PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Masaya Kubo (ranked 5823 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thongchai Kiatmookao (ranked 5888 p4p, 0 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.

Kubo
vs
Kiatmookao

173 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Masaya Kubo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thongchai Kiatmookao!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Bart Greer and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kiatmookao shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kubo sprawls well. Kubo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kiatmookao gets slowly back to his feet.
Kubo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kiatmookao.
Kiatmookao wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kubo dives in for a single leg takedown but Kiatmookao sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kubo tries to clinch there but Kiatmookao circles away.
Kubo shoots in but no luck this time.
Kubo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kiatmookao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kiatmookao but Kiatmookao pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kubo sets himself, and Kiatmookao steps forward looking for the clinch! Kubo avoids it this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masaya Kubo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kiatmookao lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kiatmookao.
Kiatmookao swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiatmookao is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kubo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
As Kiatmookao tries to get set, Kubo tries to push him back and clinch up but Kiatmookao manages to avoid the attempt.

Kubo moves into the clinch.
Kubo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Kiatmookao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kubo doesn't manage to clinch there - Kiatmookao circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kiatmookao.
Kubo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kiatmookao shoots for a double leg takedown but Kubo sprawls well. He's pushed Kiatmookao's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
It looked like Kubo was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kubo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kiatmookao manages to break the clinch.

Kubo has closed the distance and engaged Kiatmookao in a clinch.
Kubo trying to stall but Kiatmookao improves his position.
Kubo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kiatmookao.
Kubo tries to circle away but Kiatmookao has him pinned against the cage.
Kiatmookao is trying to pull guard but Kubo has him pressed against the cage.
Kubo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kiatmookao fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kiatmookao throws a sloppy head kick and Kubo moves out of range easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kubo. Kiatmookao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kiatmookao shoots in but no luck this time.
Kubo is looking for a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kiatmookao is defended easily by Kubo.
Kiatmookao looks winded!
Kubo scores with a punch to the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kiatmookao.
Kubo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kiatmookao connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kubo's hands.
Kubo slips a jab from Kiatmookao.
Kubo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kiatmookao swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Kubo as Kiatmookao shoots in.
Kubo misses with a takedown attempt - Kiatmookao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kubo shoots for a takedown but Kiatmookao saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kiatmookao shoots in for a takedown but Kubo shows good takedown defense.
Kubo shoots in and drives through. Kiatmookao sprawls well.

Kiatmookao clinches.
Kiatmookao has Kubo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kubo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kubo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kiatmookao.

Kubo manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thongchai Kiatmookao will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kubo scores with a takedown into Kiatmookao's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kubo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kubo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kubo's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kubo seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Kiatmookao for as long as he can get away with.
Kubo trying to control but Kiatmookao is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kubo wants to stand and escape but instead Kiatmookao has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiatmookao preventing the sweep.
Kiatmookao stops Kubo from standing up.
Kiatmookao tries to stand but Kubo is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kiatmookao trying to control but Kubo is working from the bottom.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kiatmookao fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kubo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kiatmookao keeps the fight on the outside.
Kubo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kiatmookao sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kubo somewhat.
Kiatmookao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kubo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kiatmookao tries to counter by closing the distance.

Kiatmookao clinches up with Kubo and pushes him back against the cage.
Kubo is trying to drag Kiatmookao to the mat but Kiatmookao just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kiatmookao tries to pull guard but Kubo won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiatmookao is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masaya Kubo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kiatmookao gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kubo.
Kiatmookao has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kubo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kiatmookao wants to take the fight to the mat but Kubo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Kubo pulls guard effortlessly.
Kubo has control of Kiatmookao's left arm, preventing Kiatmookao from doing any damage.
Kubo being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four 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.
Kubo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kiatmookao is controlling him.
Kiatmookao stays in close to Kubo's body and controls the position.
Kubo trying to keep a closed guard but Kiatmookao is proving a slippery customer.
Kiatmookao tries to free his leg and advance position but Kubo is retaining full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kiatmookao stopping the sweep attempt from Kubo.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thongchai Kiatmookao will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Kiatmookao takes the fight into the clinch.
Kubo jumps guard but Kiatmookao stands there with Kubo around his waist. Kubo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kubo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kiatmookao fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kubo tries for a takedown but Kiatmookao circles away easily

and Kiatmookao counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masaya Kubo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kiatmookao as Kubo tries to tie him up.

Kiatmookao jumps guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubo being controlled here momentarily.
Kubo throws an elbow that misses. Kiatmookao uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kubo's guard. Nice move by Kiatmookao!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiatmookao content to stall in guard here.
Kubo will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Kiatmookao throws a big elbow that misses.
Kiatmookao in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kubo wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kiatmookao controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kiatmookao has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kiatmookao loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kubo is trying to control the position but Kiatmookao postures up.
Kiatmookao wants to pass the guard but Kubo is keeping the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Kiatmookao is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kubo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kubo has escaped and now he's on top!

Kubo stopping the sweep attempt from Kiatmookao.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiatmookao keeping moving, preventing Kubo from controlling successfully.
Kubo looking to pass the guard.
Kiatmookao trying to keep a closed guard but Kubo is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kiatmookao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Kubo clinches.
Kiatmookao prevents Kubo from breaking the clinch.
Kubo tries to pull guard but Kiatmookao won't allow it.
Kiatmookao lands a body shot in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiatmookao lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kiatmookao tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Kubo manages to pull guard.
Kiatmookao controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kubo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kubo wants to control from the top but Kiatmookao keeps moving.
Masaya Kubo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thongchai Kiatmookao is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kiatmookao pulls Kubo in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thongchai Kiatmookao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kiatmookao winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 28:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thongchai Kiatmookao!