PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mamoru Date (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Estrada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Date
vs
Estrada

178 cm
20
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
165 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

King of Fists

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mamoru Date!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Diego Estrada!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Date takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Date closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Date softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Date blocks an uppercut.

Estrada manages to break the clinch.
Nice uppercut lands for Estrada. That snapped Date's head back.
We've been told by Date's head coaches at Hellfire Antechamber that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Estrada lands with an overhand left.
Diego Estrada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Date moves into the clinch.
Estrada is trying to break free.

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

Date moves into the clinch.
Estrada wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Estrada blocking some punches.

Estrada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Date has closed the distance and engaged Estrada in a clinch.
Date misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Date working aggressively here.

Estrada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Date scores with a nice strike.
Estrada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Date pushes Estrada up against the ropes in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estrada blocks an uppercut.
Date misses with some punches.
Estrada looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Date has Estrada pressed against the ropes, preventing Estrada from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch on the inside from Date fails to land.
Estrada wants to get back to striking at distance but Date won't allow it.
Date working aggressively here.
Estrada wants to break free but Date has control.
Estrada can't break the clinch.
Date tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Estrada's elbow.
Date scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date is controlling him.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Estrada uses good head movement to avoid it.

Estrada pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Date misses the body punch
and Date takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Date fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Estrada manages to avoid it.
Estrada swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Date counters with a stiff right hand.
Date is looking to clinch but Estrada is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Estrada moves to clinch but Date breaks away
and Date counters with a nice uppercut.
Estrada tries a head kick but it misses.

Date takes the fight into the clinch.
Estrada tries to circle away but Date has him pinned against the ropes.
Date has Estrada pressed against the ropes, preventing Estrada from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Estrada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Estrada throws a sloppy head kick
and Date cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Date pushes Estrada up against the ropes in a clinch.
Date is pushing Estrada up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Estrada blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Estrada's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Date lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Date misses with a hook from the clinch.
Date lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Estrada manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Estrada.
Estrada misses with a body shot
and Date counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Estrada fails to land with a series of punches.
Estrada misses with the combination.
Estrada tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Date manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Date closes the distance and clinches.
Estrada blocks an uppercut.
Estrada wants to get back to striking at distance but Date won't allow it.

Estrada breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Date wants to clinch.
Date tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Estrada was well out of range. Poor timing from Date.
Estrada takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Date closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Estrada lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Estrada blocks an uppercut.
Estrada is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Date lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A frustrated look appears on Estrada's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Date prevents Estrada from breaking the clinch.
Estrada tries to break free but Date pushes him back against the ropes.
Date lands with a left to the head.
Estrada wants to break free but Date has control.
Date lands with a light punch inside.
Date misses with a punch on the inside.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date is controlling him.
Date pushes Estrada back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Date looking to stall.

Estrada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Estrada's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Date connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Estrada scrambles back to his feet.
Date tries to clinch up.
Date throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamoru Date dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A punch combination from Date misses.
Date has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Date tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Estrada paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Date avoids a punch combination nicely.
Estrada throws a low kick, looking for Date's leg but Date calmly moves out of range.
Estrada takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Date moves in looking to clinch but Estrada pushes him off.
Estrada displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Date throws out the jab.
Date is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Estrada can do to turn this around?
Estrada takes a swing at Date's ribcage but misses.
Estrada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diego Estrada is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sloppy strikes from Estrada. Those never looked like landing.
Diego Estrada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Estrada moves into the clinch.
Date misses with a hook from the clinch.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Estrada uses good head movement to avoid it.
Estrada trying to control the position but instead, Date has worked for underhooks and has pushed Estrada into the ropes.
Date is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estrada blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Date misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date is controlling him.
Date misses with a short punch on the inside.
Date keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Estrada's efforts to push away.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Date.
Estrada blocks an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Estrada's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Estrada wants to break the clinch but can't.
Date tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Date scores with a shot to the side of Estrada's head.
Date scores with a shot to the side of Estrada's head.

Estrada pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Estrada throws a wild body kick that Date sees coming a mile off.

Date forces Estrada back against the ropes and clinches.
Date lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Date presses Estrada against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Date lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Estrada backwards.
Estrada is trying to break free.
Date keeps control of Estrada as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Date has Estrada pressed against the ropes, preventing Estrada from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date has him pressed against the ropes.
A short left from Date.
Mamoru Date has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Date working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Estrada has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Estrada is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Date is keeping busy.
A head punch on the inside from Date fails to land.
Date swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Estrada.
Date misses with the head strike.
Estrada is trying to force a seperation but Date has the dominant position.

Estrada breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice jab there from Estrada.

Date drives through and clinches with Estrada against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Estrada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Date lands a head shot.
Estrada jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Date fails in his attempt to clinch.

Date has taken the fight to the clinch.
Estrada wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date has him pressed against the ropes.
Estrada wants to break free but Date has control.
A frustrated look appears on Estrada's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Date misses with a hook to the ribs.
Date tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Date throws a head punch that misses.
Estrada is trying to break free.
A short right from Date on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Date.
Date lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Date lands a right hand that snaps the head of Estrada backwards.
Good body shot from Date.
Estrada is breathing heavily.
Estrada blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Date misses with a hook from the clinch.
Date doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Estrada blocks a body shot from Date.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date is controlling him.
Date misses with a punch on the inside.
Estrada blocks an uppercut.
Date misses with a short punch on the inside.
Estrada blocks an uppercut.
Date lands with a left to the head.
Estrada tries to circle away but Date has him pinned against the ropes.
Date prevents Estrada from breaking the clinch.
Date gets through Estrada's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date has him pressed against the ropes.
Date prevents Estrada from breaking the clinch.
Estrada fails to pull guard.
Date gets underhooks to prevent Estrada's takedown attempt.
Date scores with a hook to the body.
Date lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Estrada backwards.
Date lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamoru Date dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Date moves into range and clinches up with Estrada.
Date lands a body shot in the clinch.
Estrada wants to break free but Date has control.
A left hand lands to the body for Date.
Date working aggressively here.
Date swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Estrada is trying to force a seperation but Date has the dominant position.
Date throws a head punch that misses.
Date effectively controlling the action here.
Date lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Estrada.
Date has a couple of punches blocked by Estrada.
Date lands with a light punch inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Date misses with the head strike.
Date lands a nice shot to the body.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Estrada uses good head movement to avoid it.
Date lands a body shot in the clinch.
Estrada tries to break the clinch but Date is controlling the position.
Estrada takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Date tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Date keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Estrada's efforts to push away.
Date lands a right hand that snaps the head of Estrada backwards.
Estrada wants to break free but Date has control.
Date lands a shoulder strike.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date has him pressed against the ropes.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Estrada uses good head movement to avoid it.
Estrada is trying to force a seperation but Date has the dominant position.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Estrada uses good head movement to avoid it.
Date is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Estrada has had enough of the clinch but Date keeps him there for the moment.
Estrada tries to break free but Date pushes him back against the ropes.
Date has Estrada pressed against the ropes, preventing Estrada from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Estrada blocking some punches.
Date has a couple of punches blocked by Estrada.
Date gets through Estrada's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Diego Estrada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Date.
Estrada blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Date lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Estrada is trying to break free.
Estrada working hard to break the clinch.
Estrada blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Estrada is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
A head punch on the inside from Date fails to land.
Estrada wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Estrada is trying to break free.
Estrada controlling the action here for a moment.
Estrada can't break the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Date.
Date scores with a nice hook to the head.
Estrada blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good body shot from Date.
Date is trying to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date misses with a hook to the ribs.
Date throws a punch but it's blocked by Estrada.
Date throws a punch but it's blocked by Estrada.
Estrada tries to circle away but Date has him pinned against the ropes.
Date gets underhooks to prevent Estrada's takedown attempt.
Date lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Date prevents Estrada from breaking the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Date.
Date fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mamoru Date is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Date lands a nice uppercut.

Estrada is rocked!
Date misses with the head strike.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date has him pressed against the ropes.
Estrada can't find room to land a body shot as Date controls the action.
Date dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Estrada is trying to push Date away but Date has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Date lands a shot to the body.
Estrada is trying to force a seperation but Date has the dominant position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Date misses with a punch to the body.
Estrada is trying to break free.
Estrada looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Estrada misses with a short punch on the inside.
Date lands a left hand that snaps the head of Estrada backwards.
Estrada is trying to break the clinch but Date has him pressed against the ropes.
Estrada has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Date keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Estrada's efforts to push away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mamoru Date showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Date, 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mamoru Date!