PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Saito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Hunter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Saito
vs
Hunter

183 cm
25
186 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Katsu Saito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Hunter!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saito decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hunter looks like he's trying to stand up.

Saito is trying to work for a kimura but Hunter is defending well.

Saito wants to work for an arm triangle but Hunter is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Saito is trying to work for a kimura but Hunter is defending well.
Saito throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Saito is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hunter is just riding it out for now. Saito eventually gives up the hold.

Saito seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saito is looking for a kimura but Hunter is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Saito to get the leverage.
Saito lands strikes from half guard.

Saito is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hunter doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Saito.

Saito is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Saito is thwarting Hunter's attempts to control the position.

Saito is trying to work for a kimura but Hunter is defending well.

Saito is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter wants to improve his position but Saito is controlling well.

Saito wants to work for an arm triangle but Hunter is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Saito is looking for a kimura here.

Saito is working for a submission of some sort.
Hunter wants to control but Saito is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saito is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hunter missing with punches from the bottom.
Saito trying to mount his opponent but Hunter defends it.
Hunter trying to control from the bottom.

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

Saito is looking for a kimura here.
Hunter tries to get to full guard but Saito has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hunter is defending against the submission attempts here by Saito.

Saito is looking for a kimura here.

Saito wants to work for an arm triangle but Hunter is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Saito is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Saito dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Saito displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hunter.
Saito keeps the fight on the outside.
Hunter leaves Saito with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown by Hunter or perhaps it was just good defense by Saito which made him look bad.
Saito walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Saito sprawls well. Saito wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hunter gets slowly back to his feet.
Katsu Saito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Hunter.
Hunter shoots in looking for a takedown but Saito manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hunter's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hunter throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hunter with a lazy takedown attempt

and Saito counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hunter!
Hunter is breathing heavily.
Saito raining down shots from the mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saito looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Saito has hold of Hunter's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Hunter manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Saito is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hunter has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Saito is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Hunter is surviving well by controlling Saito's body position as best he can.
Katsu Saito overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Saito looking to secure an arm triangle but Hunter defends it well.

Saito jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Hunter manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Saito thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hunter throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

Saito wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hunter, who protects the arm well.
Hunter manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter wants to get back to full guard.

Saito is trying to work for a kimura but Hunter is defending well.
Hunter really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saito. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Saito is working for a submission of some sort.

Saito is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hunter is just riding it out for now. Saito eventually gives up the hold.
Hunter trying to control but Saito postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Saito dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Saito shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hunter trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saito lands with a punch from half guard.
Hunter regains full guard. Nicely done.

Saito drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Saito jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Saito drops back looking for a leg! Hunter is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hunter manages to kick Saito off! Saito jumps back into Hunter's guard.
Hunter looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saito drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Saito jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Saito pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hunter is keeping the position for now.
Hunter wants to sweep here but Saito controlling him for the moment.
Saito trying to control but Hunter is working from the bottom.
Hunter tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Saito trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Saito postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hunter is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Saito, into his guard.
Hunter takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Saito had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hunter defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saito working for a triangle but Hunter defends it easily.
Saito wants to get back to his feet but Hunter is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Saito working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hunter doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hunter manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Saito is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hunter can do to turn this around?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hunter wants to control from the top but Saito keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saito is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hunter is controlling him.

Saito is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hunter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hunter wants to pass the guard but Saito is keeping the position.
Saito looking to control.

Saito is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Saito looking for a guillotine here but Hunter defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter wants to control from the top but Saito keeps moving.

Saito has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hunter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hunter trying to control the position from guard on top but Saito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Saito showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Saito, 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Saito!