PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ken Watts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Retri Paladin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Watts
vs
Paladin

174 cm
27
167 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

175 cm
25
165 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Tokyo Defiance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Watts!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Retri Paladin!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paladin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Paladin looks to land a right hand but Watts moved out of range.
Paladin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Watts drives through with a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Paladin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Paladin can't keep his opponent in guard - Watts advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Watts is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Paladin has managed to free his arm - good work.

Watts is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Paladin sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are battling for position here. Paladin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Paladin 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.
Paladin keeping full guard, as Watts tries to pass.

Paladin is looking for a triangle but Watts pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paladin keeping full guard, as Watts tries to pass.
Watts slips nicely into half guard.

Watts is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Watts content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Watts is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Watts is breathing heavily.
Paladin wants to improve his position but Watts is controlling well.

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.

Watts looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Paladin is trying to get back to full guard.
Watts passes to full mount!

Watts with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Paladin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Paladin wants to control but Watts is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paladin is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.

Watts is working for a guillotine from mount but Paladin frees his head quite easily.
Paladin can't escape the position.

Watts is working for a guillotine from mount but Paladin frees his head quite easily.
Watts takes Paladin's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Paladin is in trouble.
Paladin manages to reverse the position and now he's in Watts's guard. Nice work there by Paladin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Watts throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Paladin stands and throws Watts's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Paladin trying to control the action but Watts is working from the bottom.
Watts tries to improve position but can't.
Paladin happy to just control the position for now.
Watts gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Watts dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Watts misses with a double jab.
Watts scores with a hook to the body. Paladin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Paladin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Paladin cracks Watts with a good jab.
Paladin dodges the punch combination from Watts.
Watts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Paladin's corner calls for a 1-2. Paladin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Watts takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Paladin throws a series of punches but Watts avoids them all with ease.
Paladin swinging wildly here.
Watts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paladin manages to avoid it.
Watts throws a left and a right that both miss
and Paladin counters with a left and a right that stings Watts.
Paladin scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Paladin walks into a stiff left hand from Watts.
Some wild striking there from Watts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Watts will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paladin throws a series of punches but Watts moves out of range.
Watts throws a right and a left that both miss.
Watts showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Paladin.
Watts scores with a jab.
Watts digs a good hook to Paladin's body.
Paladin throws a right and a left that Watts avoids nicely.
Watts misses with a body shot.
Watts moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Watts shoots for a takedown but Paladin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Watts looks to score with a jab to the body but Paladin is just out of range.
Paladin stuffs the takedown attempt from Watts. Watts gets slowly back to his feet.
Ken Watts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paladin takes a swing at Watts's ribcage but misses.
Paladin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Watts.
Paladin throws a series of punches but Watts avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paladin throws a body punch but Watts moves out of range.

Watts shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Paladin tries to improve his position but instead Watts has taken his back!

Watts is looking for the choke from the back position but Paladin is controlling his hands well.

Paladin defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Paladin is trying to get back to his feet but Watts has full control of the position and if anything, Paladin has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Paladin is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Paladin preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Watts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paladin defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Watts's arms.

Paladin is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Watts gets his way!
Paladin is trying to stand back up.

Paladin defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Watts is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Paladin is defending well though. Watts let's go of the attempt for now.

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.

Watts working for a choke but Paladin is defending well.
Paladin manages to reverse the position and now he's in Watts's guard. Nice work there by Paladin.

Paladin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Paladin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paladin trying to control the position from guard on top but Watts is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Watts looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paladin is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Watts dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Paladin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Watts.
Paladin lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Ken Watts has been cut.
Watts missing with a left hand there. Paladin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paladin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Watts throws a left and a right that both miss
and Paladin counters with a nice body shot.
Paladin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A combination from Paladin does no damage.
Paladin throws a big shot that misses.
Paladin with a hook.
Watts tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paladin was well out of range. Poor timing from Watts.
Paladin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Watts throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paladin throws a combination. Watts tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Paladin takes a swing at Watts's ribcage but misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Watts catches Paladin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watts ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Watts misses with a double jab
and Paladin counters with a left to the body.
Paladin misses with a combination
and Watts counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A jab from Watts does it's job there.
Watts throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice combination there by Paladin.
Paladin misses with a series of wild punches.
Ken Watts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Watts closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Paladin to the mat! Paladin manages to get full guard.
Watts slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Watts tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Watts has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paladin is trying to control Watts's posture but Watts avoids it.

Watts tries for a kimura but Paladin is defending well.

Watts is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Paladin is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Paladin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Watts. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Paladin is trying to get back to half guard.
Watts is looking to take a break and control but Paladin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Watts tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Watts has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Watts tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Watts has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Paladin wants to control but Watts postures up.
Paladin tries to buck Watts off but Watts is having none of it.
Paladin wants to get back to his feet but Watts drags him back down.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Watts throws a good cross that connects.
Paladin misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Watts scores with a jab to the jaw.
Watts scores with a jab.
Watts stuns Paladin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Watts jabs at Paladin's body.
Watts lands a nice looking body shot.
Paladin dodges the punch combination from Watts.
Watts punishes Paladin's body with a nice straight punch.
Paladin slips a jab and a cross from Watts.
Watts misses the shot to the body.
Watts showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Paladin.
Watts is looking to wear down Paladin with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Watts scores with a body shot.
Watts throws a right and a left that Paladin avoids nicely.
A combination from Watts does no damage.
Watts looks to land a combination but Paladin avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Ken Watts did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Ken Watts's cut.
That's time! Watts's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Paladin lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Paladin just misses with a punch to the body.
Watts fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Watts moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Paladin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Watts showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Paladin.
Watts tests Paladin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Watts throws a good cross that connects.
A left and a right from Watts both land. Nice combination.

Watts shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Paladin's guard.
Paladin is looking to stand up but Watts isn't so interested in that idea.
Paladin can't keep his opponent in guard - Watts advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Watts is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Paladin!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Watts is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Paladin is surviving well by controlling Watts's body position as best he can.

Watts is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Paladin to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Paladin shrugs it off.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Watts looking to secure an arm triangle but Paladin defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Watts trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Watts goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Paladin is on top in guard.

Paladin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Watts has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Paladin has managed to get both his arms back between Watts's legs - danger averted.

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.
Paladin wants to stand but Watts is controlling his posture from full guard.
Paladin stopping the sweep attempt from Watts.

Watts throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Paladin won't allow Watts to sweep him here.
Paladin trying to control but Watts is working from the bottom.
Paladin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Watts is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Paladin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Watts moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Retri Paladin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Watts lands a jab to the head.
Watts throws a right hand that Paladin ducks under and follows up with a left that Paladin also avoids with ease.
Paladin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paladin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Watts.
Watts fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Paladin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Paladin misses with a double jab.
Paladin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Paladin is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Watts.
Watts takes one on the button.
Watts closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Paladin slips under a jab.
Paladin misses with a wild body shot.
Watts scores with a three punch combo!

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.
A combination from Watts does no damage.

Watts shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Paladin manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Watts advances to half guard.
Watts looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Paladin is looking for a sweep. Watts is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Paladin wants to control but Watts is keeping busy.
Watts passes to side control.
Watts working away.
Paladin is trying to get back to half guard.

Watts is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Paladin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Watts had his way with Retri Paladin in that round.
The cut man is working on Ken Watts'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. And we move into the final round!

Watts ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Watts dodges the punch combination from Paladin.
Watts lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Watts will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Paladin walks into a left hand.

Watts closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Watts lands in his opponent's guard.
Paladin trying to keep a closed guard but Watts is proving a slippery customer.
Watts advances position into side control!

Watts thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paladin struggling a bit here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Watts is trying to get an arm triangle but Paladin is defending well.

Watts thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Paladin is looking for a sweep.
Paladin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Watts is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Paladin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paladin is looking for a sweep.
Paladin is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Watts looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Paladin is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Paladin tries to buck Watts off but Watts is having none of it.

Watts has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Paladin is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Watts yanks on the arm and Paladin is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Watts.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:02 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ken Watts!
Ken Watts retains his lightweight title!