PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Medina (ranked 7223 p4p, 679 weight class) and Tsuyoi Kakuto (ranked 8543 p4p, 723 weight class). Kakuto has chosen Gorillaz-Dirty Harry as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Antonio Medina has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Medina
vs
Kakuto

193 cm
23
198 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

190 cm
20
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antonio Medina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tsuyoi Kakuto!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Ben Watson and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Medina tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kakuto swivels and escapes.
Medina dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Kakuto shoots in and bounces Medina off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kakuto is pushing down on Medina's leg trying to pass to half guard. Medina is fighting to maintain full guard but Kakuto has managed to sneak the leg through.
Medina punching from the bottom.
Medina is looking to get back to full guard here but Kakuto has managed to pass to side control instead.
Kakuto taking a breather here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medina looking for a sweep but Kakuto has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Kakuto sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kakuto's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kakuto lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kakuto lands a big shot there that rocks Medina but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medina working to try and regain half guard.
Kakuto tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like Kakuto might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Medina tries to reverse the position but Kakuto maintains control.
Medina looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Kakuto content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medina is trying to escape the mount.

Kakuto has isolated one of Medina's arms. Medina looking to fight him off but Kakuto twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tsuyoi Kakuto!
Post fight, an emotional Tsuyoi Kakuto said ' "Tennōheika Banzai!!!!" 天皇陛下万歳, ("Long live the Emperor"), '.