PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kano Watnabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jessie Duke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jessie Duke is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Watnabe
vs
Duke

170 cm
24
146 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

173 cm
24
135 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kano Watnabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jessie Duke!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Duke misses with a takedown attempt - Watnabe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Duke dives in for a single leg takedown but Watnabe sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Horrible takedown attempt by Watnabe or perhaps it was just good defense by Duke, which made it look bad.
Duke fails to land the takedown.
Kano Watnabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jessie Duke.
Watnabe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Duke circles away quickly and effectively.
Watnabe shoots in but no luck this time.
Duke shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Watnabe but Watnabe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Duke closes the distance and clinches up with Watnabe, looking for a takedown. Duke pushes Watnabe against the cage but Watnabe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Watnabe is looking to counter the offense by Duke and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duke shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Watnabe as he avoids it easily.
A quick step to the side and Watnabe tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Watnabe shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Duke looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watnabe is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Duke looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Well, if Watnabe 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.

Watnabe moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Duke.
Watnabe wants to control but Duke is keeping him busy.

Watnabe working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Duke tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Watnabe wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Duke is still trying to improve position.
Duke takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Duke is looking to regain half guard here but Watnabe keeps moving and retains side control.
Duke is being controlled here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Duke is looking for a sweep.
Watnabe controlling the position.
Duke is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Watnabe off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duke keeps control of the position as Watnabe tries to break free.
Watnabe is trying to stand back up.
Watnabe tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Watnabe tries to hold on but Duke pushes him away.
Watnabe keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Duke is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Watnabe can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Duke working for a submission but Watnabe is keeping him at bay.

Duke swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Watnabe is now in Duke's guard. A big mistake from Duke there, giving up the dominant position!

Duke looking for a guillotine here but Watnabe defends easily.
Watnabe trying to control but Duke is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Duke has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Watnabe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Duke has a takedown stuffed.
Watnabe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Duke can do to turn this around?
Duke fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Watnabe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Duke changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Watnabe tries to avoid it but Duke manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Watnabe to the ground. Watnabe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kano Watnabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jessie Duke.
Duke shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Watnabe as he avoids it easily.
Watnabe is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Duke.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Watnabe.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Duke can do anything to dispel that myth.
Duke is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Watnabe tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duke tries to bench press Watnabe off him but Watnabe keeps the position.
Watnabe working the ground and pound from side control.
Kano Watnabe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duke takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Duke is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Duke tries to buck Watnabe off but Watnabe is having none of it.
Duke is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Duke sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Watnabe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Duke with the active half guard here but Watnabe passes nicely into side control.
Watnabe trying to control the position but Duke is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duke is trying to get back to half guard.
Duke manages to get back to half guard.

Duke looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Watnabe has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Duke tries to reverse the position but Watnabe maintains control.
Watnabe fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Watnabe with good strikes from the mount here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watnabe connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Duke is trying to reverse the position but instead Watnabe has taken his back - oops!
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Watnabe.
Watnabe tries to get the hooks in deep but Duke pushed the leg off.

Watnabe is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Duke defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Duke tries to break free.
Duke manages to reverse the position and now he's in Watnabe's guard. Nice work there by Duke.
Duke won't allow Watnabe to sweep him here.

Duke postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Watnabe is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Duke, into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watnabe content to stall in guard here.

Duke escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Watnabe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Watnabe passes Duke's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Duke actively working from the bottom here.
Watnabe lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kano Watnabe dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Watnabe tries a head kick but it misses.
Duke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Watnabe's waist but Watnabe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Duke off to one side.
As Duke tries to get set, Watnabe tries to push him back and clinch up but Duke manages to avoid the attempt.
Duke checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Duke tries for a takedown but Watnabe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Watnabe tries to sprawl but Duke drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Watnabe is looking for a sweep. Duke is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Duke seems to be looking for submissions.
Watnabe is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Watnabe wants to control but Duke is keeping busy.

Duke wants to work for an arm triangle but Watnabe is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watnabe flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Watnabe is trying to stand.
Duke prevents Watnabe from improving his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kano Watnabe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Watnabe wants to clinch.
Duke changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Watnabe is looking to clinch but Duke is avoiding it.
Duke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Watnabe as he jumps to the side.
Kano Watnabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jessie Duke.
Duke fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Watnabe avoids it really well and circles away.

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.
Duke goes for a double leg but Watnabe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Watnabe continues to drive forward.
It looked like Watnabe was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Duke takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice takedown defense from Watnabe. No joy for Duke on that attempt.
Watnabe jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Watnabe closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Duke quickly recovers to half guard.
Duke on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Well, if Watnabe 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.
Watnabe frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The referee warns Duke that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Watnabe working for a submission but Duke is keeping him at bay.
Duke is trying to reverse the position but instead Watnabe has taken his back - oops!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Duke showing good submission defense here.
Duke is trying to break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Watnabe connects with a big shot to the side of Duke's head.
I really don't envy Duke right now.
Duke keeps trying to improve his position.
Duke is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Watnabe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watnabe is landing with strikes from the back.
Duke tries to break free.
Watnabe is riding his opponent, not letting Duke buck him off.
Watnabe keeps control of the position as Duke tries to break free.

Duke defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Watnabe's arms.
Watnabe lands with a hammerfist to the side of Duke's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Duke is trying to break free.
Jessie Duke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kano Watnabe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
I would not like to be Duke right now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kano Watnabe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Watnabe 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight for Kano Watnabe!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Kano Watnabe!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Kano Watnabe!

Kano Watnabe wins by unanimous decision!