PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Amakusa Saneuji (ranked 1074 p4p, 1009 weight class) and Patrice Devereaux (ranked 74 p4p, 71 weight class). Saneuji comes to the cage accompanied by Zen Spirit. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Saneuji
vs
Devereaux

178 cm
22
135
9 - 2 - 0

165 cm
29
140
11 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Amakusa Saneuji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Patrice Devereaux!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksandr Martynov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saneuji feints and as Devereaux raises his hands in defense, Saneuji changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Devereaux looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Saneuji throwing strikes but missing.
Devereaux looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Saneuji drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Devereaux manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Saneuji has Devereaux in his guard.

Devereaux drops back looking for a leg! Saneuji is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Saneuji manages to kick Devereaux off! Devereaux jumps back into Saneuji's guard.
Saneuji is trying to keep Devereaux in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Saneuji throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Devereaux content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saneuji has his foot on Devereaux's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Devereaux works his way back into a safe position though.
Saneuji has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Saneuji tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Devereaux trying to control but Saneuji is working from the bottom.

Devereaux got a little sloppy there for a moment and Saneuji has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Devereaux has managed to get both his arms back between Saneuji's legs - danger averted.
Devereaux slips nicely into half guard.
Saneuji won't allow Devereaux to pass to mount.
Devereaux is controlling the pace.

Devereaux is looking for a kimura but Saneuji is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Devereaux to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Devereaux content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Saneuji slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Devereaux trying to control the position from guard on top but Saneuji is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Saneuji has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Devereaux is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Saneuji.
Saneuji is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Devereaux wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saneuji keeps working.
Saneuji manages to work his way to half guard, despite Devereaux's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saneuji looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Devereaux is looking for a kimura here.

Saneuji looking for submissions off his back.
Devereaux works his way into full mount!
Saneuji is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Devereaux has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Gumburcules Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Devereaux looking to control and managing it successfully.
Devereaux's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Devereaux with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Devereaux looking for a guillotine from mount but Saneuji is having none of it.
Devereaux can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Saneuji is looking to escape.
Saneuji gets back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Saneuji looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Devereaux pushes past his half guard into mount!
Saneuji working to try and regain half guard.
Devereaux sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Patrice Devereaux dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Devereaux instigates a clinch.
Devereaux jumps guard but Saneuji turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Devereaux manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Saneuji is pushing down on Devereaux's leg trying to pass to half guard. Devereaux is fighting to maintain full guard but Saneuji has managed to sneak the leg through.
Saneuji will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Saneuji is looking for a kimura here.

Saneuji looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Patrice Devereaux has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Saneuji is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Devereaux sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saneuji trying to pass the guard but Devereaux defending well.

Saneuji is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Devereaux to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Devereaux is trying to control the position but Saneuji postures up.
Devereaux wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Saneuji pushing down on Devereaux's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Saneuji is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Devereaux has managed to free his arm - good work.

Saneuji is looking for a kimura here.
Devereaux trying to control but Saneuji postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Devereaux holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Saneuji missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Devereaux is refusing to be controlled, as Saneuji sits in half guard.
Devereaux makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Devereaux.
Devereaux is trying to control the position but Saneuji postures up.
Saneuji being controlled here momentarily.
Devereaux is continuing to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saneuji throwing strikes from guard but Devereaux blocks nicely.
Saneuji stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Devereaux swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Devereaux escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Saneuji gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Devereaux is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Devereaux has momentary wrist control but Saneuji slips an elbow through the middle.
Devereaux is pulling down on Saneuji's head. It's preventing any offense from Saneuji, at least for the moment.
Saneuji really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Devereaux looking for a sweep. Not yet Devereaux, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devereaux controls Saneuji momentarily but Saneuji frees himself.
Saneuji won't allow Devereaux to sweep him here.
Saneuji sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Devereaux's guard.
Saneuji trying to pass the guard but Devereaux defending well.
Saneuji prevents Devereaux from improving his position.

Saneuji is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Devereaux sees it coming and defends easily.

Saneuji in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Devereaux tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Saneuji!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Amakusa Saneuji!