PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shinji Mikami (ranked 4606 p4p, 4640 weight class) and Dick Niaz (ranked 0 p4p, 411 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mikami
vs
Niaz

173 cm
25
145
0 - 0 - 0

164 cm
18
149
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Mikami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dick Niaz !
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mikami tries to sprawl but Niaz drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mikami regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mikami looking to hit a scissor sweep but Niaz is one step ahead there.
Niaz with a flurry of punches that miss.
Niaz throws a big right hand that misses.
Mikami is controlling Niaz 's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikami throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Mikami has control of Niaz 's left arm, preventing Niaz from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mikami is looking to stand up but Niaz isn't so interested in that idea.
Niaz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mikami has taken the fight to the clinch.
Niaz slows down the pace here.
Mikami stalling against the cage.

Mikami has hold of one of Niaz 's legs. Niaz is fighting the takedown attempt but Mikami gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Mikami tries to free his leg and advance position but Niaz is retaining full guard.
Mikami passes into half guard.
Mikami sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Mikami tries to pass the half guard into mount. Niaz knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niaz wants to control but Mikami is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mikami performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Niaz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mikami. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mikami's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mikami is working for a submission of some sort.
Mikami wants to get back to his feet.

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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Niaz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mikami lands a nice short elbow.

Mikami is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Niaz sees it coming and defends easily.
Mikami prevents Niaz from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mikami wants to stand up but Niaz has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Niaz is trying is best to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinji Mikami dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Niaz throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mikami was covering up waiting for the punch and Niaz finishes the takedown easily into guard.

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

Mikami has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Niaz doesn't defend quickly enough and Mikami has managed to lock this one up! Can Niaz escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Mikami on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Shinji Mikami!