PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Saito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Duval (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Duval has chosen I'm Back as his entrance music. Katsu Saito could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jason Duval's chin.

Saito
vs
Duval

183 cm
27
186 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

177 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Prefers standup

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Katsu Saito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jason Duval!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Micheangelo Fripello and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saito closes this distance looking for a takedown but Duval circles away.
Duval tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saito swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Saito gets a takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Saito lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saito not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Saito seems to be looking for submissions.

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

Saito is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Duval sees it coming and defends easily.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saito is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Duval is just riding it out for now. Saito eventually gives up the hold.
Duval wants to get back to his feet.
Duval avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saito.

Saito is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Saito wants to pass the guard but Duval is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saito is working for an americana but Duval has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Saito was thinking about the submission.
Saito trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Duval manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Duval trying to control the position from guard on top but Saito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duval won't allow Saito to get back to his feet.
Duval wants to stand and escape but instead Saito has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Saito sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Duval's guard.

Saito is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Duval doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Saito.
Saito not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Duval is defending against the submission attempts here by Saito.

Saito is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saito wants to free his trapped foot but Duval is holding on for dear life with his legs.
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 corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Saito shoots for a takedown but Duval saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Duval slaps away a takedown attempt from Saito, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Saito misses with a takedown attempt - Duval sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsu Saito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Duval is looking to clinch.
Duval tries to close the distance and clinch but Saito swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Duval tries to clinch there but Saito circles away.
Katsu Saito is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saito misses with a jab, cross combination.
Duval is looking to clinch.
Jab by Duval.
Saito shoots in for a takedown but Duval shows good takedown defense.
The fight stays on the outside here - Duval looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Duval's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Duval duly obliges.
Saito tries to score a power double leg takedown but Duval sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saito somewhat.
Duval slaps away a takedown attempt from Saito, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duval defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saito.
Jason Duval is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Duval wants to clinch.
Saito looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Duval is fending him off so far but Saito persists. Nope, Duval circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Duval tries to clinch there but Saito circles away.
Katsu Saito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Duval tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Saito manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Duval looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saito circles away from the clinch attempt.
Duval keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Duval looks to land a combination but Saito avoids it well.

Duval rushes Saito and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Duval gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Saito.
A knee to the head by Duval.

It looks like Katsu Saito has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duval misses with an elbow strike.
Duval trying to control the position but instead, Saito has worked for underhooks and has pushed Duval into the cage.
Saito is looking for a takedown.
Duval with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Saito is trying to drag Duval to the mat but Duval just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Saito wants to take the fight to the mat but Duval manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Duval tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Duval misses with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Saito has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Duval is trying to keep an underhook but Saito manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Katsu Saito overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Duval is trying to stand up here but Saito is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saito wants to control but Duval is keeping him busy.

Saito is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Saito is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Duval doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Saito.
Duval wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saito trying to pass the guard but Duval defending well.

Saito is working for a kimura but Duval is defending it quite comfortably.

Saito is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Duval wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Duval showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Katsu Saito's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Duval tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Duval doesn't manage to clinch there - Saito circles away.
Saito fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Duval moves in looking to clinch but Saito pushes him off.
Saito throws a leg kick but Duval sees it coming and moves out of range.
Duval tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saito paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saito shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Duval but Duval pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Saito is defended easily by Duval.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsu Saito. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Saito closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saito lands in his opponent's guard.
Duval avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saito drops back, looking for a kneebar! Duval looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Duval looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Duval!
Duval trying to control the action but Saito is working from the bottom.

Duval goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Saito rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Duval's guard! Nice work there by Saito!
Saito scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saito drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Duval dives on top into guard.
Duval wants to control from the top but Saito keeps moving.

Duval stands and steps away. Saito gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Saito shoots in for a double leg but Duval sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duval moves in looking to clinch but Saito pushes him off.
Saito shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Duval as he avoids it easily.
Saito swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saito swinging wildly here.
Duval tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saito misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Saito throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Duval's waist but Duval gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Saito off to one side.
Duval tries to clinch up.
Saito misses with a jab, cross combination.
Duval tries to clinch but Saito moves out of range.
Duval wants to clinch up but Saito keeps it at a distance.
Duval fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saito fails with the takedown.
Jason Duval seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Duval gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Duval working Saito over with knees to the body.
Duval misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saito can't break the clinch.
Duval tries a knee to the head but Saito blocks it.
Duval tries to stall but Saito uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Duval using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saito has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Duval just misses with a elbow thrown towards Saito's brow.
Saito goes for a takedown attempt but Duval pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saito fails to land the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saito falls off balance throwing a combination
and Duval counters with an outside leg kick.
Duval tests Saito's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Saito circles away from the clinch attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Duval comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Duval has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight for Katsu Saito!
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight for Jason Duval!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Jason Duval!

Jason Duval wins by split decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Jason Duval thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.