PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ryoma Echizen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gde Vkaragande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vkaragande has chosen Morbid Angel - God of Emptiness as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Echizen
vs
Vkaragande

173 cm
25
138 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

169 cm
23
141 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryoma Echizen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Gde Vkaragande!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Echizen shoots in for a double leg but Vkaragande sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Echizen scores with a takedown into Vkaragande's guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Echizen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vkaragande is keeping the position for now.
Echizen trying to control but Vkaragande is working from the bottom.
Vkaragande is looking to stand up but Echizen isn't so interested in that idea.
Echizen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Echizen stops Vkaragande from standing up.
Echizen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vkaragande swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Echizen trying to control but Vkaragande is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Echizenis looking to pass into half guard but Vkaragande pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Vkaragande is in guard.
Echizen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vkaragande.
Echizen working a defensive guard here.
Vkaragande missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vkaragande preventing the sweep.
Echizen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vkaragande has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Echizen is proving hard to escape from.

Echizen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vkaragande doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vkaragande manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vkaragande trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vkaragande tries to stand but Echizen is controlling from the bottom.
Echizen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Echizen has momentary wrist control but Vkaragande slips an elbow through the middle.

Echizen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vkaragande doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vkaragande manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Echizen is looking to stand up but Vkaragande isn't so interested in that idea.
Echizen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Vkaragande stands and steps away. Echizen gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Vkaragande throws a head kick but Echizen moves out of range.
Echizen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Echizen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Vkaragande.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Echizen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Echizen is breathing heavily.
Echizen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Vkaragande tries a head kick but it misses.
Vkaragande lands a nice looking kick to the body. Echizen takes a step back to recover.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Vkaragande lands a head kick. Echizen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Ryoma Echizen has been cut.
Vkaragande throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Echizen.
Gde Vkaragande is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vkaragande feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Echizen's calf.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A combination from Vkaragande does no damage.
Gde Vkaragande seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Echizen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande misses with a head kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Vkaragande.
Vkaragande digs a good hook to Echizen's body.
Vkaragande misses with a head kick.
Vkaragande misses with a head kick.
A combination from Vkaragande does no damage.
Vkaragande misses with a few strikes there.
Vkaragande misses with a wild body shot.
Vkaragande rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Echizen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No joy there for Vkaragande, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vkaragande.
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vkaragande throws a sloppy head kick and Echizen moves out of range easily.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vkaragande tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vkaragande tries a head kick but it misses.
Vkaragande lands a head kick. Echizen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Echizen blocks a head kick by Vkaragande.
A shot to the liver by Vkaragande. Beautiful body shot.
Vkaragande rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Echizen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vkaragande bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Echizen's head backwards.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Vkaragande jabs Echizen right on the nose. Echizen blinks but takes it well.
Echizen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that misses.
Vkaragande lands a nice shot to the body.
Vkaragande tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Echizen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Vkaragande misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gde Vkaragande dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryoma Echizen's cut.
That's time! Echizen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vkaragande scores with a leg kick.
Vkaragande throws a right hand that Echizen ducks under and follows up with a left that Echizen also avoids with ease.
Vkaragande bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Echizen takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Echizen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Echizen will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Vkaragande throws a sloppy head kick and Echizen moves out of range easily.
Vkaragande scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande throws a head kick but Echizen moves out of range.
Vkaragande misses with a head kick.
Vkaragande throws a half hearted mid kick.
Echizen fails with a takedown attempt.
Vkaragande closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ryoma Echizen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice body kick there by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Echizen blocks a head kick by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande lands a high kick!
Vkaragande misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Echizen with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryoma Echizen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vkaragande lands a nice looking kick to the body. Echizen takes a step back to recover.
Vkaragande dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Echizen. That did some damage!
Echizen steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Vkaragande. That one must have hurt.
Vkaragande scores with a head kick.
Vkaragande lands with a nice body kick.
Vkaragande throws a head kick but Echizen moves out of range.
Vkaragande plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Echizen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Vkaragande.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vkaragande misses with the combination.
Some wild striking there from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Echizen if he has to take too many more of those.
Vkaragande lands a head kick!

Ryoma Echizen's cut is getting worse.
Vkaragande keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A head kick misses from Vkaragande.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Echizen avoids the head kick by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande misses with a head kick.
Echizen tries to clinch up but Vkaragande circles away and keeps his distance.
Vkaragande lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Echizen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Vkaragande scores with a leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Vkaragande - that will leave a mark!
Vkaragande throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vkaragande scores with a kick to the midsection.
Vkaragande throws a combination. Echizen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Vkaragande goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Vkaragande lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Vkaragande goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Echizen is rocked!

Ryoma Echizen's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Vkaragande fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Echizen.
Vkaragande thows a body kick. Echizen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Vkaragande throws a sloppy head kick and Echizen moves out of range easily.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that half lands.
Vkaragande lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Vkaragande lands a right hook to the body.
Echizen tries to clinch there but Vkaragande circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Echizen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Vkaragande scores with a decent looking hook.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that misses.
Echizen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Vkaragande lands with a kick to the ribs.
Vkaragande feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Echizen's calf.
A combination from Vkaragande does no damage.
Vkaragande tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Echizen was well out of range. Poor timing from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vkaragande scores with a sloppy right hand. Echizen should have avoided that one.
Vkaragande throws a one two combo.
Vkaragande throws a sloppy head kick and Echizen moves out of range easily.
Echizen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Vkaragande.
Vkaragande plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Vkaragande misses with a jab, cross combination.
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vkaragande is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Echizen rather than just go for the knockout.
Vkaragande scores with a jab to the jaw.
Echizen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Echizen blocks a head kick by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande lands with a kick to the temple. Echizen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Echizen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vkaragande tries to avoid it but Echizen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vkaragande to the ground. Vkaragande escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Echizen takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Vkaragande throws a nice head kick!
A punch combination from Vkaragande misses.
Vkaragande lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vkaragande misses with the combination.
Vkaragande tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Echizen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Echizen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vkaragande with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Echizen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande stalks Echizen and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Echizen's face. Echizen staggers backwards, shaken.
Vkaragande throws a head kick but Echizen moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Echizen shoots in and gets a takedown into Vkaragande's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Echizen looking to sit in guard and control but Vkaragande gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Echizen keeping full guard, as Vkaragande tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gde Vkaragande showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ryoma Echizen's cut.
That's time! Echizen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Vkaragande fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Echizen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Echizen wants to control from the top but Vkaragande keeps moving.
Echizen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Echizen stops Vkaragande from standing up.
Echizen trying to control the position from guard on top but Vkaragande is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Echizen stops Vkaragande from standing up.
Echizen passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Echizen 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.

Echizen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Vkaragande has escaped the position, nice work there.
Vkaragande wants to get back to his feet but Echizen drags him back down.
Vkaragande really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Echizen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vkaragande can do anything to dispel that myth.

Echizen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

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

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.
Echizen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vkaragande keeps working.

Echizen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Vkaragande knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Vkaragande is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Echizen tries to advance to mount but can't.

Echizen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Echizen swings around for an armbar but Vkaragande sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Echizen's guard.
Vkaragande scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Vkaragande gets to his feet. Echizen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Echizen slips a jab and a cross from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vkaragande connects with an inside leg kick.
Gde Vkaragande is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vkaragande lands with a kick to the temple. Echizen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Echizen blocks a head kick by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande misses with a head kick.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Echizen tries for a takedown but Vkaragande sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vkaragande swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vkaragande fakes the leg kick and cracks Echizen in the body.
A head kick from Vkaragande lands but Echizen takes it in his stride.
Vkaragande lands a head kick!
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vkaragande lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Echizen backs up against the ropes.
Echizen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Vkaragande pinned against the cage. Vkaragande gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Echizen takes a head kick and keeps coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gde Vkaragande comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vkaragande winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 26:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 26:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gde Vkaragande!