PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yoko Honda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rio Sadewo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rio Sadewo acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Honda
vs
Sadewo

195 cm
27
275 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

200 cm
26
265 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoko Honda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rio Sadewo!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Honda fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sadewo avoids it really well and circles away.

Sadewo closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Honda quickly recovers to half guard.
Honda tries to kick Sadewo off but Sadewo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sadewo is trying to control the action in half guard but Honda is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Honda tries to kick Sadewo off but Sadewo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sadewo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nice strikes from Sadewo there.
Honda's coaches at Body Pain_14elite_650$+VM have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Still in half guard, Sadewo seems content to control.
Ground and pound from Sadewo.
Honda wants to get back to his feet.
Sadewo trying to control the action but Honda is working from the bottom.

Honda pushes Sadewo off and gets back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Honda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sadewo moves into the clinch successfully.

Honda has clasped his hands together around Sadewo's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Honda goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sadewo has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Honda but great work by Sadewo.
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!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Honda pushes Sadewo away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sadewo gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sadewo landing strikes.
Sadewo is looking to take a break and control but Honda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Honda is trying to get back to his feet.

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

Honda gets the takedown into side control.
Honda working away.
Sadewo looks to move to half guard but instead Honda has passed into mount! Damn!
Honda lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sadewo tries to lock up and control but Honda gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sadewo is wriggling around trying to escape.
Honda content just to control the position here.
Honda looking to finish Sadewo with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sadewo!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sadewo tries to hold on but Honda postures up.
Honda trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Honda punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sadewo is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yoko Honda will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Honda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sadewo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Sadewo closes the distance and pushes Honda back into the ropes.
Sadewo tries to throw a body punch but Honda avoids it by throwing Sadewo back against the ropes.
Honda is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sadewo pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Honda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Honda tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sadewo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Honda somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoko Honda. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Honda breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda walks into a stiff left hand from Sadewo.
Nice takedown defense from Honda. No joy for Sadewo on that attempt.
Sadewo works Honda's body with a nice hook.
Sadewo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Honda defends it nicely.
Honda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sadewo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Honda sprawls well. Honda wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sadewo gets slowly back to his feet.
Honda shoots in and drives through. Sadewo sprawls well.
Honda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sadewo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Honda thinking.
Honda shoots in for a takedown but Sadewo shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sadewo.
Honda shoots in and drives through. Sadewo sprawls well.

Sadewo 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.
Sadewo looking to pass the guard.
Sadewo tries to stand but Honda is controlling from the bottom.
Sadewo trying to control the position from guard on top but Honda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Honda pushes Sadewo off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honda shoots in for a takedown but Sadewo shows good takedown defense.
Honda shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sadewo sprawls well. Sadewo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Honda gets slowly back to his feet.
Yoko Honda is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Honda displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sadewo.
Sadewo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sadewo jabs Honda to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sadewo fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Honda fails with a takedown attempt.
Sadewo has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Honda is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Honda takes one to the chin there.
Sadewo shoots for a takedown but Honda saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Honda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sadewo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sadewo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sadewo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sadewo stalling away here and it's allowed Honda to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rio Sadewo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sadewo stuffs the takedown.
Sadewo shoots in and drives through. Honda sprawls well.
Sadewo shoots in looking for a takedown. Honda tries to sprawl out of it but Sadewo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Honda manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Honda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sadewo but Sadewo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sadewo shoots in for a takedown but Honda shows good takedown defense.
Yoko Honda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rio Sadewo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honda fails with the takedown.
Honda shoots in for a takedown but Sadewo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Honda shoots in and gets a takedown into Sadewo's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda throws a big right hand that misses.
Sadewo looking for a sweep. Not yet Sadewo, not yet.
Honda is pushing down on Sadewo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sadewo is fighting to maintain full guard but Honda has managed to sneak the leg through.
Honda works his foot free and advances to mount.
Sadewo is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Sadewo sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Sadewo wants to get back to his feet.
Sadewo is trying to maintain the position but Honda is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Honda wants to work for an arm triangle but Sadewo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sadewo won't allow Honda to pass to mount.
Yoko Honda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sadewo is looking to escape.
Still in half guard, Honda seems content to control.
Sadewo is trying to escape back to his feet but Honda uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Honda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sadewo keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sadewo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Honda is working Sadewo over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sadewo seems a little lost for a moment, as Honda dominates the positioning.
Honda lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Sadewo down.

Honda is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sadewo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Honda scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sadewo is not content to let Honda control the position.
The ground and pound from Honda seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Honda lands a decent elbow from side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sadewo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sadewo is looking for a sweep.
Honda landing strikes.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Honda wants to control but Sadewo is keeping him busy.

Honda looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sadewo stops Honda from passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoko Honda clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Sadewo has a takedown stuffed.
Honda throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sadewo's waist but Sadewo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Honda off to one side.
Sadewo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Honda's waist but Honda gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sadewo off to one side.
Sadewo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yoko Honda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rio Sadewo.

Sadewo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Honda, pushing him back against the ropes.
Sadewo wants to get back to striking at distance but Honda won't allow it.
Sadewo lands a shoulder strike.

Honda tightens his grip and picks Sadewo up, before dumping him to the ground. Sadewo manages to land in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honda controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Honda trying to control but Sadewo is working from the bottom.
Sadewo wants to stand and escape but Honda is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sadewo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Honda is aware though and is defending well.
Honda trying to control the position from guard on top but Sadewo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Honda is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Sadewo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Honda won't allow Sadewo to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Honda shoots in but Sadewo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sadewo scores with a nice head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sadewo is looking to clinch.

Honda gets a double leg takedown into Sadewo's guard.
Sadewo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Honda wants to control from the top but Sadewo keeps moving.
Sadewo working a defensive guard but Honda passes into half guard.
Sadewo wants to control but Honda is keeping busy.
Honda thows a huge punch but Sadewo dodges it nicely.
Honda prevents Sadewo from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sadewo is looking for a sweep. Honda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Honda wants to work for an arm triangle but Sadewo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sadewo wants to improve his position but Honda is controlling well.
Still in half guard, Honda seems content to control.
Honda looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Honda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sadewo keeps working.
Sadewo is in trouble now - Honda has advanced to mount!
Sadewo wants to control but Honda is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sadewo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Honda controlling the pace for now.
Honda is trying to control here but Sadewo has managed to regain half guard.
Sadewo is not content to let Honda control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sadewo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Honda.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoko Honda had his way with Rio Sadewo in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sadewo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Honda as he avoids it easily.
Honda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sadewo is fending him off so far but Honda persists. Nope, Sadewo circles away and we're back to standing.
Honda shoots in looking for a takedown. Sadewo tries to sprawl out of it but Honda keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Sadewo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
It seemed like Sadewo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Honda with a poor takedown
and Sadewo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoko Honda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sadewo tries to clinch up.
Honda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sadewo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sadewo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Honda has his takedown stuffed
and Sadewo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda shoots in looking for a takedown. Sadewo tries to sprawl out of it but Honda keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Sadewo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Honda looks for a takedown but Sadewo sprawls well.
Sadewo now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sadewo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Honda wants to stand up but Sadewo is controlling him.
Honda trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Honda keeping full guard, as Sadewo tries to pass.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Sadewo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Honda's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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

Sadewo looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Honda has picked Sadewo up and slammed him! Sadewo can't keep hold of the triangle and Honda manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honda lands an elbow.
Sadewo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Honda tries to advance to mount but can't.
Sadewo manages to get back to half guard.
Sadewo is trying to get back to full guard.
Honda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sadewo keeps working.

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.
Honda not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Yoko Honda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Honda is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sadewo sees it coming and defends easily.
Honda thows a huge punch but Sadewo dodges it nicely.
Rio Sadewo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sadewo tries to roll over but Honda keeps him under control.
Sadewo moves into full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Honda wants to control from the top but Sadewo keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rio Sadewo.
I think Honda 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoko Honda!
Yoko Honda retains his heavyweight title!