PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Porfirio Mcpherson (ranked 25020 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saitama Ryuuji (ranked 6200 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mcpherson
vs
Ryuuji

203 cm
22
177 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

167 cm
20
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Porfirio Mcpherson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saitama Ryuuji!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mcpherson gets caught flat footed, as Ryuuji shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Ryuuji stands and steps away. Mcpherson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Ryuuji manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mcpherson on his heels. He'll look to pass Mcpherson's guard now, I'm sure.

Mcpherson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Mcpherson manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Ryuuji gets control of Mcpherson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ryuuji will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mcpherson stopping the sweep attempt from Ryuuji.

Ryuuji throws his legs up looking for a submission but Mcpherson uses it to pass to side control.
Ryuuji is not content to let Mcpherson control the position.
Ryuuji can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcpherson scoring with punches from side control.
Mcpherson trying to control the action but Ryuuji is working from the bottom.
A lull in the action here.
Ryuuji pushes Mcpherson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mcpherson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Ryuuji is looking to regain half guard here but Mcpherson keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two 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.
Mcpherson working away.
Mcpherson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ryuuji keeps working.
Ryuuji is looking for a sweep.
Mcpherson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Mcpherson is trying to get an arm triangle but Ryuuji is defending well.
Ryuuji is trying to get back to half guard.
Ryuuji wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ryuuji should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryuuji steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Mcpherson. That one must have hurt.

Ryuuji closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ryuuji lands in his opponent's guard.
Mcpherson wants to get back to his feet but Ryuuji is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mcpherson keeping moving, preventing Ryuuji from controlling successfully.
Mcpherson is adopting a defensive guard.
Mcpherson keeping moving, preventing Ryuuji from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryuuji wants to stand but Mcpherson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mcpherson looking to control.

Ryuuji gets to his feet. Mcpherson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Ryuuji has managed to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mcpherson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ryuuji scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Mcpherson is staying active underneath Ryuuji, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Saitama Ryuuji will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mcpherson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A head kick misses from Ryuuji.
It looked like Mcpherson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Ryuuji closes the distance and clinches.

Mcpherson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ryuuji has taken the fight to the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Mcpherson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ryuuji slowing the pace effectively.

Ryuuji is trying to trip Mcpherson. He has hold of a leg but Mcpherson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ryuuji persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Ryuuji is standing up over Mcpherson. Mcpherson looks to escape but Ryuuji dives into side control.

Mcpherson bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ryuuji feints and as Mcpherson raises his hands in defense, Ryuuji changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Ryuuji stands and steps away. Mcpherson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ryuuji closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mcpherson desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Ryuuji is looking to take a break and control but Mcpherson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mcpherson is trying to stand.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ryuuji throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ryuuji wants to control but Mcpherson is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ryuuji stands up and beckons Mcpherson to join him on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ryuuji fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mcpherson sprawls well initially but Ryuuji persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Mcpherson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Ryuuji is on him like a limpet, forcing Mcpherson back against the cage.
Ryuuji is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mcpherson pushes off an throws an elbow but Ryuuji leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Ryuuji has hold of one of Mcpherson's legs. Mcpherson is fighting the takedown attempt but Ryuuji gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Mcpherson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Ryuuji is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Mcpherson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Ryuuji manages to pull guard.
Ryuuji looking for a sweep. Not yet Ryuuji, not yet.

Ryuuji is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mcpherson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ryuuji isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Mcpherson stacks Ryuuji on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Mcpherson!
Mcpherson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ryuuji keeps working.
Porfirio Mcpherson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ryuuji tries to buck Mcpherson off but Mcpherson is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Mcpherson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ryuuji is looking for a sweep.
Ryuuji seems a little lost for a moment, as Mcpherson dominates the positioning.
You can see the frustration on Ryuuji's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mcpherson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
You can see the frustration on Ryuuji's face as Mcpherson controls the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ryuuji misses with a double jab
and Mcpherson counters with a right hand to the body.

Ryuuji feints and as Mcpherson raises his hands in defense, Ryuuji changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Porfirio Mcpherson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mcpherson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ryuuji throws a series of punches but Mcpherson moves out of range.
Ryuuji throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mcpherson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Ryuuji closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Mcpherson gets control of Ryuuji's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mcpherson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcpherson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Ryuuji gets to his feet - Mcpherson follows without any prompting.

Ryuuji closes the distance and pushes Mcpherson back into the cage.

Mcpherson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcpherson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ryuuji's waist but Ryuuji gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mcpherson off to one side.
Mcpherson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Porfirio Mcpherson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mcpherson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Porfirio Mcpherson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ryuuji is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mcpherson's half guard.

Mcpherson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ryuuji drives through with a takedown into Mcpherson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mcpherson keeping moving, preventing Ryuuji from controlling successfully.
Ryuuji missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mcpherson wants to control but Ryuuji passes easily into half guard.
Ryuuji seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mcpherson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ryuuji stalling away here and it's allowed Mcpherson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ryuuji sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcpherson is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Ryuuji dives into side control.
Ryuuji trying to control the position but Mcpherson is working away.

Ryuuji looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Ryuuji is trying to get an arm triangle but Mcpherson is defending well.
Ryuuji controlling the position from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mcpherson wants to control but Ryuuji postures up.
Mcpherson tries to control but Ryuuji manages to take his back.
Mcpherson has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Ryuuji.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ryuuji is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Mcpherson knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Mcpherson for a finish.
Ryuuji trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saitama Ryuuji comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ryuuji has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Saitama Ryuuji!