PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zenone Impallomeni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tadashi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Impallomeni
vs
Watanabe

189 cm
22
205 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

186 cm
26
216 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zenone Impallomeni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tadashi Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watanabe missing with a left hand there. Impallomeni was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Impallomeni shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Watanabe is trying to defend but Impallomeni finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Impallomeni wants to work for an arm triangle but Watanabe is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Impallomeni is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Watanabe regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Impallomeni.
Watanabe trying to keep a closed guard but Impallomeni is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Impallomeni throws a big right hand that misses.
Impallomeni in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Impallomeni stands and throws Watanabe's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Impallomeni working the body and head with strikes.
Impallomeni postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
An elbow from Impallomeni crashes against the mat.
Impallomeni cracks Watanabe with a big right hand but Watanabe just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Watanabe is trying to improve his position.
Impallomeni working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Watanabe can do anything to dispel that myth.

Impallomeni wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Watanabe, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Impallomeni is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Watanabe is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Watanabe avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Impallomeni.
Watanabe felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Impallomeni lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Watanabe down.
Impallomeni has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Watanabe!
Watanabe holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Impallomeni tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Impallomeni is landing with some decent strikes but Watanabe is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
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!
Impallomeni unloading with bombs!
Watanabe can't escape the position.
Impallomeni with a couple of short strikes.
Impallomeni lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Watanabe is rocked!
Oooh a big shot lands for Impallomeni! Watanabe is out! The ref dives in to save him from more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Zenone Impallomeni!