PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Keiji Kawada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Schoots (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keiji Kawada has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kawada
vs
Schoots

167 cm
35
145 lbs
14 - 22 - 1

175 cm
25
146 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Four Aces Nutrition
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Keiji Kawada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nathan Schoots!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawada shoots for a takedown but Schoots saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kawada fails to land the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Kawada. No joy for Schoots on that attempt.
Kawada appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kawada throws the left hand but Schoots avoids the punch easily.
Kawada throws a right and a left that Schoots avoids nicely.
Schoots is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kawada fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiji Kawada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Kawada as Schoots shoots in.

Kawada closes the distance and clinches.
I was talking to Kawada's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kawada is looking to take this one to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawada is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Schoots is defending well.
Schoots is pressed up against the cage. Kawada has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Schoots down to the mat. Schoots avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kawada tries to clinch but Schoots moves away

and Schoots counters with a shoot takedown. Kawada fights it but they end up in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Schoots controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Schoots cracks Kawada with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kawada has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Schoots can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schoots cracks Kawada with a solid left hand.

Schoots thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Schoots has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at #1 Amsterdam. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Schoots scoring with some ground and pound.
Kawada can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Schoots controls the pace.
Schoots is in close to Kawada's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Schoots won't allow Kawada to sweep him here.

Schoots drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Schoots jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schoots throws a big right hand that misses.
Kawada wants to stand but Schoots is controlling the position.

Kawada is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Schoots seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kawada wants to improve his position but instead Schoots has moved into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Schoots throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kawada taking some punishment here, with Schoots in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schoots slips a nice elbow through Kawada's hands, connecting with Kawada's forehead.
Schoots looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kawada flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Schoots drops an elbow to the side of Kawada's head.
Schoots prevents Kawada from standing back up.
Schoots looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Well, if Schoots is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Nice strikes from Schoots there.
Schoots with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kawada is pressing down on Schoots's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Schoots trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schoots thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Schoots lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Schoots showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kawada trying to control the position.
Kawada looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Schoots drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Schoots jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Schoots works over Kawada with some ground and pound from guard.
Kawada looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Schoots dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kawada throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jab, jab by Schoots - just one landing.

Kawada gets caught flat footed, as Schoots shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Schoots distracts Kawada with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Schoots slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Schoots is staying tight to Kawada's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Schoots is putting a hurting on Kawada here, landing some big shots from side control.
Schoots scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kawada tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Schoots wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nathan Schoots has got the better of the ground game so far.
Schoots cracks Kawada with a big elbow.
Schoots scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Kawada to see if he's OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Schoots trying to control the position but Kawada is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schoots creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kawada tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Schoots wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Schoots has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Schoots grinds an elbow into Kawada's temple.
Kawada is looking to regain half guard here but Schoots keeps moving and retains side control.
Schoots scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kawada taking a bit of punishment here - Schoots scoring with strikes.
Kawada manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Kawada is defending against the submission attempts here by Schoots.
Kawada wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schoots drops an elbow to the side of Kawada's head.
Schoots is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Schoots wants to control but Kawada is keeping him busy.
Schoots lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Schoots wants to free his trapped foot but Kawada is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Schoots connects with a nice short shot to Kawada's temple.
Kawada is trying to control but can't.
Kawada is looking for a sweep. Schoots is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Schoots landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Schoots has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kawada tries to get to full guard but Schoots has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schoots seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kawada does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Schoots connects with a nice short shot to Kawada's temple.
Kawada tries to kick Schoots off but Schoots keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Schoots passes to full mount!
Kawada is in a horrible position here. Schoots smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Schoots connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Schoots scoring with strikes but Kawada is staying in there.
Schoots wants to control the pace but Kawada is squirming around nicely.
Kawada is in all sorts of trouble here.
Schoots is landing with some decent strikes but Kawada is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawada keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Schoots lands a nice shot to the head.
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!
Kawada is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Schoots wants to control the pace but Kawada is squirming around nicely.
Schoots landing punches.
Kawada sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Schoots wants to take a breather but Kawada is having none of it.
Nice strikes from Schoots there.
Schoots wants to pass the guard but Kawada is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Schoots showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Kawada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kawada tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Schoots fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kawada to the ground. Schoots is now in Kawada's guard.
Schoots working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kawada's head.
Schoots is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Schoots trying to control but Kawada is working from the bottom.
Schoots looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kawada controls Schoots momentarily but Schoots frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawada is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Schoots dives into side control.
Schoots is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Kawada will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Kawada is trying to improve his position.
Kawada manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kawada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Schoots passes into side control, despite Kawada's attempt to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kawada wants to control but Schoots postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schoots lands an elbow.
Schoots landing strikes.
Schoots working the head with strikes.
Kawada is trying to control Schoots's posture but Schoots avoids it.
Schoots is looking to take a break and control but Kawada is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Keiji Kawada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Schoots lands some shots froms side control.
Schoots working the body and head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schoots is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kawada's shoulder. That is not cool.
Schoots working the ground and pound.
Schoots happy to just control the position for now.
Schoots scores with punches from side control.
Schoots cracks Kawada with a big right hand but Kawada just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Kawada can't do much from the bottom here.
Schoots lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Schoots lands an elbow.

Kawada is rocked!
Kawada tries to improve position but can't.
Oh Kawada is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kawada on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schoots lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kawada down.
Kawada is trying to improve his position.
Schoots landing a few strikes.
Kawada is trying to escape the position but Schoots is controlling the position.
Schoots is continuing to stall.
Kawada is trying to get back to his feet.
Check out the look on Schoots's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kawada is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Schoots lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Schoots comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Schoots 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 26:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathan Schoots!
Nathan Schoots managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, KAISER, into his post fight interview.