PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Christian Ventura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jin Kazama (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.

Ventura
vs
Kazama

192 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
22
185 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Christian Ventura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jin Kazama!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ventura throws an overhand right that lands on Kazama's shoulder, as Kazama tries to avoid the shot.
Kazama displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ventura throws out the jab.
Kazama is looking to clinch.
Kazama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ventura manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kazama tries to clinch but Ventura moves out of range.
Ventura throws a looping overhand right but Kazama ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Ventura does it's job there.
Kazama tries to clinch but Ventura moves out of range.
Ventura connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ventura thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kazama throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big left from Ventura misses.
Kazama looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kazama looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kazama has closed the distance and engaged Ventura in a clinch.
Ventura tries to circle away but Kazama has him pinned against the cage.
Ventura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kazama has Ventura pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ventura manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kazama looking to stall.
Ventura fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kazama misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazama tries to land a knee to the head but Ventura blocks with his arms.
Kazama tries to land a knee to the head but Ventura blocks with his arms.
Kazama tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ventura smiles and moves away.
Kazama uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ventura.
Ventura throws out a loose jab but Kazama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ventura throws out a loose jab but Kazama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kazama is looking to clinch.
Ventura misses with a straight left.

Kazama knocks Ventura to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

Ventura is rocked!

It looks like Christian Ventura has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kazama tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Oh Ventura is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kazama is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Ventura seems to have got his legs back now.
Ventura is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kazama asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ventura throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Kazama avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ventura stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kazama wants to clinch up but Ventura keeps it at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ventura.
Ventura is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Donk. Ventura catches Kazama right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazama leaves Ventura with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Ventura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ventura is breathing heavily.
Kazama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kazama tries to clinch up but Ventura circles away and keeps his distance.
Jin Kazama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ventura scores with a jab. Kazama acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ventura lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kazama moves out of range as Ventura strikes.
Ventura avoids the head kick by Kazama.
Kazama tries to clinch up.
Kazama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kazama moves in looking to clinch but Ventura pushes him off.
Ventura is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kazama takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kazama on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kazama walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ventura fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kazama on the side of the head.
Nice shot lands for Ventura.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ventura connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kazama's hands.
Ventura is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Ventura scores with a punch to the head.
Ventura shoots for a double leg takedown but Kazama sprawls well. He's pushed Ventura's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ventura swats away the attempt to clinch by Kazama.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ventura looks to land a left hand but Kazama moved out of range nicely.
Kazama staying out of range there.
Ventura circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ventura lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kazama wants to clinch up but Ventura keeps it at a distance.
Kazama walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ventura keeps the fight on the outside.
Kazama takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A telegraphed right hand from Ventura misses the target.
Ventura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kazama sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kazama tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ventura swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kazama has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kazama there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kazama doesn't manage to clinch there - Ventura circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kazama throws a head kick that misses.
Ventura throws a lazy right hand but Kazama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ventura uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kazama has time to react.
Ventura lands with a hook. Kazama tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Ventura dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Christian Ventura's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ventura throws a lazy right hand but Kazama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Kazama clinches up with Ventura and pushes him back against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Kazama.
Kazama with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ventura takes an elbow to the temple.
Kazama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ventura blocks it with crossed arms.
Kazama looking to throw knees to the head but Ventura is blocking nicely.
Ventura is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ventura is trying to break the clinch but Kazama is controlling him.
Ventura takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kazama with a knee to the head.
Kazama looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kazama jumps guard but Ventura stands there with Kazama around his waist. Kazama gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kazama keeps control of Ventura as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ventura tries to break free but Kazama pushes him back against the cage.
Kazama is breathing heavily.
Kazama tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ventura just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ventura is trying to break the clinch but Kazama is controlling him.
Ventura can't break the clinch.
Ventura wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ventura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kazama throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kazama has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ventura wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kazama throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ventura working hard to break the clinch.
Ventura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ventura wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kazama has him pressed against the cage.
Kazama is looking to control Ventura's arms but Ventura gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kazama has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ventura is looking to break free of the clinch but Kazama has double underhooks.
Ventura wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ventura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kazama is trying to stall.
Kazama stops a takedown attempt from Ventura.
Ventura has had enough of the clinch but Kazama keeps him there for the moment.
Kazama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ventura blocks it with crossed arms.
Ventura wants to get back to striking at distance but Kazama won't allow it.
Kazama working aggressively here.
Ventura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ventura wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ventura prevents the takedown attempt.
Christian Ventura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jin Kazama.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Ventura's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ventura wants to get back to striking at distance but Kazama won't allow it.
Ventura is trying to break free.
Ventura tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kazama just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ventura is trying to force a seperation but Kazama has the dominant position.
Ventura has had enough of the clinch but Kazama keeps him there for the moment.
Ventura wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kazama with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ventura working hard to break the clinch.
Ventura wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kazama has him pressed against the cage.
Kazama tries to land a knee to the head but Ventura blocks with his arms.

Ventura manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ventura connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kazama uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ventura.
A jab from Ventura misses.
Ventura scores with a nice strike.
Ventura throws a lazy right hand but Kazama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ventura throws out a loose jab but Kazama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ventura lands with a straight right. Kazama didn't see that one coming.
Ventura throws a jab when Kazama was well out of range.
Ventura throws out a powerful jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ventura fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ventura cracks Kazama with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ventura dips to his left and cracks Kazama with an uppercut!
Kazama moves out of range as Ventura strikes.
Kazama misses with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ventura takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A big right from Ventura misses.
Ventura uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kazama has time to react.
Ventura getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kazama walks into a stiff left hand from Ventura.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Ventura dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Christian Ventura's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kazama wants to clinch up but Ventura keeps it at a distance.
Kazama tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ventura paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kazama lands a high kick to the side of Ventura's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Kazama dives into guard, looking to finish.
Kazama wants to stand but Ventura is controlling his posture from full guard.
Ventura keeping full guard, as Kazama tries to pass.
Kazama passes Ventura's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ventura is looking to escape.
Kazama takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazama not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kazama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ventura is trying to stand up here but Kazama is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kazama postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Ventura to stand up.
Kazama tries to clinch there but Ventura circles away.
Kazama keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ventura.
Ventura takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kazama tries to clinch up but Ventura circles away and keeps his distance.
Ventura cracks Kazama with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ventura lands with a cross.
Ventura lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kazama takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ventura throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ventura closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kazama's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ventura postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ventura wants to stand but Kazama is controlling his posture from full guard.
Ventura with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kazama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ventura would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ventura lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ventura in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ventura scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ventura would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ventura has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ventura throws and elbow that misses. Kazama uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ventura's guard. Nice move by Kazama!
Kazama wants to stand but Ventura has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kazama wants to stand and escape but instead Ventura has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ventura throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kazama works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kazama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ventura.
Ventura missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ventura with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ventura's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ventura postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ventura postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jin Kazama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kazama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ventura.
Ventura thows a big elbow that misses.
Ventura trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Ventura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ventura has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christian Ventura!