PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fabiano Werdum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Kimura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Werdum
vs
Kimura

180 cm
19
150 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

MMA nutrition

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fabiano Werdum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Max Kimura!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Kimura both land. Nice combination.
Max Kimura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Werdum shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kimura as he jumps to the side.
Kimura's coach down at was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kimura's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Kimura lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Werdum shoots in and gets a takedown into Kimura's guard.
Werdum postures up.
Werdum is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've been hearing good reports from Werdum's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kimura is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Werdum drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kimura dives on top into guard.

Werdum avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werdum working a defensive guard here.
Kimura must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kimura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Werdum is keeping the position for now.
Werdum keeping moving, preventing Kimura from controlling successfully.
Werdum wants to sweep but no luck.
Werdum is trying to control the position but Kimura postures up.
Kimura wants to control from the top but Werdum keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Werdum misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kimura is looking to clinch.
Werdum goes for a double leg but Kimura avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kimura continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabiano Werdum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Werdum tries for a takedown but Kimura sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Werdum is breathing heavily.
Kimura fails to land with a series of punches.
Werdum appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kimura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kimura tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kimura throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Kimura rushes Werdum and presses him up against the cage.
Werdum drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kimura gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kimura misses with a body punch.
Werdum tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Werdum tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kimura just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kimura stalls.

Kimura pulls guard successfully.

Werdum avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kimura is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Werdum is aware though and is defending well.
Kimura keeping full guard, as Werdum tries to pass.

Werdum avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Werdum stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kimura swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Werdum is pushing down on Kimura's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kimura is fighting to maintain full guard but Werdum has managed to sneak the leg through.

Werdum seems to be looking for submissions.

Werdum is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kimura has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kimura is trying to stand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Werdum seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Kimura dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kimura fails in his attempt to clinch.
Werdum tries for a takedown but Kimura sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kimura fails with an attempt to clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kimura.
Kimura tries to clinch but Werdum is having none of it.
Werdum shoots and misses
and Kimura counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Werdum shoots in for a takedown but Kimura shows good takedown defense.
Kimura unleashes a big counter combination but Werdum bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabiano Werdum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Kimura.
Kimura lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Werdum keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kimura forces Werdum back against the cage and clinches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kimura has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Werdum after a bit of a struggle.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Werdum tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kimura just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura misses with some punches.

Kimura gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Max Kimura has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kimura frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Kimura wants to finish this one by submission but Werdum is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kimura.
Werdum gets back to half guard.
Kimura is trying to control the action in half guard but Werdum is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Werdum controlling the position well.
Werdum is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kimura wants to take a breather but Werdum is having none of it.

Werdum is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kimura pulls his head out easily.
Werdum keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Werdum trying to control from the bottom.
Werdum wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kimura trying to control the action but Werdum is working from the bottom.
Kimura with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Werdum wants to control but Kimura is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kimura trying to pass the guard but Werdum defending well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Werdum gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kimura counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kimura moves in looking to clinch but Werdum pushes him off.

Kimura gets a clinch.
Werdum tries for a takedown. No joy.

Werdum jumps guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kimura postures up.
Kimura trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kimura stopping the sweep attempt from Werdum.
Werdum controls Kimura momentarily but Kimura frees himself.
Kimura wants to stand but Werdum is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kimura wants to control from the top but Werdum keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Werdum has a closed guard, preventing Kimura from standing up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Kimura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kimura lands a high kick!
Werdum takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Kimura has taken the fight to the clinch.

Kimura has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Werdum clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Werdum rolls, trying to escape but Kimura keeps control of the position.
Werdum trying to control the hands but Kimura breaks the grip.

Werdum showing good submission defense here.
Werdum has hold of Kimura's arm. He needs to escape this position sooner or later but for now he's happy enough to control the position and prevent the submission attempts.
Kimura doesn't have the hooks in and Werdum manages to turn into his guard.
Kimura takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werdum works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Werdum is looking for a kimura but Kimura is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Werdum to get the leverage.
Kimura is pressing down on Werdum's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Werdum controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kimura working a defensive guard here.

Kimura is looking for a triangle but Werdum pushes his legs off easily.
Werdum wanted to stand there but Kimura had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Werdum's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Kimura is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kimura can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Werdum controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Werdum has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kimura tries to clinch up

and Werdum counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Werdum seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Werdum seems to be working for a kimura but Kimura defends the submission attempt.

Kimura actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kimura looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kimura is defending against the submission attempts here by Werdum.
Well, if Werdum is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fabiano Werdum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Max Kimura is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Werdum missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

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 Fabiano Werdum.
I think Kimura 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Kimura!