PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akira Hayabusa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heng Keo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hayabusa's entrance music is Bombs Away by Bob. A fine choice. Keo has chosen Ich Will - Rammstein as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hayabusa
vs
Keo

167 cm
33
158 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

173 cm
38
157 lbs
20 - 12 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Hayabusa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Heng Keo!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Hayabusa.
Keo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hayabusa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A counter left hand to the body from Hayabusa misses its target.
Heng Keo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hayabusa shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Keo's guard.
Hayabusa stopping the sweep attempt from Keo.
Keo trying to keep a closed guard but Hayabusa is proving a slippery customer.

Keo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hayabusa pushes down on Keo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Keo is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayabusa is looking to stall here but Keo recovers full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Keo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hayabusa pushing down on Keo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayabusa wants to free his trapped foot but Keo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hayabusa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Keo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hayabusa is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hayabusa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Keo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Hayabusa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Keo defends it well.
Hayabusa is thwarting Keo's attempts to control the position.
Hayabusa is controlling the pace.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Keo trying to control here.

That's two 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.
Keo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hayabusa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hayabusa's back!
Keo keeps control of the position as Hayabusa tries to break free.

Keo is persistently looking for the submission but Hayabusa is defending it well.
Keo softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Hayabusa trying to control the hands but Keo won't let him.

Hayabusa preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Keo.
I really don't envy Hayabusa right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Keo doesn't have the hooks in and Hayabusa manages to turn into his guard.

Keo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hayabusa defends it easily.
Keo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hayabusa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Keo's head.

Keo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hayabusa is aware though and is defending well.
Hayabusa looking to pass the guard.
Hayabusa wants to control from the top but Keo keeps moving.
Hayabusa tries to free his leg and advance position but Keo is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa is working hard here to advance position.
Keo keeping moving, preventing Hayabusa from controlling successfully.

Keo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hayabusa defends well.
Hayabusa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Keo is keeping the position for now.
Hayabusa pushing down on Keo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hayabusa controlling the action here.
Hayabusa is looking to advance position but Keo won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hayabusa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Keo keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Hayabusa dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hayabusa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hayabusa cracks a nice hook into Keo's ribs.
Hayabusa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keo can do to turn this around?
Keo tries to clinch there but Hayabusa circles away.
Hayabusa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Keo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Keo tries to clinch but Hayabusa is having none of it.

Keo has Hayabusa up against the cage in a clinch.
Hayabusa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Keo.
Keo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hayabusa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayabusa wants to break free but Keo has control.
Keo throws a punch but it's blocked by Hayabusa.

Keo turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hayabusa gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keo is thwarting Hayabusa's attempts to control the position.
Hayabusa is controlling Keo's trapped leg to prevent Keo from advancing to side control.
Hayabusa trying to control but Keo postures up.
Hayabusa wants to get back to full guard.
Hayabusa regains full guard. Nicely done.

Hayabusa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Keo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Keo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hayabusa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Keo is one step ahead there.
Keo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Keo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Keo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Keo wants to pass the guard but Hayabusa is keeping the position.
Hayabusa wants to sweep here but Keo controlling him for the moment.
Keo wants to control from the top but Hayabusa keeps moving.
Hayabusa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Keo's guard.

Hayabusa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Hayabusa drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Keo manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hayabusa has Keo in his guard.

Hayabusa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Keo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Akira Hayabusa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hayabusa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Keo defends it easily.
Keo works over Hayabusa with some ground and pound from guard.
Keo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Keo with a nice head shot there.
Keo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Keo trying to control the position from guard on top but Hayabusa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keo works over Hayabusa with some ground and pound from guard.
Hayabusa is trying to keep Keo in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hayabusa keeping moving, preventing Keo from controlling successfully.
Hayabusa is trying to keep Keo in close.
Keo working some strikes from top position.
Hayabusa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Keo.
Keo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Keo tries to free his leg and advance position but Hayabusa is retaining full guard.
Keo postures up in Hayabusa's guard and throws a big left but Hayabusa blocks it.
Hayabusa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Keo postures up and lands a big shot to Hayabusa's brow.
Hayabusa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heng Keo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hayabusa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Keo tries to clinch up but Hayabusa circles away and keeps his distance.

Keo moves into the clinch successfully.
Keo lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hayabusa.
Keo is trying to drag Hayabusa to the mat but Hayabusa just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hayabusa is pressed up against the cage. Keo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hayabusa down to the mat. Hayabusa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Keo looks to clinch

and Hayabusa counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Keo keeping moving, preventing Hayabusa from controlling successfully.
Hayabusa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Keo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hayabusa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Keo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hayabusa manages to get himself to full guard.

Keo won't allow Hayabusa to sweep him here.
Keo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Keo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hayabusa wants to sweep here but Keo controlling him for the moment.
Hayabusa pulls Keo in close to his closed guard and prevents Keo from doing any damage or advancing position.
Keo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hayabusa working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keo stopping the sweep attempt from Hayabusa.
Keo postures up in Hayabusa's guard and throws a big left but Hayabusa blocks it.
Keo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hayabusa's head.
Keo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hayabusa is trying to keep Keo in close.
Hayabusa lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hayabusa passes Keo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Keo is looking to improve his position.
Keo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Keo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hayabusa 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.
Keo is looking to improve his position.
Hayabusa wants to take a breather but Keo is having none of it.

Keo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hayabusa works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hayabusa controlling from the full mount.
Hayabusa wants to take Keo's back here but Keo is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Hayabusa trying to control but Keo is having none of it.
Keo is desperately trying to improve his position but Hayabusa has a good base and remains in mount.
Keo regains half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hayabusa works his way into side control.
Hayabusa moves into full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Akira Hayabusa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hayabusa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Hayabusa!
An intense looking Akira Hayabusa took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'I'm the best grappler in Tycoon world and this guy thinks he can roll with me? Go fight some other loser on your level. I hear there's a blue belt down the road.'.