PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between rorouni kenshin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

kenshin
vs
Shirahama

181 cm
21
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
179 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, rorouni kenshin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenichi Shirahama!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirahama lands with a thumping leg kick.
kenshin slips a jab and a cross from Shirahama.
kenshin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shirahama swivels and escapes.

Shirahama shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Shirahama is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shirahama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Shirahama is tying to control. kenshin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Shirahama passes to full mount!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Shirahama tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Shirahama looks gassed!
kenshin is looking to regain half guard here but Shirahama keeps moving and retains side control.
Shirahama trying to control the position but kenshin is working away.
kenshin is looking for a sweep.
kenshin managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Shirahama.

That's two 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.
A lull in the action here as Shirahama stalls from top position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shirahama fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
kenshin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shirahama swivels and escapes.
kenshin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shirahama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
kenshin avoids the head kick by Shirahama.
kenshin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shirahama as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for rorouni kenshin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
kenshin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Shirahama drives through and clinches with kenshin against the cage.

Shirahama breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
kenshin moves out of range as Shirahama strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
kenshin misses with a takedown attempt

and Shirahama counters with a takedown into side control.

Shirahama tries for a kimura but kenshin is defending well.

Shirahama tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
kenshin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Shirahama wants to take a breather but kenshin is having none of it.

Shirahama is looking for a kimura here.

Shirahama is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. kenshin doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shirahama.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama wants to free his trapped foot but kenshin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Shirahama sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Shirahama is tying to control. kenshin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama 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.

Shirahama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
kenshin shoots for a double leg takedown but Shirahama sprawls well. He's pushed kenshin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
kenshin misses with a head kick.
kenshin fails with a takedown attempt.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shirahama.
kenshin blocks a head kick by Shirahama.
Horrible takedown by kenshin or perhaps it was just good defense by Shirahama which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for rorouni kenshin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
kenshin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Shirahama digs a good hook to kenshin's body.

Shirahama closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shirahama works his way into full mount!

Shirahama working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
kenshin is wriggling around trying to escape.
Shirahama working the ground and pound effectively.
kenshin is looking to improve his position but Shirahama isn't that keen on the idea.
Shirahama sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Shirahama wants to finish this one by submission but kenshin is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Shirahama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama unloads with some shots from mount but kenshin bucks and avoids them well.
Shirahama wants to control the pace but kenshin is squirming around nicely.

Shirahama swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and kenshin is now in Shirahama's guard. A big mistake from Shirahama there, giving up the dominant position!

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

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

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

Shirahama is working an open guard so kenshin takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Good leg kick by Shirahama there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
kenshin takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Shirahama drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kenichi Shirahama has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Shirahama wants to take a breather but kenshin manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Shirahama.
Shirahama trying to control but kenshin is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shirahama has gone for a leg lock! kenshin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shirahama's guard.

kenshin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Shirahama is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of kenshin, into his guard.
kenshin wants to stand and escape but Shirahama is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shirahama 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.
kenshin is trying to keep Shirahama in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shirahama displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Shirahama scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shirahama.

Shirahama closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shirahama lands in his opponent's guard.
Shirahama tries to free his leg and advance position but kenshin is retaining full guard.

Shirahama drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and kenshin dives on top into guard.
Shirahama keeping moving, preventing kenshin from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shirahama has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. kenshin is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Shirahama.
Shirahama is not content to let kenshin control the position.
Shirahama is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on kenshin's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shirahama keeping hold of kenshin's head, controlling as best he can.
Shirahama trying to control but kenshin postures up.

That's two 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.

Shirahama actively working from the bottom here.
Shirahama wants to get back to full guard.
kenshin is looking to take a break and control but Shirahama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shirahama gets back to full guard.
Shirahama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
kenshin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
kenshin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Shirahama counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Shirahama throwing strikes from guard but kenshin blocks nicely.

Shirahama drops back looking for a leg! kenshin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and kenshin manages to kick Shirahama off! Shirahama jumps back into kenshin's guard.
Kenichi Shirahama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shirahama is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Shirahama wants to control from the top but kenshin keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
kenshin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shirahama not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
kenshin trying to keep a closed guard but Shirahama is proving a slippery customer.
Shirahama advances to half guard.

Shirahama is trying to work for a kimura but kenshin is defending well.
kenshin is trying to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenichi Shirahama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shirahama 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenichi Shirahama!