PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Gotti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sai Fukuta (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.

Gotti
vs
Fukuta

165 cm
30
152 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

175 cm
24
155 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction
Untouchable Fight Nutrition Q160 $125

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jimmy Gotti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sai Fukuta!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gotti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gotti fails to land with a series of punches.
Fukuta moves out of range as Gotti throws a body kick.

Gotti gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fukuta passes Gotti's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Fukuta is looking for a kimura but Gotti is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fukuta to get the leverage.

Fukuta seems to be looking for submissions.
Gotti wants to get back to his feet.
Fukuta is taking a breather. Gotti says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Fukuta is looking for a kimura here.
Gotti knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fukuta on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukuta stops Gotti from getting back to his feet.
Gotti is trying to maintain the position but Fukuta is very close to passing his half guard.

Fukuta is working for a submission of some sort.
Fukuta passes the guard and advances to mount!

Fukuta looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fukuta can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gotti is looking to escape.
Fukuta looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You get the feeling that Gotti really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Fukuta is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Gotti to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Gotti shrugs it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Fukuta working for a guillotine from mount but Gotti is in no mood to give up.
Gotti is desperately trying to improve his position but Fukuta has a good base and remains in mount.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotti managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Fukuta.

Fukuta is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gotti knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Fukuta tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Fukuta swings around for an armbar but Gotti sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Fukuta's guard.

Gotti decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Fukuta, up you get!
No joy there for Gotti, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotti misses with the combination.
Fukuta fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gotti pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gotti lands a jab-cross combination.
Gotti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fukuta shoots in looking for a takedown. Gotti tries to sprawl out of it but Fukuta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gotti manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gotti looks for the body kick but Fukuta saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sai Fukuta dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fukuta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gotti.
A head kick misses from Gotti.
Gotti defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fukuta.
Fukuta dives in and grabs Gotti's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gotti pushes down on Fukuta's head and hops out.
Jimmy Gotti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gotti throws a right hand that Fukuta ducks under and follows up with a left that Fukuta also avoids with ease.
Gotti misses with a low kick.
Gotti lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Sai Fukuta has been cut.
Gotti throws the kick towards the body but Fukuta avoids it.
Fukuta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fukuta shoots for a double leg takedown but Gotti sprawls well. He's pushed Fukuta's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jimmy Gotti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sai Fukuta.
Gotti tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukuta shoots for a double leg takedown but Gotti sprawls well. He's pushed Fukuta's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Fukuta shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gotti's guard.
Fukuta wants to control from the top but Gotti keeps moving.
Fukuta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Fukuta is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Fukuta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gotti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fukuta postures up and lands a big shot to Gotti's brow.
Fukuta is looking to pass into half guard but Gotti pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Gotti is in guard.
Gotti tries to stand but Fukuta is controlling from the bottom.
Fukuta trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fukuta is on top in guard.
Fukuta wants to control from the top but Gotti keeps moving.
Sai Fukuta 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.
Fukuta lands a couple of elbows.
Fukuta trying to control the position from guard on top but Gotti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fukuta is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Fukuta landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotti wants to stand and escape but Fukuta is having none of it.

Fukuta drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fukuta jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gotti wants to stand but Fukuta is controlling the position.
Fukuta wants to control from the top but Gotti keeps moving.
Fukuta is pushing down on Gotti's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gotti is fighting to maintain full guard but Fukuta has managed to sneak the leg through.

Fukuta is looking for a kimura here.
Gotti is trying to stand back up but Fukuta is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fukuta is looking for a kimura but Gotti is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fukuta to get the leverage.

Fukuta is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gotti defends it well.

Fukuta is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gotti doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Fukuta.
Fukuta wants to pass to mount but Gotti is defending the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sai Fukuta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sai Fukuta's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Fukuta digs a good hook to Gotti's body.
Gotti throws a nice looking combination but Fukuta bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gotti misses with a series of wild punches.
Jimmy Gotti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fukuta looks for a takedown but Gotti sprawls well.
Fukuta throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gotti's waist but Gotti gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fukuta off to one side.
Horrible takedown by Fukuta or perhaps it was just good defense by Gotti which made him look bad.
Jimmy Gotti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sai Fukuta.
A head kick misses from Gotti.
Fukuta misses with a takedown attempt
and Gotti counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Fukuta is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Fukuta.
Gotti scoring well with a low kick there.
Gotti misses with a series of wild punches.
Fukuta lands a nice shot to the body.
Gotti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fukuta.
Gotti scores with a head kick.
Gotti throws a wild body kick that Fukuta sees coming a mile off.
Jimmy Gotti is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Gotti.
Nice sprawl there from Gotti as Fukuta shoots in.
Fukuta avoids the head kick by Gotti.
Gotti stuffs the takedown attempt from Fukuta. Fukuta gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck for Fukuta with that takedown attempt.
Fukuta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gotti misses with a two punch combination.
Gotti misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotti misses with a wild combination.
A head kick by Gotti misses

and Fukuta counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gotti won't be happy with that.
Gotti is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fukuta is trying to get an arm triangle but Gotti is defending well.
Gotti is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Fukuta wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gotti, who protects the arm well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Fukuta is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gotti is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sai Fukuta is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotti is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Fukuta asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Gotti tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Fukuta decides to stand up, so the ref orders Gotti to his feet.
Fukuta throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gotti defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fukuta.
Jimmy Gotti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gotti lands a really nice looking cross but Fukuta seems unphased.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sai Fukuta.
I've got Fukuta 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sai Fukuta!
Sai Fukuta thanked the fans post fight for their support.