PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shinya Kawasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and GAK SAN (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). GAK SAN has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kawasaki
vs
SAN

172 cm
23
148 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

180 cm
21
145 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinya Kawasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, GAK SAN!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
SAN leaves Kawasaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
SAN lands a nice shot to the body.
SAN throws a right and a left that both miss.
SAN connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Kawasaki looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for SAN!
SAN tries to buck Kawasaki off but he can't manage it.
Kawasaki looking to control but SAN is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
SAN really wants to buck Kawasaki off and get back to his feet.
A nice elbow there by Kawasaki.
SAN is trying to stand.
SAN looks gassed!
Kawasaki working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Kawasaki controlling his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawasaki lands with some strikes.
Kawasaki controlling the pace for now.
Kawasaki lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Kawasaki tries to control but SAN wriggling away.
SAN wants to try and get back to his feet.
SAN is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Kawasaki with shots to the head and body - SAN looks very uncomfortable down there.

Kawasaki with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
SAN tries to buck Kawasaki off but he can't manage it.
Kawasaki controlling his opponent.
A nice elbow there by Kawasaki.
Kawasaki lands a heavy elbow.

Kawasaki looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Kawasaki won't let SAN get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kawasaki goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now SAN is on top in guard.
Kawasaki looking to control.
SAN wants to stand but Kawasaki has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kawasaki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

SAN stands up and waves to Kawasaki to follow him.

Kawasaki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in SAN's half guard.
SAN tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Kawasaki manages to move to mount!

Kawasaki looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
SAN is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Kawasaki trying to control but SAN is having none of it.
SAN is trying to stand up.
SAN in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinya Kawasaki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kawasaki is defended easily by SAN.
Shinya Kawasaki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
SAN looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
SAN throws a one two combo.
Kawasaki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but SAN avoids it really well and circles away.
SAN punishes Kawasaki's body with a nice straight punch.
SAN throws a one two combo.
SAN throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
GAK SAN seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
SAN connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kawasaki's hands.
SAN closes the distance and lands a one-two.
SAN throws a sloppy head kick and Kawasaki moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
SAN darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
SAN lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick from SAN lands but Kawasaki takes it in his stride.
SAN goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
SAN misses with the combination.
SAN scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
SAN closes the distance and lands a one-two.
SAN catches Kawasaki with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
GAK SAN is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
SAN scores with a leg kick.
SAN throws a one two combo.
SAN looks to land a combination. Kawasaki sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
SAN throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A right-left combo lands from SAN.
SAN lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by SAN.
SAN moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
SAN is working the combinations to good effect here.
SAN throws a combination. Kawasaki tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
SAN connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
SAN lands a two punch combo.
Kawasaki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
SAN is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
SAN lands with a hook. Kawasaki tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
SAN lands with a nice combination. Kawasaki backs away looking to recover.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by SAN!
SAN lands a two punch combo.
SAN goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
SAN scores with a three punch combo!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
SAN closes the distance and lands a one-two.
SAN scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
SAN stalks Kawasaki and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kawasaki's face. Kawasaki staggers backwards, shaken.
An inside leg kick lands from SAN.
Some wild striking there from SAN.
SAN's corner calls for a 1-2. SAN obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kawasaki doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
SAN closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A left and a right from SAN both land. Nice combination.
SAN throws a one two combo.
Kawasaki looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
SAN throws a one two combo.
SAN tries a head kick but it misses.

Kawasaki closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
SAN is trying to stand.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kawasaki connects with a nice short shot to SAN's temple.
Kawasaki wants to pass to mount but SAN is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
SAN is trying to stand.
Kawasaki tries to stand and escape but SAN is controlling the position.
Kawasaki is pressing down on SAN's thigh, looking to free his foot. SAN is holding on for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
SAN throws a one two combo.
Kawasaki is on the wrong end of a nice combination from SAN.
SAN smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kawasaki doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by SAN!
Horrible takedown by Kawasaki or perhaps it was just good defense by SAN which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinya Kawasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
SAN throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four 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.
SAN scores with a punch to the head.
SAN bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
SAN works over Kawasaki's head and body with a nice combination.
SAN moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
SAN throws a series of punches but Kawasaki moves out of range.
Kawasaki looks for a takedown but SAN sprawls well.
Kawasaki blocks the body kick.
Kawasaki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from SAN.
SAN scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kawasaki shoots for a double leg takedown but SAN sprawls well. He's pushed Kawasaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
SAN defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kawasaki.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kawasaki tries to clinch there but SAN circles away.
SAN displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
SAN misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kawasaki with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling SAN to score with a decent uppercut.
Kawasaki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but SAN avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

GAK SAN showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Kawasaki takes one to the chin there.
SAN lands a nice looking body shot.
SAN looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
SAN will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A jab lands there for SAN.
Danga de danga de dang - SAN scores with a four punch combination!
SAN closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nice takedown defense from SAN. No joy for Kawasaki on that attempt.
Kawasaki tries to clinch up but SAN circles away and keeps his distance.
Kawasaki looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kawasaki takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
SAN throws a one two combo.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts SAN as he jumps to the side.
SAN throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kawasaki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
SAN closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
SAN lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
SAN throws a head kick that half lands.
A nice combination there by SAN.
SAN's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and SAN duly obliges.
SAN scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
SAN lands with a straight right. Kawasaki didn't see that one coming.
SAN scores with a one two! Kawasaki had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
SAN tries to bum rush Kawasaki with a series of wild strikes but Kawasaki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
SAN connects with a jab.
SAN scores with a sloppy right hand. Kawasaki should have avoided that one.
SAN paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kawasaki walks into a jab.
SAN throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kawasaki.
Nice body punch from SAN.
SAN will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kawasaki is on the wrong end of a nice combination from SAN.
SAN moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
SAN scores with a shot to the body.
Kawasaki is on the wrong end of a nice combination from SAN.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawasaki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinya Kawasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Left hook, right uppercut from SAN.
SAN lands a two punch combo.
SAN throws a one two combo.
SAN throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
SAN lands a two punch combo.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by SAN!
SAN throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
SAN lands a jab to the nose.
SAN throws a shot to the body.
Kawasaki will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
SAN fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
SAN leaves Kawasaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
SAN tries to bum rush Kawasaki with a series of wild strikes but Kawasaki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
SAN tries to bum rush Kawasaki with a series of wild strikes but Kawasaki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
SAN cracks the inside of Kawasaki's front leg.
A punch combination from SAN misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
SAN goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
SAN misses with a double jab.
Good exchange - SAN coming out on top.
GAK SAN seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kawasaki shoots in but no luck this time.
Horrible takedown by Kawasaki or perhaps it was just good defense by SAN which made him look bad.
SAN throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
SAN misses with a wild combination.

Kawasaki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
SAN is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Kawasaki decides to stand up, so the ref orders SAN to his feet.
No luck for Kawasaki with that takedown attempt.
SAN throws a one two combo.
SAN moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by SAN.
SAN misses with a wild combination.
Left hook, right uppercut from SAN.
Kawasaki fails with the takedown.
SAN throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
SAN lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
SAN throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
SAN throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
SAN misses with a few strikes there.
SAN misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kawasaki gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kawasaki fails to land the takedown.
SAN scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kawasaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
GAK SAN comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think SAN 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... GAK SAN!