PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Puna Wai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Deanthony Wagner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wai
vs
Wagner

173 cm
31
156 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

183 cm
23
145 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Puna Wai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Deanthony Wagner!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wai tries to keep at a distance but Wagner has taken the fight into the clinch.

Wagner pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wai throwing strikes but missing.
Wagner is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wai is controlling him.
Wagner bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wai's guard.

Wai has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wai has control of Wagner's left arm, preventing Wagner from doing any damage.

Wai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wai is working an open guard so Wagner takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Wagner lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Wagner shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Wagner was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Wagner decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Wagner tries for a takedown but Wai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wai stuffs the takedown attempt from Wagner. Wagner gets slowly back to his feet.
Wagner thuds his right hand into Wai's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Horrible takedown attempt by Wagner or perhaps it was just good defense by Wai, which made it look bad.
Puna Wai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Deanthony Wagner.
Wagner shoots in but no luck this time.

Wagner moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wagner has Wai pressed against the cage, preventing Wai from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wagner breaks from the clinch.
Wai tries for a takedown but Wagner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Wagner drives through with a takedown into guard.

Wagner gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Wagner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wai.
Wai wants to break free but Wagner has control.
Wagner tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Wai avoids it.
Wagner lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wai is looking to break free of the clinch but Wagner has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wai's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Good body shot from Wai.

Wagner pulls guard.
Wagner is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wagner decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Wagner gets a clinch.
Wai is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Wagner breaks from the clinch.
Wagner fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wagner shoots in and drives through. Wai sprawls well.

Wai gets tackled into the cage by Wagner. Wagner maintains the clinch.
Wai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wagner tries to pull guard but Wai holds him up against the cage and eventually Wagner drops back down to his feet.

Wagner breaks the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Wagner forces Wai back against the cage and clinches.

Wagner breaks from the clinch.

Wagner closes the distance and pushes Wai back into the cage.

Wagner breaks from the clinch.

Wai moves into range and clinches up with Wagner.
Wai works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Wagner misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deanthony Wagner dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wagner shoots in but Wai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wagner throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Wai gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Wai wriggles free and stands up.
Wagner is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nice cross by Wagner.
Wagner shoots for a double leg takedown but Wai sprawls well. He's pushed Wagner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Wai fails in his attempt to clinch.

Wagner has closed the distance and engaged Wai in a clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Wagner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Wagner scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Wai is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wagner is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Wai is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Wai tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Wagner wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Wagner decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Wagner. Those never looked like landing.
Wagner misses with a double jab.
Wagner looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Puna Wai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Deanthony Wagner.

Wai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Wai lands in his opponent's guard.

Wagner throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wagner is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wagner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wagner looking to control.
Wai trying to control the position from guard on top but Wagner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Wagner. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Wai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wagner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wagner managing to control the position.
Wagner is trying to control the position but Wai postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wai stands up over Wagner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wagner is looking to stand up but Wai isn't so interested in that idea.
Wagner keeping moving, preventing Wai from controlling successfully.
Wai lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Wai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wagner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wai is working hard here to advance position.

Wagner has his foot on Wai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wai works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wagner is trying to keep Wai in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Wai feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Deanthony Wagner has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wai looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wagner is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Wai pushing down on Wagner's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Wagner is trying to stand up here but Wai is controlling him well.
Wagner trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Wai landing strikes from the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Puna Wai dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Wagner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wai tries to avoid it but Wagner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wai to the ground. Wai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wai tries to counter by clinching up but Wagner breaks away and moves out of range.
Wagner shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wai as he avoids it easily.
Wai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wagner.
Wagner throws a big counter head kick but Wai avoids it with no problem.
Wai is looking to clinch but Wagner is avoiding it.
Wagner ducks under a wild hook from Wai.
Wai shoots in for a takedown but Wagner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wagner throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Wagner tries to clinch but Wai is having none of it.
Wai shoots in but no luck this time.
Wagner shoots for a double leg takedown but Wai sprawls well. He's pushed Wagner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Puna Wai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Deanthony Wagner.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wagner stuffs the takedown attempt from Wai. Wai gets slowly back to his feet.
Wagner feints the counter takedown.
Wagner throws a series of punches but Wai moves out of range.

Wagner moves into the clinch successfully.
Wagner drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wai gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Wagner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wagner jumps guard.
Wai passes Wagner's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Wagner trying to control but Wai postures up.
Wagner wants to get back to full guard but Wai has mounted him!
Wagner is trying to escape the mount.
Wai looking to control but Wagner is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagner is trying to stand up.
Wai in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wai cracks Wagner with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Wai goes for an armbar but Wagner turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Wagner.

Wagner gets to his feet. Wai looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Deanthony Wagner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wai is trying hard to land a takedown here. Wagner sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Wagner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wagner tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wai just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Wagner tries to pull guard but Wai holds him up against the cage and eventually Wagner drops back down to his feet.
Wagner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Wagner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wagner stuffs the takedown.
Wagner checks a leg kick nicely.
Wai shoots in but Wagner avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wai scores with a sloppy right hand. Wagner should have avoided that one.
Wai shoots in looking for a takedown but Wagner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wai's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Wai bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Wagner throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wai shoots for a takedown but Wagner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Wagner fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Wai to the ground. Wagner is now in Wai's guard.

Wai has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Wagner has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Wai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wagner's elbow.
Wai misses with a hook from the clinch.

Wagner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wagner jabs Wai to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wai fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Wagner bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Wai sneaks out the side door and pushes Wagner away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Puna Wai showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Puna Wai!
Puna Wai seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.