PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Titan Rain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuya Shimizu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rain comes into the arena with Die for Metal blaring out of the sound system. Shimizu is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Alright, let's do this.. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rain
vs
Shimizu

166 cm
29
139 lbs
11 - 1 - 2

168 cm
28
144 lbs
24 - 11 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
Bullet Proof System

Spartan Nutrition
V-Mask Clothing (10%)

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 11 - 1 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Titan Rain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yuya Shimizu!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rain ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Shimizu is looking to score with low kicks.
Rain chopping away at his opponent's legs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rain.
We've been hearing reports that Rain has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Rain misses with a low kick.
Rain fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rain tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shimizu defends well and Rain ends up having to push Shimizu into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Shimizu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shimizu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rain has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shimizu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shimizu works Rain's body with a nice hook.
Rain looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shimizu misses with an uppercut.
Shimizu looks for the body kick but Rain saw that one coming.
Rain paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rain throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rain throws a leg kick
and Shimizu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shimizu throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Titan Rain has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rain tried to score with a low kick but Shimizu checks it.
A little jabbing left from Shimizu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shimizu. That's going to slow Rain down.
A combination from Rain does no damage.
Shimizu throws a low kick but Rain avoids it.
Rain wants to slow Shimizu down by chopping away at his legs.
Titan Rain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rain throws a big shot that misses.
Rain lands a really nice looking cross but Shimizu seems unphased.
Shimizu lands a jab to Rain's midsection.
Rain looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rain with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rain throws a jab but it's blocked by Shimizu.
Shimizu shapes to counter with a head kick.
Rain shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Titan Rain. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shimizu gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shimizu is controlling Rain's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rain chips away with some ground and pound.
Shimizu is trying to control the position but Rain postures up.
Rain throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shimizu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rain preventing the sweep.
Rain stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shimizu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rain lands a couple of elbows.
Rain working some strikes from top position.
Shimizu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rain wants to control from the top but Shimizu keeps moving.
Rain preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

Shimizu is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rain defends well.
Rain content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rain throwing strikes but missing.
Rain trying to control the position from guard on top but Shimizu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Shimizu working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shimizu lands with a straight right. Rain didn't see that one coming.
Shimizu scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rain in his tracks.
Rain throws a hook but Shimizu avoids it easily.
Shimizu looks to score with a jab to the body but Rain is just out of range.
It looked like Rain was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Shimizu.
Rain misses with a head kick.
Shimizu staying out of range there.
Shimizu keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Shimizu digs a good body shot into Rain's ribs.
Yuya Shimizu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
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 Titan Rain will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Titan Rain's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rain scores with a one two! Shimizu had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A slow jab from Shimizu misses its intended target.
Shimizu blocks the body kick.
Good shot there by Rain.
Donk. Shimizu catches Rain right on the button with a cross.
Rain dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Shimizu. That did some damage!
Shimizu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shimizu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rain connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Shimizu momentarily.
Shimizu throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rain.
Shimizu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rain.
No joy there for Rain, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shimizu throws a fast counter high kick but Rain manages to duck under it in time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rain displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shimizu throws out the jab.
Shimizu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rain checks the leg kick.
Rain tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rain darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rain doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shimizu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rain connects with a right hand. Shimizu shakes it off.
Rain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shimizu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rain manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shimizu takes a swing at Rain's ribcage but misses.
Rain thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rain moves out of range of the body kick.
Shimizu is looking to land body kicks.
Shimizu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rain moves away.
Shimizu throws a body shot but no joy.
Some bone on bone action there as Shimizu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rain slips a straight right by Shimizu.
Rain sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rain throws a low kick but Shimizu moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu throws a front kick aimed at Rain's knee but Rain avoids it well.
Rain gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rain is looking to score with low kicks.
Rain misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shimizu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rain throws a shot from downtown. Shimizu moves away and avoids it.
Rain has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Shimizu.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rain fails with the takedown.
Shimizu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shimizu misses with a body kick.
Rain tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rain digs a good hook to Shimizu's body.
Shimizu slips under a jab.
Rain thumps Shimizu with a low kick.
Shimizu tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rain counters with a low kick, right behind Shimizu 's knee.
Shimizu lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rain.
Rain moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromShimizu.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Titan Rain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rain checks the leg kick.
Shimizu throws a hook to the side of Rain's head but Rain sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Rain wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shimizu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Shimizu misses with a wild body shot.
Shimizu takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rain throws a shot to the body.
Rain fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shimizu.
Rain throws a leg kick but Shimizu moved away.
Rain throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Yuya Shimizu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shimizu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rain.
Shimizu with a hook.
Shimizu throws a right and a left that Rain avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rain slips a jab from Shimizu.
As Shimizu backs away, Rain returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A solid body kick from Shimizu.
Rain displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shimizu throws out the jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shimizu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rain.
Rain just misses with a punch to the body.
Rain turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rain shoots in for a double leg but Shimizu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shimizu throws a body shot but no joy.
Rain misses with a head kick.
Rain fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shimizu has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rain scores with a head kick. Shimizu tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Rain connects with a leg kick. Shimizu looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rain moves away from the strike by Shimizu.
Rain attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A punch combination from Rain misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Titan Rain will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Titan Rain's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shimizu throws a body shot but no joy.
Shimizu lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Shimizu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Shimizu misses with a kick to the body.
Rain has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rain fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shimizu avoids it really well and circles away.
Shimizu defending well as Rain loads up on a big left hand.
Rain misses with a looping left.
A low kick from Rain misses
and Shimizu counters with a nice body kick.
Shimizu scores with a hook to the body. Rain takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rain stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shimizu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rain manages to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shimizu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rain has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shimizu is looking to land body kicks.
Shimizu smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rain cracks the inside of Shimizu's front leg.
Rain lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Shimizu gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rain to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rain has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Shimizu is looking for a triangle but Rain pushes his legs off easily.

Shimizu has his foot on Rain's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rain works his way back into a safe position though.
Rain controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rain slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Yuya Shimizu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu is not content to let Rain control the position.
Shimizu felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Shimizu is trying to improve his position.
Rain throws a strike aimed at the side of Shimizu's head but Shimizu avoids it well.
Shimizu tries to bench press Rain off him but Rain keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rain is looking to take a break and control but Shimizu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Shimizu's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rain wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shimizu keeps working.
Rain working the head with strikes.
Shimizu is looking for a sweep.
The ground and pound from Rain seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
You can see the frustration on Shimizu's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Titan Rain overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four 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.
Rain throwing strikes but Shimizu manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Rain is not content to let Shimizu control the position.
Shimizu lands some shots froms side control.
Rain tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shimizu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Shimizu working the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shimizu looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Rain is avoiding damage well.
Rain is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Shimizu throwing shots but missing, from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuya Shimizu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rain 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!