PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brice Richardson (ranked 24779 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyosuke Shibaraki (ranked 24763 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Shibaraki's choice of entrance music: SAVAGE 101. 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.

Richardson
vs
Shibaraki

205 cm
21
193 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brice Richardson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kyosuke Shibaraki!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richardson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Richardson gets tackled into the cage by Shibaraki. Shibaraki maintains the clinch.
Shibaraki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Shibaraki tries a body shot but Richardson blocks it.

Richardson drags the fight down to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shibaraki not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Shibaraki wants to control from the top but Richardson keeps moving.

Richardson has his foot on Shibaraki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shibaraki works his way back into a safe position though.
Shibaraki trying to control the position from guard on top but Richardson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Richardson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shibaraki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Richardson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shibaraki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shibaraki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shibaraki trying to control but Richardson is working from the bottom.
Shibaraki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Richardson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shibaraki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Shibaraki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shibaraki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Richardson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shibaraki has managed to get both his arms back between Richardson's legs - danger averted.
Richardson is breathing heavily.
Shibaraki working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Richardson wants to sweep but no luck.
Shibaraki trying to control but Richardson is working from the bottom.
Shibaraki is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Shibaraki working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Richardson's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shibaraki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Shibaraki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shibaraki drops back looking for a leg! Richardson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Richardson manages to kick Shibaraki off! Shibaraki jumps back into Richardson's guard.
Shibaraki postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Shibaraki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Richardson's head.
Shibaraki is working Richardson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Shibaraki stands up over Richardson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

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

Richardson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richardson passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Shibaraki is trying to control but Richardson manages to pass to mount!
Richardson unloading with bombs!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shibaraki squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Shibaraki tries to hold on but Richardson postures up.
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 Brice Richardson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shibaraki dives in and scores a takedown into Richardson's guard.
Shibaraki content to stall in guard here.
Shibaraki trying to control the position from guard on top but Richardson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shibaraki might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Richardson haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Shibaraki stands up over Richardson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Richardson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shibaraki trying to control the position from guard on top but Richardson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shibaraki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kyosuke Shibaraki has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

Shibaraki decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Richardson, up you get!
Richardson tries to clinch up
and Shibaraki counters with a series of strikes. Richardson will be more careful next time no doubt.

Richardson is rocked!
Some wild striking there from Shibaraki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richardson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shibaraki sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Shibaraki takes the fight into the clinch.
Shibaraki tries to work over Richardson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shibaraki tries to pull guard but Richardson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Shibaraki.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shibaraki scores with a knee to the head.
Oh Richardson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

It looks like Brice Richardson has been cut.
Shibaraki slows down the pace here.
Richardson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shibaraki has him pressed against the cage.

Shibaraki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shibaraki dances in with a quick combination. Richardson is being worked over with jabs and crosses. Oooh, a right straight from Shibaraki snaps Richardson's head back. Richardson stumbles backwards against the cage. Shibaraki steps forward and delivers a right cross that connects with Richardson's jaw, simultaneously knocking him out and sending his mouthpiece into the crowd! There's a worthy souvenir for the fans. This one is over folks. Richardson just didn't come prepared.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Kyosuke Shibaraki!
A less than humble Kyosuke Shibaraki misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.