PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yuuto Kawasati (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Neeson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Kawasati
vs
Neeson

175 cm
38
105 lbs
23 - 16 - 1

175 cm
30
146 lbs
9 - 15 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 23 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuuto Kawasati!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Liam Neeson!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yuuki Gou and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Neeson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A left and a right from Kawasati both land. Nice combination.
Kawasati fakes the leg kick and cracks Neeson in the body.
Kawasati looks to land a combination but Neeson avoids it well.
Horrible takedown by Neeson or perhaps it was just good defense by Kawasati which made him look bad.
Kawasati tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kawasati misses with a series of wild punches.
Neeson fails with a takedown attempt.
Yuuto Kawasati has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Neeson.
Neeson tries for a takedown but Kawasati sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kawasati lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kawasati throws a sloppy head kick and Neeson moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from Kawasati as Neeson shoots in.
Kawasati throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kawasati really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kawasati misses with a series of wild punches.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Neeson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawasati displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
That kick from Kawasati tenderised Neeson's leg. Neeson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kawasati turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Neeson shoots in but no luck this time.
Kawasati throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kawasati connects with an inside leg kick.
Kawasati lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Neeson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kawasati sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Neeson somewhat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Neeson.
Kawasati throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kawasati lets loose with a powerful body kick. Neeson will feel that in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neeson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Neeson is keen to just control but Kawasati is a slippery customer.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Neeson thows a huge punch but Kawasati dodges it nicely.
Kawasati is pressing down on Neeson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neeson wants to control from the top but Kawasati keeps moving.
Kawasati wants to stand and escape but Neeson is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neeson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Neeson wants to control from the top but Kawasati keeps moving.
Neeson looking to pass the guard.
Neeson wants to control from the top but Kawasati keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neeson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Liam Neeson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Kawasati misses with the combination.

Kawasati tries to sprawl but Neeson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Neeson trying to control from half guard but Kawasati is working away.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Neeson working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Neeson uses his free foot to push down on Kawasati's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kawasati.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neeson is landing with some decent strikes but Kawasati is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Neeson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Kawasati is in all sorts of trouble here.
Neeson content just to control the position here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Neeson prevents Kawasati from getting the reversal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kawasati slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kawasati trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yuuto Kawasati will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kawasati's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Neeson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kawasati seems keen to control Neeson's posture.
Neeson wants to control from the top but Kawasati keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Neeson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kawasati keeping moving, preventing Neeson from controlling successfully.
Kawasati looking to control.
Kawasati wants to sweep here but Neeson controlling him for the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kawasati throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawasati throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Neeson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kawasati is trying to get back to half guard.
Neeson moves into full mount!
Neeson tries to control but Kawasati wriggling away.
Neeson controlling the position easily from mount.
Neeson throws some wild stikes that Kawasati manages to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neeson landing strikes, looking to finish!
Neeson controlling from mount.
Neeson is stalling here but it's allowed Kawasati to get half guard.
Neeson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kawasati moves into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Neeson trying to control but Kawasati is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawasati is controlling Neeson's posture.
Neeson stops Kawasati from standing up.
Neeson stopping the sweep attempt from Kawasati.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Liam Neeson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Neeson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kawasati moves away.
Yuuto Kawasati is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Some wild striking there from Kawasati.
Nice takedown defense from Kawasati. No joy for Neeson on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawasati connects with an inside leg kick.
Kawasati throws a nice looking combination but Neeson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kawasati as he avoids it easily.

Neeson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Neeson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kawasati pushes Neeson off looking to stand but Neeson dives back in and keeps control.
Neeson trying to advance position but Kawasati counters by regaining guard.
Kawasati seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Neeson trying to control but Kawasati is working from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kawasati bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Neeson's guard.

Neeson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kawasati can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Neeson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Kawasati lands a nice leg kick that just misses Neeson's sensitive parts.
Kawasati misses with the combination.
Kawasati throws a right and a left that Neeson avoids nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kawasati!
Neeson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kawasati throws a series of punches but Neeson moves out of range.
Kawasati misses with a few strikes there.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kawasati as he jumps to the side.
Neeson misses with a takedown attempt
and Kawasati counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Neeson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Neeson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kawasati counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Yuuto Kawasati has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Neeson.
Kawasati throws a combination. Neeson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawasati will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Neeson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kawasati. Kawasati obviously looking to wear him down.
Neeson throws a jab but it's blocked by Kawasati.
Neeson fails with a takedown attempt.
Yuuto Kawasati is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kawasati scores with a one two! Neeson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kawasati scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kawasati connects with a solid leg kick.
Neeson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kawasati lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Neeson circles away quickly and effectively.
Kawasati looks to land a combination but Neeson avoids it well.
Kawasati throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kawasati slaps away a takedown attempt from Neeson, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawasati moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kawasati. Neeson shrugs it off though.
Neeson avoids a kick to the body.
Neeson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Neeson avoids a kick to the body.
Neeson shoots in and drives through. Kawasati sprawls well.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kawasati but Kawasati pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Neeson shoots in but Kawasati avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kawasati lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Neeson dives in for a single leg takedown but Kawasati sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawasati working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kawasati scores with a knee to the head.
Kawasati using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Neeson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kawasati pushes Neeson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kawasati.

Kawasati manages to break the clinch.
Kawasati throws a combination. Neeson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kawasati.
Neeson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kawasati throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kawasati closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kawasati feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Neeson's calf.
Kawasati throws a right and a left that Neeson avoids nicely.
Kawasati misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kawasati throws a leg kick but Neeson checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kawasati.
Kawasati fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown but Kawasati shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Neeson throws a leg kick but Kawasati moved away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Neeson slips a jab and a cross from Kawasati.
Neeson fails to land the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Neeson is defended easily by Kawasati.
Kawasati throws a right hand that Neeson ducks under and follows up with a left that Neeson also avoids with ease.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kawasati scores with a leg kick.
Kawasati defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Neeson.
Kawasati explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuuto Kawasati showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kawasati has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Yuuto Kawasati!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Liam Neeson!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Yuuto Kawasati!

Yuuto Kawasati wins by split decision!