PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shingo Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodney Wilkes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kobayashi comes into the arena with Kimi to iu hana -Asian Kung-Fu Generation blaring out of the sound system. Wilkes has chosen Lootala as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kobayashi
vs
Wilkes

190 cm
19
215 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

198 cm
22
198 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shingo Kobayashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodney Wilkes!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kobayashi wants to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Wilkes as Kobayashi shoots in.
Wilkes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kobayashi tries to clinch up but Wilkes circles away and keeps his distance.
Kobayashi is looking to clinch.
Wilkes keeps the fight on the outside.
Kobayashi misses with a straight right.
Wilkes keeps the fight on the outside.
Kobayashi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wilkes misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kobayashi throws a nice looking combination but Wilkes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kobayashi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Wilkes moves into the clinch.
Wilkes landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi tries to stall but Wilkes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kobayashi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kobayashi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wilkes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wilkes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kobayashi looking to throw knees to the head but Wilkes is blocking nicely.

Wilkes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kobayashi misses the jab.
An inside leg kick from Kobayashi misses.
Kobayashi fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shingo Kobayashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Wilkes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kobayashi tries a knee to the head but Wilkes blocks it.

Wilkes breaks from the clinch.
Kobayashi throws a chopping leg kick but Wilkes manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kobayashi throws a low kick, looking for Wilkes's leg but Wilkes calmly moves out of range.
Kobayashi tries to bum rush Wilkes with a series of wild strikes but Wilkes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A slapping leg kick lands for Wilkes.
Kobayashi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Wilkes fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kobayashi on the side of the head.
Kobayashi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kobayashi throws a combination that misses

and Wilkes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilkes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Wilkes lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kobayashi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Wilkes breaks the clinch.

Kobayashi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kobayashi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kobayashi is breathing heavily.

Kobayashi looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Kobayashi trying to control but Wilkes is having none of it.
Wilkes is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kobayashi is working for a guillotine from mount but Wilkes frees his head quite easily.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wilkes can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kobayashi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Wilkes is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kobayashi pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

Kobayashi has control of Wilkes's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Wilkes regains control of the situation pretty easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Wilkes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Wilkes rushes Kobayashi and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Kobayashi tries to land a knee to the head but Wilkes blocks with his arms.
Kobayashi looking to slow down the pace here.
Wilkes connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kobayashi's face.
Kobayashi is trying to stall.
Wilkes lands a damaging elbow.

Wilkes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kobayashi tries to clinch
and Wilkes counters with a body kick.
Wilkes throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kobayashi misses with a looping left.

Wilkes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kobayashi, pushing him back against the ropes.
Wilkes scores with a knee to the head.

Wilkes has the Thai plumb, controlling the head nicely. He loads up with a big knee to the head and Kobayashi goes down! Wilkes pounces into side control - this one could be over soon!

Kobayashi is rocked!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kobayashi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Oh Kobayashi is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi seems to have got his legs back now.
Wilkes wants to stand but Kobayashi has his arm trapped.
Wilkes avoids the strikes from the bottom by Kobayashi.
Wilkes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kobayashi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kobayashi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Wilkes off and has taken his back!
Wilkes wants to get back to his feet.

That's two 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.

Kobayashi is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Wilkes preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Kobayashi.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Wilkes staying busy and making it hard for Kobayashi to control.

Wilkes is having to fend off submission attempts from Kobayashi, who is looking to sink in the choke. Kobayashi doesn't have the hooks in though and Wilkes manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Wilkes. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi is looking to sweep but instead, Wilkes has passed into half guard.
Kobayashi tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Kobayashi wants to get back to full guard.
Kobayashi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

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.

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

Wilkes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kobayashi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kobayashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rodney Wilkes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kobayashi misses with a right hand
and Wilkes counters with a nice uppercut.
Kobayashi misses with a few strikes there.
Kobayashi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Kobayashi tries to keep at a distance but Wilkes has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kobayashi wants to stall.
Kobayashi can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Wilkes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Wilkes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Kobayashi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Kobayashi thowing shots but they're missing.
Wilkes is squirming around, avoiding Kobayashi's attempts to control the action.
Wilkes really wants to buck Kobayashi off and get back to his feet.
Kobayashi throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilkes blocking the ground and pound.

Kobayashi wants to finish this one by submission but Wilkes is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kobayashi.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kobayashi wants to take Wilkes's back here but Wilkes is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Kobayashi goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Wilkes is on top in guard.
Kobayashi has a closed guard, preventing Wilkes from standing up.

That's two 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.

Kobayashi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Wilkes stands and steps away. Kobayashi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kobayashi throws a series of punches but Wilkes avoids them all with ease.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick
and Wilkes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kobayashi misses with a lunging right hand
and Wilkes counters with a series of strikes. Kobayashi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kobayashi wants to clinch

and Wilkes counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Wilkes.

Wilkes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slapping leg kick lands for Wilkes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wilkes takes the fight into the clinch.
Wilkes connects with a knee to the head.
Kobayashi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Wilkes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rodney Wilkes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wilkes circles away from the clinch attempt

and Wilkes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kobayashi is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Wilkes gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Wilkes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kobayashi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wilkes.
Kobayashi with a poor takedown
enabling Wilkes to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shingo Kobayashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Wilkes closes the distance and clinches.
Wilkes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kobayashi tries to stall but Wilkes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Wilkes prevents Kobayashi from breaking the clinch.
Kobayashi stalling in the clinch but Wilkes improves position.
Wilkes misses with a knee strike.
Kobayashi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wilkes's face.
Kobayashi looking to throw knees to the head but Wilkes is blocking nicely.
Kobayashi tries to stall but Wilkes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maybe Kobayashi would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Kobayashi avoiding damage as Wilkes throws knees to the body.
Kobayashi tries to stall but Wilkes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kobayashi has Wilkes pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Wilkes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wilkes.
Wilkes wants to get back to striking at distance but Kobayashi won't allow it.
Kobayashi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wilkes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wilkes gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kobayashi.
Kobayashi can't get the takedown.
Kobayashi wants to stall.
Wilkes lands a nice knee to the body.
Kobayashi can't break the clinch.
Kobayashi tries for a takedown. No joy.

Wilkes breaks the clinch.
Kobayashi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Wilkes moves into the clinch.
Kobayashi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wilkes connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kobayashi's face.
Kobayashi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wilkes blocks it with crossed arms.
Wilkes connects with a knee to the head.
Wilkes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wilkes with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Wilkes manages to break the clinch.
Kobayashi wants to clinch

and Wilkes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wilkes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Wilkes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kobayashi looks to clinch
enabling Wilkes to counter with a crisp jab.

Wilkes closes the distance and clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodney Wilkes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Wilkes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight for Rodney Wilkes!
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight for Rodney Wilkes!
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight for Rodney Wilkes!

Rodney Wilkes wins by unanimous decision!