PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daiboru Kyokusei (ranked 5577 p4p, 24253 weight class) and Cristiano Messi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cristiano Messi has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kyokusei
vs
Messi

169 cm
22
143
2 - 2 - 0

187 cm
23
148
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daiboru Kyokusei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cristiano Messi!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messi throws a head kick that half lands.
Kyokusei looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Messi pushes Kyokusei up against the cage in a clinch.
Kyokusei definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A frustrated look appears on Kyokusei's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kyokusei is looking to break free of the clinch but Messi has double underhooks.

Messi breaks from the clinch.

Messi has Kyokusei up against the cage in a clinch.
Messi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Messi just leaning against Kyokusei, taking a breather.

Messi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jab from Messi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kyokusei throws a sloppy head kick and Messi moves out of range easily.
Kyokusei scores with a head kick.
Messi avoids the head kick by Kyokusei.
Kyokusei throws a sloppy head kick and Messi moves out of range easily.
Messi keeps Kyokusei at a distance using the push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Messi clinches.
Messi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kyokusei wants to break the clinch but can't.

Messi gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kyokusei regains guard.
Kyokusei is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Messi is controlling him.
Messi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Messi trying to control but Kyokusei is working from the bottom.
Kyokusei is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kyokusei can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Messi controls the pace.
Kyokusei wants to stand but Messi is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kyokusei keeping full guard, as Messi tries to pass.
Messi pushes down on Kyokusei's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Messi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Messi lands strikes from half guard.

Messi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kyokusei defends it well.
Messi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kyokusei with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kyokusei looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Messi pushes past his half guard into mount!

Messi is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kyokusei is surviving well by controlling Messi's body position as best he can.
Messi sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Messi with a couple of short strikes.
Kyokusei wants to try and get back to his feet.

Messi working for a submission but Kyokusei is keeping him at bay.
Messi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kyokusei is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi trying to control but Kyokusei is having none of it.
Kyokusei is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Messi sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
We've been informed that Messi has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Kyokusei wants to try and get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kyokusei has given up his back here.
Messi really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Kyokusei.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cristiano Messi dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kyokusei sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Messi pushes Kyokusei up against the cage in a clinch.
Messi is trying to drag Kyokusei to the mat but Kyokusei just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Kyokusei breaks from the clinch.
Daiboru Kyokusei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Messi has closed the distance and engaged Kyokusei in a clinch.
Kyokusei looks to throw an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Messi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kyokusei uses from the top position.
Messi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Messi working a defensive guard here.
Messi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kyokusei. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kyokusei is fighting to break Messi's control of his arms but Messi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kyokusei would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Messi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Messi is controlling Kyokusei's posture.
Kyokusei is looking to stand up but Messi won't let him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kyokusei 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.
Messi shapes to counter with a head kick.

Messi moves into the clinch.

Messi manages to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi is pulling down on Kyokusei's head to control his posture.

Messi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kyokusei wants to stand but Messi is controlling his posture from full guard.

Kyokusei stands and steps away. Messi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kyokusei throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Messi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kyokusei thinking.
Messi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Messi takes the fight into the clinch.
Messi wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kyokusei prevents it.
Daiboru Kyokusei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cristiano Messi.
Kyokusei is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kyokusei scores a nice knee to the body.
Messi has Kyokusei pushed against the cage.

Messi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kyokusei tries a head kick but it misses.

Messi moves into the clinch.
Messi fails to pull guard.
Kyokusei wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kyokusei wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi looking for a takedown.
Messi prevents Kyokusei from breaking the clinch.

Messi works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Kyokusei has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Messi off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kyokusei misses with a two punch combination.
Kyokusei lands with a kick to the temple. Messi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A good leg kick by Messi.

Messi gets a clinch.
Kyokusei is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kyokusei takes an elbow to the temple.
Messi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A frustrated look appears on Kyokusei's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cristiano Messi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Messi instigates a clinch.
Messi is trying to pull guard but Kyokusei turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Messi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Kyokusei breaks the clinch.
Messi blocks a head kick by Kyokusei.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Messi manages to pull guard.
Messi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Messi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Messi is on top in guard.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Messi won't allow Kyokusei to get back to his feet.
Messi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Messi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kyokusei is keeping the position for now.
Messi stops Kyokusei from standing up.
Messi tries to free his leg and advance position but Kyokusei is retaining full guard.
Messi keeps trying to improve his position.
Messi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kyokusei wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Messi manages to pass to side control.
Cristiano Messi has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two 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.
Messi stops Kyokusei from getting back to his feet.

Messi is trying to work for a kimura but Kyokusei is defending well.
Messi takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Messi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kyokusei with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Messi stops Kyokusei from getting back to his feet.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi throws a shot to the body.

Messi moves into the clinch successfully.
Messi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kyokusei prevents the takedown attempt.

Messi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kyokusei is looking to land body kicks.
Messi tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kyokusei tries to clinch but Messi is having none of it.

Messi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Messi manages to break the clinch.
Kyokusei misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kyokusei lands with a kick to the temple. Messi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Messi wants a takedown but no success here.
Daiboru Kyokusei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cristiano Messi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Messi breaks the clinch.
Kyokusei with the inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Messi clinches up with Kyokusei and pushes him back against the cage.
Kyokusei looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Messi controlling the action here for a moment.
Kyokusei has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Messi pulls guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kyokusei decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kyokusei fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Messi checks it well.
Daiboru Kyokusei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cristiano Messi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kyokusei pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cristiano Messi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Messi 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cristiano Messi!
Cristiano Messi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.