PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Ikuiku (ranked 4238 p4p, 4475 weight class) and Kaka Rot (ranked 233 p4p, 238 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.

Ikuiku
vs
Rot

170 cm
25
140
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
137
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Ikuiku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kaka Rot!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Richard Clark and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ikuiku misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Ikuiku moves into the clinch.

Ikuiku gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Rot working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ikuiku doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ikuiku manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rot can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ikuiku controls the pace.
Rot keeping full guard, as Ikuiku tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ikuiku won't allow Rot to sweep him here.
Ikuiku not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Ikuiku gets to his feet. Rot looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rot lands a jab to Ikuiku's midsection.
Rot tries to close the distance and clinch but Ikuiku swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ikuiku gets the takedown into side control.
Rot is trying to control Ikuiku's posture but Ikuiku avoids it.
Rot is looking to reverse the position.
Rot bucks up and tries to throw Ikuiku off but instead Ikuiku has got his back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rot tries to escape the position.
Rot trying to control the hands but Ikuiku won't let him.
Even with his hooks in, Ikuiku manages to miss with strikes from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rot trying to control but not successfully.
What can Rot do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Rot trying to control the hands but Ikuiku won't let him.
Ikuiku scores with punches to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ikuiku missing with strikes from the back.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Ikuiku's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Rot is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Rot looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ikuiku keeps control of the position as Rot tries to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ikuiku working for the choke.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Ikuiku dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rot takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rot tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ikuiku defends well and Rot ends up having to push Ikuiku into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Ikuiku is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rot's half guard.
Rot trying to control from the bottom.
Ikuiku seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rot wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ikuiku is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ikuiku keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rot tries to roll over but Ikuiku keeps him under control.
Rot wants to control but Ikuiku is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ikuiku trying to control from half guard but Rot is working away.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Good shot there by Rot.

Rot gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ikuiku to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ikuiku trying to control the position from guard on top but Rot is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ikuiku advances to half guard.
Rot gets back to full guard.
Ikuiku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ikuiku wants to control from the top but Rot keeps moving.

Ikuiku stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Ikuiku closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rot did well to prevent Ikuiku getting side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rot trying to control but Ikuiku postures up.
Ikuiku wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rot keeps working.
Rot wants to get back to his feet.
Ikuiku wants to take a breather but Rot is having none of it.
Rot tries to roll over but Ikuiku keeps him under control.
Ikuiku wants to pass to mount but Rot is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rot is trying to stand up here but Ikuiku is controlling him well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rot is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Ikuiku takes the fight into the clinch.
Rot misses with the head strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rot is looking to break free of the clinch but Ikuiku has double underhooks.
Rot tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ikuiku pulls guard successfully.

Ikuiku is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Ikuiku dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ikuiku slaps away a takedown attempt from Rot, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick misses from Ikuiku.

Ikuiku scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Ikuiku tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ikuiku has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rot struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rot looking for a sweep but Ikuiku has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Rot tries to reverse the position but Ikuiku maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rot is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ikuiku is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rot can do to turn this around?
Rot tries to improve his position but instead Ikuiku has taken his back!
Rot is trying to break free.
Kenji Ikuiku overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rot trying to get back to his feet but Ikuiku is in full control for now.
Ikuiku throwing damaging strikes from the back! Rot could be in trouble here!
Ikuiku is riding his opponent, not letting Rot buck him off.
Rot trying to get back to his feet but Ikuiku is in full control for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rot trying to control the hands but Ikuiku won't let him.
Ikuiku keeps control of the position as Rot tries to break free.
Rot has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Ikuiku.
Ikuiku is hanging on to Rot's back as he tries to escape.
Rot takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Ikuiku trying to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ikuiku controlling from the back.
Ikuiku trying to control momentarily.

Ikuiku has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Ikuiku just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Rot trying to get back to his feet but Ikuiku is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rot looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Will Ikuiku go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Rot tries to escape the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ikuiku is working the ground and pound. Can Rot escape?
Kaka Rot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kenji Ikuiku is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ikuiku working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Ikuiku showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ikuiku, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Ikuiku!