PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Spike Wicked (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenta Kobajashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenta Kobajashi acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Wicked
vs
Kobajashi

180 cm
22
172 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
176 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q156 RECOVERY!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Spike Wicked!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenta Kobajashi!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kobajashi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kobajashi has clasped his hands together around Wicked's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Wicked gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Wicked tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Wicked throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Kobajashi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wicked is trying to get back to full guard.
Kobajashi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kobajashi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kobajashi not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wicked tries to clinch there but Kobajashi circles away.
Kobajashi tries to clinch but Wicked is having none of it.

Wicked drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wicked is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Wicked has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kobajashi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wicked trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kobajashi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wicked throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wicked postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kobajashi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kobajashi will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Kobajashi throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kobajashi looks to clinch

and Wicked counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kobajashi!
Kobajashi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wicked in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wicked has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kobajashi's face.
Kobajashi is trying desperately to improve position.
Wicked in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wicked with good strikes from the mount here!
Wicked landing strikes, looking to finish!

Kobajashi is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wicked looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Kobajashi is still in real trouble! Can Wicked finish him?
BOOM! Wicked connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wicked is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kobajashi is surviving well by controlling Wicked's body position as best he can.
Wicked looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wicked landing shots from mount.
Kobajashi seems to have recovered his senses.
Kobajashi wants to hold on but Wicked pushes him away.
Kobajashi 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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Wicked lands a nice short elbow.
Kobajashi is looking for a sweep. Wicked is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Wicked there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wicked scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kobajashi flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Kobajashi gets full guard.
Kobajashi keeping moving, preventing Wicked from controlling successfully.
Kobajashi doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Wicked stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kobajashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kobajashi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wicked is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobajashi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kobajashi looks gassed!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wicked fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kobajashi stuffs the takedown attempt from Wicked. Wicked gets slowly back to his feet.
Wicked changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kobajashi tries to avoid it but Wicked manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kobajashi to the ground. Kobajashi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wicked looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kobajashi tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Wicked counters with a single leg into guard. Kobajashi didn't expect that.
Kobajashi trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Kobajashi controls Wicked momentarily but Wicked frees himself.
Kobajashi trying to strike off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobajashi trying to control the position.
Kobajashi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wicked is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Wicked slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kobajashi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kobajashi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wicked paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Wicked scores with a takedown into Kobajashi's guard.
Wicked works over Kobajashi with some ground and pound from guard.
Kobajashi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spike Wicked dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Wicked fails with a takedown attempt.
Kobajashi wants to clinch up but Wicked keeps it at a distance.
Kobajashi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wicked swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wicked moves in looking to clinch but Kobajashi pushes him off.

Kobajashi closes the distance and clinches.
Kobajashi tries to score a body lock takedown but Wicked shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kobajashi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wicked pulls his leg out and moves away.
Spike Wicked is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wicked will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kobajashi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kobajashi is trying to drag Wicked to the mat but Wicked just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Spike Wicked has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenta Kobajashi.
Kobajashi is breathing heavily.

Wicked has clasped his hands together around Kobajashi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Wicked trying to control the position but Kobajashi is working away.
Kobajashi taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobajashi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Wicked is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kobajashi!
Wicked is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kobajashi working to try and regain half guard.
Wicked pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kobajashi is looking to improve his position but Wicked isn't that keen on the idea.
Wicked working Kobajashi over with strikes here.
Wicked is landing with some decent strikes but Kobajashi is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Wicked in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wicked is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Wicked working Kobajashi over with strikes here.
Wicked landing strikes from the mount and Kobajashi is in trouble!
Kobajashi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wicked looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wicked is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Wicked connects with a nice short shot to Kobajashi's temple.
Kobajashi throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Kobajashi is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Wicked jumps into side control!
Wicked working the ground and pound from side control.
Kobajashi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Wicked wants to take a breather but Kobajashi is having none of it.
Kobajashi is pressing down on Wicked's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kobajashi is trying to control the position but Wicked postures up.
Kobajashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wicked advances position into side control!
Wicked lands a decent elbow from side control.
Wicked working the body and head with strikes.
Kobajashi taking punishment in the form of punches.
Wicked cracks Kobajashi with a big elbow.
Wicked lands a few punches from side control.
Kobajashi is working to avoid the ground and pound but Wicked connects with a decent elbow.
Kobajashi manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kobajashi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kobajashi lands a nice short elbow.
Kobajashi is keen to just control but Wicked is a slippery customer.

Wicked looking for submissions off his back.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kobajashi lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kobajashi connects with a nice short shot to Wicked's temple.
Wicked keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Spike Wicked overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wicked is pressing down on Kobajashi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Wicked will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Wicked wants to sweep here but Kobajashi controlling him for the moment.
Wicked is working hard here to advance position.
Kobajashi with a nice head shot there.
Kobajashi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Wicked looking to control.
Wicked has momentary wrist control but Kobajashi slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wicked is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wicked fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spike Wicked dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kobajashi clinches up with Wicked and pushes him back against the cage.
Kobajashi is pressed up against the cage. Wicked has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kobajashi down to the mat. Kobajashi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kobajashi rushes Wicked and presses him up against the cage.
Wicked wants a takedown.
Wicked is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Spike Wicked. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wicked stops a takedown attempt from Kobajashi.
Wicked is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kobajashi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kobajashi in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

Kobajashi has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Wicked regains guard immediately.
Wicked looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kobajashi is one step ahead there.
Kobajashi passes Wicked's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Wicked on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kobajashi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Wicked missing with punches from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobajashi slips a nice elbow through Wicked's hands, connecting with Wicked's forehead.
The fighters are battling for position here. Wicked manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kobajashi is pushing down on Wicked's leg trying to pass to half guard. Wicked is fighting to maintain full guard but Kobajashi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Wicked is looking to improve his position.
Kobajashi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kobajashi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kobajashi working the head and body with strikes.
Wicked has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kobajashi is working away from the top position though.
Wicked tries to get to full guard but Kobajashi has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Wicked changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kobajashi tries to avoid it but Wicked manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kobajashi to the ground. Kobajashi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kobajashi tries to score a body lock takedown but Wicked shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wicked tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kobajashi blocks an elbow strike.
Kobajashi wants a takedown but no success here.
Kobajashi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wicked pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kobajashi is pressed up against the cage. Wicked has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kobajashi down to the mat. Kobajashi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A jab lands there for Wicked.

Kobajashi has closed the distance and engaged Wicked in a clinch.

Wicked drags the fight down to the ground.
Kobajashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Wicked is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wicked keeping full guard, as Kobajashi tries to pass.
Kenta Kobajashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wicked working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kobajashi.

Wicked looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kobajashi working some strikes from top position.
Wicked avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wicked keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Wicked throwing short punches from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kobajashi tries to clinch but Wicked moves away

and Wicked counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wicked working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kobajashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wicked lands a couple of digs.
Kobajashi wants to sweep but no luck.
Wicked works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wicked blocks the strikes from Kobajashi.
Kobajashi missing with punches from the bottom.
Wicked takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Kobajashi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wicked has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kobajashi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Kobajashi wants the takedown. Wicked is fighting it off but Kobajashi persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Wicked's guard against the cage.
Spike Wicked is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wicked striking off his back but it's not causing Kobajashi any problems.
Wicked looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kobajashi is one step ahead there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kobajashi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wicked looking to control.
Kobajashi is working Wicked over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenta Kobajashi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wicked has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spike Wicked!