PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kaoru Hanayama (ranked 1606 p4p, 1636 weight class) and Ezekiel Marley (ranked 35 p4p, 36 weight class). Hanayama's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Plan Three - Triggers. Marley is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: EMOTIONALLY SCARRED. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hanayama
vs
Marley

182 cm
30
175
14 - 15 - 0

194 cm
30
212
14 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Vegan Gains
Arcticus University: London

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kaoru Hanayama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ezekiel Marley!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marley throws a jab but it's blocked by Hanayama.
Marley tries to clinch up but Hanayama circles away and keeps his distance.
Hanayama scores with a crisp jab that stopped Marley in his tracks.
Marley keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ezekiel Marley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hanayama lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hanayama jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Marley fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hanayama, pushing him back against the cage.
Marley misses with the head strike.
Marley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from Marley as the two fighters clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Marley fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hanayama.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Marley just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hanayama's brow.

Hanayama pulls guard effortlessly.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanayama being controlled here, momentarily.
Hanayama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Marley manages to get himself to full guard.

Marley can't keep his opponent in guard - Hanayama advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hanayama definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanayama seems to be looking for submissions.

Hanayama is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Marley defends it well.
Marley is trying to stand up here but Hanayama is controlling him well.
Hanayama content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Marley looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Hanayama wants to work for an arm triangle but Marley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Hanayama is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Marley defends it well.
Hanayama passes the guard and advances to mount!
Marley's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Hanayama trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama controlling the position easily from mount.
Hanayama trying to control but Marley is having none of it.

Hanayama working for a guillotine from mount but Marley is in no mood to give up.
Marley is squirming around, avoiding Hanayama's attempts to control the action.

Hanayama looking to isolate an arm here. Marley doesn't see it coming and as Hanayama extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Hanayama!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kaoru Hanayama!
Our winner, Kaoru Hanayama, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.