PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jon Kerr (ranked 6483 p4p, 0 weight class) and Setsuno Hiradama (ranked 9686 p4p, 422 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Kerr
vs
Hiradama

175 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jon Kerr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Setsuno Hiradama!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kerr drives through with a takedown into Hiradama's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kerr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kerr is working hard here to advance position.
Kerr pushing down on Hiradama's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kerr throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hiradama trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kerr throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Hiradama to regain full guard.
Hiradama is trying to control the position but Kerr postures up.
Kerr tries to stand but Hiradama is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hiradama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kerr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kerr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hiradama swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kerr wants to stand but Hiradama is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Kerr forces Hiradama back against the cage and clinches.
Hiradama's coach down at Hard Knocks Training was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Hiradama's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Hiradama has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kerr uses from the top position.
Kerr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hiradama keeping full guard, as Kerr tries to pass.
Hiradama throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kerr being controlled here momentarily.
Kerr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hiradama bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hiradama has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kerr!
Hiradama prevents Kerr from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerr regains half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kerr manages to get to full guard.
Kerr has Hiradama pulled in close to control his posture.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kerr keeping moving, preventing Hiradama from controlling successfully.
Kerr pulls Hiradama in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Kerr dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kerr shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kerr showed some decent athleticism there.
Hiradama moves into full guard.
Kerr tries to free his leg and advance position but Hiradama is retaining full guard.
Kerr's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kerr makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kerr would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerr sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hiradama looking to control but Kerr passes into half guard.
Kerr slows the pace down in half guard.
Kerr is pressing down on Hiradama's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hiradama is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kerr uses his free foot to push down on Hiradama's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hiradama.
Hiradama is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kerr wants to control the pace but Hiradama is squirming around nicely.

Kerr swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Hiradama is now in Kerr's guard. A big mistake from Kerr there, giving up the dominant position!
Hiradama wants to control from the top but Kerr keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hiradama throws a strike but Kerr rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kerr trying to control the position from guard on top but Hiradama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kerr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hiradama has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kerr has managed to get both his arms back between Hiradama's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hiradama trying to control the position.
Kerr postures up in Hiradama's guard and throws a big left but Hiradama blocks it.
Kerr tries to free his leg and advance position but Hiradama is retaining full guard.
Kerr throws an elbow that misses. Hiradama uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kerr's guard. Nice move by Hiradama!

Kerr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hiradama can do to turn this around?
Kerr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kerr is trying to keep Hiradama in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Kerr dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kerr throws a leg kick

and Hiradama counters by moving into the clinch.

Kerr gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hiradama controlling the position well.
Hiradama trying to control but Kerr postures up.
Hiradama is trying to stand up here but Kerr is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiradama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hiradama has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kerr is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerr is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hiradama!
Hiradama tries to hold on but Kerr postures up.
Hiradama taking shots to the head.
Hiradama is bucking up trying to escape but Kerr cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Jon Kerr overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kerr is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Hiradama blocking the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiradama wants to control but Kerr is having none of it.
Kerr sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hiradama is squirming around, avoiding Kerr's attempts to control the action.
Kerr throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiradama tries to lock up and control but Kerr gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kerr controlling the position easily from mount.
Kerr really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hiradama wants to hold on but Kerr pushes him away.
Kerr landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kerr throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Hiradama because Kerr loaded up on that one.
Hiradama reaches up to try and control the position but Kerr seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Hiradama rolls and tries to escape and now Kerr has his back!

Kerr has managed to slip his arm under Hiradama's chin. This could be all over... yep, Hiradama is tapping out! Submission win for Kerr.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jon Kerr!