PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bimbo Slaissi (ranked 26 p4p, 108 weight class) and Masa Saitoh (ranked 5 p4p, 18 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.

Slaissi
vs
Saitoh

180 cm
29
212
25 - 8 - 0

182 cm
29
205
21 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 25 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bimbo Slaissi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Saitoh!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saitoh fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Slaissi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Saitoh throws a shot from downtown. Slaissi moves away and avoids it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Slaissi. That's going to slow Saitoh down.
Nice body punch from Slaissi.
Slaissi just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Saitoh! But no joy.
Slaissi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Saitoh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Slaissi.
Slaissi misses the shot to the body.
We've been told by Slaissi's head coaches at MMA Training and Sparring Buddies that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Saitoh jabs Slaissi right on the nose. Slaissi blinks but takes it well.
Slaissi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Saitoh's sensitive parts.
Saitoh blocks the body kick.
Saitoh walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Slaissi throws a leg kick but Saitoh checks it.
Nice defenses there by Saitoh.
Saitoh appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
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!
Slaissi throws a body punch but Saitoh moves out of range.
Slaissi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Slaissi connects with a body shot that sends Saitoh's belly button to the back.
Saitoh throws a body shot but no joy.
Saitoh digs a good body shot into Slaissi's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slaissi throws a leg kick

so Saitoh counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Slaissi has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Saitoh off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Bimbo Slaissi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saitoh cracks a nice hook into Slaissi's ribs.
Saitoh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Slaissi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Slaissi throws a push kick but Saitoh slaps the foot to one side.
Slaissi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Saitoh misses with an uppercut. Slaissi saw that one coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Slaissi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saitoh jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Slaissi is looking to wear down Saitoh with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Saitoh slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A slow jab from Slaissi misses its intended target.
Saitoh lands a nice hook to Slaissi's body. Slaissi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Saitoh comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A swing and a miss from Saitoh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slaissi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saitoh.
Saitoh dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Slaissi throws a body shot but no joy.
Saitoh misses with a wild body shot.
Saitoh takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Slaissi throws a right hand that misses
and Saitoh cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Saitoh has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Slaissi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saitoh drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Slaissi defends it well.
Slaissi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saitoh moves out of range of the strikes.
Saitoh let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Slaissi cracks Saitoh with an open hand slap.

It looks like Masa Saitoh has been cut.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Slaissi.
Slaissi looks to land a combination but Saitoh avoids it well.
Slaissi blocks a jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Saitoh.
Slaissi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saitoh moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Slaissi misses with a leg kick
and Saitoh counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh misses the shot to the body.
Slaissi misses with a low kick as Saitoh jumps back.
Saitoh let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Slaissi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Slaissi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Slaissi thows a leg kick but Saitoh checks it

and Saitoh counters with a nice double leg into side control. Slaissi won't be happy with that.
Saitoh trying to control the position but Slaissi is working away.
Saitoh fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Saitoh creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Saitoh is working Slaissi over with some ground and pound from side control.
Slaissi trying to remain calm as Saitoh controls from the top position.
Slaissi can't do much from the bottom here.
Saitoh scores with punches from side control.
Slaissi tries to improve position but can't.
Slaissi keeping his opponent close.
Saitoh lands some shots froms side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh is chipping away with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
You can see the frustration on Slaissi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Slaissi's face as Saitoh controls the position.
Saitoh in side control lands a decent elbow.
Saitoh is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Slaissi's shoulder. That is not cool.
Saitoh working away.
Slaissi tries to escape but Saitoh is in control.
Saitoh working the head and body with strikes.
Slaissi is not content to let Saitoh control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Saitoh working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Slaissi wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Masa Saitoh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Masa Saitoh's cut.
That's time! Slaissi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Slaissi throws a looping overhand right but Saitoh ducks down to avoid it.
Saitoh takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Saitoh throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Saitoh looks to score with a jab to the body but Slaissi is just out of range.
Slaissi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saitoh throws a hook but Slaissi blocks it.
Slaissi looks to land a right hand but Saitoh moved out of range.
Saitoh lands a nice shot that snaps Slaissi's head back.
Slaissi throws a shot from downtown. Saitoh moves away and avoids it.
Slaissi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saitoh.

Saitoh drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Slaissi keeping moving, preventing Saitoh from controlling successfully.
Saitoh has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saitoh seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Saitoh has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Slaissi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saitoh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slaissi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Saitoh wants to sweep here but Slaissi controlling him for the moment.
Masa Saitoh has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saitoh has control of Slaissi's left arm, preventing Slaissi from doing any damage.
Saitoh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saitoh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Slaissi is one step ahead there.
Slaissi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Slaissi gets to his feet - Saitoh follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slaissi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Saitoh punishes Slaissi's body with a nice straight punch.
Saitoh bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Slaissi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Saitoh momentarily.
Slaissi throws a jab when Saitoh was well out of range.
Saitoh doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Slaissi looks to land a left hand but Saitoh moved out of range nicely.
Slaissi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Masa Saitoh seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Slaissi lands a jab to the head.
Slaissi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saitoh.
A little jabbing left from Saitoh on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Saitoh throws a body punch but Slaissi moves out of range.
Saitoh takes a swing at Slaissi's ribcage but misses.
Slaissi ducks under a wild hook from Saitoh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Slaissi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Slaissi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Slaissi.
Slaissi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh scores with a shot to the body.
Slaissi moves out of range as Saitoh strikes.
Slaissi throws the kick towards the body but Saitoh avoids it.
Saitoh slips a jab from Slaissi.
Saitoh checks a leg kick.
Slaissi moves out of range as Saitoh strikes.
It looked like Slaissi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Saitoh loads up on a big right hand but Slaissi slips the punch.
Slaissi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saitoh scores with a jab to the head.
Saitoh cracks Slaissi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A nice leg kick from Slaissi, right into the meat of the thigh.
Slaissi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saitoh.
Slaissi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Slaissi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Slaissi misses with a leg kick
and Saitoh counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Saitoh misses with a hook.
It looked like Slaissi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slaissi moves into range and connects with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saitoh scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Slaissi doesn't seem bothered though.
Slaissi tries to score with a low kick but Saitoh moves his leg out of the way.
Saitoh throws a hook but Slaissi blocks it.
Saitoh misses with a body shot.
Slaissi throws a low kick but Saitoh avoids it.
A big right from Saitoh misses.
Slaissi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saitoh.
Slaissi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Saitoh tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Slaissi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Saitoh checks it well.
Saitoh throws out a counter right but Slaissi avoids it with no problem.
A slow jab from Saitoh misses its intended target.
Slaissi connects with the punch.
Slaissi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Saitoh works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Masa Saitoh will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Masa Saitoh's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Saitoh on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Masa Saitoh is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Slaissi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Saitoh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Slaissi.
Slaissi sizes up Saitoh with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Slaissi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
An inside leg kick from Slaissi misses.
Slaissi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Slaissi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Slaissi misses.
A lazy body kick from Slaissi

and Saitoh counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Saitoh postures up.
Saitoh looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Saitoh is continuing to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slaissi is looking to stand up but Saitoh isn't so interested in that idea.
Saitoh stopping the sweep attempt from Slaissi.
Saitoh slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Saitoh stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Slaissi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saitoh is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Slaissi has his hands on Saitoh's head, controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Saitoh.
Bimbo Slaissi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Slaissi looks to score with a jab to the body but Saitoh is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A big right from Saitoh misses.
Slaissi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Saitoh misses with an uppercut. Slaissi saw that one coming.
Saitoh cracks Slaissi with a good jab.
Saitoh ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Saitoh fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Slaissi on the side of the head.
Saitoh swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Slaissi.
Slaissi misses with an uppercut.
Saitoh takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Slaissi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saitoh throws out a counter right but Slaissi avoids it with no problem.
Saitoh misses with a hook. Slaissi ducked under it nicely.
Slaissi lands a jab to Saitoh's midsection.
Saitoh defending well as Slaissi loads up on a big left hand.
Slaissi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saitoh.
Saitoh scores with a hook to the body. Slaissi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slaissi misses with a wild body shot.
Saitoh scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Slaissi avoids the body shot from Saitoh.
Slaissi throws a lazy right hand but Saitoh sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saitoh lands a jab to Slaissi's midsection.
Saitoh lands with a nice body punch.
Saitoh scores with a hook to the body. Slaissi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Saitoh throws a hook but Slaissi avoids it easily.
Saitoh bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Slaissi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Saitoh is out of range.
Saitoh misses with a hook
and Slaissi counters with a straight right hand.
Slaissi misses with a hook
and Saitoh counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Saitoh misses with a hook to the body
and Slaissi counters with a nice leg kick.
Slaissi moves away from the strike by Saitoh.
Saitoh misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slaissi throws a poor cross that misses
and Saitoh counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Slaissi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Saitoh counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Slaissi thinking.
Saitoh lands a jab to the nose.
Slaissi throws out a leg kick but Saitoh moves out of range and Slaissi only half commits.
Saitoh throws out a counter right but Slaissi avoids it with no problem.
Saitoh throws out a loose jab but Slaissi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Slaissi 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.
A big left from Slaissi misses.
Slaissi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saitoh.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saitoh. Slaissi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Slaissi thuds his shin into the meat of Saitoh's side.
Saitoh throws out a loose jab but Slaissi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Slaissi swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Saitoh throws out a counter right but Slaissi avoids it with no problem.
Slaissi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Slaissi misses with a kick to the body.
Bimbo Slaissi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Slaissi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saitoh moves away.
A nice side step and Saitoh releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masa Saitoh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saitoh has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masa Saitoh!
An out of breath Masa Saitoh thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.