PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ikki Minami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky McBride (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ikki Minami has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Minami
vs
McBride

170 cm
20
179 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
169 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Determined

ENDLESS 152

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ikki Minami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky McBride!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yuuki Gou and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McBride tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Minami keeps the fight on the outside.
A combination from Minami does no damage.
McBride shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Minami pinned against the cage. Minami gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A jab from Minami does it's job there.

It looks like Ricky McBride has been cut.
Minami misses with a double jab.
Minami uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McBride has time to react.
Minami looks to land a right hand but McBride moved out of range.
McBride doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Minami shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Minami showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Minami is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McBride is just riding it out for now. Minami eventually gives up the hold.
Minami controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minami seems to be looking for submissions.
Minami performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Minami wants to work for an arm triangle but McBride is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
McBride throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

McBride is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Minami pulls his head out easily.
McBride tries to roll over but Minami keeps him under control.
Minami is trying to control. McBride wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Minami is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Minami wants to work for an arm triangle but McBride is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Minami looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Minami is breathing heavily.
McBride tries to get to full guard but Minami has control of the leg.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Minami connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McBride throws a body punch but Minami moves out of range.
McBride is looking to clinch but Minami is avoiding it.
McBride throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Minami blocks a head kick by McBride.

Minami closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McBride to the mat! McBride manages to get full guard.
McBride looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Minami drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Minami jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Minami is stalling in the full guard.
Minami trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Minami passes McBride's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Minami trying to mount his opponent but McBride defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McBride actively working from the bottom here.

McBride is defending against the submission attempts here by Minami.

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

McBride is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Minami pulls his head out easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Minami passes to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikki Minami dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricky McBride's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Minami avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McBride doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Minami counters with a head kick that drops McBride - he's looking to finish, following his stunned foe to the ground!

McBride is rocked!

Minami is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, McBride has managed to free his arm - good work.

Minami is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, McBride has managed to free his arm - good work.
McBride wants to improve his position but Minami is controlling well.
Minami is looking to take a break and control but McBride is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McBride works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McBride can't keep his opponent in guard - Minami advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Minami controlling the action here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Minami wants to work for an arm triangle but McBride is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Minami is looking to take a break and control but McBride is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Minami trying to pass the guard but McBride defending well.

Minami is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but McBride still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, McBride has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Minami is trying to control McBride's posture but McBride avoids it.

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.
Minami tries to buck McBride off but McBride is having none of it.
Minami struggling a bit here.

McBride is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Minami has escaped the position, nice work there.
Minami tries to buck McBride off but McBride is having none of it.
Minami is trying to control McBride's posture but McBride avoids it.

McBride is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Minami knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Minami might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Minami is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Minami misses with a jab, cross combination.
McBride throws a sloppy head kick and Minami moves out of range easily.
Minami lands with a right hand.
Donk. Minami catches McBride right on the button with a cross.
Minami throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McBride bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McBride wants to clinch
and Minami counters with a left and a right that stings McBride.
Minami misses with a few strikes there.
McBride misses with a takedown
and Minami counters with a stiff right hand.

Minami gets the takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Minami is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McBride is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minami blocks the strikes from McBride.

Minami tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Minami has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
McBride is not content to let Minami control the position.
McBride tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Minami wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McBride trying to remain calm as Minami controls from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikki Minami dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ricky McBride's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

McBride misses with a takedown

and Minami decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McBride's guard.
Minami won't allow McBride to sweep him here.
Ikki Minami overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Minami 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.

McBride working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Minami has passed into half guard!
McBride wants to control but Minami is keeping busy.
Minami frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Minami has control of McBride's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and McBride regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Minami is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McBride can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minami controlling the position easily from mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Minami working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. McBride turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Minami off and cradles McBride's limp body as Minami celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Ikki Minami!