PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Keiji Kawada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luana Peroba Filgueiras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Kawada
vs
Peroba Filgueiras

167 cm
37
145 lbs
16 - 25 - 1

167 cm
36
140 lbs
16 - 20 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

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 16 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Keiji Kawada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 20 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Luana Peroba Filgueiras!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawada shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Filgueiras sprawls well. Filgueiras wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kawada gets slowly back to his feet.
Kawada tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Filgueiras moves into range and clinches up with Kawada.

Filgueiras turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Filgueiras manages to end up in side control.

Kawada sneaks out the side door and pushes Filgueiras away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Filgueiras shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kawada but Kawada pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kawada.
Kawada closes this distance looking for a takedown but Filgueiras circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiji Kawada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Filgueiras.

Kawada fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Filgueiras sprawls well initially but Kawada persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kawada trying to mount his opponent but Filgueiras defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filgueiras trying to control here.
Kawada prevents Filgueiras from improving his position.
Kawada lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kawada connects with a nice short shot to Filgueiras's temple.
Kawada missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kawada thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Filgueiras preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kawada thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Kawada is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filgueiras tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Kawada is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Filgueiras is just riding it out for now. Kawada eventually gives up the hold.
Filgueiras gets back to full guard.
Kawada has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Filgueiras is proving hard to escape from.
Kawada scoring with some ground and pound.

Filgueiras has his foot on Kawada's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kawada works his way back into a safe position though.
Kawada stopping the sweep attempt from Filgueiras.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawada wants to control from the top but Filgueiras keeps moving.
Kawada throws a big elbow that misses.
Filgueiras keeping moving, preventing Kawada from controlling successfully.

Kawada stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Kawada moves into the clinch.

Filgueiras has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kawada is trying to keep an underhook but Filgueiras manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Kawada makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Filgueiras moves out of range of the body kick.
Kawada wants to clinch up but Filgueiras keeps it at a distance.
Kawada tries to clinch but Filgueiras moves out of range.
Kawada defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Filgueiras.
Kawada defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Filgueiras.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kawada stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filgueiras lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kawada at a distance.
A head kick by Filgueiras misses
and Kawada makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Filgueiras looks winded!
Filgueiras will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Kawada gets a double leg takedown into Filgueiras's guard.
Kawada scoring with some ground and pound.
Kawada stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Filgueiras swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kawada is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kawada wants to control from the top but Filgueiras keeps moving.
Kawada stops Filgueiras from standing up.
Filgueiras controls Kawada momentarily but Kawada frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keiji Kawada dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kawada leaves Filgueiras with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Filgueiras. No joy for Kawada on that attempt.
Filgueiras fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kawada lands a slapping body shot.
Filgueiras shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kawada sprawls well. Kawada wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Filgueiras gets slowly back to his feet.
Kawada feinted with a counter takedown.
Keiji Kawada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luana Peroba Filgueiras.
Filgueiras turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Filgueiras shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kawada defends it nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kawada is defended easily by Filgueiras.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filgueiras throws a leg kick

and Kawada counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Filgueiras wants to get back to striking at distance but Kawada won't allow it.
Filgueiras looking to slow down the pace here.
Kawada wants a takedown but no success here.
Kawada tries to pull guard but Filgueiras holds him up against the cage and eventually Kawada drops back down to his feet.
Filgueiras is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Filgueiras tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Filgueiras is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Kawada pulls guard.
Filgueiras scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Filgueiras got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kawada has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Filgueiras has managed to get both his arms back between Kawada's legs - danger averted.
Keiji Kawada overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filgueiras is looking to work some ground and pound but Kawada has wrist control.
Filgueiras distracts Kawada with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Filgueiras controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kawada throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Filgueiras avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Filgueiras gets to his feet. Kawada looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kawada shoots for a takedown but Filgueiras saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And Filgueiras tries to counter it with a takedown but Kawada pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Filgueiras misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kawada attempts a counter takedown but Filgueiras avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kawada looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Filgueiras!
Filgueiras sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Filgueiras trying to hold on to Kawada's head to control him but Kawada postures up.
Kawada is keen to just control but Filgueiras is a slippery customer.

Kawada is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Filgueiras defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Filgueiras is refusing to be controlled, as Kawada sits in half guard.
Kawada is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Filgueiras can do to turn this around?

Filgueiras looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kawada wants to lay and pray for a moment but Filgueiras keeps working.
Kawada 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawada thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Filgueiras on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Filgueiras wants to get back to full guard.
Kawada throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Filgueiras taking some punishment here, with Kawada in his half guard.
Filgueiras trying to control but Kawada postures up.
Kawada lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Filgueiras is trying to control but Kawada passes into side control!
Kawada is working Filgueiras over with some ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keiji Kawada 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Filgueiras shoots for a takedown but Kawada saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Filgueiras.
Kawada throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Filgueiras's waist but Filgueiras gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kawada off to one side.
Kawada shoots in but no luck this time.
Filgueiras moves in looking to clinch but Kawada pushes him off.
Filgueiras defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kawada.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiji Kawada. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Filgueiras takes the fight into the clinch.
Filgueiras can't get the takedown.
Filgueiras prevents a body shot from Kawada.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawada jumps guard but Filgueiras stands there with Kawada around his waist. Kawada gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Filgueiras fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Filgueiras wants to break free but Kawada has control.

Kawada breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Filgueiras dives in and scores a takedown into Kawada's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Kawada manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Filgueiras takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Kawada manages to break the clinch.
Filgueiras misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Filgueiras dives in and grabs Kawada's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawada pushes down on Filgueiras's head and hops out.
Filgueiras tries to clinch but Kawada is having none of it.
Kawada tries to clinch up but Filgueiras circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Filgueiras is defended easily by Kawada.

Kawada clinches up with Filgueiras and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kawada is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Filgueiras can't fight it off and eventually Kawada manages to take the fight to the floor. Filgueiras looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kawada looking to pass the guard.
Filgueiras keeping moving, preventing Kawada from controlling successfully.
Filgueiras trying to control the position here.
Kawada 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.
Kawada passes Filgueiras's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filgueiras won't allow Kawada to pass to mount.
Kawada is trying to control the action in half guard but Filgueiras is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Filgueiras is trying to control but can't.
Kawada wants to take a breather but Filgueiras is having none of it.
Keiji Kawada is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kawada is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kawada trying to pass the guard but Filgueiras defending well.
Kawada controlling the pace.
Luana Peroba Filgueiras has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kawada looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four 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.
Kawada with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Filgueiras throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kawada tries a head kick but it misses.
Kawada doesn't manage to clinch there - Filgueiras circles away.
Kawada wants to clinch.
Filgueiras swats away the attempt to clinch by Kawada.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Filgueiras paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kawada works Filgueiras's body with a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keiji Kawada showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kawada 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keiji Kawada!
After winning the bout, Keiji Kawada thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.