PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Connor Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Kazama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Ryan
vs
Kazama

179 cm
22
179 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
177 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

HARDCORE Fighting Brand

Extremely Crazy MMA gear

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Connor Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Akira Kazama!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Yves DeLean and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ryan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ryan slow jab from Kazama misses its intended target.
A jab from Kazama finds it's way through Ryan's defenses.
Ryan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kazama.
Kazama misses the shot to the body.
Ryan is looking to score with low kicks.
Kazama throws a series of punches but Ryan moves out of range.
Ryan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kazama counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ryan thinking.
Ryan misses with a hook

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

Ryan is looking for a triangle but Kazama pushes his legs off easily.
Ryan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ryan throws his legs up looking for a submission but Kazama uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazama controlling from side mount.
Ryan manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kazama is looking to control Ryan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kazama avoid being mounted?

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.
Kazama is controlling Ryan's position as best he can from this difficult position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kazama manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kazama pulls Ryan in to control the position.
Kazama is trying to keep Ryan in close.
Ryan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Despite being in the dominant position, Akira Kazama just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kazama drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kazama 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.
Ryan 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 ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazama postures up in Ryan's guard and throws a big left but Ryan blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ryan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kazama doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kazama manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kazama stays in close to Ryan's body and controls the position.
Kazama won't allow Ryan to sweep him here.
Ryan is working hard here to advance position.
Kazama slips nicely into half guard.

Ryan with the active half guard here but Kazama passes nicely into side control.
Ryan is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazama cracks Ryan with a big right hand but Ryan just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Kazama is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Ryan tries to improve position but can't.
Kazama tries to move into full mount but can't pass Ryan's legs.
Kazama controlling the position from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Kazama dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ryan misses with a left hand

and Kazama counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kazama is trying to control the action in half guard but Ryan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ryan throws a strike from the bottom but Kazama passes into side control!
Kazama gets to mount! Ryan was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Kazama working the ground and pound effectively.
Kazama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ryan is looking to escape.
Kazama tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kazama content just to control the position here.
Ryan is looking to improve his position but Kazama isn't that keen on the idea.
Kazama controlling from mount.
Ryan is desperately trying to improve his position but Kazama has a good base and remains in mount.

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.

Kazama has control of Ryan's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ryan regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Kazama controlling from the full mount.
Ryan is desperately trying to improve his position but Kazama has a good base and remains in mount.
Akira Kazama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kazama tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Akira Kazama just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ryan throws a low kick but Kazama avoids it.
Kazama misses with a hook. Ryan ducked under it nicely.
A shot to de liver by Kazama. Beautiful body shot.
Ryan misses with a hook

and Kazama decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ryan's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ryan working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kazama has passed into half guard!
Ryan is trying to get back to full guard.
Kazama trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Ryan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kazama working Ryan over with strikes.
Kazama is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Kazama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kazama cracks Ryan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ryan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kazama counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ryan misses with a low kick as Kazama jumps back.
Ryan misses with a right hand
letting Kazama counter with a right hand.
Ryan misses with a lunging right hand
and Kazama counters with a stiff right hand.
Kazama bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kazama falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kazama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kazama lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kazama counters with a one-two to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kazama doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ryan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kazama's guard.
Ryan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kazama is keeping the position for now.
Ryanis looking to pass into half guard but Kazama pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Kazama is in guard.

Ryan had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kazama is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Ryan Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kazama's back instead.
Kazama trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Kazama fending off the submission attempt from Ryan.

Ryan working for a choke but Kazama is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ryan tightening his grip on Kazama, looking for the choke.
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!
Kazama breaks Ryan's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Connor Ryan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ryan working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kazama has passed into half guard!
Kazama controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ryan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Ryan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kazama tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ryan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kazama is taking a breather. Ryan says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Ryan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kazama takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Kazama is trying to work for a kimura but Ryan is defending well.

Ryan looking for submissions off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kazama digs a good hook to Ryan's body.
Ryan scoring well with a low kick there.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Connor Ryan.
Well Kazama 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 William Peck scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Kazama!