PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ikuhisa Minowaman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randall Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Miller has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Minowaman
vs
Miller

175 cm
22
194 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
192 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ikuhisa Minowaman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Randall Miller!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Miller. No joy for Minowaman on that attempt.
Miller lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Miller checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Minowaman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Miller as he avoids it easily.
Miller looks to throw the jab but Minowaman is out of range.
Minowaman misses with a takedown attempt - Miller sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ikuhisa Minowaman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miller wants to clinch up but Minowaman keeps it at a distance.

Minowaman clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Minowaman gets control of Miller's arms and successfully pulls guard. Minowaman will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Minowaman is trying to keep Miller in close.

Miller is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Miller wants to pass the guard but Minowaman is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Miller thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Miller looks gassed!
Minowaman has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Miller won't allow Minowaman to sweep him here.
Minowaman wants to stand up but Miller is controlling him.
Minowaman on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Minowaman tries to get out of the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Minowaman.

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.
Miller slips a straight right by Minowaman.
Minowaman closes the distance and clinches up with Miller, looking for a takedown. Minowaman pushes Miller against the cage but Miller circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Minowaman shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Minowaman showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Minowaman looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Miller slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Minowaman sitting in guard here, content to control.
Minowaman wants to get up but he can't break Miller's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowaman wants to control from the top but Miller keeps moving.

Miller is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Miller working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Minowaman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Minowaman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Minowaman throwing strikes from guard but Miller blocks nicely.
Minowaman 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.
Minowaman throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Minowaman is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Minowaman looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Minowaman tries for a takedown but Miller sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Minowaman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Miller but Miller pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Minowaman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Miller.
Some wild striking there from Minowaman.
Miller displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Minowaman.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Minowaman shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Miller napping and manages to drive through into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikuhisa Minowaman dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Minowaman misses with a takedown attempt - Miller sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Minowaman tries to bum rush Miller with a series of wild strikes but Miller uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Minowaman looks for a takedown but Miller sprawls well.
Nice shot by Miller.
Miller shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Minowaman as he jumps to the side.
Minowaman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minowaman with a poor takedown

and Miller counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Miller.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ikuhisa Minowaman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Miller drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Miller jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Minowaman is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Miller is aware though and is defending well.
Miller is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller looking to pass the guard.
Miller won't allow Minowaman to get back to his feet.
Minowaman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Miller's guard.

Miller throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Miller is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Minowaman is aware though and is defending well.
Minowaman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Miller is keeping the position for now.

Miller is looking for a triangle but Minowaman pushes his legs off easily.
Minowaman wants to stand but Miller is controlling his posture from full guard.

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.
Minowaman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Miller swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Minowaman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Minowaman throwing strikes from guard but Miller blocks nicely.
Minowaman tries to free his leg and advance position but Miller is retaining full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Minowaman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Minowaman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Minowaman slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowaman's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Miller trying to control here.

Minowaman is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Minowaman is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Miller is looking to control Minowaman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Miller avoid being mounted?

Minowaman is looking for a kimura but Miller is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Minowaman to get the leverage.

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.
Minowaman trying to mount his opponent but Miller defends it.
Minowaman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Minowaman closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Minowaman lands in his opponent's guard.
Miller can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Minowaman controls the pace.
Minowaman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Miller on the ground.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Minowaman from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikuhisa Minowaman dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Minowaman rushes Miller and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Minowaman breaks the clinch.

Miller gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Minowaman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Minowaman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Miller is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Minowaman sitting in guard here, content to control.
Miller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Miller is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minowaman showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Miller working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Minowaman.
Minowaman's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Minowaman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Minowaman looking to pass the guard.

Miller throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Miller preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Minowaman closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Minowaman lands in his opponent's guard.
Miller being controlled here, momentarily.
Minowaman wants to stand but Miller has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Minowaman looking to pass the guard.
Randall Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Miller is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Minowaman is aware though and is defending well.

Miller escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Minowaman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Miller has his foot on Minowaman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Minowaman works his way back into a safe position though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Minowaman looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Miller!

Minowaman is working for a guillotine from mount but Miller frees his head quite easily.
Miller avoids a series of strikes thrown by Minowaman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller is desperately trying to improve his position but Minowaman has a good base and remains in mount.
Minowaman controlling the pace for now.
Minowaman seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Miller for as long as he can get away with.
The referee warns Miller that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Minowaman working Miller over with strikes here.
Ikuhisa Minowaman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Minowaman 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ikuhisa Minowaman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Minowaman, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ikuhisa Minowaman!