PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexandros Margaritopoulos (ranked 3453 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsunari Kameda (ranked 4194 p4p, 412 weight class). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Katsunari Kameda was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Margaritopoulos
vs
Kameda

181 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexandros Margaritopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Katsunari Kameda!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Russell Pearce and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kameda misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Kameda.

Margaritopoulos rushes Kameda and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kameda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Margaritopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch but Kameda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Margaritopoulos cracks Kameda with a right hand to the side of the head.
Margaritopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch but Kameda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kameda misses with a head kick.
Margaritopoulos wants to clinch up but Kameda keeps it at a distance.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Margaritopoulos gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kameda breaks from the clinch.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kameda looks winded!
Kameda misses with a head kick.

Margaritopoulos clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Kameda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Margaritopoulos moves into the clinch.
Margaritopoulos lands a nice uppercut.
Margaritopoulos is trying to pull guard but Kameda turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Kameda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kameda misses with a head kick.

Margaritopoulos has taken the fight to the clinch.

Margaritopoulos turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Margaritopoulos manages to end up in side control.

Kameda throws Margaritopoulos to one side and escapes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Margaritopoulos clinches with his opponent.

Kameda breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.

Margaritopoulos instigates a clinch.

Margaritopoulos gets control of Kameda's arms and successfully pulls guard. Margaritopoulos will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Margaritopoulos throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Margaritopoulos manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Kameda throws a head kick but Margaritopoulos moves out of range.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Margaritopoulos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Margaritopoulos rushes Kameda and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Margaritopoulos jumps guard and drags Kameda to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kameda stops Margaritopoulos from standing up.
Margaritopoulos trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Margaritopoulos trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Kameda gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kameda misses with a head kick.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.

Margaritopoulos has managed to clinch.

Kameda manages to break the clinch.
Margaritopoulos fails with an attempt to clinch.
Margaritopoulos blocks a head kick by Kameda.
The fight stays on the outside here - Margaritopoulos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kameda lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kameda takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Margaritopoulos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kameda circles away quickly and effectively.
A punch combination from Margaritopoulos misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kameda lands with a kick to the temple. Margaritopoulos shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Margaritopoulos drives through and clinches with Kameda against the cage.

Kameda breaks from the clinch.
Margaritopoulos tests Kameda's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Margaritopoulos has managed to clinch.

Kameda breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Margaritopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kameda swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A cross from Margaritopoulos lands.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
Margaritopoulos cracks Kameda with a good jab.

Margaritopoulos gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kameda prevents the takedown attempt.

Kameda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Margaritopoulos misses with a series of wild punches.
Kameda is looking for the big counter here.
A head kick misses from Kameda.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kameda gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kameda throws a head kick but Margaritopoulos moves out of range.

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

Kameda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Margaritopoulos lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
Margaritopoulos throws out a powerful jab.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
Margaritopoulos swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kameda.
A head kick misses from Kameda.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kameda tries a head kick but it misses.
Margaritopoulos connects with a nice looking jab.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses.
Margaritopoulos tries to clinch there but Kameda circles away.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
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 Alexandros Margaritopoulos will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Margaritopoulos wants to clinch.
Margaritopoulos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kameda throws a head kick that Margaritopoulos semi-blocks.
Kameda circles away from the clinch attempt.

Margaritopoulos takes the fight into the clinch.

Kameda breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Margaritopoulos throws a good cross that connects.
Margaritopoulos moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Margaritopoulos seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Margaritopoulos is looking to clinch but Kameda is avoiding it.
Margaritopoulos blocks a head kick by Kameda.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Margaritopoulos works over Kameda's head and body with a nice combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Margaritopoulos has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Margaritopoulos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Margaritopoulos avoids the head kick by Kameda.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses.
Margaritopoulos avoids the head kick by Kameda.

Margaritopoulos has closed the distance and engaged Kameda in a clinch.

Margaritopoulos breaks the clinch.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kameda takes a jab right on the kisser.
Margaritopoulos is looking to clinch but Kameda is avoiding it.
Kameda misses with a head kick.
Margaritopoulos throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
Margaritopoulos blocks a head kick by Kameda.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Margaritopoulos fails with an attempt to clinch.
A jab from Margaritopoulos does it's job there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Margaritopoulos blocks a head kick by Kameda.

Margaritopoulos moves into range and clinches up with Kameda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kameda breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Alexandros Margaritopoulos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Margaritopoulos clinches up with Kameda and pushes him back against the cage.

Kameda breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Margaritopoulos shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kameda eats them both and turns towards Margaritopoulos to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Margaritopoulos throws a series of punches but Kameda avoids them all with ease.
Kameda swats away the attempt to clinch by Margaritopoulos.
Kameda tries a head kick but it misses.
Kameda swats away the attempt to clinch by Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses.

Margaritopoulos closes the distance and pushes Kameda back into the cage.

Kameda breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kameda looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kameda is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Margaritopoulos.
The fight stays on the outside here - Margaritopoulos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kameda swats away the attempt to clinch by Margaritopoulos.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Margaritopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch but Kameda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Margaritopoulos is looking to clinch but Kameda is avoiding it.
Kameda unleashes a big counter combination but Margaritopoulos bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kameda circles away from the clinch attempt.
Margaritopoulos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kameda tries a head kick but it misses.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Katsunari Kameda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Margaritopoulos with a jab.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Margaritopoulos closes the distance and pushes Kameda back into the cage.
Margaritopoulos fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Kameda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Margaritopoulos tries to clinch up.
A head kick misses from Kameda.
An attempted straight right counter from Margaritopoulos misses the target.
Margaritopoulos blocks a head kick by Kameda.
Kameda tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick misses from Kameda.
Margaritopoulos takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Margaritopoulos doesn't manage to clinch there - Kameda circles away.
Kameda swats away the attempt to clinch by Margaritopoulos.
Kameda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Margaritopoulos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kameda moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kameda throws a head kick but Margaritopoulos moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Margaritopoulos lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Margaritopoulos misses with a few strikes there.
Margaritopoulos moves in looking to clinch but Kameda pushes him off.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Margaritopoulos gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandros Margaritopoulos dominated that second round.
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. And we move into the final round!

Kameda circles away from the clinch attempt.
Margaritopoulos lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Margaritopoulos doesn't manage to clinch there - Kameda circles away.
Kameda misses with a head kick.
Margaritopoulos wants to clinch.
Kameda is looking for the big counter here.
Margaritopoulos is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Margaritopoulos is looking to clinch but Kameda is avoiding it.
Kameda throws a head kick but Margaritopoulos moves out of range.
Margaritopoulos throws a one two combo.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kameda slips a jab from Margaritopoulos.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Margaritopoulos misses with a two punch combination.
Kameda tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kameda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Margaritopoulos wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Margaritopoulos does no damage.
A head kick misses from Kameda.
Margaritopoulos blocks a head kick by Kameda.
Margaritopoulos scores with a one two! Kameda had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Margaritopoulos avoids the head kick by Kameda.
Kameda has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A head kick misses from Kameda.
Margaritopoulos went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Margaritopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch but Kameda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Margaritopoulos tries to clinch but Kameda moves out of range.
Kameda throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Margaritopoulos's head.
Margaritopoulos misses with a wild combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Margaritopoulos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Margaritopoulos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Margaritopoulos rushes Kameda and presses him up against the cage.

Kameda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Margaritopoulos scores with a three punch combo!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kameda swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Margaritopoulos avoids the head kick by Kameda.

Margaritopoulos has taken the fight to the clinch.

Kameda manages to break the clinch.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Kameda.
Margaritopoulos scores with a nice right hand.
Kameda misses with a head kick.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Margaritopoulos closes the distance and clinches.

Kameda breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Margaritopoulos clinches.
Margaritopoulos tries to stall but Kameda uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Kameda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
Margaritopoulos seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kameda takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Margaritopoulos moves in looking to clinch but Kameda pushes him off.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As Kameda looks to move away, Margaritopoulos throws a big counter combo but Kameda just gets out of the way.
Margaritopoulos fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kameda slips under a jab from Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kameda.
Kameda throws a head kick but Margaritopoulos moves out of range.
Kameda throws a head kick but Margaritopoulos moves out of range.
Kameda misses with a head kick.
Kameda keeps the fight on the outside.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Margaritopoulos wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Margaritopoulos moves in looking to clinch but Kameda pushes him off.
Margaritopoulos throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kameda throws a nice head kick!
Margaritopoulos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kameda.
Kameda throws a head kick that misses.
Margaritopoulos scores with the left hand. Kameda knows he should have avoided that one.
A head kick misses from Kameda.
Margaritopoulos appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Kameda.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
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!
Kameda throws a sloppy head kick and Margaritopoulos moves out of range easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Margaritopoulos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kameda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kameda throws a head kick but Margaritopoulos moves out of range.

Margaritopoulos has Kameda up against the cage in a clinch.
Margaritopoulos tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kameda just stands there and leans against the cage.

Kameda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Margaritopoulos tries to clinch but Kameda is having none of it.
Kameda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Margaritopoulos clinches.
Margaritopoulos is trying to maintain a safe position but Kameda gets an underhook and turns Margaritopoulos into the cage.

Kameda breaks from the clinch.
Kameda swats away the attempt to clinch by Margaritopoulos.
Katsunari Kameda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexandros Margaritopoulos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kameda pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Katsunari Kameda.
I think Margaritopoulos 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandros Margaritopoulos!