PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Masato Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Suksamit Krathampong (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
Krathampong

174 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, 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 Tokyo, Suksamit Krathampong!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kobayashi keeps the fight on the outside.
Krathampong fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Krathampong looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Kobayashi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Krathampong controlling Kobayashi's posture.
Kobayashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Krathampong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kobayashi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Krathampong really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kobayashi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Krathampong is trying to keep Kobayashi in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi wants to control from the top but Krathampong keeps moving.
Krathampong is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Krathampong has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kobayashi has passed into side control.

Kobayashi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Krathampong is trying to get back to half guard.

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.
Kobayashi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Krathampong keeps working.
Krathampong tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kobayashi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kobayashi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Masato Kobayashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Suksamit Krathampong.
Kobayashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Krathampong.
Krathampong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Krathampong tries for a takedown but Kobayashi circles away easily

and Kobayashi counters with a shoot takedown. Krathampong fights it but they end up in guard.
Kobayashi prevents Krathampong from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Krathampong looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kobayashi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Krathampong, up you get!
Kobayashi closes the distance and clinches up with Krathampong, looking for a takedown. Kobayashi pushes Krathampong against the cage but Krathampong circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kobayashi shoots and misses
and Krathampong counters with a leg kick.
Krathampong fails with a takedown attempt.

Krathampong gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kobayashi stands and throws Krathampong's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Krathampong wants to control but Kobayashi postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kobayashi stands up and beckons Krathampong to his feet.

Kobayashi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kobayashi tries to stand but Krathampong is controlling from the bottom.

Kobayashi is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Krathampong is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Krathampong has escaped and now he's on top!
Krathampong trying to control but Kobayashi is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masato Kobayashi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Krathampong closes the distance and clinches up with Kobayashi, looking for a takedown. Krathampong pushes Kobayashi against the cage but Kobayashi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kobayashi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Krathampong counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Krathampong.
Kobayashi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Krathampong's guard.
Krathampong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kobayashi manages to get himself to full guard.
Krathampong working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Krathampong must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kobayashi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Krathampong wants to stand but Kobayashi is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krathampong showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Krathampong tries to free his leg and advance position but Kobayashi is retaining full guard.
Krathampong controlling from the top position.

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.

Kobayashi is looking for a triangle but Krathampong pushes his legs off easily.
Krathampong content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Krathampong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Krathampong chips away with some ground and pound.
Krathampong trying to control but Kobayashi is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Krathampong is one step ahead there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Krathampong darts in trying to clinch

and Kobayashi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krathampong throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Krathampong trying to control the position.
Krathampong keeping moving, preventing Kobayashi from controlling successfully.
Krathampong pulls Kobayashi in close to prevent any damage.
Krathampong thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Suksamit Krathampong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kobayashi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Krathampong pinned against the cage. Krathampong gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Danga de danga de dang - Krathampong scores with a four punch combination!
Krathampong swinging wilding here.
Krathampong swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Krathampong has his takedown stuffed

and Kobayashi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Krathampong!

Kobayashi goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Krathampong turns into him and now he's in Kobayashi's guard.
Kobayashi keeping moving, preventing Krathampong from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krathampong connects with a couple of short punches.
Krathampong trying to control the position from guard on top but Kobayashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

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.
Krathampong postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kobayashi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Krathampong counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kobayashi trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi pushes Krathampong off looking to stand but Krathampong dives back in and keeps control.
Krathampong wants to take a breather but Kobayashi is having none of it.
Kobayashi tries to kick Krathampong off but Krathampong keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Krathampong performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kobayashi is controlling Krathampong's trapped leg to prevent Krathampong from advancing to side control.
Kobayashi gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Krathampong gets to his feet - Kobayashi follows without any prompting.
Krathampong fails to land the takedown.
Kobayashi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Krathampong is fending him off so far but Kobayashi persists. Nope, Krathampong circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masato Kobayashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Krathampong changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kobayashi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Krathampong trying to control the action but Kobayashi is working from the bottom.
Krathampong works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Kobayashi is looking to regain half guard here but Krathampong keeps moving and retains side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Suksamit Krathampong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Krathampong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Suksamit Krathampong!