PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Noob Saibot (ranked 2428 p4p, 236 weight class) and Matsuda Taro (ranked 1547 p4p, 167 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Saibot
vs
Taro

168 cm
43
151 lbs
42 - 21 - 0

164 cm
30
145 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 42 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Noob Saibot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matsuda Taro!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Saibot.
Saibot throws a body shot but no joy.
Saibot pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saibot throws a series of strikes that have Taro backpedaling.
Taro has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Saibot lands with a right hand.
Taro's corner calls for a 1-2. Taro obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Taro looks for the body kick but Saibot saw that one coming.
Saibot scores with a nice strike.
Saibot takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
The fighters circling - Taro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saibot swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Taro misses with an uppercut.
Matsuda Taro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taro throws a right hand that Saibot ducks under and follows up with a left that Saibot also avoids with ease.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saibot throws a right hand that misses
and Taro counters with a low kick, right behind Saibot 's knee.
A swing and a miss from Saibot.
Taro takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Taro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saibot.
Saibot scores with a leg kick.
Taro throws an overhand right that lands on Saibot's shoulder, as Saibot tries to avoid the shot.
Saibot drops down looking for a counter takedown but Taro sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saibot stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Taro.
A slapping leg kick lands for Taro.
Taro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Taro.
Saibot wants to clinch but Taro slips to the side
and Taro counters with an outside leg kick.
Saibot misses with the combination.
Taro throws a leg kick that is checked

and Saibot counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Saibot looking to sit in guard and control but Taro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Saibot throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Taro escapes and throws Saibot's legs to the side, diving into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saibot tries to buck Taro off but Taro is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saibot is trying to work for a sweep but Taro has mounted him!
Saibot tries to hold on but Taro postures up.
Saibot can't escape the position.
Saibot has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Taro takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Saibot is trying desperately to improve position.
Saibot is trying to reverse the position but instead Taro has taken his back - oops!
Saibot wants to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saibot is working hard here to advance position.
Saibot rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Taro prevents Saibot from improving his position.
Saibot regains full guard. Nicely done.

Saibot is looking for a triangle here but Taro uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Saibot is looking for a sweep.
Taro really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saibot. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Taro trying to control the position but Saibot is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saibot tries to bench press Taro off him but Taro keeps the position.
Saibot is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Saibot tries to roll over but Taro keeps him under control.
Saibot gets back to full guard.
Saibot controls Taro momentarily but Taro frees himself.
Saibot is adopting a defensive guard.
Saibot looking for a sweep. Not yet Saibot, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Noob Saibot will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Taro with a nice cross.
The fighters circling - Saibot throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A nice side step and Taro releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Nice straight punches there by Taro. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Taro.
Saibot cracks the inside of Taro's front leg.
Saibot ducks under a wild hook from Taro.
Saibot shoots in looking for a takedown but Taro manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saibot's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A left and a right from Saibot both land. Nice combination.
Saibot takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A good leg kick by Taro.
Taro scores with a punch to the head.
Saibot keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taro scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Taro on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Saibot checks the leg kick nicely there.
Saibot changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Taro misses with the combination.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Saibot checks a leg kick.
Taro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Saibot throws a right and a left that both miss.
Taro feints a counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saibot throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsuda Taro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Taro throws a looping overhand right but Saibot ducks down to avoid it.
Taro connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Saibot, as that shot connected.
Taro on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Saibot on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Taro throws a body punch but Saibot moves out of range.
Saibot connects with a leg kick. Taro looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Saibot uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taro.
Taro scores with a kick to the body.
Taro dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Saibot. That did some damage!
Taro slips a straight right by Saibot.
Saibot lands with an uppercut that bounces Taro off the cage and back into range.
Saibot works Taro's body with a nice hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saibot blocks a low kick nicely.
Taro misses with a body kick.
Taro keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saibot misses with a straight right.
Taro misses with a looping right.
Taro looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Saibot moves out of range of the strikes.
Saibot rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Taro looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taro connects with a looping right hand.
Taro avoids a punch combination nicely.
A big right from Saibot misses.
Saibot throws a lazy uppercut
and Taro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Saibot throws a looping overhand right but Taro ducks down to avoid it.
Noob Saibot is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saibot shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Taro as he jumps to the side.
Taro buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Saibot avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taro attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Saibot slips under a jab from Taro.
Taro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saibot changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Taro will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Saibot scores with a three punch combo!
Taro looks to land a right hand but Saibot moved out of range.
Taro misses the jab.
Saibot has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Saibot there as he acknowledges the shot.
Saibot closes this distance looking for a takedown but Taro circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noob Saibot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taro misses with a two punch combination.
Saibot changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Saibot is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A jab from Taro misses.
Saibot throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Taro counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Taro swinging wildly here.
Saibot throws a body punch but Taro moves out of range.
Taro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saibot sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saibot takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saibot misses with a straight left.
A little jabbing left from Taro on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Taro misses.
The fighters circling - Taro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saibot changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Taro throws the left hand but Saibot avoids the punch easily.
Taro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saibot.
Saibot shoots in but no luck this time.
No joy there for Saibot, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No joy there for Saibot, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saibot swings for the body but Taro moves out of range.
Taro looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Taro keeps Saibot at a distance using the push kick.
Saibot lands a head kick. Taro smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Taro punishes Saibot's body with a nice straight punch.
Taro lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taro feints a jab promting Saibot to slip. Taro then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Saibot slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Taro looks to land a right hand but Saibot moved out of range.
Taro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saibot manages to avoid it.
Taro scores with a nice right hand.
Saibot walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matsuda Taro 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!

Saibot misses with a lunging right hand
and Taro counters with a good low kick that Saibot was not able to check.
Taro misses with a wild combination.
Saibot throws a body shot but no joy.
Saibot throws a big shot that misses.
Taro throws a nice inside leg kick.
Saibot avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Taro on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Saibot moves out of range of the strikes.
Saibot misses with a body shot.
Taro looks to land a body kick but Saibot moved away.
Taro throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saibot ducks right into an uppercut from Taro.
Taro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Saibot throws out the jab.
Taro swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Taro throws out a leg kick but Saibot moves out of range and Taro only half commits.
Saibot falls off balance throwing a combination
and Taro counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taro moves out of range as Saibot strikes.
Taro misses with a right hand
and Saibot cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Taro throws a series of strikes that have Saibot backpedaling.
Saibot bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taro misses with a hook. Saibot ducked under it nicely.
Taro throws a looping overhand right but Saibot ducks down to avoid it.
Taro thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Saibot if he has to take too many more of those.
Taro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saibot.
Taro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saibot.
Saibot dives in and grabs Taro's left leg, looking for a takedown. Taro pushes down on Saibot's head and hops out.
Taro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saibot sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saibot checks a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Saibot throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saibot cracks Taro with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Saibot misses with a leg kick
and Taro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A punch combination from Saibot misses.
The crowd cheers as Saibot lands an impressive looking overhand right. Taro doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saibot takes a swing at Taro's ribcage but misses.
A nice side step and Taro releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Saibot throws a leg kick
and Taro counters with a series of strikes. Saibot will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taro scores with a punch to the head.
An inside leg kick lands from Taro.
Left hook, right uppercut from Taro.
Saibot misses with an uppercut. Taro saw that one coming.
Taro looks to land a body kick but Saibot moved away.
Nice defenses there by Taro.
Jab by Taro.
Matsuda Taro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taro lands with a shot to the body.
Saibot walks into a straight right hand from Taro.
Taro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saibot. Taro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saibot takes a swing at Taro's ribcage but misses.
Taro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saibot gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Saibot changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Taro tries to avoid it but Saibot manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Taro to the ground. Taro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saibot throws a looping overhand right but Taro ducks down to avoid it.
Saibot takes one to the chin there.
Saibot walks into a stiff left hand from Taro.
Taro throws the left hand but Saibot avoids the punch easily.
Saibot appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Saibot throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Taro throws a push kick but Saibot slaps the foot to one side.
Saibot looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Taro takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jab, jab by Taro - just one landing.
Taro fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Saibot.
Saibot throws a head kick that misses.
Saibot slips under a jab.

Saibot drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taro wants to sweep here but Saibot controlling him for the moment.
Taro keeping moving, preventing Saibot from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saibot landing with the ground and pound.
Taro is pulling down on Saibot's head. It's preventing any offense from Saibot, at least for the moment.
Taro keeping moving, preventing Saibot from controlling successfully.
Saibot throws a strike but Taro rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Taro trying to control but Saibot is working from the bottom.

Saibot is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Taro defends well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matsuda Taro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Taro 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matsuda Taro!
Matsuda Taro tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.