahara with a lazy takedown attempt

and Vasya counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Vasya thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Vasya is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kenjahara working for a triangle but Vasya defends it easily.
Vasya won't allow Kenjahara to sweep him here.
Vasya passes Kenjahara's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasya moves nicely into side control.
Koji Kenjahara has got the better of the ground game so far.

Vasya tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Vasya thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kenjahara manages to work his way to half guard, despite Vasya 's best efforts.
Kenjahara manages to get to full guard.
Vasya will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Vasya stopping the sweep attempt from Kenjahara.
Kenjahara can't keep his opponent in guard - Vasya advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Japheth Vasya will probably get the nod.
That's time! Vasya 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Vasya with a poor takedown

and Kenjahara counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Vasya looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kenjahara passes into side control.
Vasya is looking for a sweep.

Kenjahara tries for a kimura but Vasya is defending well.
Kenjahara trying to control the action but Vasya is working from the bottom.

Kenjahara tries for a kimura but Vasya is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vasya sneaks back into half guard.
Kenjahara is looking to advance position but Vasya won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vasya looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vasya is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kenjahara is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vasya doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kenjahara.
Vasya tries to roll over but Kenjahara keeps him under control.
Kenjahara working Vasya over with strikes.
Vasya is pressing down on Kenjahara's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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.
Kenjahara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vasya is keeping the position for now.

Vasya looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kenjahara wants to pass the guard but Vasya is keeping the position.
Kenjahara must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Vasya looking for a guillotine here but Kenjahara defends easily.
Kenjahara passes Vasya 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kenjahara prevents Vasya from improving his position.

Vasya is defending against the submission attempts here by Kenjahara.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasya works his way to full guard. Good work.
Vasya lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kenjahara!
Kenjahara really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Vasya wants to finish this one by submission but Kenjahara is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Vasya .

Vasya looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Vasya goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kenjahara turns into him and now he's in Vasya 's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasya can't keep his opponent in guard - Kenjahara advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kenjahara tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Vasya .

Vasya is defending against the submission attempts here by Kenjahara.
Vasya is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kenjahara's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kenjahara's back!

Vasya is looking for the choke from the back position but Kenjahara is controlling his hands well.

Vasya looking for the RNC.
Kenjahara trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

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 Japheth Vasya .
Well Vasya has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Japheth Vasya !