PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rey Hanibal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waki Sashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sashi has chosen Guano Apes - Big in Japan as his entrance music. Waki Sashi has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Rey Hanibal's chin.

Hanibal
vs
Sashi

159 cm
20
133 lbs
1 - 8 - 0

159 cm
20
147 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rey Hanibal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Waki Sashi!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Sashi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hanibal misses with a takedown attempt
and Sashi counters with a one-two to the body.
Sashi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hanibal darts in looking for a takedown but Sashi gets double underhooks and turns Hanibal into the cage.
Hanibal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sashi avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rey Hanibal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanibal avoids the body shot from Sashi.
We've been told by Hanibal's head coaches at Shark Tank MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hanibal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sashi.
Sashi lands with an overhand left.
Hanibal throws a jab but it's blocked by Sashi.
Sashi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hanibal or perhaps it was just good defense by Sashi, which made it look bad.
Hanibal changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sashi tries to avoid it but Hanibal manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sashi to the ground. Sashi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sashi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hanibal tries to clinch up.
Sashi misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Hanibal.
Hanibal gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sashi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hanibal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hanibal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rey Hanibal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hanibal is breathing heavily.
A jab from Hanibal misses.
It seemed like Sashi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A big left from Sashi misses.
Hanibal takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Hanibal is rocked!
Hanibal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sashi moves away.
Oh Hanibal is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sashi throws a right hand that Hanibal ducks under and follows up with a left that Hanibal also avoids with ease.
Sashi stuns Hanibal with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hanibal seems to have got his legs back now.
Hanibal takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sashi leaves Hanibal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sashi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hanibal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sashi scores with a counter punch that sends Hanibal to the canvas! Sashi smells blood - he's punishing Hanibal with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Hanibal has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:11 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Waki Sashi!
Waki Sashi spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
Rey Hanibal spoke after the fight, saying 'I'm all washed up'.