PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rodel Hiligaynon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kinjo Sasake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hiligaynon
vs
Sasake

170 cm
20
145 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

157 cm
24
139 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

MADE IN GERMANY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rodel Hiligaynon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kinjo Sasake!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sasake chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hiligaynon can pounce on him.
Hiligaynon throws a wild body kick that Sasake sees coming a mile off.
Hiligaynon looks to score with a jab to the body but Sasake is just out of range.
Hiligaynon misses with a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sasake. Hiligaynon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hiligaynon scores with a spinning back kick!
Hiligaynon pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rodel Hiligaynon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sasake moves out of range of the body kick.
Sasake misses with a low kick.
Hiligaynon throws a front kick that sends Sasake stumbling back into the cage.
Hiligaynon scores with a push kick.
Sasake looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sasake is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hiligaynon looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hiligaynon misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hiligaynon misses with a leg kick.
Hiligaynon tries to clinch up but Sasake circles away and keeps his distance.
Hiligaynon looks to score with a jab to the body but Sasake is just out of range.
Hiligaynon throws a right and a left that Sasake avoids nicely.
Sasake stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon looks to land a body kick but Sasake moved away.
Rodel Hiligaynon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hiligaynon throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Sasake checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hiligaynon misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sasake stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a wild body kick that Sasake sees coming a mile off.
A big left from Hiligaynon misses.
Sasake loads up on a big right hand but Hiligaynon slips the punch.
Hiligaynon tries to work over Sasake's front leg with a kick but Sasake checks it.
Hiligaynon misses with a jab to the body

and Sasake counters with a shoot takedown. Hiligaynon fights it but they end up in guard.
Hiligaynon controlling Sasake's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sasake trying to control the position from guard on top but Hiligaynon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hiligaynon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sasake trying to control but Hiligaynon is working from the bottom.
Hiligaynon working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hiligaynon wants to sweep but no luck.
Sasake throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hiligaynon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sasake avoids the head kick by Hiligaynon.

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.
Sasake moves out of range of the body kick from Hiligaynon.
Sasake moves out of range as Hiligaynon throws a body kick.
Sasake swats away the attempt to clinch by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sasake avoids the head kick by Hiligaynon.
Sasake avoids the body shot from Hiligaynon.
Sasake on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hiligaynon - that will leave a mark!
Sasake misses with a body shot.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon tries to work over Sasake's front leg with a kick but Sasake checks it.
Sasake blocks a head kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sasake keeps the fight on the outside.
Sasake avoids the head kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a right and a left that Sasake avoids nicely.
Sasake scores with a nice strike.
Hiligaynon throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sasake blocks the body kick.
Hiligaynon misses with a low kick.

That's six 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.
Hiligaynon is looking to clinch but Sasake is avoiding it.
Sasake bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hiligaynon's head backwards.
Hiligaynon goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Kinjo Sasake has been cut.
Hiligaynon fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sasake.
Sasake moves out of range of the body kick from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a sloppy head kick and Sasake moves out of range easily.
Sasake blocks a head kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Sasake to counter with a crisp jab.

Sasake has Hiligaynon up against the cage in a clinch.
Hiligaynon scores with a knee to the head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sasake blocks a body shot from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon misses with a knee strike.
Hiligaynon stops a takedown attempt from Sasake.
Hiligaynon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hiligaynon stalling in the clinch.
Sasake is trying to drag Hiligaynon to the mat but Hiligaynon just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sasake changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hiligaynon fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rodel Hiligaynon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kinjo Sasake.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hiligaynon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hiligaynon delivers a nice body kick.
Sasake tries to clinch up but Hiligaynon circles away and keeps his distance.
Hiligaynon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sasake blocks a head kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a push kick but Sasake slaps the foot to one side.
A good leg kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon tries a low kick but Sasake avoids it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon pushes Sasake away with a front kick.
Hiligaynon delivers a nice body kick.
Hiligaynon is looking to wear down Sasake with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hiligaynon throws a sloppy head kick and Sasake moves out of range easily.
Sasake avoids the head kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hiligaynon swings away with a body shot that misses

and Sasake counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sasake tries to free his leg and advance position but Hiligaynon is retaining full guard.
Hiligaynon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hiligaynon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sasake 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.
Hiligaynon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodel Hiligaynon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kinjo Sasake's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hiligaynon wants to clinch up but Sasake keeps it at a distance.
Hiligaynon scores with a kick to the midsection.
Hiligaynon attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hiligaynon throws a combination that misses

and Sasake counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hiligaynon's guard now.
Hiligaynon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sasake tries to free his leg and advance position but Hiligaynon is retaining full guard.
Hiligaynon wants to sweep but no luck.
Sasake wants to control from the top but Hiligaynon keeps moving.
Sasake has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sasake pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hiligaynon is keeping the position for now.
Sasake postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hiligaynon will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sasake is breathing heavily.
Hiligaynon pulls Sasake in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sasake 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hiligaynon doesn't manage to clinch there - Sasake circles away.
Rodel Hiligaynon is winning the standup battle so far.
Hiligaynon goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hiligaynon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hiligaynon throws a low kick but Sasake avoids it.
A head kick misses from Hiligaynon.

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.
Hiligaynon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hiligaynon lands with a nice body kick.
Sasake steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hiligaynon. That one must have hurt.
Hiligaynon connects with a solid leg kick.
Sasake avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sasake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hiligaynon attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sasake tries to clinch but Hiligaynon moves out of range.
Hiligaynon looks to score with a jab to the body but Sasake is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sasake wants to clinch

and Hiligaynon counters by moving into the clinch.
Hiligaynon working Sasake over with knees to the body.
Hiligaynon working Sasake over with knees to the body.
Hiligaynon displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sasake up against the cage.
Hiligaynon landing knees to the head.
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the body.
Hiligaynon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sasake blocks it with crossed arms.
Hiligaynon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hiligaynon working Sasake over with knees to the body.
Hiligaynon is struggling to control the position.
Hiligaynon is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hiligaynon is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hiligaynon with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sasake takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sasake tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hiligaynon smiles and moves away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hiligaynon throws a head kick that misses.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sasake takes a kick to the side of the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hiligaynon.
Sasake takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hiligaynon goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hiligaynon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A bone on bone clash there as Sasake blocks the leg kick.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon misses with a hook to the body

and Sasake counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sasake.
Hiligaynon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sasake has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hiligaynon connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sasake's face.
Nice body punch from Hiligaynon - that landed with a thud.
Sasake wants a takedown but no success here.
Rodel Hiligaynon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kinjo Sasake.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon connects with a knee to the head.
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Knees to the body from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hiligaynon scores with a knee to the head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sasake blocks it with crossed arms.
Hiligaynon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sasake.
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the head.
Sasake has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Hiligaynon.
Sasake tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hiligaynon just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the body.
Hiligaynon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sasake is defending well for now.
Hiligaynon gets underhooks to prevent Sasake's takedown attempt.
Sasake managing to block the knees to the body from Hiligaynon.

Sasake gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Sasake is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sasake not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sasake wants to take a breather but Hiligaynon is having none of it.
Hiligaynon works his way to full guard. Good work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hiligaynon holds on and takes a little breather.
Sasake throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hiligaynon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hiligaynon has his hands on Sasake's head, controlling the position.
Sasake trying to control the position from guard on top but Hiligaynon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hiligaynon has Sasake pulled in close to control his posture.
Hiligaynon is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Sasake 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 nine minutes gone in the round.
Sasake looking to pass the guard.
Hiligaynon pulls Sasake in close to his closed guard and prevents Sasake from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hiligaynon has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hiligaynon keeping moving, preventing Sasake from controlling successfully.
Sasake looking to sit in guard and control but Hiligaynon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sasake is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hiligaynon defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodel Hiligaynon dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kinjo Sasake's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A chopping leg kick lands by Hiligaynon.
Sasake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hiligaynon was well out of range. Poor timing from Sasake.
Sasake tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hiligaynon lands a head kick!
Sasake blocks a low kick nicely.
Sasake takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sasake takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiligaynon throws a sloppy head kick and Sasake moves out of range easily.
Sasake shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Crunch! Hiligaynon slams his shin into Sasake's torso.
Hiligaynon scores with a kick to the body.
Sasake sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Hiligaynon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sasake can do to turn this around?
Hiligaynon throws a front kick that sends Sasake stumbling back into the cage.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hiligaynon, right into the meat.
Sasake keeps the fight on the outside.
Hiligaynon swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hiligaynon is looking to chop away at Sasake's legs.
Sasake's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hiligaynon lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sasake takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a leg kick that misses.
Hiligaynon pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hiligaynon scoring well with a low kick there.
Sasake uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hiligaynon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon motions for Sasake to come forward. Hiligaynon throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hiligaynon tries to close the distance and clinch but Sasake swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sasake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rodel Hiligaynon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hiligaynon walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sasake checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sasake shoots and misses
and Hiligaynon counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hiligaynon scores with a head kick.
Sasake tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hiligaynon lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hiligaynon misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sasake. That did some damage!
Hiligaynon throws the kick towards the body but Sasake avoids it.
Hiligaynon missing with a left hand there. Sasake was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sasake avoids the head kick by Hiligaynon.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon tried to score with a low kick but Sasake checks it.
Hiligaynon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sasake's calf.

Hiligaynon moves into range and clinches up with Sasake.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sasake takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sasake jumps guard but Hiligaynon stands there with Sasake around his waist. Sasake gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rodel Hiligaynon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kinjo Sasake.
A bit of stalling here from Hiligaynon.
Sasake fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hiligaynon tries to land a knee to the head but Sasake blocks with his arms.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sasake's elbow.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hiligaynon.
Sasake has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hiligaynon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hiligaynon displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sasake up against the cage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon scores with a knee to the head.
Sasake fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hiligaynon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hiligaynon just leaning against Sasake, taking a breather.
Sasake tries for a takedown but Hiligaynon manages to get underhooks.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hiligaynon obliges.
Sasake wants a takedown but no success here.
Come on Hiligaynon - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Sasake takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon landing knees to the head.
Hiligaynon tries a knee to the head but Sasake blocks it.
Hiligaynon using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The referee calls for Hiligaynon to work.
Hiligaynon gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the body.
Come on Hiligaynon - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Sasake drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hiligaynon throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sasake is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.

That's eight 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.
Hiligaynon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sasake in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Sasake drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hiligaynon gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hiligaynon is stalling here.
Sasake on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hiligaynon tries to land a knee to the head but Sasake blocks with his arms.
Hiligaynon tries a knee to the head but Sasake blocks it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sasake tries to pull guard but Hiligaynon won't allow it.
Hiligaynon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sasake has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hiligaynon with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hiligaynon working Sasake over with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Hiligaynon.
A knee to the head by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon lands a knee to the body.
Hiligaynon connects with a knee to the head.
Kinjo Sasake has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice body punch from Sasake.
Rodel Hiligaynon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hiligaynon landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sasake takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sasake struggles to land a body shot inside as Hiligaynon controls his hands.
Sasake tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hiligaynon's elbow.
Hiligaynon tries a knee to the head but Sasake blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodel Hiligaynon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hiligaynon, 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Rodel Hiligaynon!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Rodel Hiligaynon!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Rodel Hiligaynon!

Rodel Hiligaynon wins by unanimous decision!
Rodel Hiligaynon retains his bantamweight title!