PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Geghard Karekin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Osaka Niten Ichi (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.

Karekin
vs
Niten Ichi

179 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

160 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Geghard Karekin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Osaka Niten Ichi!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Ackerman and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ichi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Karekin.
Ichi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ichi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karekin moves away.
Karekin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ichi takes a swing at Karekin's ribcage but misses.
Ichi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Ichi is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Karekin's half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Karekin tries to get to full guard but Ichi has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ichi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ichi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Karekin missing with punches from the bottom.
Ichi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Karekin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ichi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ichi throws a strike but Karekin avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ichi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ichi won't allow Karekin to get back to his feet.
Ichi postures up in Karekin's guard and throws a big left but Karekin blocks it.
Karekin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ichi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karekin wants to stand but Ichi is controlling the position.
Karekin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ichi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Karekin wants to sweep but no luck.
Karekin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ichi.
Ichi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Karekin wants to stand and escape but Ichi is having none of it.
Ichi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ichi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Karekin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ichi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ichi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ichi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ichi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ichi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Karekin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ichi prevents Karekin from getting back to his feet.
Ichi slips nicely into half guard.
Ichi is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Karekin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ichi.
Ichi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Karekin's head.
Ichi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karekin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ichi is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ichi lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ichi looks to land a strike but Karekin avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Ichi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Karekin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Karekin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ichi stopping the sweep attempt from Karekin.
Ichi is looking to work some ground and pound but Karekin has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Osaka Niten Ichi dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ichi lands with an uppercut that bounces Karekin off the cage and back into range.
Geghard Karekin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Karekin enables Ichi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Karekin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Karekin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ichi.
Karekin managing to control the position.
Karekin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Karekin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ichi.
Ichi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Karekin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ichi chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ichi trying to control but Karekin is working from the bottom.
Ichi lands a couple of digs.

Ichi drops back looking for a leg! Karekin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Karekin manages to kick Ichi off! Ichi jumps back into Karekin's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ichi throws a strike but Karekin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Karekin wants to control from the top but Ichi keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karekin wants to pass the guard but Ichi is keeping the position.

Ichi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Karekin is aware though and is defending well.

Ichi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Karekin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ichi is trying to hold Karekin in close to prevent damage but Karekin has managed to pass into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ichi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Karekin pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ichi wants to improve his position but Karekin is controlling well.
Ichi gets back to full guard.
Osaka Niten Ichi has got the better of the ground game so far.

Ichi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Karekin works over Ichi with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karekin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ichi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Ichi working for a triangle but Karekin defends it easily.

Ichi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Karekin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Karekin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Ichi looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Karekin has picked Ichi up and slammed him! Ichi can't keep hold of the triangle and Karekin manages to pass to side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karekin wants to control but Ichi is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Osaka Niten Ichi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ichi cracks a nice hook into Karekin's ribs.
Ichi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Karekin doesn't seem bothered though.

Ichi shoots in and bounces Karekin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ichi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ichi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ichi throws a big elbow that misses.
Ichi lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karekin keeping moving, preventing Ichi from controlling successfully.
Ichi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ichi trying to control the position from guard on top but Karekin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ichi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ichi throws an elbow that misses. Karekin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ichi's guard. Nice move by Karekin!

Ichi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Karekin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ichi is on top in guard.
Karekin keeping moving, preventing Ichi from controlling successfully.
Karekin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Karekin is looking to stand up but Ichi isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ichi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ichi landing with the ground and pound.
Ichi wants to control from the top but Karekin keeps moving.
Karekin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ichi is one step ahead there.
Ichi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Karekin keeping moving, preventing Ichi from controlling successfully.
Ichi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Geghard Karekin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ichi chips away with some ground and pound.
Karekin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ichi controls the pace.
Ichi works over Karekin with some ground and pound from guard.
Ichi throws a big right hand that misses.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Ichi. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Karekin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ichi.
Ichi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ichi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ichi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
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!
Ichi throws a big right hand that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Osaka Niten Ichi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ichi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 26:30

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