PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jim Bolin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinya Kawasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Bolin
vs
Kawasaki

200 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

172 cm
21
148 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jim Bolin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinya Kawasaki!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawasaki misses with a takedown attempt - Bolin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kawasaki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bolin swivels and escapes.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown but Bolin shows good takedown defense.
Jim Bolin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinya Kawasaki.
Bolin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Bolin. No joy for Kawasaki on that attempt.
Bolin is looking to clinch but Kawasaki is avoiding it.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bolin wants to clinch.
Bolin wants to clinch up but Kawasaki keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolin tries to clinch up but Kawasaki circles away and keeps his distance.
Kawasaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kawasaki keeps the fight on the outside.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bolin but Bolin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bolin is looking to clinch but Kawasaki is avoiding it.
Horrible takedown by Kawasaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Bolin which made him look bad.
Kawasaki looks gassed!
Kawasaki swats away the attempt to clinch by Bolin.
Bolin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kawasaki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shinya Kawasaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bolin tries to clinch up but Kawasaki circles away and keeps his distance.
Bolin doesn't manage to clinch there - Kawasaki circles away.
Bolin tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Horrible takedown by Kawasaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Bolin which made him look bad.
Bolin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bolin is looking to clinch.
Bolin stuffs the takedown.
Bolin tries to clinch but Kawasaki is having none of it.
Kawasaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kawasaki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bolin wants to clinch up but Kawasaki keeps it at a distance.
Bolin tries to clinch but Kawasaki moves out of range.
Bolin tries to clinch there but Kawasaki circles away.
Bolin is looking to clinch but Kawasaki is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kawasaki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bolin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kawasaki swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bolin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kawasaki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Bolin as Kawasaki shoots in.
Bolin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bolin tries to clinch but Kawasaki is having none of it.
Kawasaki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bolin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kawasaki swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bolin tries to clinch up.
Kawasaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kawasaki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bolin wants to clinch up but Kawasaki keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kawasaki wants to clinch but Bolin slips to the side

and Bolin holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bolin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kawasaki fails to pull guard.
Bolin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bolin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kawasaki tries for a takedown but Bolin manages to get underhooks.
Bolin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bolin is looking to break free of the clinch but Kawasaki has double underhooks.
Bolin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bolin tries to break the clinch but Kawasaki is controlling the position.

Bolin breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bolin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bolin wants to clinch up but Kawasaki keeps it at a distance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bolin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bolin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kawasaki swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Bolin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bolin tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Kawasaki counters by clinching up.
Kawasaki keeps control of Bolin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kawasaki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Kawasaki has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bolin clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Bolin holding both Kawasaki 's hands and preventing any damage.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Kawasaki is breathing heavily.
Bolin is trying to get back to his feet but Kawasaki has full control of the position and if anything, Bolin has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawasaki is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Bolin trying to get back to his feet but Kawasaki is in full control for now.
Kawasaki looking to soften up his opponent with punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bolin trying to get back to his feet but Kawasaki is in full control for now.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kawasaki tightening his grip on Bolin, looking for the choke.
Kawasaki is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolin looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Kawasaki controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bolin controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Kawasaki patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Can Bolin hold on?! Kawasaki is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

Kawasaki has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Bolin is trying to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kawasaki trying to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinya Kawasaki 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!

Bolin tries to clinch but Kawasaki moves out of range.

Kawasaki looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Bolin!
Kawasaki sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Kawasaki working for a submission but Bolin is keeping him at bay.
Bolin is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Kawasaki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawasaki tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bolin is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Kawasaki jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Bolin is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Bolin and Kawasaki has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Bolin is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kawasaki tries to move into full mount but can't pass Bolin's legs.
Kawasaki taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolin is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kawasaki asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bolin bucks up and tries to throw Kawasaki off but instead Kawasaki has got his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kawasaki thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kawasaki controls the position.
Bolin controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kawasaki working for a choke but Bolin is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinya Kawasaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kawasaki 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinya Kawasaki!