PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Masato Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dirk Squatter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kobayashi
vs
Squatter

174 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Masato Kobayashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dirk Squatter!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kobayashi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kobayashi is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Squatter!

Kobayashi looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Squatter is trying to escape the mount.
Squatter tries to lock up and control but Kobayashi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Squatter is wriggling around trying to escape.

Kobayashi moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Squatter has worked his arm free - good work by Squatter!
Squatter is looking for a sweep.
Squatter misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Kobayashi in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kobayashi advances to full mount.

Squatter defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kobayashi.

Kobayashi looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Squatter keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Squatter wants to control but Kobayashi is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kobayashi wants to take his opponent's back but Squatter doesn't allow it.
Squatter really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kobayashi is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Squatter is in real trouble.
Kobayashi is breathing heavily.
Kobayashi doesn't have the hooks in and Squatter manages to turn into his guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Squatter accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kobayashi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Squatter is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Squatter with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Squatter wants to stand but Kobayashi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Squatter stopping the sweep attempt from Kobayashi.
Squatter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kobayashi is keeping the position for now.
Squatter scoring with some ground and pound.

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

Kobayashi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Squatter pushing down on Kobayashi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Squatter stands up and beckons Kobayashi to join him on the feet.
Kobayashi moves in looking to clinch but Squatter pushes him off.
Good leg kick by Kobayashi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Kobayashi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kobayashi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Squatter gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kobayashi stands and throws Squatter's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kobayashi scores with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Squatter's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Kobayashi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Squatter has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kobayashi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Squatter is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kobayashi works to advance to full mount. Squatter defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Squatter gets back to half guard.
Squatter is looking to improve his position.
Kobayashi is trying to control the action in half guard but Squatter is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Squatter is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Squatter scores with a few weak punches.
Squatter is trying to maintain the position but Kobayashi is very close to passing his half guard.

Kobayashi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Squatter is just riding it out for now. Kobayashi eventually gives up the hold.
Kobayashi is thwarting Squatter's attempts to control the position.
Squatter misses with some strikes from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Squatter has his takedown stuffed
and Kobayashi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Dirk Squatter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kobayashi fails with an attempt to clinch.
No joy there for Squatter, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kobayashi clinches up against the cage.

Kobayashi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Squatter can't fight it off and eventually Kobayashi manages to take the fight to the floor. Squatter looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kobayashi stops Squatter from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masato Kobayashi 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.

Squatter scores with a three punch combo!
Squatter lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kobayashi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kobayashi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Squatter tries for a takedown but Kobayashi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kobayashi tries to clinch but Squatter is having none of it.
Squatter tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kobayashi swivels and escapes.
Kobayashi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Squatter tries for a takedown but Kobayashi circles away easily

and Kobayashi moves into the clinch.
Masato Kobayashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dirk Squatter.
Squatter managing to block the knees to the body from Kobayashi.

Kobayashi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kobayashi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Squatter fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Kobayashi takes the fight into the clinch.
Squatter is breathing heavily.
Kobayashi stalling against the cage.
Kobayashi tries to land a knee to the head but Squatter blocks with his arms.
Kobayashi trying to land knees to the body.
Kobayashi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Squatter takes an elbow to the forehead.
Come on Kobayashi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Squatter takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kobayashi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kobayashi avoiding damage.
Kobayashi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Squatter gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kobayashi stalling against the cage.
Kobayashi lands a knee to the body.

Kobayashi wants the takedown. Squatter is fighting it off but Kobayashi persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Squatter's guard against the cage.
Masato Kobayashi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kobayashi pushes down on Squatter's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kobayashi is pressing down on Squatter's thigh, looking to free his foot. Squatter is holding on for now.
Kobayashi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Squatter won't allow Kobayashi to pass to mount.
Squatter trying to control but Kobayashi postures up.

Kobayashi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Squatter is just riding it out for now. Kobayashi eventually gives up the hold.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Squatter keeps working.

Kobayashi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Squatter is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kobayashi moves into full mount!

Kobayashi working for a submission but Squatter is keeping him at bay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Squatter wants to hold on but Kobayashi pushes him away.
Squatter really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Kobayashi looking for a guillotine from mount but Squatter is having none of it.
Kobayashi fails to take his opponent's back.
Squatter tries to hold on but Kobayashi pushes him away.
Squatter is looking to get to half guard.
Squatter sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kobayashi moves into full mount! Squatter won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Squatter tries to reverse the position but Kobayashi maintains control.
Kobayashi moves to the back position.
Squatter trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Kobayashi punishes Squatter with strikes from the back mount.

Squatter showing good submission defense here.

Kobayashi is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Squatter has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Squatter is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
Squatter gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kobayashi counters with a thumping low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Squatter with a poor takedown

and Kobayashi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kobayashi.
Kobayashi has Squatter pressed against the cage.
Kobayashi throws a knee to the head but misses.

Kobayashi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masato Kobayashi dominated that second round.
That's time! Kobayashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Squatter works over Kobayashi's head and body with a nice combination.
Squatter gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kobayashi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Squatter is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Squatter with a poor takedown
and Kobayashi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kobayashi lands with a kick to the temple. Squatter shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Squatter tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kobayashi counters by moving into the clinch.
Squatter takes an elbow to the forehead.
Squatter changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kobayashi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Masato Kobayashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dirk Squatter.
Kobayashi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Squatter as he jumps to the side.
Squatter wants to clinch up but Kobayashi keeps it at a distance.
Squatter takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A head kick lands from Kobayashi that sends Squatter to the canvas. Squatter tries to scramble back to his feet but Kobayashi brings him back down into side control.

Squatter is rocked!

It looks like Dirk Squatter has been cut.
Kobayashi controlling the position.
Squatter is still in real trouble! Can Kobayashi finish him?

Kobayashi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi trying to control the position but Squatter is working away.
Squatter seems to have recovered his senses.

Kobayashi goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Squatter rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kobayashi's guard! Nice work there by Squatter!
Kobayashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kobayashi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Squatter defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kobayashi.
Squatter is working to get back to half guard.

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

Kobayashi looking for a guillotine from mount but Squatter is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Squatter really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Kobayashi has control of Squatter's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Squatter regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Kobayashi scoring with strikes but Squatter is staying in there.
Kobayashi avoids the attempt from Squatter to control.

Kobayashi looking for a guillotine from mount but Squatter is having none of it.

Kobayashi looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Squatter is squirming around, avoiding Kobayashi's attempts to control the action.
Squatter prevents Kobayashi from taking his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kobayashi wants to finish this one by submission but Squatter is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kobayashi.
Kobayashi blocks Squatter's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

Kobayashi is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Kobayashi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Squatter fails with a takedown attempt.
Squatter takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kobayashi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A punch combination from Squatter misses.
Squatter doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kobayashi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Squatter won't be happy with that.

Kobayashi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Squatter is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kobayashi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Squatter has escaped the position, nice work there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Squatter is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kobayashi off and has taken his back!
Will Squatter go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Squatter is working the ground and pound. Can Kobayashi escape?
Can Kobayashi hold on?! Squatter is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Kobayashi is really stuck here.
Squatter lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Kobayashi hold on?!
Kobayashi rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Kobayashi is pressing down on Squatter's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Squatter is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Kobayashi has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Squatter is looking to defend but Kobayashi has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Squatter! Kobayashi pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Squatter taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Masato Kobayashi!