PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Royce Da Silva (ranked 6131 p4p, 554 weight class) and Hiroshi Kawanabe (ranked 8121 p4p, 627 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Da Silva
vs
Kawanabe

179 cm
25
164 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Royce Da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hiroshi Kawanabe!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Silva takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Horrible takedown attempt by Da Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Kawanabe, which made it look bad.

Da Silva has closed the distance and engaged Kawanabe in a clinch.
Da Silva changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kawanabe fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Kawanabe moves into the clinch.
Kawanabe lands an uppercut.
Da Silva is trying to pull guard but Kawanabe turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Da Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kawanabe lands a shoulder strike.
Kawanabe digs a right hand into Da Silva's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Da Silva's gas tank.
Da Silva is trying to pull guard but Kawanabe has him pressed against the cage.
Kawanabe stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Da Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kawanabe lands a hook that snaps the head of Da Silva backwards.
Kawanabe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawanabe lands a nice uppercut.
Kawanabe throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Da Silvas head.
Da Silva tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kawanabe just stands there and leans against the cage.
Da Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kawanabe lands with a light punch inside.
Da Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kawanabe cracks Da Silva with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe scores with a hook to the body.
Kawanabe lands with a light punch inside.
Kawanabe working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kawanabe gets through Da Silva's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kawanabe controlling the action here for a moment.
Kawanabe avoiding damage.
Da Silva tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kawanabe smiles and moves away.
Kawanabe leaves Da Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kawanabe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Kawanabe has Da Silva up against the cage in a clinch.
Kawanabe pushes Da Silva back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Da Silva definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kawanabe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kawanabe lands a right hand.
Nice body punch from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe stalling the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Kawanabe - that landed with a thud.
Kawanabe lands a hook that snaps the head of Da Silva backwards.
Da Silva is trying to pull guard but Kawanabe turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Da Silva tries to pull guard but Kawanabe won't allow it.
Kawanabe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kawanabe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kawanabe scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Da Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kawanabe working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kawanabe leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short right from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands an uppercut.
Kawanabe scores with a hook to the body.
A hook to the body from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kawanabe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Da Silva successfully pulls guard.
Kawanabe looking to pass the guard.

Da Silva looking for a guillotine here but Kawanabe defends easily.
Da Silva is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Da Silva escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kawanabe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Da Silva looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Da Silva looking for a guillotine here but Kawanabe defends easily.
Kawanabe is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kawanabe is continuing to stall.

That's four 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.
Da Silva keeping moving, preventing Kawanabe from controlling successfully.
Kawanabe is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kawanabe must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Da Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Da Silva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Da Silva is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kawanabe defends well.
Kawanabe stays in close to Da Silva's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Kawanabe dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Da Silva looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kawanabe scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kawanabe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Da Silva.
Kawanabe looks to land a combination. Da Silva sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Da Silva goes for a double leg but Kawanabe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kawanabe continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Da Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kawanabe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Da Silva on the side of the head.

Kawanabe closes the distance and pushes Da Silva back into the cage.
Kawanabe lands with a right to the head.
Hiroshi Kawanabe seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Still in the clinch, Kawanabe scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kawanabe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe is defending well against a takedown attempt.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kawanabe. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Da Silva tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kawanabe just stands there and leans against the cage.
A body shot lands from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe is pressed up against the cage. Da Silva has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kawanabe down to the mat. Kawanabe avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawanabe scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Da Silva dives in and grabs Kawanabe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawanabe pushes down on Da Silva's head and hops out.
Hiroshi Kawanabe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kawanabe scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kawanabe lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Donk. Kawanabe catches Da Silva right on the button with a cross.
Good exchange - Kawanabe coming out on top.

Kawanabe drives through and clinches with Da Silva against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawanabe presses Da Silva against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kawanabe scores with a nice hook to the head.
Good body shot from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe digs a right hand underneath Da Silva's ribcage. Da Silva let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kawanabe lands a nice uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Kawanabe.

Da Silva drags the fight down to the ground.
Kawanabe advances to half guard.
Kawanabe stalling.
Kawanabe seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Da Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Kawanabe stalling.

Da Silva looking for submissions off his back.
Kawanabe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Da Silva. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kawanabe trying to mount his opponent but Da Silva defends it.
Da Silva wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Da Silva gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kawanabe controls the pace.

Da Silva is looking for a triangle but Kawanabe pushes his legs off easily.

Da Silva looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kawanabe controlling from the top position.

Da Silva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kawanabe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kawanabe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kawanabe slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Da Silva escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kawanabe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kawanabe got a little sloppy there for a moment and Da Silva has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kawanabe has managed to get both his arms back between Da Silva's legs - danger averted.
Kawanabe slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Royce Da Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kawanabe is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Da Silva will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Da Silva is looking to reverse the position.
Kawanabe staying calm.
Da Silva stops Kawanabe from passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Kawanabe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

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

Kawanabe has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Da Silva is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Kawanabe has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Da Silva seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kawanabe can turn it around.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kawanabe.
Da Silva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kawanabe pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Da Silva pulls Kawanabe into guard.

Da Silva is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kawanabe is aware though and is defending well.
Da Silva can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kawanabe controls the pace.
Da Silva keeping moving, preventing Kawanabe from controlling successfully.
Kawanabe controlling from the top position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Da Silva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Da Silva can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kawanabe controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawanabe pushes down on Da Silva's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Da Silva is in trouble now - Kawanabe has advanced to mount!
Kawanabe sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Da Silva is desperately trying to improve his position but Kawanabe has a good base and remains in mount.
Kawanabe tries to control but Da Silva wriggling away.
Kawanabe content just to control the position here.
Kawanabe prevents Da Silva from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Da Silva tries to get out of the position.
Da Silva tries to lock up and control but Kawanabe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kawanabe looking to control and managing it successfully.
Da Silva is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kawanabe trying to control but Da Silva is having none of it.
Kawanabe avoids the attempt from Da Silva to control.
Kawanabe wants to control the pace but Da Silva is squirming around nicely.
Kawanabe looking to control and managing it successfully.
Da Silva keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe wants to control the pace but Da Silva is squirming around nicely.
Kawanabe is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Da Silva tries to reverse the position but Kawanabe maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Da Silva sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Da Silva is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kawanabe pulls his head out easily.
Well, if Kawanabe is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Da Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Kawanabe seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Da Silva does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Da Silva wants to get back to full guard.
Kawanabe sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Da Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Royce Da Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Silva flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroshi Kawanabe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kawanabe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroshi Kawanabe!