PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mawunyo Kato (ranked 6063 p4p, 6245 weight class) and Haki Ngata (ranked 228 p4p, 235 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kato
vs
Ngata

195 cm
18
265
0 - 1 - 0

193 cm
18
285
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mawunyo Kato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Haki Ngata!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ngata shoots in looking for a takedown. Kato tries to sprawl out of it but Ngata keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kato manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kato throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ngata slips under a jab.
We've been told by Kato's head coaches at Zombie MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ngata tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kato was well out of range. Poor timing from Ngata.
Kato swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ngata's coach down at Primal Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ngata's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Ngata gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kato throws a punch but it's blocked by Ngata.
Kato throws a head punch that misses.
Kato could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Ngata jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kato walks away with a smile on his face. Ngata gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ngata throws a low kick but Kato avoids it.
A big left from Kato misses.

Kato tries to keep at a distance but Ngata has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ngata stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato tries a body shot but Ngata blocks it.
Kato misses with the head strike.
Kato lands with a left to the head.
Ngata blocks a body shot from Kato.
Kato working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kato.

Ngata breaks the clinch.
Kato throws a lazy right hand but Ngata sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kato loads up on a big right hand but Ngata slips the punch.
Ngata darts in looking for a takedown but Kato gets double underhooks and turns Ngata into the cage.
Mawunyo Kato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Haki Ngata.
Ngata misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kato.
Ngata tries to land a front kick but Kato steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ngata.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ngata misses with the combination.
A little feinted left hand from Kato on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mawunyo Kato is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kato bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ngata's head.

It looks like Haki Ngata has been cut.
Ngata throws a series of punches but Kato avoids them all with ease.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ngata.

Ngata closes the distance and pushes Kato back into the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kato lands with a light punch inside.
Ngata blocks an uppercut.
Kato misses with the head strike.

Ngata has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kato uses from the top position.
Ngata is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ngata had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kato defends it easily.
Kato trying to control but Ngata is working from the bottom.
Kato being controlled here momentarily.
Kato prevents Ngata from getting 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.
Kato pushing down on Ngata's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ngata is trying to stand.
Ngata keeping hold of Kato's head, controlling as best he can.

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

Ngata looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ngata gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mawunyo Kato will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Haki Ngata's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ngata dives in and grabs Kato's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kato pushes down on Ngata's head and hops out.
It looked like Kato wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ngata uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kato.
Kato misses the shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Ngata. Those never looked like landing.
Kato scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ngata doesn't seem bothered though.
Some wild striking there from Ngata.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ngata.
Kato throwing a counter right hand but Ngata manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kato fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ngata manages to avoid it.
Ngata tries for a takedown but Kato sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mawunyo Kato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Haki Ngata.

Ngata clinches with his opponent.
Ngata blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato working aggressively here.
Ngata is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Ngata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ngata looks to score with a jab to the body but Kato is just out of range.
Kato throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ngata sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kato misses with a looping left.
Kato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ngata now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kato swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kato loads up on a big right hand but Ngata slips the punch.
Kato throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kato throws an overhand right that lands on Ngata's shoulder, as Ngata tries to avoid the shot.
Kato swings widly with a right hand
and Ngata counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Mawunyo Kato has been cut.
Kato throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Kato fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ngata, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kato struggles to land a body shot inside as Ngata controls his hands.
Ngata drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kato gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kato swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ngata drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kato pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kato thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ngata let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ngata is defended easily by Kato.
Ngata changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kato tries to avoid it but Ngata manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kato to the ground. Kato escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It looked like Kato wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big right from Kato misses.
Ngata keeps the fight on the outside.
Ngata let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ngata throws a head kick but Kato moves out of range.
Kato tries to close the distance and clinch but Ngata swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ngata fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kato, pushing him back against the cage.
Kato scores with a shoulder strike.
Kato struggles to land a body shot inside as Ngata controls his hands.
Ngata blocks a body shot from Kato.

Ngata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ngata has closed the distance and engaged Kato in a clinch.
Ngata blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kato prevents the takedown attempt.
Kato tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kato.
Ngata wants to take the fight to the mat but Kato manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ngata tries to pull guard but Kato won't allow it.
Kato is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ngata can do to turn this around?
Kato swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ngata stalls.
Kato gets underhooks to prevent Ngata's takedown attempt.
Kato throws a punch but it's blocked by Ngata.
Ngata gets through Kato's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Ngata decides to pull guard.
Ngata looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ngata 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mawunyo Kato dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ngata looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kato cracks Ngata with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ngata dives in for a single leg takedown but Kato sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nice sprawl there from Kato as Ngata shoots in.
Mawunyo Kato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Haki Ngata.
Kato scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nice shot lands for Kato.
Ngata defending well as Kato loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ngata rushes Kato and presses him up against the cage.
Kato misses with a body punch.
Ngata lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kato or not.
Ngata blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ngata - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ngata blocks a body shot from Kato.
Kato can't find room to land a body shot as Ngata controls the action.
Kato tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ngata misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kato.
Ngata tries to pull guard but Kato forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kato managing to block the knees to the body from Ngata.
A left hand lands to the body for Kato.

Ngata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ngata misses with a takedown
and Kato counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Ngata closes the distance and clinches.

Ngata's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kato stuffs the takedown.
Kato is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ngata fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
It looked like Kato wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ngata takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ngata misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Ngata has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ngata blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kato misses with a punch to the body.
Kato tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ngata jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kato walks away with a smile on his face. Ngata gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kato cracks Ngata with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ngata doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kato connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kato stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ngata fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kato throws a shot from downtown. Ngata moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kato darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kato moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Ngata gets a clinch.
Kato misses with a punch on the inside.
Ngata prevents a body shot from Kato.
Ngata has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kato is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ngata presses Kato against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Ngata breaks from the clinch.
Ngata throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kato's waist but Kato gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ngata off to one side.
Kato is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Ngata is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kato's half guard.
Ngata not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haki Ngata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mawunyo Kato is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ngata is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mawunyo Kato showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kato, 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mawunyo Kato!