PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kazuo Koizumi (ranked 5870 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Lewis (ranked 6118 p4p, 559 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Koizumi
vs
Lewis

168 cm
20
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 New York, Kazuo Koizumi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steven Lewis!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jonathan Paton and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Koizumi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Koizumi lands in his opponent's guard.
Koizumi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lewis on the ground.
Koizumi throws a big elbow that misses.

Lewis is looking for a triangle but Koizumi pushes his legs off easily.
Koizumi wants to control from the top but Lewis keeps moving.
Lewis trying to keep a closed guard but Koizumi is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koizumi preventing the sweep.
Lewis manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Koizumi manages to get himself to full guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koizumi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lewis looking for a guillotine here but Koizumi defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lewis is trying to control the position but Koizumi postures up.
Koizumi's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lewis scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Lewis connects with a solid leg kick.

Koizumi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lewis wants to control but Koizumi passes into side.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An elbow from Koizumi crashes against the mat.
Koizumi trying to control the position but Lewis is working away.
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That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lewis pushes Koizumi away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Koizumi gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Lewis tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lewis sneaks back into half guard.
Lewis trying to control from the bottom.

Lewis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lewis is trying to stand back up but Koizumi is controlling him

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.
Lewis tries to roll over but Koizumi keeps him under control.

Koizumi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lewis defends it well.
Koizumi is looking to take a break and control but Lewis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lewis trying to control here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lewis throws a head kick that misses
and Koizumi counters with a low kick, right behind Lewis 's knee.

Lewis gets caught flat footed, as Koizumi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Lewis pulls Koizumi in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steven Lewis will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lewis dives in and scores a takedown into Koizumi's guard.
Koizumi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lewis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Koizumi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lewis has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Koizumi is proving hard to escape from.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lewis trying to control the position from guard on top but Koizumi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koizumi tries to strike from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lewis lands a couple of digs.
Koizumi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lewis is one step ahead there.
Lewis wanted to stand there but Koizumi had control of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice defenses there by Koizumi.
Koizumi misses with a takedown attempt - Lewis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Koizumi gets caught napping as Lewis dives in and scores a takedown. Koizumi manages to retain guard.

Koizumi is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Lewis presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lewis tries to break the clinch but Koizumi is controlling the position.
Lewis just leaning against Koizumi, taking a breather.
Lewis tries to break the clinch but Koizumi is controlling the position.
Lewis gets underhooks to prevent Koizumi's takedown attempt.
Lewis stops a takedown attempt from Koizumi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuo Koizumi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lewis tries to break the clinch but Koizumi is controlling the position.

Lewis ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lewis no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Koizumi trying to control the position from guard on top but Lewis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lewis is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lewis keeping moving, preventing Koizumi from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lewis wants to sweep but no luck.
Lewis doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Lewis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koizumi wants to control from the top but Lewis keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lewis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lewis striking off his back but it's not causing Koizumi any problems.
Koizumi looking to sit in guard and control but Lewis gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lewis won't allow Koizumi to get back to his feet.
Lewis trying to control the position from guard on top but Koizumi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lewis showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Lewis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Lewis closes the distance and pushes Koizumi back into the cage.

Lewis has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Koizumi regains guard immediately.
Koizumi keeping moving, preventing Lewis from controlling successfully.
Lewis stays in close to Koizumi's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lewis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Koizumi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lewis won't allow Koizumi to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lewis postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lewis passes into half guard.
Koizumi is trying to control but can't.
Lewis stalling.
Steven Lewis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koizumi is refusing to be controlled, as Lewis sits in half guard.
Lewis is pressing down on Koizumi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Koizumi is holding on for now.
Lewis has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi reaches up to try and control the position but Lewis seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Koizumi rolls and tries to escape and now Lewis has his back!
Lewis wants to control the position but Koizumi frees himself and scrambles - Lewis manages to regain control in side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Lewis tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Lewis working the ground and pound.

Lewis is trying to get an arm triangle but Koizumi is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi tries to improve position but can't.
Lewis looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Koizumi is avoiding damage well.
Lewis tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
An elbow from Lewis crashes against the mat.
Lewis tries to advance to mount but can't.
Koizumi wants to control but Lewis postures up.
Kazuo Koizumi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lewis lands a decent elbow from side control.
Koizumi is trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lewis trying to control the action but Koizumi is working from the bottom.
Lewis scores with a couple of short elbows.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lewis controlling the position.
Steven Lewis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lewis has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Koizumi is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Lewis is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Steven Lewis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lewis 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Lewis!