PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Natz Medina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaoru Hanayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaoru Hanayama is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Medina
vs
Hanayama

180 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

187 cm
23
199 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Tri Light Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Natz Medina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kaoru Hanayama!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hanayama drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hanayama shoots in for a takedown but Medina shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Medina stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Medina wants it to stay on the feet.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hanayama checks a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Medina tries to clinch but Hanayama moves out of range.
Hanayama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hanayama gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Medina in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Medina landing with the ground and pound.
Medina postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Medina wanted to stand there but Hanayama had control of the position.
Hanayama is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Medina has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Medina tries to stand but Hanayama is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanayama wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Medina wants to control from the top but Hanayama keeps moving.
Hanayama is trying to control the position but Medina postures up.
Hanayama pulls Medina in close to his closed guard and prevents Medina from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hanayama not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Hanayama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hanayama manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hanayama trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Medina is desperately trying to improve his position but Hanayama has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two 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.
Hanayama tries to control but Medina wriggling away.

Despite being in the dominant position, Kaoru Hanayama just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Medina uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hanayama has time to react.
Hanayama shoots and misses

and Medina counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Natz Medina has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoru Hanayama.
Hanayama looks gassed!
Medina wants to free his trapped foot but Hanayama is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hanayama is not content to let Medina control the position.
Medina throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Medina seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Well, if Medina is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Hanayama is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Medina's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Medina's back!
Hanayama softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Medina is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medina is trying to get back to his feet but Hanayama has full control of the position and if anything, Medina has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Hanayama trying to control momentarily.
Medina wants to get back to his feet.
Medina is really stuck here.
Hanayama looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hanayama lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Medina is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Hanayama.
Medina trying to control but not successfully.
Hanayama slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medina tries to roll but Hanayama sticks to his back.
Medina knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hanayama on the ground.
Hanayama struggling to keep hold of the position.
Hanayama is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Medina up.
Hanayama lands punches and elbows.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Hanayama scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Hanayama controlling the positon.
I really don't envy Medina right now.
Medina has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Hanayama has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Medina.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Natz Medina will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Medina tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hanayama slips a jab and a cross from Medina.

Medina gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hanayama is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Medina looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hanayama won't allow Medina to get back to his feet.
Medina trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Medina wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Hanayama manages to pass to side control.
Hanayama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Medina keeps working.
Hanayama trying to control the pace.
Hanayama prevents Medina from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanayama not doing much here.
Medina is trying to stand.
Medina is trying to get back to full guard.

Hanayama is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Medina is just riding it out for now. Hanayama eventually gives up the hold.
Medina is trying to stand back up but Hanayama is controlling him

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.
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. Hanayama connects with a nice short shot to Medina's temple.
Hanayama trying to control the pace.
Medina is staying active underneath Hanayama, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Medina tries to get to full guard but Hanayama has control of the leg.
Hanayama stalling.

Despite being in the dominant position, Kaoru Hanayama just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hanayama throws a leg kick but Medina sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hanayama fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hanayama is breathing heavily.
Medina tries to work over Hanayama's front leg with a kick but Hanayama checks it.
Hanayama gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Medina counters with a single leg into guard. Hanayama didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hanayama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Medina would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hanayama is trying to control the position but Medina postures up.
Medina trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Medina trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hanayama's guard.
Hanayama wants to sweep here but Medina controlling him for the moment.
Medina throws a big right hand that misses.
Kaoru Hanayama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hanayama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Medina scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Medina tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Hanayama.
Medina missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Medina is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medina working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hanayama wants to improve his position but Medina is controlling well.
Medina tries to stand and escape but Hanayama is controlling the position.

Medina postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Hanayama to stand up.
Kaoru Hanayama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hanayama shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Medina counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Natz Medina has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoru Hanayama.
Medina wants to stand but Hanayama is controlling his posture from full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hanayama is on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hanayama trying to control but Medina is working from the bottom.
Hanayama is pushing down on Medina's leg trying to pass to half guard. Medina is fighting to maintain full guard but Hanayama has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Natz Medina dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Medina shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hanayama's guard.
Hanayama pulls Medina in to control the position.

Hanayama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Medina is aware though and is defending well.
Medina throwing strikes but missing.
Medina missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Medina trying to control but Hanayama is working from the bottom.
Medina is looking to stand up but Hanayama won't let him.
Medina throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Medina throwing strikes from guard but Hanayama blocks nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hanayama gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Medina counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Medina pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hanayama is keeping the position for now.
Medina preventing the sweep.
Hanayama keeping moving, preventing Medina from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanayama is pulling down on Medina's head to control his posture.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hanayama preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hanayama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hanayama is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Medina sitting in guard here, content to control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hanayama walks into a stiff left hand from Medina.

Medina looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Medina scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Medina distracts Hanayama with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Medina trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hanayama's guard.
Hanayama 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medina has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hanayama is proving hard to escape from.
Hanayama lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Medina!
Medina is in all sorts of trouble here.

Hanayama swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Medina is now in Hanayama's guard. A big mistake from Hanayama there, giving up the dominant position!
Medina wants to get up but he can't break Hanayama's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Medina is working Hanayama over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hanayama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Medina wanted to stand there but Hanayama had control of the position.
Hanayama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanayama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hanayama has a closed guard, preventing Medina from standing up.
Hanayama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Medina manages to get himself to full guard.
Hanayama working some strikes from top position.
Hanayama passes into half guard.
Hanayama wants to pass to mount but Medina is defending the position.
Medina is refusing to be controlled, as Hanayama sits in half guard.

That's four 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.

Hanayama seems to be looking for submissions.
Medina tries to roll over but Hanayama keeps him under control.
Hanayama wants to take a breather but Medina is having none of it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hanayama shoots and misses
and Medina counters with a low kick, right behind Hanayama 's knee.
Medina uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hanayama has time to react.
Medina scores with a three punch combo!
Medina smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Medina connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hanayama momentarily.
Medina throws a one two combo.
Jab, jab by Medina - just one landing.
Kaoru Hanayama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Medina drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hanayama wants to control but Medina postures up.
Natz Medina is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hanayama tries to buck Medina off but Medina is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Natz Medina showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Medina has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Natz Medina!