PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tadashi Katsumoto (ranked 3687 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shino Kanihara (ranked 23375 p4p, 0 weight class). Kanihara has chosen Onlap's "Whispers in my Head" as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Katsumoto
vs
Kanihara

180 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 1 - 1

180 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 4 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Tadashi Katsumoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shino Kanihara!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katsumoto needs to keep his hands up - Kanihara had a free shot at his head there.

Kanihara shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kanihara trying to control the pace.
Kanihara wants to pass to mount but Katsumoto is defending the position.
Still in half guard, Kanihara seems content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katsumoto tries to roll over but Kanihara keeps him under control.
Kanihara works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kanihara is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Katsumoto is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Kanihara tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Kanihara tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kanihara has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Katsumoto tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kanihara wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two 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.
Kanihara lands a few punches from side control.
Katsumoto stops Kanihara from passing to mount.

Kanihara stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanihara misses with a low kick as Katsumoto jumps back.
Kanihara tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Katsumoto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kanihara displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Katsumoto.

Kanihara clinches.

Katsumoto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Katsumoto shoots and misses
and Kanihara counters with a three punch combo that has Katsumoto backing up. Katsumoto nods at Kanihara to acknowledge the strikes.
Katsumoto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tadashi Katsumoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Katsumoto tries to keep at a distance but Kanihara has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kanihara is trying to break the clinch but Katsumoto has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto misses with a punch to the body.

Kanihara manages to break the clinch.
Kanihara tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Katsumoto defends well and Kanihara ends up having to push Katsumoto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kanihara tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Katsumoto swivels and escapes.
Kanihara cracks Katsumoto with a right hand to the side of the head.
Katsumoto takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kanihara tries to clinch up but Katsumoto circles away and keeps his distance.
Kanihara goes for a double leg but Katsumoto avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Katsumoto continues to drive forward.
Tadashi Katsumoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shino Kanihara.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kanihara scores with a punch to the head.
Kanihara dodges the punch combination from Katsumoto.
Kanihara lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shino Kanihara dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kanihara tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Katsumoto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Katsumoto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kanihara sprawls well. Kanihara wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Katsumoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Katsumoto tries to clinch but Kanihara moves out of range.

Kanihara closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Katsumoto to the mat! Katsumoto manages to get full guard.
Katsumoto trying to keep a closed guard but Kanihara is proving a slippery customer.
Katsumoto has a closed guard, preventing Kanihara from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanihara trying to control the position from guard on top but Katsumoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanihara engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kanihara content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kanihara advances to half guard.
Katsumoto is staying active underneath Kanihara, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kanihara looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Katsumoto with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kanihara stalling away here and it's allowed Katsumoto to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanihara tries to free his leg and advance position but Katsumoto is retaining full guard.
Katsumoto keeping moving, preventing Kanihara from controlling successfully.
Kanihara postures up.

Katsumoto is working an open guard so Kanihara takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Katsumoto or perhaps it was just good defense by Kanihara, which made it look bad.
Kanihara lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Katsumoto is defended easily by Kanihara.
Kanihara is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tadashi Katsumoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

Katsumoto pushes Kanihara off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Katsumoto is defended easily by Kanihara.
Katsumoto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kanihara sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kanihara is fending him off so far but Katsumoto persists. Nope, Kanihara circles away and we're back to standing.
Katsumoto wants to clinch.

Kanihara drives through with a takedown into Katsumoto's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kanihara looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kanihara is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kanihara pushing down on Katsumoto's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shino Kanihara showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kanihara gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kanihara throws a head punch that misses.
Kanihara working aggressively here.
Katsumoto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kanihara pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Katsumoto is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Katsumoto drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tadashi Katsumoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Katsumoto keeps control of Kanihara as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katsumoto throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kanihara blocks it with crossed arms.
Kanihara's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kanihara breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tadashi Katsumoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kanihara throws a low kick but Katsumoto avoids it.
Kanihara tries to clinch but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kanihara or perhaps it was just good defense by Katsumoto, which made it look bad.
Katsumoto lands with a slapping head kick.
Kanihara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Katsumoto moves away.
Katsumoto shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kanihara counters with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto throws the kick towards the body but Kanihara avoids it.
Kanihara motions for Katsumoto to come forward. Kanihara throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Katsumoto leaves Kanihara with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Kanihara moves into the clinch.
Kanihara tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Katsumoto jumps guard and drags Kanihara to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kanihara showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kanihara looking to sit in guard and control but Katsumoto gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanihara controls Katsumoto momentarily but Katsumoto frees himself.

Kanihara looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kanihara throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Katsumoto postures up.

Katsumoto avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shino Kanihara has got the better of the ground game so far.

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.
Kanihara is trying to control the position but Katsumoto postures up.
Shino Kanihara is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kanihara pulls Katsumoto in close to prevent any damage.
Kanihara's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kanihara working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tadashi Katsumoto.
Well Kanihara 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shino Kanihara!