PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between MR Utslagen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Saburo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Utslagen
vs
Saburo

174 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
165 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, MR Utslagen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Adam Saburo!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Utslagen!
Saburo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Utslagen but Utslagen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Utslagen.
Utslagen lands a nice looking body kick.
Utslagen lands with a nice body punch.
Saburo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Utslagen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Utslagen wants it to stay on the feet.
Saburo looks gassed!
Both fighters circling a little - Utslagen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Utslagen gets a takedown into half guard.
Utslagen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Utslagen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Utslagen controlling the pace.
It looks like Utslagen is going to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Utslagen trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Saburo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Utslagen tries to stand and escape but Saburo is controlling the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Saburo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Saburo leaves Utslagen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Utslagen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Utslagen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Saburo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Utslagen wants to control but Saburo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Utslagen pushes Saburo off looking to stand but Saburo dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Utslagen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Utslagen is staying active underneath Saburo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Saburo prevents Utslagen from improving his position.
Saburo frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Saburo with a couple of short strikes.
Utslagen is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Utslagen wants to hold on but Saburo pushes him away.
Saburo tries to control but Utslagen wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Utslagen is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Saburo looking for a guillotine from mount but Utslagen is having none of it.

Saburo looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Utslagen is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Saburo avoids the attempt from Utslagen to control.
Saburo throws some wild stikes that Utslagen manages to avoid easily.
Utslagen can't escape the position.
Saburo avoids the attempt from Utslagen to control.
Utslagen is trying desperately to improve position.
Saburo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

MR Utslagen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Utslagen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Utslagen is looking to slow Saburo down with leg kicks.
Saburo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Utslagen avoids it really well and circles away.
Utslagen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Utslagen misses with a takedown attempt - Saburo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Utslagen shoots in for a takedown but Saburo shows good takedown defense.
Utslagen looks for a takedown but Saburo sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for MR Utslagen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Utslagen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Saburo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Utslagen's calf.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Utslagen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A combination from Saburo does no damage.
Utslagen connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Utslagen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Utslagen.
Utslagen connects with a high kick.
Saburo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Utslagen pinned against the cage. Utslagen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Utslagen shoots in but no luck this time.
Utslagen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Left hook, right uppercut from Saburo.
Utslagen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Utslagen doesn't manage to clinch there - Saburo circles away.
Utslagen misses with a double jab

and Saburo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Utslagen won't be happy with that.
Saburo is looking to take a break and control but Utslagen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Saburo tries to score with some ground and pound. Utslagen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Utslagen is looking to reverse the position.
Utslagen tries to escape but Saburo is in control.
Utslagen is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Saburo is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Saburo lands a big shot there that rocks Utslagen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Utslagen is squirming around, avoiding Saburo's attempts to control the action.
Utslagen wants to control but Saburo is having none of it.
Saburo wants to control the pace but Utslagen is squirming around nicely.
Utslagen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Saburo on the ground.
Utslagen tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Utslagen is squirming around, avoiding Saburo's attempts to control the action.
Utslagen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Utslagen tries to get out of the position.
Utslagen is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Utslagen wants to hold on but Saburo pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Saburo trying to control but Utslagen is having none of it.
Utslagen can't escape the position.
Utslagen is trying to stand up.
Saburo connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Saburo pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Saburo is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saburo punishing his opponent with strikes.
Utslagen is working to get back to half guard.
Saburo trying to control but Utslagen is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Saburo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Utslagen connects with a solid leg kick.
Utslagen lands with a kick to the temple. Saburo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Utslagen moves in looking to clinch but Saburo pushes him off.
Utslagen wants to clinch
and Saburo counters with a series of strikes. Utslagen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Utslagen wants to clinch up but Saburo keeps it at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saburo.
Utslagen misses with a takedown attempt - Saburo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saburo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Utslagen cracks the inside of Saburo's front leg.
Utslagen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saburo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Utslagen throws a head kick that misses.
Utslagen closes the distance but Saburo moves to the side

and Saburo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Utslagen has Saburo pressed against the cage, preventing Saburo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Utslagen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saburo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Utslagen has had enough of the clinch but Saburo keeps him there for the moment.
Saburo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Utslagen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Utslagen is looking to clinch but Saburo is avoiding it.

Utslagen moves into the clinch.
Utslagen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Utslagen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Saburo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Saburo pulls guard.
Saburo throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Saburo wants to get back to his feet but Utslagen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Saburo lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Utslagen!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Utslagen really wants to buck Saburo off and get back to his feet.
Saburo tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Saburo misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Utslagen holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Saburo tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Utslagen tries to lock up and control but Saburo gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Saburo unloads with some shots from mount but Utslagen bucks and avoids them well.
Utslagen tries to hold on but Saburo postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saburo wants to control the pace but Utslagen is squirming around nicely.
Saburo misses with a head shot.
Utslagen tries to reverse the position but Saburo maintains control.
Utslagen tries to hold on but Saburo pushes him away.
Saburo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Saburo in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Saburo looking to control but Utslagen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Utslagen wants to control but Saburo is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saburo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Utslagen tries to hold on but Saburo pushes him away.
Saburo wants to control the pace but Utslagen is squirming around nicely.
Saburo takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Utslagen is trying to escape the mount.
Saburo trying to control but Utslagen is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adam Saburo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saburo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adam Saburo!