PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Okabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sydney Fields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Kenji Okabe has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Okabe
vs
Fields

177 cm
22
181 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
182 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 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 Las Vegas, Kenji Okabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sydney Fields!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fields drives through and clinches with Okabe against the ropes.

Fields pulls guard successfully.

Fields has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Okabe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Okabe trying to control but Fields is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fields holds on and takes a little breather.
Okabe wants to pass the guard but Fields is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okabe is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fields is looking to stand back up but Okabe counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Fields.
Okabe frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Fields tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Okabe trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Fields is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Okabe fails to take his opponent's back.

Okabe is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Fields is surviving well by controlling Okabe's body position as best he can.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Fields's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fields tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fields reaches up to try and control the position but Okabe seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Fields rolls and tries to escape and now Okabe has his back!
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 Kenji Okabe will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Okabe shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fields manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Fields is trying to hold Okabe in close to prevent damage but Okabe has managed to pass into half guard.
Fields won't allow Okabe to pass to mount.

Okabe seems to be looking for submissions.

Fields actively working from the bottom here.
Fields trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okabe trying to mount his opponent but Fields defends it.
Fields is in trouble now - Okabe has advanced to mount!
Fields tries to hold on but Okabe pushes him away.

Okabe goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Fields turns into him and now he's in Okabe's guard.
Fields wants to get up but he can't break Okabe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

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.
Okabe 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.
Fields is fighting to break Okabe's control of his arms but Okabe is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Fields gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Okabe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Okabe looks for a takedown but Fields sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Okabe dominated that second round.
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.

Fields misses with an uppercut. Okabe saw that one coming.
Okabe lands a nice shot that snaps Fields's head back.
Fields shoots and misses
and Okabe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Fields steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Okabe.
Fields tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fields shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Okabe as he jumps to the side.
Okabe avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fields gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Okabe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kenji Okabe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sydney Fields.
Okabe misses with an uppercut. Fields saw that one coming.
Nice straight punches there by Okabe. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Okabe.
Okabe lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fields tries to close the distance and clinch but Okabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Okabe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fields sprawls well initially but Okabe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fields takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Okabe trying to mount his opponent but Fields defends it.
Fields works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fields keeping moving, preventing Okabe from controlling successfully.
Okabe works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Fields has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Okabe is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Okabe is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Fields defends it well.
Fields is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Okabe works his foot free and advances to mount.
Fields working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Okabe clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Okabe misses with a straight right.
Fields tries to close the distance and clinch but Okabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fighters circling - Okabe throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Fields closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Okabe did well to prevent Fields getting side control.
Fields wants to stand up but Okabe is controlling the position.

Okabe is defending against the submission attempts here by Fields.
The fighters are battling for position here. Okabe manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fields trying to control but Okabe is working from the bottom.
Okabe controls Fields momentarily but Fields frees himself.
Fields trying to control but Okabe is working from the bottom.
Fields stopping the sweep attempt from Okabe.

Okabe scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Okabe throws a shot from downtown. Fields moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Okabe bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Okabe wants to control but Fields is keeping him busy.
Fields is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Fields is not content to let Okabe control the position.
Fields tries to bench press Okabe off him but Okabe keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Okabe had his way with Sydney Fields in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Fields ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Okabe moves away.
Okabe misses with a takedown attempt
and Fields counters with a head kick.
Okabe takes a jab right on the kisser.
Okabe blocks a head kick by Fields.
Fields doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Okabe counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Fields!
Fields is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Okabe working for a submission but Fields is keeping him at bay.
Fields is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sydney Fields has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fields is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Okabe pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Kenji Okabe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fields tries to buck Okabe off but he can't manage it.
Fields is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Okabe controlling the pace for now.
Fields tries to control Okabe's body but Okabe pushes him off. Fields squirms to his side and now Okabe has his back!
Fields is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Okabe off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Okabe looking for the RNC.
Fields wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Okabe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Okabe, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 49:46
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Okabe!