PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Wyatt Battle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chikosake Wantanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chikosake Wantanabe will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Battle
vs
Wantanabe

201 cm
24
151 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

165 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Wyatt Battle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chikosake Wantanabe!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wantanabe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Wantanabe gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Battle wants to get up but he can't break Wantanabe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Battle engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wantanabe is trying to keep Battle in close.
Battle slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Wantanabe working a defensive guard but Battle passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Battle tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Wantanabe.

Battle gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Wantanabe throws a body kick that misses
and Battle counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Battle shoots in and bounces Wantanabe off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Battle drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Battle jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Wantanabe wants to sweep here but Battle controlling him for the moment.
Wantanabe lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Wantanabe must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Battle controls Wantanabe momentarily but Wantanabe frees himself.
Wantanabe is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wantanabe is looking to stand up but Battle won't let him.
Wantanabe stops Battle from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Battle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Battle lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Battle wants to stand and escape but instead Wantanabe has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Battle thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Battle trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Wantanabe postures up.
Wantanabe would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Battle managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Battle lands an upkick as Wantanabe stands over him.
Battle lands a decent punch to the body there.
Battle throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Battle looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Battle will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Battle trying to strike off his back.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Battle shoots in looking for a takedown. Wantanabe tries to sprawl out of it but Battle keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wantanabe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wantanabe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wantanabe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Battle avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wyatt Battle 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.

Wantanabe throws a body shot but no joy.

Wantanabe looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Battle has one foot on Wantanabe's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Wantanabe has Battle up against the cage in a clinch.
Wantanabe prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wantanabe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Battle gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Wantanabe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Battle. No joy for Wantanabe on that attempt.
Wantanabe throws a series of punches but Battle avoids them all with ease.
Battle is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Wantanabe with that takedown attempt.
Wyatt Battle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chikosake Wantanabe.
Wantanabe is breathing heavily.

Battle closes the distance and clinches.
Wantanabe lands a nice shot to the body.
Wantanabe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Battle has him pressed against the cage.
Wantanabe prevents the takedown attempt.
Battle has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wantanabe after a bit of a struggle.
Battle is looking for a takedown.
Battle is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wantanabe is defending well.
Battle digs a right hand into Wantanabe's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Wantanabe's gas tank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wantanabe wants to break free but Battle has control.
Battle has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wantanabe after a bit of a struggle.
Battle really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Wantanabe breaks from the clinch.
Wantanabe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Battle sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Wantanabe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Chikosake Wantanabe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Wantanabe gets tackled into the cage by Battle. Battle maintains the clinch.

Wantanabe pulls guard successfully.
Battle controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Battle wants to stand and escape but instead Wantanabe has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Battle is on top in guard.

Wantanabe trying to control the position.
Wantanabe controlling the position.

Battle gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Wantanabe shoots for a double leg takedown but Battle sprawls well. He's pushed Wantanabe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Chikosake Wantanabe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Battle forces Wantanabe back against the cage and clinches.
Battle stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Battle manages to pull guard.
Battle wants to stand but Wantanabe is controlling the position.
Battle keeping moving, preventing Wantanabe from controlling successfully.
Battle pulls Wantanabe in close to his closed guard and prevents Wantanabe from doing any damage or advancing position.
Wantanabe wants to stand but Battle has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Battle wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wyatt Battle dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Wantanabe throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Battle fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Wantanabe sprawls well initially but Battle persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wantanabe is trying to control but Battle manages to pass to mount!
Wantanabe is looking to improve his position but Battle isn't that keen on the idea.
Battle controlling the pace for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Battle gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wantanabe has a takedown stuffed.

Wantanabe closes the distance and clinches.

Wantanabe is fighting off a takedown attempt but Battle is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Wantanabe to the mat. Wantanabe regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Battle slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Battle decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Wantanabe, up you get!

Wantanabe closes the distance and pushes Battle back into the cage.
Battle is trying to pull guard but Wantanabe turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Wantanabe tries to break free but Battle pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battle tries for a takedown but Wantanabe manages to get underhooks.
Battle prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wantanabe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Battle has Wantanabe pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Battle pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Wantanabe tumbling to the mat - Battle dives into Wantanabe's guard.
Wantanabe wants to get back to his feet but Battle passes into half guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wantanabe looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Battle is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Battle decides to return to a standing position.
Battle slips a jab and a cross from Wantanabe.

Battle moves into the clinch.
Battle has Wantanabe pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wantanabe manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wyatt Battle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Battle has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wantanabe is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Battle can't find room to land a body shot as Wantanabe controls the action.

Battle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wantanabe throws a push kick but Battle slaps the foot to one side.
It looked like Battle was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Wantanabe.

Wantanabe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wantanabe pressing his opponent against the cage.
Battle tries for a takedown but Wantanabe manages to get underhooks.
Chikosake Wantanabe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wyatt Battle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wantanabe just misses with a elbow thrown towards Battle's brow.

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 Wyatt Battle.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Battle, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wyatt Battle!