PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Setsuno Hiradama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Setsuno Hiradama had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Hiradama
vs
Jones

185 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
134 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Setsuno Hiradama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thomas Jones!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jones shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hiradama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jones manages to get himself to full guard.

Jones wants to stand up but Hiradama is controlling him.
Jones trying to keep a closed guard but Hiradama is proving a slippery customer.
Jones wants to get back to his feet but Hiradama is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones wants to sweep here but Hiradama controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiradama would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Jones trying to keep a closed guard but Hiradama is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jones working a defensive guard here.
Hiradama would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Jones is trying to control the position but Hiradama postures up.
Hiradama pushes down on Jones's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hiradama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hiradama in particular looking to stall.
Jones has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hiradama is working away from the top position though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hiradama darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jones is trying to get back to full guard.
Hiradama performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiradama stops Jones from getting back to his feet.
Jones trying to control here.
Hiradama is controlling the pace.
Jones gets back to full guard.

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.

Hiradama got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jones has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hiradama has managed to get both his arms back between Jones's legs - danger averted.
Hiradama passes Jones's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hiradama slows the pace down in half guard.
Jones tries to get to full guard but Hiradama has control of the leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jones is doing well to control the position and prevent Hiradama from advancing to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Setsuno Hiradama dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jones darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jones not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jones wants to stand but Hiradama has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Jones works his way into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiradama is trying to control Jones's posture but Jones avoids it.
Hiradama is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones in the domination position with Hiradama hanging on.
Hiradama really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Jones wants to control but Hiradama is keeping him busy.
Jones tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Hiradama tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jones creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Hiradama sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jones wants to stand but Hiradama has his arm trapped.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hiradama is not content to let Jones control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Jones. Those never looked like landing.
Hiradama fails with the takedown
enabling Jones to counter with a crisp jab.
Jones throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hiradama.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hiradama.
Jones shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hiradama as he avoids it easily.
No joy there for Jones, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hiradama shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hiradama was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Jones is breathing heavily.
Hiradama lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Jones down.
Hiradama controlling from side mount.

Hiradama thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hiradama trying to control the position but Jones is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Hiradama is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Hiradama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Jones is looking to escape.
Jones tries to hold on but Hiradama postures up.
Hiradama controlling the pace for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jones tries to lock up and control but Hiradama gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Jones 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!

Hiradama stuffs the takedown attempt from Jones. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like Hiradama was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Hiradama throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Jones tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hiradama is in Jones's guard.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Hiradama from controlling successfully.
Hiradama wants to pass the guard but Jones is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiradama is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Jones holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiradama looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Jones working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hiradama doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hiradama manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Jones has Hiradama pulled in close to control his posture.
Hiradama is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

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 big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hiradama accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hiradama is in close to Jones's body, working some short punches and elbows.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jones is on top in guard.

Hiradama can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jones controls the pace.
Hiradama has a closed guard, preventing Jones from standing up.
Hiradama looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiradama is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Jones is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hiradama stuffs the takedown attempt from Jones. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
Jones takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hiradama closes the distance and pushes Jones back into the cage.
Jones blocks an elbow strike.
Jones tries to pull guard but Hiradama won't allow it.
Setsuno Hiradama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Jones.
Hiradama has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Jones after a bit of a struggle.

Jones gets control of Hiradama's arms and successfully pulls guard. Jones will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiradama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jones is keeping the position for now.
Hiradama stays in close to Jones's body and controls the position.
Hiradama trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jones keeping moving, preventing Hiradama from controlling successfully.
Hiradama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Setsuno Hiradama showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hiradama 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Setsuno Hiradama!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Setsuno Hiradama!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Setsuno Hiradama!

Setsuno Hiradama wins by unanimous decision!