PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Little Kitty Sripituksakul (ranked 447 p4p, 707 weight class) and Yoshihiro Asai (ranked 28 p4p, 44 weight class). Asai is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Dragon. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sripituksakul
vs
Asai

168 cm
24
136
11 - 3 - 0

172 cm
40
140
34 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow-Battle Clothing

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Sydney Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Little Kitty Sripituksakul!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yoshihiro Asai !
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asai lands a jab.
Asai takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sripituksakul looks to score with a jab to the body but Asai is just out of range.
Sripituksakul takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Sripituksakul closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Asai 's guard.

Sripituksakul has gone for a leg lock! Asai slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sripituksakul's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sripituksakul wants to hit a sweep here but Asai passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sripituksakul there!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sripituksakul regains half guard.
Sripituksakul trying to control but Asai postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sripituksakul wants to get back to full guard but Asai has mounted him!
Asai pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Asai controlling the pace for now.
Sripituksakul is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sripituksakul bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Asai trying to control the position.
Asai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sripituksakul.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sripituksakul looking to pass the guard.
Sripituksakul in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sripituksakul trying to control the position from guard on top but Asai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sripituksakul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sripituksakul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sripituksakul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sripituksakul loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Asai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sripituksakul. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Asai controlling the position.
Sripituksakul trying to control but Asai is working from the bottom.
Sripituksakul trying to move into half guard but instead Asai has managed to sweep!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sripituksakul looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sripituksakul has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Asai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sripituksakul is keeping the position for now.
Sripituksakul trying to control the position.

Sripituksakul throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sripituksakul looking to control.

Sripituksakul throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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.

Sripituksakul is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sripituksakul is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Asai controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sripituksakul is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
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 Little Kitty Sripituksakul will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Asai thuds his right hand into Sripituksakul's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sripituksakul scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sripituksakul shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sripituksakul is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Asai .
Asai connects with a leg kick.
Sripituksakul throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sripituksakul scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sripituksakul pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yoshihiro Asai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sripituksakul takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sripituksakul punishes Asai 's body with a nice straight punch.
Sripituksakul throws a body shot but no joy.
Asai lands a leg kick that knocks Sripituksakul off balance momentarily.
Sripituksakul is trying hard to land a takedown here. Asai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A chopping leg kick lands by Asai .
Sripituksakul displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Asai throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asai thuds his right hand into Sripituksakul's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sripituksakul on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Asai connects with a crisp jab.
Asai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sripituksakul feinted with a counter takedown.
Asai pushes Sripituksakul away with a front kick.
Asai fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sripituksakul fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Asai looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Asai tries to score with a low kick but Sripituksakul moves his leg out of the way.
Sripituksakul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Asai was well out of range. Poor timing from Sripituksakul.
Sripituksakul is looking to wear down Asai with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Asai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Little Kitty Sripituksakul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asai ducks under a wild hook from Sripituksakul.
Asai cracks Sripituksakul with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sripituksakul shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Asai pinned against the cage. Asai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Asai scores with a jab to the head.
Asai looks to throw the jab but Sripituksakul is out of range.
Sripituksakul feinted with a counter takedown.
Sripituksakul connects with a body shot that sends Asai 's belly button to the back.
Sripituksakul looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice shot by Asai .
Sripituksakul slips under a jab from Asai .
Sripituksakul drops down looking for a counter takedown but Asai sprawls and moves away.
A clash of legs there as Sripituksakul blocks the low kick.
Sripituksakul steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Asai .
Sripituksakul appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Asai throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sripituksakul changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sripituksakul throws a lazy uppercut
and Asai counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sripituksakul throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sripituksakul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asai .
Asai connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Yoshihiro Asai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sripituksakul scores with a sloppy right hand. Asai should have avoided that one.
Sripituksakul wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sripituksakul uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Asai .

Sripituksakul decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sripituksakul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sripituksakul missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sripituksakul seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Asai does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sripituksakul thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Sripituksakul is looking for a kimura here.
Asai controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sripituksakul is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Sripituksakul seems to be looking for submissions.
Sripituksakul passes the guard and advances to mount!

Sripituksakul jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Asai is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Asai and Sripituksakul has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sripituksakul tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Asai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sripituksakul misses with a hook. Asai ducked under it nicely.
Asai has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Sripituksakul jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sripituksakul displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Jab by Asai .
Asai fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Sripituksakul.
Sripituksakul shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Asai but Asai pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sripituksakul swings for the body but Asai moves out of range.
Asai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sripituksakul missing with a left hand there. Asai was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sripituksakul checks a leg kick.
Asai looks for the body kick but Sripituksakul saw that one coming.
Asai avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sripituksakul cracks Asai with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sripituksakul throws a body punch but Asai moves out of range.
Asai ducks right into an uppercut from Sripituksakul.
A nice leg kick from Asai , right into the meat of the thigh.
Sripituksakul swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sripituksakul darts in looking for a takedown but Asai gets double underhooks and turns Sripituksakul into the cage.
Sripituksakul takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Yoshihiro Asai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sripituksakul takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sripituksakul on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sripituksakul just misses with a punch to the body.
Asai lands a head shot.
Asai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sripituksakul.
Asai tries to score with a low kick but Sripituksakul moves his leg out of the way.
Sripituksakul drops down looking for a counter takedown but Asai sprawls and moves away.
Sripituksakul blocks a leg kick.
Asai misses with a combination

and Sripituksakul counters with a shoot takedown. Asai fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Sripituksakul pushing down on Asai 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sripituksakul throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Asai to regain full guard.
Asai trying to control the position.
Asai has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sripituksakul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Sripituksakul drops back, looking for a kneebar! Asai looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Asai looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Asai !

Sripituksakul struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asai just content to control the position.
Asai working away.
Sripituksakul tries to buck Asai off but Asai is having none of it.
Sripituksakul manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Asai is pressing down on Sripituksakul's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sripituksakul is holding on for now.
Sripituksakul is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Asai 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Asai 's back!
Sripituksakul loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Asai hold on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asai is trying to stand back up.

Asai preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Sripituksakul.

Sripituksakul working for a choke but Asai is defending well.

Sripituksakul has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Asai has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Sripituksakul throws a series of strikes and Asai wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Little Kitty Sripituksakul clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sripituksakul avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Sripituksakul fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Asai sprawls well initially but Sripituksakul persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Asai makes his way to full guard, as Sripituksakul worked for a kimura.
Sripituksakul throws a strike but Asai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sripituksakul working a defensive guard here.

Sripituksakul looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sripituksakul working for submissions but it's allowed Asai to get to half guard.
Sripituksakul wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sripituksakul gets full guard.

Sripituksakul is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Asai sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Sripituksakul escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Asai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Asai looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sripituksakul not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Little Kitty Sripituksakul overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Asai wants to pass the guard but Sripituksakul is keeping the position.

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

Asai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sripituksakul has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Asai has managed to get both his arms back between Sripituksakul's legs - danger averted.
Asai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sripituksakul swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sripituksakul working for submissions but it's allowed Asai to get to half guard.
Sripituksakul is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sripituksakul has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Asai is working away from the top position though.

Sripituksakul is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Asai pulls his head out easily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sripituksakul. Asai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Asai feints and then cracks Sripituksakul's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sripituksakul down.
Sripituksakul on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Asai . Asai obviously looking to wear him down.

Sripituksakul shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sripituksakul showed some decent athleticism there.

Sripituksakul is trying to work for a kimura but Asai is defending well.

Sripituksakul is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Asai has managed to free his arm - good work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sripituksakul wants to take a breather but Asai is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Yoshihiro Asai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sripituksakul throws a shot to the body.
Asai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Asai misses with the body kick

and Sripituksakul counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Asai desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Sripituksakul seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Asai does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Sripituksakul seems to be working for a kimura but Asai defends the submission attempt.
Asai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sripituksakul.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sripituksakul stops Asai from getting back to his feet.
Sripituksakul missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sripituksakul working Asai over with strikes.
Sripituksakul wants to pass the guard but Asai is defending well.

Sripituksakul is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Asai has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sripituksakul landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sripituksakul is pressing down on Asai 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Asai is holding on for now.

Sripituksakul is looking for submissions but instead, Asai has regained full guard.
Sripituksakul with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sripituksakul trying to control but Asai is working from the bottom.
Sripituksakul works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Sripituksakul is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Asai is just riding it out for now. Sripituksakul eventually gives up the hold.

Sripituksakul is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Asai has managed to free his arm - good work.
Asai is refusing to be controlled, as Sripituksakul sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sripituksakul seems to be looking for submissions.

Asai is defending against the submission attempts here by Sripituksakul.
Asai tries to kick Sripituksakul off but Sripituksakul keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sripituksakul working Asai over with strikes.
Asai is in trouble now - Sripituksakul has advanced to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sripituksakul throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Sripituksakul looking to finish with strikes here!
Sripituksakul looking to finish with strikes here!

Sripituksakul is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Asai is surviving well by controlling Sripituksakul's body position as best he can.
Asai tries to hold on but Sripituksakul postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sripituksakul putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Sripituksakul swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Asai is now in Sripituksakul's guard. A big mistake from Sripituksakul there, giving up the dominant position!

And that's the end of the fight!
Little Kitty Sripituksakul showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sripituksakul 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 48:48
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!
Little Kitty Sripituksakul retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!