PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Clayton Channings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rumina Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumina Sato has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Channings
vs
Sato

184 cm
32
178 lbs
16 - 14 - 1

185 cm
47
180 lbs
39 - 28 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

RAGS of a RONIN
Voodoo Nutrition

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 16 - 14 - 1, fighting out of London, Clayton Channings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rumina Sato!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Channings bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sato's head.
Sloppy strikes from Channings. Those never looked like landing.
Channings cracks Sato with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Channings avoids the head kick by Sato.
Channings uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sato.
Sato misses with a wild body shot.
Sato throws a leg kick that misses.
Channings checks a low kick from Sato.
Sato misses with a kick to the body.
Sato throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Channings ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Channings has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Sato jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Channings changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sato looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Channings lands with a nice combination. Sato backs away looking to recover.
Sato doesn't manage to clinch there - Channings circles away.
Good exchange - Sato coming out on top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sato throws a nice looking combination but Channings bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Channings changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Channings shoots in and gets a takedown into Sato's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sato is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Channings trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Channings with a nice head shot there.
Sato has control of Channings's left arm, preventing Channings from doing any damage.
Channings content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Channings trying to control but Sato is working from the bottom.
Sato looking for a sweep. Not yet Sato, not yet.
Sato trying to keep a closed guard but Channings is proving a slippery customer.
Sato bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Channings's guard.

Sato trying to control but Channings is working from the bottom.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Channings being controlled here, momentarily.

Channings is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sato defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Channings being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Channings looking for a guillotine here but Sato defends easily.
Channings being controlled here, momentarily.

Channings is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sato defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Channings is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sato trying to control but Channings is working from the bottom.
Sato controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sato fails to land with a series of punches.
Sato feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Channings's calf.
Sato misses with a body kick.
Sato throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sato misses the shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Channings ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Channings staying out of range there.
Channings blocks the body kick.
Sato throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rumina Sato will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sato scores with a jab to the body.
Sato tries to clinch but Channings is having none of it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Channings or perhaps it was just good defense by Sato, which made it look bad.

Channings shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sato tries to roll over but Channings keeps him under control.
Sato trying to control but Channings postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Channings seems to be working for a kimura but Sato defends the submission attempt.
Sato preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Channings is trying to control. Sato wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Channings looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sato has his hands clasped together around Channings's back. He's all about the action.
Sato moves into full guard.
Channings tries to free his leg and advance position but Sato is retaining full guard.
Sato wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Channings trying to control the position from guard on top but Sato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Channings postures up.
Sato seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sato is continuing to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Channings looks to score with a jab to the body but Sato is just out of range.
Sato looks to land a body kick but Channings moved away.
Channings feinted with a counter takedown.
Sato keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A cross from Channings lands.
Sato pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sato throws an overhand right that lands on Channings's shoulder, as Channings tries to avoid the shot.
Sato throws a hook to the side of Channings's head but Channings sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Channings showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sato.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sato.
Sato misses with a wild combination.
Channings throws out a loose jab but Sato uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sato pivots, looking for a leg kick but Channings is out of range and Sato settles back down.
Channings swinging wildly here.
Sato throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sato looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Channings shoots for a double leg takedown but Sato sprawls well. He's pushed Channings's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clayton Channings. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sato looks to score with a jab to the body but Channings is just out of range.
Sato throws a combination. Channings tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sato is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Channings.
Channings uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sato.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Channings slips under a jab from Sato.
Channings moves away from the strike by Sato.
Sato scores with a nice head shot.
Channings connects with a looping right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big right from Sato misses.
Sato thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sato has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Channings throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sato lands a glancing blow to the side of Channings's head.
Channings throws a lazy right hand but Sato sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Channings dodges the punch combination from Sato.
Channings swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Channings staying out of range there.
Sato throws a wild body kick that Channings sees coming a mile off.
Sato sizes up Channings with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Channings digs a good body shot into Sato's ribs.
Channings cracks Sato with a good jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rumina Sato showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sato throws the kick towards the body but Channings avoids it.

Sato gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Channings is trying to stall.
Sato fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sato struggles to land a body shot inside as Channings controls his hands.
Channings softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Channings scores with a hook to the body.
Sato looking to slow down the pace here.
Channings stalling in the clinch but Sato improves position.
Sato misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sato digs a right hand underneath Channings's ribcage. Channings let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sato stalling in the clinch but Channings improves position.

Channings breaks the clinch.
Rumina Sato seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sato walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sato missing with a left hand there. Channings was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Sato misses the target.
Sato misses with a hook. Channings ducked under it nicely.
Sato looks to land a left hand but Channings moved out of range nicely.
Channings shoots in looking for a takedown but Sato manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Channings's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sato lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rumina Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Channings tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sato defends well and Channings ends up having to push Sato into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sato! But no joy.
Sato lands with an uppercut that bounces Channings off the cage and back into range.
Sato throws a nice looking combination but Channings bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Channings drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sato sprawls and moves away.
Sato throws a sloppy head kick and Channings moves out of range easily.
Sato scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Channings slips a jab and a cross from Sato.
Channings keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sato.
Channings tries to counter with a takedown but Sato is quick to defend against it.
Sato throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Channings attempts a counter takedown but Sato avoids it well and moves away.
Nice shot lands for Sato.

Channings decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sato works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Channings tries to free his leg and advance position but Sato is retaining full guard.
Sato looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Channings cracks Sato with a solid left hand.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Sato pulls Channings in close to prevent any damage.
Channings trying to control but Sato is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Channings accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Channings lands a couple of elbows.
Channings cracks Sato with a solid left hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sato is on top in guard.

Sato advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Sato wants to lay and pray for a moment but Channings keeps working.
Rumina Sato is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sato working away.
Clayton Channings overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sato moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Clayton Channings has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sato blocks the strikes from Channings.
Sato trying to control the position but Channings is working away.
Channings tries to improve position but can't.
Sato happy to just control the position for now.
Sato's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Sato trying to control the action but Channings is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rumina Sato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sato 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rumina Sato!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Rumina Sato made sure he mentioned Voodoo Nutrition, along with how happy he was to win his fight.