PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bobrov Larionovich (ranked 2032 p4p, 93 weight class) and Miyazawa Muramasa (ranked 745 p4p, 32 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Larionovich
vs
Muramasa

164 cm
26
142 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

161 cm
26
143 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bobrov Larionovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Miyazawa Muramasa!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, David Hoff and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muramasa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Larionovich.
A swing and a miss from Larionovich.
Muramasa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Larionovich is fending him off so far but Muramasa persists. Nope, Larionovich circles away and we're back to standing.
A slow jab from Larionovich misses its intended target.
Larionovich looks to land a left hand but Muramasa moved out of range nicely.
The fighters circling - Muramasa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Muramasa throws a hook but Larionovich avoids it easily.
Muramasa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Muramasa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Larionovich misses with an uppercut.
Muramasa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Larionovich.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Larionovich. No joy for Muramasa on that attempt.

Muramasa gets caught flat footed, as Larionovich shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Muramasa working for a triangle but Larionovich defends it easily.
Larionovich trying to control the position from guard on top but Muramasa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muramasa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Larionovich defends it easily.
Muramasa keeping moving, preventing Larionovich from controlling successfully.
Muramasa has his hands on Larionovich's head, controlling the position.

Larionovich drops back looking for a leg! Muramasa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Muramasa manages to kick Larionovich off! Larionovich jumps back into Muramasa's guard.
Muramasa is trying to keep Larionovich in close.

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.
Larionovich is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Muramasa has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Temp Spar Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Muramasa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Larionovich defends well.
Muramasa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Larionovich manages to get himself to full guard.

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

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

Larionovich has his foot on Muramasa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Muramasa works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muramasa trying to control but Larionovich is working from the bottom.
Larionovich can't keep his opponent in guard - Muramasa advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Muramasa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Larionovich does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Larionovich looking for submissions off his back.

Muramasa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Larionovich is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Muramasa pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Muramasa wants to pass to mount but Larionovich is defending the position.
Larionovich definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Muramasa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Larionovich doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Muramasa.

Muramasa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Larionovich has managed to free his arm - good work.

Muramasa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Muramasa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobrov Larionovich dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A punch lands to the side of Larionovich 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Larionovich shoots in but no luck this time.

Larionovich is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Muramasa's half guard.

Larionovich wants to work for an arm triangle but Muramasa is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Muramasa is defending against the submission attempts here by Larionovich.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muramasa has a hand on Larionovich's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Larionovich takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larionovich goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Muramasa turns into him and now he's in Larionovich's guard.
Muramasa trying to control but Larionovich is working from the bottom.
Muramasa advances to half guard.

Muramasa is looking for a kimura but Larionovich is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Muramasa to get the leverage.

Larionovich is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Muramasa pulls his head out easily.

Muramasa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Larionovich doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Muramasa.

Muramasa seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Muramasa looking for a submission but Larionovich manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

Larionovich is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Larionovich trying to control the position.
Muramasa passes into half guard.
Bobrov Larionovich overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Muramasa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Larionovich knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Larionovich is defending against the submission attempts here by Muramasa.

Larionovich is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Muramasa pulls his head out easily.

Muramasa is working for a submission of some sort.

Muramasa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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.
Larionovich trying to control but Muramasa postures up.
Larionovich wants to improve his position but Muramasa is controlling well.
Muramasa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Larionovich does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Larionovich trying to hold on to Muramasa's head to control him but Muramasa postures up.

Larionovich looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Miyazawa Muramasa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Larionovich throws a right hand that misses

and Muramasa counters with a shoot takedown. Larionovich fights it but they end up in guard.

Muramasa drops back looking for a leg! Larionovich is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Larionovich manages to kick Muramasa off! Muramasa jumps back into Larionovich's guard.
Muramasa trying to control the position from guard on top but Larionovich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Larionovich trying to control the position.

Muramasa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larionovich trying to keep a closed guard but Muramasa is proving a slippery customer.

Larionovich working for a triangle but Muramasa defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muramasa postures up.
Larionovich being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Larionovich moves away from the strike by Muramasa.
Muramasa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Larionovich.
A telegraphed right hand from Muramasa misses the target.

Larionovich shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Muramasa napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muramasa tries to buck Larionovich off but Larionovich is having none of it.

Larionovich wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Muramasa, who protects the arm well.
Muramasa is looking for a sweep.

Larionovich goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Muramasa has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Larionovich but great work by Muramasa.
Larionovich tries to buck Muramasa off but Muramasa is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Muramasa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Larionovich knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Larionovich tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Larionovich is working hard here to advance position.

Muramasa tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Larionovich's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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.
Larionovich tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
You can see the frustration on Larionovich's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Muramasa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Muramasa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Larionovich has escaped the position, nice work there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Larionovich tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Muramasa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miyazawa Muramasa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Muramasa 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight for Miyazawa Muramasa!
Judge David Hoff scores the fight for Miyazawa Muramasa!
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight for Miyazawa Muramasa!

Miyazawa Muramasa wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Miyazawa Muramasa thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.