PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shaq Withers (ranked 2218 p4p, 2553 weight class) and Kai Asakura (ranked 160 p4p, 181 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Withers
vs
Asakura

162 cm
25
137
4 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
139
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Wrestler Wayfare
BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shaq Withers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kai Asakura!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Withers misses with a straight right.
Asakura unleashes a big counter combination but Withers bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Withers.
Some wild striking there from Withers.
Withers throws a series of punches but Asakura avoids them all with ease.
Asakura throws a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asakura moves out of range as Withers strikes.
Asakura throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Asakura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Withers sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Withers misses its target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Withers tries for a takedown but Asakura circles away easily
and Asakura counters with a stiff right hand.
Withers definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Withers misses with a double jab
and Asakura counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Withers throws a right and a left that Asakura avoids nicely.
Asakura swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Asakura gets a clinch.
Asakura is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Asakura being controlled against the cage.
Withers drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaq Withers. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Asakura pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Asakura misses with a head kick.
Withers throws a hook but Asakura blocks it.
Asakura throws a counter combo.
Withers takes one to the chin there.
Withers looks to score with a jab to the body but Asakura is just out of range.
Asakura swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Withers throws a right and a left that Asakura avoids nicely.
Asakura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asakura instigates a clinch.
Withers is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Asakura pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The referee is keeping an eye on Withers - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Asakura breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Withers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asakura.
Asakura is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Crunch! Asakura slams his shin into Withers's torso.
Asakura looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Withers thuds a left hand into Asakura's body.
Withers throws a poor cross that misses
and Asakura counters with a stiff right hand.
Asakura 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Withers bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Withers fails with a takedown attempt.
Asakura let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Asakura closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Withers dives in and grabs Asakura's left leg, looking for a takedown. Asakura pushes down on Withers's head and hops out.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Asakura shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Withers but Withers pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It looked like Withers was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Asakura.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Asakura dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Withers misses with a hook
and Asakura counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Asakura avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Asakura misses with a wild combination.
Withers throws a right and a left that both miss.
Asakura is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Withers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Asakura was well out of range. Poor timing from Withers.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Withers swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Asakura counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Asakura is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Withers throws an off balance right hand
and Asakura makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Withers misses the shot to the body.
Asakura uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Withers has time to react.
Asakura throws a sloppy head kick and Withers moves out of range easily.
Withers misses with a body shot
enabling Asakura to counter with a crisp jab.
Asakura tries to clinch but Withers moves out of range.
Withers fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Withers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Asakura was well out of range. Poor timing from Withers.
Asakura throws a right and a left that both miss.
It looked like Withers was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kai Asakura seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Withers ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Asakura moves away.
A little jabbing left from Asakura on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Withers.
Asakura taking punishment in the form of punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Withers working the head and body with strikes.
Withers in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Withers lands a few punches from side control.
Withers has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Withers grinds an elbow into Asakura's temple.
Asakura takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Withers is working Asakura over with some ground and pound from side control.
Asakura takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Withers is chipping away with strikes.
Withers lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Asakura down.
Withers creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Asakura is trying to work for a sweep but Withers has mounted him!
Asakura is breathing heavily.
Withers wants to control the pace but Asakura is squirming around nicely.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Withers cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Withers is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Asakura can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Shaq Withers overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Withers cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Withers putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Withers landing strikes from the mount and Asakura is in trouble!
Withers lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Asakura hang on?
Withers controlling the pace for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Withers landing strikes from the mount.
BOOM! Withers connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Withers looking to control but Asakura is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shaq Withers dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Withers misses with a series of wild punches.
Asakura throws a body punch but Withers moves out of range.

Asakura gets caught flat footed, as Withers shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Withers won't allow Asakura to get back to his feet.
Withers chips away with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asakura wants to sweep but no luck.
Withers lands a couple of digs.
Asakura takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Withers is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Withers pushes down on Asakura's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Withers works his foot free and advances to mount.
Withers working Asakura over with strikes here.
Withers is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Withers postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Asakura looks a forlorn figure.
The referee warns Asakura that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Withers in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Withers wants to control the pace but Asakura is squirming around nicely.
Asakura taking shots to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Withers pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Withers with the ground and pound from mount.
Withers scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Withers working the ground and pound effectively.
Withers postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Asakura looks a forlorn figure.
Withers lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Asakura is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Withers has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Asakura's face.
Asakura is still in real trouble! Can Withers finish him?
Withers takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Asakura seems to have recovered his senses.
Asakura takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
A nice elbow there by Withers.
Withers lands a big elbow.
Asakura takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Withers drops a big elbow. That's hurt Asakura! More shots from Withers and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Shaq Withers!
A victorious Shaq Withers thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.