PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Masa Saitoh (ranked 181 p4p, 182 weight class) and Kwame Nti (ranked 25 p4p, 26 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.

Saitoh
vs
Nti

182 cm
29
205
20 - 8 - 0

172 cm
38
220
39 - 24 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Saitoh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Kwame Nti!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Matheus Silva and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nti decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nti prevents Saitoh from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saitoh is working hard here to advance position.
Saitoh keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saitoh moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitoh is controlling Nti's posture.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Saitoh 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saitoh is trying to hold Nti in close to prevent damage but Nti has managed to pass into half guard.

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.
Saitoh gets back to full guard.
Saitoh keeping full guard, as Nti tries to pass.
Saitoh is pulling down on Nti's head. It's preventing any offense from Nti, at least for the moment.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nti's hands.

It looks like Kwame Nti has been cut.
Nti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saitoh.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nti! But no joy.
Saitoh loads up on a big right hand but Nti slips the punch.
Saitoh throws a body shot but no joy.
Saitoh just misses with a punch to the body.
Nti is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Saitoh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saitoh swats away the attempt to clinch by Nti.
Saitoh moves out of range of the strikes.
Saitoh dips to his left and cracks Nti with an uppercut!
Nti tries to clinch but Saitoh is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nti shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saitoh but Saitoh pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nti misses with a wild body shot.
Nti drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Saitoh slips a jab from Nti.
Saitoh staying out of range there.
Saitoh throws a body shot but no joy.
Nti is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Nti with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Saitoh to score with a decent uppercut.
Masa Saitoh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nti moves forwards but Saitoh connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Saitoh looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
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!
Saitoh lands a nice shot that snaps Nti's head back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saitoh misses with a left hand

and Nti moves into the clinch.
Nti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saitoh's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A shot in the inside from Saitoh.
Nti lands with a right to the head.
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 Masa Saitoh will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kwame Nti's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Saitoh scores with a nice strike.

It looks like Masa Saitoh has been cut.
Saitoh throws a lazy right hand but Nti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saitoh scores with a decent looking hook.

Nti clinches with his opponent.
Nti blocking some punches.
Nti misses with a body punch.
Nti takes a shot to the head.
Saitoh lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Saitoh gets through Nti's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Nti scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saitoh gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nti.
Saitoh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nti backwards.
Saitoh's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saitoh lands with a light punch inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Saitoh.
Nti lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Saitoh.
Nti misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saitoh is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Saitoh misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitoh lands a hook that snaps the head of Nti backwards.
Nti has a couple of punches blocked by Saitoh.
Nti lands a right hand that snaps the head of Saitoh backwards.
Saitoh digs a right hand underneath Nti's ribcage. Nti let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Saitoh - that landed with a thud.
Nti blocks a body shot from Saitoh.
Saitoh lands a left hand.
Saitoh misses with a body punch.
Nti throws a head punch that misses.
Nti misses with a punch on the inside.
Saitoh tries to throw a body punch but Nti avoids it by throwing Saitoh back against the cage.
Saitoh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nti backwards.
Nti throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nti scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nti lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Saitoh backwards.
Good body shot from Saitoh.
Nti is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saitoh doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Nti works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Saitoh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nti is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh is adopting a defensive guard.
Saitoh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Saitoh throws the left hand but Nti avoids the punch easily.
Nti tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nti misses with a body shot
and Saitoh counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Saitoh swings for the body but Nti moves out of range.
Saitoh catches Nti with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Saitoh tries to clinch up.
Nti defending well as Saitoh loads up on a big left hand.
Saitoh connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Saitoh digs a good body shot into Nti's ribs.
Nti bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nti tries to counter with a clinch but Saitoh shakes him off and moves away.
A jab from Nti finds it's way through Saitoh's defenses.
Saitoh lands a right hook to the body.
Saitoh misses with a straight right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nti on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nti moves away from the strike by Saitoh.

Saitoh clinches up with Nti and pushes him back against the cage.
Saitoh lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saitoh scores with a shot to the side of Nti's head.
Nti throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Saitoh tries to throw a body punch but Nti avoids it by throwing Saitoh back against the cage.
Saitoh is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nti can do to turn this around?
Nti throws a punch but it's blocked by Saitoh.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Masa Saitoh dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nti has closed the distance and engaged Saitoh in a clinch.
Kwame Nti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Masa Saitoh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nti lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nti throws a punch but it's blocked by Saitoh.
Saitoh doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saitoh lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saitoh lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nti backwards.
Nti can't find room to land a body shot as Saitoh controls the action.
Nti pushes Saitoh back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saitoh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nti backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saitoh tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Masa Saitoh has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Saitoh working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitoh blocks an uppercut.
Nti has a couple of punches blocked by Saitoh.
Nti misses with some punches.
Nti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nti tries to throw a body punch but Saitoh avoids it by throwing Nti back against the cage.
Nti misses with some punches.
Nti working aggressively here.
Nti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nti misses with a punch on the inside.
Nti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saitoh misses with some punches.
Nti struggles to land a body shot inside as Saitoh controls his hands.
Nti misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh pushes Nti back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saitoh blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saitoh tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nti misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nti misses with some punches.
Nti tries to throw a body punch but Saitoh avoids it by throwing Nti back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nti.
Nti can't find room to land a body shot as Saitoh controls the action.
Nti misses with a body punch.
Nti tries to throw a body punch but Saitoh avoids it by throwing Nti back against the cage.
Nti misses with the head strike.
Saitoh tries to throw a body punch but Nti avoids it by throwing Saitoh back against the cage.
Nti swings wildly with an uppercut but Saitoh uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nti is working Saitoh over against the cage.
Nti has a couple of punches blocked by Saitoh.
Saitoh lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nti misses with some punches.

Saitoh breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saitoh circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saitoh lands with a right hand.
Saitoh throws out a powerful jab.

Saitoh tries to keep at a distance but Nti has taken the fight into the clinch.
Saitoh blocks a body shot from Nti.
Saitoh blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nti can't find room to land a body shot as Saitoh controls the action.
Nti tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nti has a couple of punches blocked by Saitoh.
Saitoh stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nti drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saitoh lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nti.
Saitoh blocks an uppercut.
Nti misses with a punch to the body.
Nti tries a body shot but Saitoh blocks it.
Nti misses with a shot to the kidneys.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kwame Nti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saitoh 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masa Saitoh!
After winning the bout, Masa Saitoh thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.