PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Saku Katsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lope Bonafacio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saku Katsumoto is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Katsumoto
vs
Bonafacio

180 cm
23
190 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

180 cm
28
195 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Katsumoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lope Bonafacio!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bonafacio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A nice combination there by Katsumoto.
Bonafacio misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Katsumoto counters with a left and a right that stings Bonafacio.
Bonafacio throws a sloppy body shot
and Katsumoto counters with a nice leg kick.
Bonafacio takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Katsumoto shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bonafacio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Katsumoto fails to land the takedown.
Bonafacio tries for a takedown but Katsumoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bonafacio misses with a body punch
and Katsumoto counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bonafacio is lucky that one didn't land flush.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bonafacio lands a lovely overhand right.
Bonafacio throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Katsumoto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice takedown defense from Katsumoto. No joy for Bonafacio on that attempt.
Bonafacio loads up on a big right hand but Katsumoto slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonafacio looks to land a right hand but Katsumoto moved out of range.
Bonafacio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Katsumoto.
Bonafacio fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Katsumoto checks it well.

Katsumoto moves into the clinch.

Bonafacio wants the takedown. Katsumoto is fighting it off but Bonafacio persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Katsumoto's guard against the cage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Katsumoto is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bonafacio lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Katsumoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Katsumoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Bonafacio drops back looking for a leg! Katsumoto is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Katsumoto manages to kick Bonafacio off! Bonafacio jumps back into Katsumoto's guard.
Bonafacio working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bonafacio stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Katsumoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bonafacio postures up.
Bonafacio preventing the sweep.
Bonafacio wants to pass the guard but Katsumoto is keeping the position.
Bonafacio sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Katsumoto's guard.
Bonafacio missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Katsumoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bonafacio seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Katsumoto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bonafacio seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bonafacio winds up and cracks Katsumoto with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bonafacio throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bonafacio seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Katsumoto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio tries to pass the half guard into mount. Katsumoto knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bonafacio really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Katsumoto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Katsumoto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Katsumoto has his foot on Bonafacio's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bonafacio works his way back into a safe position though.
Katsumoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bonafacio is one step ahead there.
Bonafacio working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bonafacio lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bonafacio wants to control from the top but Katsumoto keeps moving.
Bonafacio looking to pass the guard.
Katsumoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bonafacio is one step ahead there.
Bonafacio landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bonafacio.
Katsumoto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bonafacio manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bonafacio striking off his back but it's not causing Katsumoto any problems.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bonafacio is on top in guard.
Bonafacio in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Katsumoto looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bonafacio throws a big right hand that misses.

Katsumoto is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bonafacio is aware though and is defending well.
Bonafacio keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Katsumoto's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bonafacio throws a big right hand that misses.
Bonafacio passes into half guard.
Katsumoto trying to control but Bonafacio postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lope Bonafacio will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bonafacio swings for the body but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Bonafacio throws a body punch but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Katsumoto slips a jab from Bonafacio.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
Lope Bonafacio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bonafacio scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bonafacio throws a predictable looking body shot
and Katsumoto counters with a three punch combo that has Bonafacio backing up. Bonafacio nods at Katsumoto to acknowledge the strikes.
Bonafacio misses with a body shot.
Katsumoto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bonafacio throws a body punch but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Bonafacio takes a swing at Katsumoto's ribcage but misses.
Katsumoto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bonafacio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Katsumoto with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saku Katsumoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bonafacio closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Katsumoto misses with a double jab.
Katsumoto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bonafacio throws a predictable looking body shot
and Katsumoto counters with a three punch combo that has Bonafacio backing up. Bonafacio nods at Katsumoto to acknowledge the strikes.
Bonafacio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bonafacio misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Katsumoto counter with a right hand.
Bonafacio misses with a jab to the body
and Katsumoto counters with a left and a right that stings Bonafacio.
Bonafacio misses with a jab to the body
and Katsumoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bonafacio looks to land a left hand but Katsumoto moved out of range nicely.

Katsumoto drives through with a takedown into Bonafacio's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio striking from the bottom here.
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!
Bonafacio throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Katsumoto drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Katsumoto jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Katsumoto stands and throws Bonafacio's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bonafacio gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bonafacio slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bonafacio is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bonafacio sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Katsumoto defending well though.
Katsumoto regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bonafacio.
Bonafacio looking to pass the guard.
Bonafacio loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio trying to control the position from guard on top but Katsumoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bonafacio lands a couple of digs.
Katsumoto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Katsumoto keeping full guard, as Bonafacio tries to pass.
Bonafacio is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Katsumoto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bonafacio's guard.

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

Katsumoto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bonafacio looking to hit a scissor sweep but Katsumoto is one step ahead there.
Bonafacio looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Katsumoto puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio lands with a few short shots to the body.
Katsumoto wants to free his trapped foot but Bonafacio is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bonafacio tries to get to full guard but Katsumoto has control of the leg.
Bonafacio is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Katsumoto is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Bonafacio!
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!
Bonafacio is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Katsumoto looking to secure an arm triangle but Bonafacio defends it well.
Bonafacio is looking to get to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bonafacio throwing hammer fists to the chest of Katsumoto. What's that going to do exactly?
Bonafacio working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lope Bonafacio will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bonafacio misses with a body punch
and Katsumoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bonafacio throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Katsumoto's waist but Katsumoto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bonafacio off to one side.
Katsumoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bonafacio circles away quickly and effectively.
Saku Katsumoto is winning the standup battle so far.
Bonafacio shoots in and drives through. Katsumoto sprawls well.
Katsumoto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bonafacio as he jumps to the side.
Bonafacio misses with a looping left.
Bonafacio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bonafacio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Katsumoto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Katsumoto misses with a head kick.
Bonafacio throws a sloppy body shot

and Katsumoto counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Katsumoto.
Bonafacio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonafacio keeping moving, preventing Katsumoto from controlling successfully.
Bonafacio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bonafacio trying to control the position.
Bonafacio trying to strike off his back.
Bonafacio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bonafacio is striking but Katsumoto is not phased and passes to half guard.
Katsumoto trying to control from half guard but Bonafacio is working away.
Bonafacio striking from half guard on the bottom.
Katsumoto works his way into full mount!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bonafacio can do anything to dispel that myth.

Katsumoto swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Bonafacio is now in Katsumoto's guard. A big mistake from Katsumoto there, giving up the dominant position!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto looking for a sweep. Not yet Katsumoto, not yet.
Katsumoto is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bonafacio lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bonafacio is looking to work some ground and pound but Katsumoto has wrist control.
Katsumoto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Katsumoto is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bonafacio scoring with punches to the head and body.

Katsumoto looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bonafacio missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bonafacio with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bonafacio.

Katsumoto looking for subs off his back but Bonafacio has passed one foot through into half guard.
Bonafacio scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bonafacio thows a huge punch but Katsumoto dodges it nicely.
Katsumoto makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Katsumoto.
Bonafacio passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Lope Bonafacio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bonafacio working the ground and pound but Katsumoto is defending the strikes.
Katsumoto gets back to half guard.
Katsumoto works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bonafacio tries to free his leg and advance position but Katsumoto is retaining full guard.
Bonafacio missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Katsumoto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bonafacio gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lope Bonafacio has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bonafacio is working Katsumoto over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Katsumoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Katsumoto keeping moving, preventing Bonafacio from controlling successfully.

Katsumoto is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bonafacio must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Katsumoto has his foot on Bonafacio's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bonafacio works his way back into a safe position though.
Bonafacio working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Katsumoto's head.
Bonafacio pushing down on Katsumoto's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Bonafacio seems to be looking for submissions.
Bonafacio trying to mount his opponent but Katsumoto defends it.
Saku Katsumoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lope Bonafacio.
I've got Bonafacio winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lope Bonafacio!
A victorious Lope Bonafacio thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.