PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tatsuya Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaquim Rapture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rapture has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music. Tatsuya Kawajiri could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Joaquim Rapture's chin.

Kawajiri
vs
Rapture

172 cm
38
155 lbs
24 - 14 - 2

175 cm
32
150 lbs
24 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Lion Fightwear
Spartan Nutrition

Lion Fightwear

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 24 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tatsuya Kawajiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joaquim Rapture!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawajiri keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A jab from Kawajiri finds it's way through Rapture's defenses.

Kawajiri gets a clinch.

Rapture manages to break the clinch.
Rapture takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rapture is looking to chop away at Kawajiri's legs.
Rapture misses with an uppercut. Kawajiri saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawajiri tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rapture rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rapture is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kawajiri.
Rapture with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the body
and Rapture counters with a nice kick to the body.
Rapture throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kawajiri misses with a straight left.
Rapture tries a quick counter leg kick but Kawajiri is wise to it.
Kawajiri sizes up Rapture with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rapture tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kawajiri was well out of range. Poor timing from Rapture.
Joaquim Rapture seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kawajiri misses with an uppercut.
Rapture throws out a counter right but Kawajiri avoids it with no problem.
Kawajiri takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rapture slips a jab and a cross from Kawajiri.
Rapture let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kawajiri misses with a left hand
and Rapture connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rapture stalks Kawajiri and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kawajiri's face. Kawajiri staggers backwards, shaken.
Rapture misses with a wild body shot.
A quick step to the side and Kawajiri tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rapture throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kawajiri sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rapture's corner calls for a 1-2. Rapture obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kawajiri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rapture throws a lazy right hand but Kawajiri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kawajiri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rapture sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rapture has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kawajiri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rapture sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rapture looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rapture walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kawajiri checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kawajiri throws a shot from downtown. Rapture moves away and avoids it.
Rapture is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Rapture fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rapture pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kawajiri is out of range and Rapture settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rapture throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kawajiri tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rapture is in Kawajiri's guard.
Rapture chips away with some ground and pound.
Rapture trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawajiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kawajiri wants to get back to his feet but Rapture is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kawajiri keeping moving, preventing Rapture from controlling successfully.
Rapture won't allow Kawajiri to get back to his feet.
Rapture is in close to Kawajiri's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kawajiri has momentary wrist control but Rapture slips an elbow through the middle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rapture stops Kawajiri from standing up.

Kawajiri wriggles free and stands up.
Rapture fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kawajiri manages to avoid it.
Kawajiri throws a hook but Rapture blocks it.
Rapture changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kawajiri.
Rapture misses with a left hand
enabling Kawajiri to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rapture misses with a series of wild punches.
Rapture finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rapture scores with a shot to the body.
Rapture steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kawajiri.
Rapture doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rapture throws an overhand right that lands on Kawajiri's shoulder, as Kawajiri tries to avoid the shot.
Rapture lands with a good body shot.
Rapture lands with a nice body punch.
Kawajiri waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rapture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Rapture dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rapture misses with a hook to the body
and Kawajiri counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kawajiri swings for the body but Rapture moves out of range.
Joaquim Rapture seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kawajiri looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kawajiri uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rapture.
Kawajiri throws out a powerful jab.
Rapture cracks the inside of Kawajiri's front leg.
Rapture throws an overhand right that lands on Kawajiri's shoulder, as Kawajiri tries to avoid the shot.
Rapture moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawajiri slips under a jab.
Kawajiri was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kawajiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rapture.
Rapture has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kawajiri checks the leg kick.
Rapture looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapture scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rapture misses the shot to the body.
Kawajiri appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kawajiri throws a hook to the side of Rapture's head but Rapture sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kawajiri misses with a hook
and Rapture cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rapture misses with the combination.
Nice body kick there by Kawajiri.
Rapture lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Kawajiri gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rapture struggles to land a body shot inside as Kawajiri controls his hands.
Rapture swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rapture.
Still in the clinch, Rapture scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kawajiri misses with the head strike.
Kawajiri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kawajiri misses with a body punch.
Rapture swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rapture can't find room to land a body shot as Kawajiri controls the action.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rapture.
Rapture fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kawajiri prevents a body shot from Rapture.
Rapture misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rapture lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kawajiri backwards.
Rapture blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rapture scores with a hook to the body.
Kawajiri misses with some punches.
Rapture throws a punch but it's blocked by Kawajiri.
Nice body punch from Kawajiri - that landed with a thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rapture ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rapture no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kawajiri has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rapture is proving hard to escape from.
Rapture wants to sweep but no luck.

Kawajiri stands up from Rapture's guard - Kawajiri perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kawajiri throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rapture on the side of the head.
Rapture goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rapture throws a looping overhand right but Kawajiri ducks down to avoid it.
Kawajiri throwing a counter right hand but Rapture manages to avoid it.
Rapture scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kawajiri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rapture appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Kawajiri blocks the leg kick.
Kawajiri avoids a kick to the body.
Kawajiri thinks about countering with a head kick.
Kawajiri tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rapture manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rapture tries to work over Kawajiri's front leg with a kick but Kawajiri checks it.
Rapture lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kawajiri circles away quickly and effectively.
Rapture throws a leg kick but Kawajiri sees it coming and checks it nicely.
It looked like Kawajiri wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kawajiri is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kawajiri looks to land a right hand but Rapture moved out of range.
Kawajiri moves in looking to clinch but Rapture pushes him off.
Kawajiri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rapture.
Rapture throws a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circling - Rapture throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kawajiri is looking to counter punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Rapture 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!

Rapture moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kawajiri walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rapture fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kawajiri is out of range.
Rapture throws a leg kick which misses Kawajiri's front leg but catches the back leg as Kawajiri tries to avoid it.
Rapture throws the left hand but Kawajiri avoids the punch easily.
Rapture avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kawajiri throws a lazy right hand but Rapture sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rapture drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kawajiri defends it well.
Kawajiri throws a shot from downtown. Rapture moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawajiri on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kawajiri shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kawajiri uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rapture has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rapture misses with a hook
and Kawajiri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kawajiri throws a series of punches but Rapture avoids them all with ease.
Rapture throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rapture is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rapture uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri misses with a hook
and Rapture counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rapture closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Rapture closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kawajiri did well to prevent Rapture getting side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rapture missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rapture stops Kawajiri from getting back to his feet.
Rapture missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rapture working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kawajiri's thigh. Kawajiri counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Rapture is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kawajiri is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rapture throws a big right hand that misses.
Rapture won't allow Kawajiri to get back to his feet.
Rapture lands a couple of digs.
Rapture stops Kawajiri from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rapture wants to control from the top but Kawajiri keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Rapture misses the target.
A low kick from Rapture is predictable there
and Kawajiri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kawajiri connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rapture. Rapture circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rapture looks to land a combination but Kawajiri avoids it well.
Kawajiri slips under a jab.
Kawajiri throws a head kick that misses.
Kawajiri ducks right into an uppercut from Rapture.
Kawajiri throws a lazy uppercut
and Rapture counters with a stiff right hand.
A jab from Kawajiri finds it's way through Rapture's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rapture scores with the left hand. Kawajiri knows he should have avoided that one.
Kawajiri walks into a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rapture bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rapture misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri throwing a counter right hand but Rapture manages to avoid it.
Kawajiri thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rapture misses with a two punch combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kawajiri. Rapture does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice side step and Rapture releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kawajiri lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rapture loads up on a big right hand but Kawajiri slips the punch.
Kawajiri was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rapture tries for a takedown but Kawajiri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Kawajiri misses its target.
Tatsuya Kawajiri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rapture gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joaquim Rapture comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rapture 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joaquim Rapture!
Joaquim Rapture was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.