PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Conner Travers (ranked 1186 p4p, 1703 weight class) and Shigeru Otori (ranked 137 p4p, 184 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Travers
vs
Otori

167 cm
23
154
7 - 3 - 0

178 cm
22
145
7 - 5 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Conner Travers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Shigeru Otori!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Otori blocks a low kick nicely.
Travers wants to land a leg kick but Otori is out of range.
Travers backing away here, and Otori unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Travers throws a low kick but Otori moves out of range easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Travers or perhaps it was just good defense by Otori, which made it look bad.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Otori checks a leg kick.
Travers throws a solid leg kick but Otori takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Travers.
Otori is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Travers with a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Otori checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Travers walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Otori checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Travers misses with a low kick as Otori jumps back.
Otori looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Travers throws a low kick but Otori avoids it.
Otori appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Travers avoids the body shot from Otori.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Otori checks a leg kick.
Otori blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Travers is looking to score with low kicks.
Conner Travers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Travers throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Otori tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Travers is in Otori's guard.

Otori has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Travers has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Otori lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Travers is trying to push Otori away but Otori has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Otori misses with the head strike.
Otori scores with a knee to the head.
Otori lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right from Otori.
Otori dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Travers breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Travers is looking to score with low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Travers will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Travers takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Travers walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Otori checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Otori throws out a counter right but Travers avoids it with no problem.
A low kick from Travers is predictable there
and Otori counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Travers is looking to chop away at Otori's legs.
Otori blocks a low kick nicely.
Otori lands with a shot to the body.
Travers throws a front kick aimed at Otori's knee but Otori avoids it well.
Otori checks a leg kick nicely.
Otori doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Travers pivots, looking for a leg kick but Otori is out of range and Travers settles back down.
Travers throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Otori only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Travers throws a low kick but Otori avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otori misses with a straight right.
Travers looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Travers fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Otori is out of range.
Otori misses with a body shot.
Travers shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Otori lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Travers throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Otori appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Travers throws a solid leg kick but Otori takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Travers.
Otori is looking for the big counter here.
Otori moves out of range of the leg kick from Travers.
A clash of legs there as Otori blocks the low kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Otori checks a leg kick.
Travers backing away here, and Otori unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Otori scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Travers doesn't seem bothered though.
Travers does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Otori let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Travers throws a leg kick that is checked
and Otori counters with a low kick, right behind Travers 's knee.
Shigeru Otori is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Travers looks for a takedown but Otori sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Travers throws a leg kick
and Otori makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Otori throws a body punch but Travers moves out of range.
Otori checks a low kick from Travers.
Otori is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Travers rather than just go for the knockout.
Travers is looking to chop away at Otori's legs.
Travers tries to score with a low kick but Otori moves his leg out of the way.
Travers tries to score with a low kick but Otori moves his leg out of the way.
Travers throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Otori counter with a right hand.
Travers throws a leg kick that is checked
and Otori counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Otori checks a low kick from Travers.
Otori now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Travers pivots, looking for a leg kick but Otori is out of range and Travers settles back down.
Despite the aggression on Otori's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A low kick from Travers misses
and Otori counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shigeru Otori dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Travers throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Otori connects with a right hand. Travers shakes it off.
Travers throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Otori has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Travers does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Travers misses with a leg kick
and Otori counters with a good low kick that Travers was not able to check.
Travers throws a leg kick
and Otori counters with a straight right hand.
Otori checks the leg kick.
Otori swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Otori misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Travers appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Otori. That's going to slow Travers down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Otori misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Otori throws a body punch but Travers moves out of range.
Travers is looking to score with low kicks.
Otori moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Travers shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Otori appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Otori checks a leg kick nicely.
Otori appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Otori has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Travers is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A low kick from Travers is predictable there
and Otori counters with a nice body shot.
Travers dives in for a single leg takedown but Otori sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Otori tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Travers blocks an uppercut.
Otori lands a hook to the side of the head.
Otori tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Otori misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Travers.
Travers wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Otori has him pressed against the cage.
Otori misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otori misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Otori fails to land.
Otori lands with a short shot to the head.
Otori scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The referee is keeping an eye on Otori - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A head punch on the inside from Otori fails to land.
Otori throws a punch but it's blocked by Travers.
Otori misses with a hook from the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Travers's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Otori avoiding damage.
Otori stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Travers misses with an elbow strike.
Otori with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Travers blocks an uppercut.
Otori misses with a short punch on the inside.
Travers is trying to break the clinch but Otori has him pressed against the cage.
Otori misses with a hook from the clinch.
Travers blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Travers is trying to pull guard but Otori turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Travers is trying to push Otori away but Otori has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Travers tries to pull guard but Otori forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conner Travers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Otori creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Otori throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Traverss head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Travers blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Otori misses with a hook from the clinch.
Otori lands with a light punch inside.
Otori lands an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Otori.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Otori.
Travers blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Otori has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Otori looking to throw knees to the head but Travers is blocking nicely.
Otori lands with a short punch from the clinch.
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!
Otori can't find room to land a body shot as Travers controls the action.
Otori misses with the head strike.
Otori misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Travers.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shigeru Otori showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Otori blocks a leg kick.
Otori throws out a counter right but Travers avoids it with no problem.
Travers misses with a leg kick.
Otori doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Otori checks a low kick from Travers.
A clash of legs there as Otori blocks the low kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Travers lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Otori has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Otori and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Otori now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Otori checks a low kick from Travers.
Travers throws a low kick but it's checked well by Otori.
Travers throws a low kick but it's checked well by Otori.
Otori checks a leg kick nicely.
Otori is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Travers shoots for a takedown but Otori saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Travers misses with a leg kick
and Otori counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Otori. Travers does a little dance to reset his feet.
Otori checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otori checks a leg kick nicely.
Travers shoots in but Otori avoids the takedown attempt easily.
As Travers backs off Otori throws a huge counter combo but Travers manages to avoid it all.
A leg kick checked by Otori.
Travers finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Otori appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Travers throws a low kick but it's checked well by Otori.
Otori flicks out a counter leg kick but Travers steps away.
Travers tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Otori defends well and Travers ends up having to push Otori into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conner Travers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otori doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Travers is trying to break the clinch but Otori has him pressed against the cage.
Otori misses with some punches.
Travers is trying to break the clinch but Otori has him pressed against the cage.
Travers is trying to pull guard but Otori turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Conner Travers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otori misses with a short punch on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Travers blocking some punches.
Otori has Travers pushed against the cage.
Otori misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Otori lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Otori lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Travers backwards.
Otori prevents Travers from breaking the clinch.
Otori lands with a right to the head.
Shigeru Otori is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Travers is trying to break free.
Travers is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Travers wants to break free but Otori has control.

Travers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A bone on bone clash there as Otori blocks the leg kick.
A nice side step and Otori releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Travers throws a leg kick that is checked
and Otori counters with a series of strikes. Travers will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Travers throws a leg kick
and Otori counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Travers misses with a leg kick
and Otori counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Shigeru Otori seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Travers tries a low kick but Otori avoids it.
Travers throws a leg kick
and Otori counters with a left to the body.
Otori cracks Travers with an open hand slap.
Otori throws a body punch but Travers moves out of range.
A low kick from Travers misses
and Otori counters with a straight right hand.
Travers shoots in and drives through. Otori sprawls well.
Otori is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Travers throws a leg kick but Otori sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Otori lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Travers lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Otori has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Otori and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Travers feints and as Otori raises his hands in defense, Travers changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Travers accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shigeru Otori comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Otori has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shigeru Otori!
A victorious Shigeru Otori thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.