PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Max Orohena (ranked 4020 p4p, 5083 weight class) and Poma Konabe (ranked 169 p4p, 211 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Orohena
vs
Konabe

198 cm
22
300
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
19
300
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Orohena!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Poma Konabe!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Konabe takes one to the chin there.
Orohena definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Orohena misses with a looping right.

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

Orohena breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Orohena misses with a looping left.
Konabe replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Orohena blocks it well.
Konabe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Konabe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Orohena misses with a hook. Konabe ducked under it nicely.
Orohena will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Orohena loads up on a big right hand but Konabe slips the punch.

Konabe clinches.

Orohena escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Konabe darts in and clinches Orohena up against the cage.
Konabe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Orohena's efforts to push away.

Konabe jumps guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Orohena would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Konabe is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Orohena defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orohena avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Konabe is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Orohena preventing the sweep.
Konabe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Orohena is looking to stand up but Konabe won't let him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Orohena. Konabe does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The fighters circling - Orohena throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Orohena will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Orohena sets himself, and Konabe steps forward looking for the clinch! Orohena avoids it this time.
Konabe moves forwards but Orohena connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Konabe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Konabe shoots in for a double leg but Orohena sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Konabe instigates a clinch.

Konabe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Konabe ducks under a wild hook from Orohena.
Orohena is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Konabe.
Konabe throws a right and a left that Orohena avoids nicely.
Konabe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Orohena manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Orohena was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Orohena fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Konabe manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Orohena. Konabe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Orohena is breathing heavily.
Konabe tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Orohena defends well and Konabe ends up having to push Orohena into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Orohena throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Konabe sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konabe doesn't manage to clinch there - Orohena circles away.
It looked like Orohena wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Konabe wants to clinch up but Orohena keeps it at a distance.
Konabe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Konabe looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Max Orohena has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Poma Konabe.
Konabe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Konabe tries to bum rush Orohena with a series of wild strikes but Orohena uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Konabe has taken the fight to the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Konabe tries for a takedown but Orohena manages to get underhooks.

Konabe gets control of Orohena's arms and successfully pulls guard. Konabe will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Konabe working for a triangle but Orohena defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Konabe tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Orohena stands and steps away. Konabe gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Konabe wants to clinch up but Orohena keeps it at a distance.
Konabe looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Konabe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Orohena.
Orohena misses with an uppercut. Konabe saw that one coming.
Nice takedown defense from Orohena. No joy for Konabe on that attempt.
Orohena lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Max Orohena is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Orohena loads up on a big right hand but Konabe slips the punch.
Orohena defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Konabe.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Orohena looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Orohena moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKonabe.
Orohena jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Max Orohena seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Orohena throws a jab but it's blocked by Konabe.
Horrible takedown attempt by Konabe or perhaps it was just good defense by Orohena, which made it look bad.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Orohena is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Konabe.
Orohena swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Konabe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Orohena is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Orohena throws a poor cross that misses

and Konabe decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Orohena's guard.
Orohena can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Konabe controls the pace.
Orohena wants to stand up but Konabe is controlling him.
Orohena on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Orohena tries to get out of the position.
Konabe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Konabe not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Konabe gets to his feet - Orohena follows without any prompting.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konabe fails with the takedown.
Konabe lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Orohena stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Orohena wants it to stay on the feet.
Max Orohena has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Poma Konabe.
Konabe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Konabe misses with a body kick.
A little feinted left hand from Orohena on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Konabe closes the distance and clinches.

Orohena manages to break the clinch.
Konabe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Orohena but Orohena pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Orohena lands a nice hook to Konabe's body. Konabe takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Konabe staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konabe lands a jab-cross combination.
Orohena looks to score with a jab to the body but Konabe is just out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Konabe wants to clinch up but Orohena keeps it at a distance.

Konabe throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Orohena tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Konabe is in Orohena's guard.
Konabe is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orohena is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Konabe throwing strikes but missing.
Konabe throwing strikes from guard but Orohena blocks nicely.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Konabe tries to free his leg and advance position but Orohena is retaining full guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Konabe ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Konabe tries to clinch there but Orohena circles away.
Konabe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Orohena throws a right and a left that Konabe avoids nicely.

Konabe clinches with his opponent.
Konabe prevents a body shot from Orohena.
Konabe takes a shot to the head.
Orohena is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Konabe tries to pull guard but Orohena forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Konabe tries to pull guard but Orohena won't allow it.
Orohena misses with some punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Konabe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Konabe tries to clinch but Orohena moves out of range.
Orohena throws a left and a right that both miss
and Konabe connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Orohena displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Konabe.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Poma Konabe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Orohena's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Orohena swinging wildly here.
Konabe fails with a takedown attempt.
Orohena lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Konabe circles away quickly and effectively.
Konabe moves in looking to clinch but Orohena pushes him off.
Konabe fails to land the takedown.
Orohena throws a hook but Konabe blocks it.
Despite the aggression on Konabe's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

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

Konabe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orohena scores with a shot to the body.

Konabe clinches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A short left from Konabe.
Konabe fails to pull guard.
Max Orohena has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Poma Konabe.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orohena manages to break the clinch.
Konabe is looking to clinch.
Orohena throws a nice looking combination but Konabe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Konabe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Orohena sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Max Orohena is winning the standup battle so far.
Orohena missing with a left hand there. Konabe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Konabe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Orohena but Orohena pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Konabe moves out of range of the strikes.
Konabe takes one on the button.
Konabe doesn't manage to clinch there - Orohena circles away.
Konabe slips under a jab.
Konabe dives in and grabs Orohena's left leg, looking for a takedown. Orohena pushes down on Konabe's head and hops out.
Orohena throws a right hand that misses

and Konabe counters by clinching up.

Orohena breaks the clinch.
Orohena fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Konabe moves into the clinch successfully.
Konabe wants a takedown but no success here.
Konabe jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Orohena walks away with a smile on his face. Konabe gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Konabe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Orohena breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Konabe shoots for a takedown but Orohena saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Orohena thows a left - swing and a miss!
Konabe is looking for the big counter here.

Konabe gets a takedown into half guard.
Orohena is looking to escape.
Konabe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Konabe seems to be working for a kimura but Orohena defends the submission attempt.
Konabe throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Konabe content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Konabe not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Konabe lands a nice short elbow.
Well, if Konabe is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Konabe missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Konabe controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Konabe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Konabe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Orohena.
Konabe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Orohena.
Konabe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Konabe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Orohena sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Orohena showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Orohena has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Orohena!