PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Abu Darby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kirin Ichiban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ichiban has chosen Tokyo Street Rapper - Gangsta Rap as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Darby
vs
Ichiban

165 cm
23
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

174 cm
22
145 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Knockout power

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Abu Darby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kirin Ichiban!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paulsen Ambrosius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darby circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ichiban tries to clinch but Darby is having none of it.
Ichiban wants to clinch up but Darby keeps it at a distance.
Darby throws a sloppy head kick and Ichiban moves out of range easily.
Darby shoots in and drives through. Ichiban sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Darby.
Ichiban listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Darby shoots in and drives through. Ichiban sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abu Darby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Darby circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ichiban tries to clinch but Darby moves out of range.

Ichiban has taken the fight to the clinch.
Darby blocks an elbow strike from Ichiban.
Ichiban throws an elbow but it misses.
Darby tries to score a body lock takedown but Ichiban shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ichiban looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ichiban throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Darby tries to score a body lock takedown but Ichiban shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ichiban lands a damaging elbow.
Ichiban stops a takedown attempt from Darby.
Ichiban gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Darby avoids the elbow strike from Ichiban, against the cage.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Darby is trying to drag Ichiban to the mat but Ichiban just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Darby avoids the elbow strike from Ichiban, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ichiban lands an elbow inside.
Darby blocks the elbow strike.
Ichiban gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Abu Darby has been cut.
Darby takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ichiban lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ichiban pushes off an throws an elbow but Darby leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Darby blocks an elbow strike from Ichiban.
Ichiban will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Darby up against the cage.
Darby blocks an elbow strike.
Darby is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ichiban gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Darby blocks the elbow strike.
Darby is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ichiban gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ichiban throws an elbow that misses.
Ichiban misses with an elbow strike.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Darby avoids the elbow strike from Ichiban, against the cage.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ichiban.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ichiban is pressed up against the cage. Darby has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ichiban down to the mat. Ichiban avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kirin Ichiban seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ichiban is looking to clinch but Darby is avoiding it.

Darby closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ichiban prevents the takedown attempt.
Ichiban throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ichiban throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ichiban creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Darby's defenses.
Darby tries for a takedown. No joy.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ichiban.
Ichiban misses with an elbow strike.
Darby blocks the elbow strike.
Darby is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ichiban gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Darby blocks the elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ichiban.
Nice elbow from Ichiban.
Darby goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ichiban prevents it.
Darby wants a takedown but no success here.
Darby tries for a takedown but Ichiban manages to get underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ichiban throws an elbow but misses.
Darby wants a takedown.
Darby is breathing heavily.
Darby dodges an elbow strike from Ichiban.
Ichiban creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Darby's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ichiban misses with an elbow over the top.
Ichiban creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Darby's defenses.
Darby avoids the elbow strike from Ichiban, against the cage.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Darby blocks an elbow strike from Ichiban.
Darby takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ichiban gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Darby.
Darby drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Darby drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ichiban lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ichiban controlling the action here for a moment.
Ichiban lands an elbow that stopped Darby in his tracks for a moment.
Nice elbow from Ichiban.

Abu Darby's cut is getting worse.
Darby has Ichiban pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ichiban manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Darby dodges an elbow strike from Ichiban.
Darby blocks an elbow strike.
Ichiban throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four 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.
Ichiban looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ichiban throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Darby has Ichiban pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ichiban manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ichiban comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ichiban gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ichiban misses with an elbow strike.
Ichiban creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Darby's defenses.
Ichiban throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Darby has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ichiban avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ichiban lands an elbow just above Darby 's eye.
Ichiban pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ichiban misses with an elbow strike.
Darby avoids a wild elbow strike from Ichiban.
Ichiban throws an elbow that misses.
Ichiban lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ichiban throws an elbow that misses.
Darby avoids the elbow strike from Ichiban, against the cage.
Darby dodges an elbow strike from Ichiban.
Ichiban lands an elbow inside that Darby shrugs off.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ichiban throws an elbow but misses.
Darby blocks the elbow strike.
Darby is working for takedown but Ichiban is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ichiban throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirin Ichiban dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Abu Darby's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ichiban misses with a wild combination.
Ichiban paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Ichiban moves into the clinch successfully.
Ichiban lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Ichiban.
Ichiban pushes off an throws an elbow but Darby leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ichiban stalls.
Ichiban lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ichiban gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Darby.
Darby blocks the elbow strike.
Darby tries to score a body lock takedown but Ichiban shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Darby goes for a takedown attempt but Ichiban pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abu Darby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ichiban wants to clinch

and Darby counters with a shoot takedown. Ichiban fights it but they end up in guard.

Darby drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ichiban looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ichiban looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ichiban!
Ichiban really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Darby. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ichiban stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ichiban tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Darby paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Ichiban. No joy for Darby on that attempt.
Darby fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ichiban lands the left hand.

Abu Darby's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Ichiban tries to close the distance and clinch but Darby swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ichiban closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Jab from Ichiban.
Ichiban moves in looking to clinch but Darby pushes him off.

Ichiban forces Darby back against the cage and clinches.
Ichiban lands an elbow inside.
Darby has Ichiban pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ichiban manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Darby avoids the elbow strike from Ichiban, against the cage.
Darby dodges an elbow strike from Ichiban.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darby changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ichiban fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Ichiban moves into the clinch.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ichiban throws an elbow but it misses.
Ichiban throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ichiban pushes off an throws an elbow but Darby leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Darby is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ichiban gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ichiban throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ichiban pushes off an throws an elbow but Darby leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ichiban looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Darby goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ichiban prevents it.
Ichiban throws an elbow but it misses.
Darby wants a takedown but no success here.
Ichiban gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Jeez, Abu Darby's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Ichiban lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Darby wants a takedown.
Darby blocks an elbow strike.
Darby goes for a takedown attempt but Ichiban pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Darby avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ichiban tries to clinch but Darby moves out of range.
Ichiban tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Darby paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ichiban closes the distance but Darby moves to the side

so Darby counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Darby wants to pass the guard but Ichiban is keeping the position.
Ichiban wants to sweep here but Darby controlling him for the moment.
Darby trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Darby wants to control from the top but Ichiban keeps moving.

Darby drops back looking for a leg! Ichiban is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ichiban manages to kick Darby off! Darby jumps back into Ichiban's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darby is fighting to break Ichiban's control of his arms but Ichiban is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Darby looking to pass the guard.
Darby preventing the sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ichiban looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Ichiban fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Darby, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirin Ichiban showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Abu Darby's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ichiban darts in and clinches Darby up against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ichiban.
Ichiban is pressed up against the cage. Darby has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ichiban down to the mat. Ichiban avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Ichiban rushes Darby and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ichiban misses with an elbow over the top.
Ichiban throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Darby blocks an elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ichiban.
Darby blocks the elbow strike.
Ichiban throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ichiban just misses with a elbow thrown towards Darby's brow.
Darby drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ichiban gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ichiban lands an elbow just above Darby 's eye.
Ichiban comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darby blocks the elbow strike.
Darby drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abu Darby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ichiban lands an elbow just above Darby 's eye.
Ichiban creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ichiban comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ichiban gets underhooks to prevent Darby's takedown attempt.
Darby can't get the takedown.
Ichiban is pressed up against the cage. Darby has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ichiban down to the mat. Ichiban avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ichiban looks to clinch

so Darby counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ichiban wants to sweep but no luck.
Darby looking to pass the guard.
Darby forces his way into half guard.
Ichiban desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Darby is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ichiban is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Darby's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Darby's back!
Ichiban just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Darby prevents Ichiban from getting a body triangle.
Ichiban is hanging on to Darby's back as he tries to escape.
Darby turns into Ichiban and is now in his guard.
Darby stopping the sweep attempt from Ichiban.
Darby tries to free his leg and advance position but Ichiban is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ichiban is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Ichiban lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ichiban throws an elbow that misses.
Ichiban gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Darby.
Kirin Ichiban is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ichiban throws an elbow but misses.
Darby is trying to drag Ichiban to the mat but Ichiban just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Darby gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Darby looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ichiban tries to get to full guard but Darby has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ichiban wants to control but Darby is keeping busy.
Darby stops Ichiban from getting back to his feet.

Darby stands up out of the half guard.
Ichiban darts in trying to clinch

and Darby counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Darby.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Darby trying to move into half guard but instead Ichiban has managed to sweep!
Abu Darby has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Darby looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abu Darby showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ichiban 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kirin Ichiban!