PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between DJ am (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ai Za (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for DJ am has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

am
vs
Za

175 cm
18
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
18
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light 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, DJ am!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ai Za!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Za checks a low kick from am.

Za shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Za is looking for a kimura here.
am is trying to stand.

Za is sneakily working for an arm triangle but am sees it coming and defends easily.
am really is a fat lump.
Za stalling.
am wants to get back to his feet.
Za scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Za is trying to control. am wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
am wants to get back to full guard.
Za sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. am defending well though.

am is defending against the submission attempts here by Za.
Za trying to control the action but am is working from the bottom.
am knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Za on the ground.
am is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Za scores with a couple of nice shots.
am is not content to let Za control the position.
Za thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
am avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Za.

Za is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so am is just riding it out for now. Za eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Za sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. am defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Za thows a huge punch but am dodges it nicely.
Za winds up and cracks am with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
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!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Za missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Za has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

am actively working from the bottom here.
am is breathing heavily.
Za seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Za perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Za is looking to take a break and control but am is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Za is nestled in close to am, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Za thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Za 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.

Za seems to be working for a kimura but am defends the submission attempt.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Za in particular looking to stall.
Za lands strikes from half guard.
am is not content to let Za control the position.

Za is looking for a kimura but am is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Za to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Za is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Za is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. am doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Za.
Za not doing much here.

Za is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! am is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ai Za!