PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Valdis Visvaldis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaito Saruwatari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Visvaldis
vs
Saruwatari

179 cm
18
203 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Valdis Visvaldis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kaito Saruwatari!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Visvaldis throws a series of punches but Saruwatari moves out of range.
Visvaldis could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Visvaldis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saruwatari.
Saruwatari shoots in and drives through. Visvaldis sprawls well.
Visvaldis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Visvaldis wants it to stay on the feet.
Valdis Visvaldis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Visvaldis throws a body kick the misses

and Saruwatari counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Saruwatari.
Visvaldis is looking to break free of the clinch but Saruwatari has double underhooks.

Visvaldis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saruwatari showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Visvaldis.
Visvaldis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Visvaldis stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Saruwatari.
Saruwatari shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valdis Visvaldis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaito Saruwatari.
Saruwatari fails with a takedown attempt.
Visvaldis swinging wildly here.
Visvaldis misses with a wild combination.
Saruwatari shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Visvaldis sprawls well. Visvaldis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saruwatari gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saruwatari shoots in but Visvaldis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Saruwatari scores with a push kick.
Visvaldis misses with the combination.
Visvaldis misses with the combination.
Visvaldis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saruwatari moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Visvaldis misses with the combination.
Saruwatari shoots in for a takedown but Visvaldis shows good takedown defense.
Visvaldis tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Visvaldis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Visvaldis. That's going to slow Saruwatari down.
Visvaldis misses with a few strikes there.

Saruwatari moves into the clinch successfully.

Saruwatari manages to pull guard.
Visvaldis wanted to stand there but Saruwatari had control of the position.
Visvaldis is breathing heavily.
Saruwatari controlling Visvaldis's posture.

Saruwatari is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Visvaldis decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Saruwatari checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Visvaldis.
Saruwatari fails with a takedown attempt.
Saruwatari bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Visvaldis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saruwatari tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Visvaldis swivels and escapes.
Visvaldis throws the kick towards the body but Saruwatari avoids it.
Saruwatari tries to clinch up.
Visvaldis leaves Saruwatari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Visvaldis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saruwatari.
A head kick by Visvaldis misses
and Saruwatari counters with a nice low kick that buckles Visvaldis's knee momentarily.

Saruwatari moves into range and clinches up with Visvaldis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Visvaldis is trying to break the clinch but Saruwatari has him pressed against the cage.

Saruwatari pulls guard effortlessly.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Saruwatari escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Visvaldis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Visvaldis stands and steps away. Saruwatari gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Saruwatari rushes Visvaldis and presses him up against the cage.
Saruwatari keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Visvaldis's efforts to push away.
Visvaldis is trying to break the clinch but Saruwatari is controlling him.

Saruwatari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saruwatari tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Visvaldis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Visvaldis throws a right hand that Saruwatari ducks under and follows up with a left that Saruwatari also avoids with ease.
Visvaldis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saruwatari moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Valdis Visvaldis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saruwatari tries to clinch but Visvaldis moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaito Saruwatari dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A head kick by Visvaldis misses
and Saruwatari counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Visvaldis misses with a double jab

and Saruwatari counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Saruwatari.
Saruwatari has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Visvaldis is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Saruwatari jumps into guard, dragging Visvaldis to the mat.
Saruwatari wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Visvaldis wanted to stand there but Saruwatari had control of the position.
Saruwatari seems keen to control Visvaldis's posture.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kaito Saruwatari.
Visvaldis throws a head kick that misses.
Visvaldis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saruwatari moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Valdis Visvaldis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Saruwatari pushes Visvaldis up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Visvaldis tries to circle away but Saruwatari has him pinned against the cage.

Visvaldis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saruwatari scores with the left hand. Visvaldis knows he should have avoided that one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Oooooh!!! Saruwatari has knocked Visvaldis down with a huge combo! Saruwatari steps away and waves a wobbly Visvaldis back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Visvaldis is rocked!

It looks like Valdis Visvaldis has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice takedown defense from Visvaldis. No joy for Saruwatari on that attempt.
Visvaldis misses with a few strikes there.
Saruwatari bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Visvaldis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Saruwatari. Saruwatari obviously looking to wear him down.
Saruwatari fails with a takedown attempt.
Valdis Visvaldis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaito Saruwatari.
Saruwatari looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Visvaldis is fending him off so far but Saruwatari persists. Nope, Visvaldis circles away and we're back to standing.

Saruwatari pushes Visvaldis up against the cage in a clinch.
Saruwatari tries to score a body lock takedown but Visvaldis shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Visvaldis working hard to break the clinch.

Saruwatari jumps guard and drags Visvaldis to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Visvaldis tries to stand but Saruwatari is controlling from the bottom.
Saruwatari looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Saruwatari's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Visvaldis wanted to stand there but Saruwatari had control of the position.
Visvaldis won't allow Saruwatari to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Visvaldis prevents Saruwatari from getting back to his feet.

Kaito Saruwatari has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A combination from Visvaldis does no damage.

Saruwatari takes the fight into the clinch.
Saruwatari digs a right hand underneath Visvaldis's ribcage. Visvaldis let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Saruwatari breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saruwatari shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Visvaldis pinned against the cage. Visvaldis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Saruwatari shoots in but Visvaldis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Visvaldis throws a series of punches but Saruwatari moves out of range.
Saruwatari throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Saruwatari showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Visvaldis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Saruwatari rushes Visvaldis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Saruwatari has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Visvaldis is trying to keep an underhook but Saruwatari manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Saruwatari controlling the action here.
Saruwatari uses his free foot to push down on Visvaldis's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Visvaldis.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Saruwatari working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaito Saruwatari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Valdis Visvaldis's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Saruwatari shoots in but no luck this time.
Sloppy strikes from Visvaldis. Those never looked like landing.
Visvaldis wants to land a leg kick but Saruwatari is out of range.
Saruwatari scores with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saruwatari.
Saruwatari shoots for a takedown but Visvaldis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Visvaldis displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Saruwatari.
Valdis Visvaldis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaito Saruwatari.
Visvaldis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saruwatari.
Saruwatari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saruwatari swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Visvaldis attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kaito Saruwatari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saruwatari fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Visvaldis scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Visvaldis throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Visvaldis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saruwatari lands a nice hook to Visvaldis's body. Visvaldis takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Saruwatari clinches up against the cage.
Visvaldis is pressed up against the cage. Saruwatari has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Visvaldis down to the mat. Visvaldis avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Saruwatari darts in and clinches Visvaldis up against the cage.
Saruwatari scores with a hook to the body.

Saruwatari pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saruwatari blocks a head kick by Visvaldis.
Valdis Visvaldis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saruwatari blocks a head kick by Visvaldis.

Saruwatari gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Saruwatari pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saruwatari shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Visvaldis but Visvaldis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Saruwatari tries a low kick but Visvaldis avoids it.
Visvaldis throws a series of punches but Saruwatari avoids them all with ease.
Visvaldis throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Saruwatari lands with a right hand.
Visvaldis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Visvaldis wants it to stay on the feet.
Saruwatari misses with a body shot.
Visvaldis throws a right and a left that both miss.
Visvaldis falls off balance throwing a combination

and Saruwatari counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saruwatari breaks the clinch.
Saruwatari goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Saruwatari throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Visvaldis throws a lazy head kick
and Saruwatari counters with a big head kick but Visvaldis shrugs it off.
Visvaldis chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Visvaldis stuffs the takedown attempt from Saruwatari. Saruwatari gets slowly back to his feet.
Visvaldis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saruwatari avoids the head kick by Visvaldis.

Saruwatari moves into the clinch.

Saruwatari manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Saruwatari seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Saruwatari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saruwatari striking off his back but it's not causing Visvaldis any problems.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saruwatari working for a triangle but Visvaldis defends it easily.
Visvaldis preventing the sweep.
Saruwatari trying to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Visvaldis is looking to work some ground and pound but Saruwatari has wrist control.

Saruwatari is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Visvaldis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kaito Saruwatari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Visvaldis misses with the combination.
Saruwatari shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Visvaldis as he avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaito Saruwatari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saruwatari 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaito Saruwatari!