PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kira Miyata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zang Zhai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Miyata might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Boa - Energetic. Zhai has chosen Sampans as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Miyata
vs
Zhai

171 cm
37
153 lbs
34 - 22 - 0

169 cm
28
146 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
Bullet Proof System

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 34 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kira Miyata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Zang Zhai!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miyata moves out of range as Zhai strikes.
The fighters circle momentarily. Miyata darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Miyata looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zhai is fending him off so far but Miyata persists. Nope, Zhai circles away and we're back to standing.

Miyata shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Miyata wants to pass the guard but Zhai is defending well.
Zhai is refusing to be controlled, as Miyata sits in half guard.
Zhai controlling the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miyata wants to pass the guard but Zhai is defending well.
Miyata is thwarting Zhai's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhai is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Miyata not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miyata is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Zhai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zhai is trying to maintain the position but Miyata is very close to passing his half guard.
Miyata stalling away here and it's allowed Zhai to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Zhai keeping moving, preventing Miyata from controlling successfully.
Zhai is adopting a defensive guard.
Miyata trying to control but Zhai is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Miyata bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zhai on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Zhai throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Miyata takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Miyata punishes Zhai's body with a nice straight punch.
Zang Zhai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Miyata misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Miyata shoots for a takedown but Zhai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kira Miyata. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Miyata shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Miyata is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zhai defends it well.
Miyata not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zhai is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nice strikes from Miyata there.
Miyata winds up and cracks Zhai with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Miyata prevents Zhai from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miyata sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zhai defending well though.
Miyata is keen to just control but Zhai is a slippery customer.
Zhai keeping control of the position.
Miyata is thwarting Zhai's attempts to control the position.
We've been hearing that Miyata has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miyata looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Miyata is looking to take a break and control but Zhai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kira Miyata dominated that round.
That's time! Miyata's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Miyata lands a slapping body shot.

Miyata shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Miyata is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Miyata seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zhai does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Miyata connects with a nice short shot to Zhai's temple.
Miyata scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Miyata working Zhai over with strikes.
Zhai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Miyata's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Miyata's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miyata wants to escape the position.
Miyata is working hard here to advance position.
Zhai controlling the position well here. Miyata rolled but Zhai kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Miyata is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Zhai is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhai looking to hold on to the position here but Miyata rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Zhai slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Miyata is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zhai can do to turn this around?
Zhai is continuing to stall.
Miyata controls Zhai momentarily but Zhai frees himself.
Miyata looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zhai is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhai 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.

Miyata is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Miyata keeping full guard, as Zhai tries to pass.
Zhai sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Miyata wants to sweep here but Zhai controlling him for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Zhai doesn't manage to clinch there - Miyata circles away.
Miyata throws the left hand but Zhai avoids the punch easily.
Miyata checks a low kick from Zhai.
Miyata was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Miyata misses the shot to the body.
Zhai takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Miyata fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhai manages to avoid it.
Miyata lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Miyata scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
No luck for Miyata with that takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zhai throws a body punch but Miyata moves out of range.
Miyata throws a right hand that misses
and Zhai counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Miyata thinking.
A jab from Zhai does it's job there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kira Miyata dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Miyata moves out of range as Zhai strikes.
A quick step to the side and Miyata tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Miyata's corner calls for a 1-2. Miyata obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zhai sizes up Miyata with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Miyata looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhai is just out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Miyata. Those never looked like landing.
Miyata tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhai was well out of range. Poor timing from Miyata.
Miyata misses with a jab to the body
and Zhai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Miyata ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhai moves away.
Miyata throws the left hand but Zhai avoids the punch easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zhai darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zang Zhai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Miyata fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Zhai lands a nice looking body shot.
Zhai staying out of range there.
Zhai scores with a hook to the body. Miyata takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miyata throws out a loose jab but Zhai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zhai misses the jab.
Miyata misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhai smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Miyata misses the jab.
Miyata swings widly with a right hand
and Zhai counters with a stiff right hand.
Miyata bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - Zhai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Miyata looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhai is just out of range.
Zhai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Miyata.
Zhai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Miyata.
Miyata scores with the left hand. Zhai knows he should have avoided that one.
Miyata moves out of range as Zhai strikes.
A head kick misses from Zhai.
Zhai throws a jab when Miyata was well out of range.
Zhai throws out a loose jab but Miyata uses good head movement to avoid it.
Miyata misses with a jab to the body
enabling Zhai to counter with a crisp jab.
Zhai works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Miyata throws a hook to the side of Zhai's head but Zhai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miyata lands with an uppercut that bounces Zhai off the cage and back into range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhai throws a push kick but Miyata slaps the foot to one side.
Zang Zhai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice leg kick lands there from Zhai.
Miyata throws the left hand but Zhai avoids the punch easily.
Zhai throws out a powerful jab.
Zhai lands with a thumping leg kick.
Miyata scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Miyata changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zhai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhai keeps Miyata at a distance using the push kick.
Miyata moves out of range as Zhai throws a body kick.
Zhai fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Miyata defending well as Zhai loads up on a big left hand.
Miyata takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Miyata misses with a looping left.

Zhai gets caught flat footed, as Miyata shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Zhai is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Miyata presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhai misses with the head strike.
Zhai pushes Miyata back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Miyata swings wildly with an uppercut but Zhai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Miyata drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zhai gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zhai tries to work over Miyata's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Miyata turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Miyata manages to end up in side control.
Zhai keeping his opponent close.
Zhai is trying to get back to half guard.
The referee asks Miyata politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Miyata prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Zhai's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zhai tries to bench press Miyata off him but Miyata keeps the position.
Zhai is trying to control Miyata's posture but Miyata avoids it.
Miyata works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Miyata trying to control the action but Zhai is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zang Zhai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Miyata 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kira Miyata!
Our winner, Kira Miyata, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.