PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chezare Mori (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mori
vs
Player

187 cm
18
231 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

215 cm
21
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

Dangerous GnP
Good kicks
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chezare Mori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rick Player!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Mori both land. Nice combination.
Player is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Player fails in his attempt to clinch.
Player dodges the punch combination from Mori.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Player is defended easily by Mori.
Mori throws a head kick but Player moves out of range.
Mori looks to clinch
and Player makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Mori really felt that one!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Player is defended easily by Mori.
Mori throws a sloppy head kick
and Player connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Player scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Player looks gassed!
Player lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mori down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Player tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Mori takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Mori is looking for a sweep.

Player looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Player working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Player wants to take a breather but Mori manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Player.
Mori avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mori manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mori is in the full mount, landing strikes.

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.
Mori is looking to stand but Mori has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Mori postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Player looks a forlorn figure.
Mori with shots to the head and body - Player looks very uncomfortable down there.
Mori scoring with strikes but Player is staying in there.
Mori content just to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Player is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Mori tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Mori jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Player is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Player and Mori has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Player can do anything to dispel that myth.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mori trying to control the position but Player is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Player is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Mori asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Mori wants to lay and pray for a moment but Player keeps working.

Mori goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Player has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mori but great work by Player.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick by Mori misses

and Player counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Player can't get the takedown.
Mori misses with a short punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mori has a couple of punches blocked by Player.
Mori is trying to maintain a safe position but Player gets an underhook and turns Mori into the cage.
Mori seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Player is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.

Player pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mori wants to clinch.

Player forces Mori back against the cage and clinches.
Player just leaning against Mori, taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Player lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mori backwards.
Player lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Player lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mori backwards.
Mori's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Player manages to break the clinch.
Mori clinches but Player breaks the clinch
and Player counters with a nice uppercut.

Player takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Player keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mori's efforts to push away.
Player lands a right hand.

Player manages to pull guard.

Player has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mori off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Mori tries to clinch but Player moves away
and Player counters with a one-two to the body.
Mori wants to clinch.
Mori slaps away a takedown attempt from Player, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mori stuffs the takedown attempt from Player. Player gets slowly back to his feet.
Chezare Mori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Player.
Mori throws a sloppy head kick
and Player counters with a left and a right that stings Mori.
Mori lands a two punch combo.
Mori is looking to clinch but Player is avoiding it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mori!
Player shoots for a double leg takedown but Mori sprawls well. He's pushed Player's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mori tries to clinch up.
Player tries for a takedown but Mori sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mori throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Player counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Player.
Mori lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Player as Mori tries to tie him up.
Player keeps control of Mori as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Player lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mori stalling in the clinch but Player improves position.

Player breaks the clinch.
Mori throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mori wants to clinch

and Player counters by moving into the clinch.
Player blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Player escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mori closes the distance looking to clinch

and Player counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Player.

Mori breaks from the clinch.
Mori moves in looking to clinch but Player pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player moves in looking to clinch but Mori pushes him off.
Mori throws a head kick that misses.
Player misses with a jab, cross combination.
Player looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mori wants to clinch
and Player counters with a three punch combo that has Mori backing up. Mori nods at Player to acknowledge the strikes.
Player circles away from the clinch attempt
and Player counters with a nice body shot.
Mori moves in looking to clinch but Player pushes him off.
Chezare Mori is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mori throws a sloppy head kick
and Player counters with a three punch combo that has Mori backing up. Mori nods at Player to acknowledge the strikes.

Player forces Mori back against the cage and clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mori.
Mori is trying to break the clinch but Player has him pressed against the cage.
Mori is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Player is keeping busy.
Player is struggling to control the position.
Mori lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

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.
Mori misses with the head strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Mori takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Player lands a body punch in the clinch.
Player has Mori pushed against the cage.
Player looking to throw knees to the head but Mori is blocking nicely.
Mori taking a breather.
Still in the clinch, Player scores with a nice short uppercut.
Player jumps guard but Mori stands there with Player around his waist. Player gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mori trying to control the position but instead, Player has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mori into the cage.

Player breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Player gets a clinch.
Mori has had enough of the clinch but Player keeps him there for the moment.
Player lands an uppercut.
Mori throws a head punch that misses.
Player throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Moris head.

Mori breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mori tries to land a body kick

and Player counters by moving into the clinch.
Mori wants to get back to striking at distance but Player won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Player showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mori throws a right and a left that Player avoids nicely.
Mori throws a lazy head kick
and Player counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Chezare Mori seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mori throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Mori throws a head kick but Player moves out of range.
Mori throws a series of punches but Player avoids them all with ease.
Mori has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Player finds it's way round the side to connect with Mori's head.
Mori goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mori tries to clinch but Player moves away
and Player counters with a two punch combo.

Player instigates a clinch.
Mori has had enough of the clinch but Player keeps him there for the moment.
Player working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Player's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mori closes the distance looking to clinch

and Player counters by moving into the clinch.
Mori scores with a shoulder strike.
Mori is trying to break the clinch but Player is controlling him.
Mori lands a left hand.
Mori tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Player lands a right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Player tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mori just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mori wants to break free but Player has control.
Mori lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A shot in the inside from Player.
Mori is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mori tries to stall but Player uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Player pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mori misses with a head kick.
Mori darts in trying to clinch
and Player counters with a straight right hand.
Mori thuds his shin into the meat of Player's side.
Mori throws a sloppy head kick and Player moves out of range easily.
Player fails with a takedown attempt.
Mori connects with a solid leg kick.
Mori fails with an attempt to clinch.

Mori fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Player, pushing him back against the cage.
Mori can't break the clinch.
Mori looking to slow down the pace here.
Player blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

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.
Mori misses with some punches.

Player jumps into guard, dragging Mori to the mat.
Mori trying to control the position from guard on top but Player is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Player looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mori postures up.
Player keeping moving, preventing Mori from controlling successfully.
Player wants to stand but Mori is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mori slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mori wants to stand but Player is controlling his posture from full guard.
Player is trying to control the position but Mori postures up.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mori pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Player misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mori scores with a nice body kick.
Mori throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mori takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Player throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mori's waist but Mori gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Player off to one side.
Chezare Mori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Player.
A telegraphed right hand from Player misses the target.
Player is looking to clinch but Mori is avoiding it.
Mori throws a body kick the misses

and Player counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mori wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Player has him pressed against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Player's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Player changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mori tries to avoid it but Player manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mori to the ground. Mori escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Player takes a kick to the side of the head.

Player takes the fight into the clinch.
Chezare Mori has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mori dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Player comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Player has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Player!