PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kotaro Minamino (ranked 23966 p4p, 5696 weight class) and Percival James (ranked 636 p4p, 535 weight class). The key to victory for Kotaro Minamino has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Minamino
vs
James

176 cm
20
155
0 - 5 - 0

185 cm
26
160
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kotaro Minamino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Percival James!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jorge Garcia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minamino fails with the takedown.

Minamino gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows James to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Minamino throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Minamino is breathing heavily.

James drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and James jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Minamino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

James is working for a submission of some sort.
James performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
James looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

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

James is working for a submission of some sort.

Minamino actively working from the bottom here.

James is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Minamino sees it coming and defends easily.

Minamino looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
James content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James seems to be working for a kimura but Minamino defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

James is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Minamino sees it coming and defends easily.
James uses his free foot to push down on Minamino's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Minamino.

James working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

James has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Minamino is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Percival James!