PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mana Festation (ranked 989 p4p, 48 weight class) and Koko Pinea (ranked 904 p4p, 45 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Festation
vs
Pinea

166 cm
32
140 lbs
22 - 8 - 1

159 cm
37
134 lbs
17 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 22 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Mana Festation!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Koko Pinea!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Festation throws a left and a right that both miss

and Pinea moves into the clinch.
Festation blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Pinea creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pinea tries to work over Festation's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pinea.
Pinea throws a punch but it's blocked by Festation.
A short left from Pinea.
Festation swings wildly with an uppercut but Pinea uses good head movement to avoid it.
Festation tries to throw a body punch but Pinea avoids it by throwing Festation back against the cage.
Pinea lands with a light punch inside.
Festation looking to stall.
I was talking to Festation's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A body shot lands from Festation.
Pinea lands an uppercut.
Festation blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Festation.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Festation scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Koko Pinea has been cut.
Pinea tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Festation.
Pinea looking for a takedown.
Pinea looking for a takedown.
Festation tries to work over Pinea's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pinea tries for a takedown but Festation manages to get underhooks.
Mana Festation has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Koko Pinea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinea tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pinea throws a head punch that misses.
Pinea lands a left hand that snaps the head of Festation backwards.
Pinea stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pinea fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pinea lands a hook to the side of the head.
Festation crunches a lovely knee into Pinea's ribcage.
Pinea swings wildly with an uppercut but Festation uses good head movement to avoid it.
Festation is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Festation lands a nice uppercut.
Pinea tries to work over Festation's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Festation will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Pinea up against the cage.
Festation lands a nice uppercut.
Pinea avoiding damage as Festation throws knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Festation.

Festation escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Festation steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pinea.
It looked like Festation was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Festation avoids the head kick by Pinea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Pinea throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pinea throws a body kick that misses
and Festation makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Pinea darts in and clinches Festation up against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Festation.
Pinea tries to work over Festation's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pinea doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Festation wants to break free but Pinea has control.
Festation blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Festation blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Festation breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pinea explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Pinea wants to clinch up but Festation keeps it at a distance.
Festation tries to work over Pinea's front leg with a kick but Pinea checks it.
Pinea looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A jab from Pinea misses.
Pinea tries for a takedown but Festation sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Festation throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A left and a right from Festation both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinea throws a lazy right hand but Festation sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Festation was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Pinea.
Pinea checks a low kick from Festation.

Pinea has Festation up against the cage in a clinch.
Festation working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Festation pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pinea connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Festation's hands.
Pinea misses with a right hand
and Festation counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pinea thinking.
Pinea throws a shot from downtown. Festation moves away and avoids it.
Festation quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Pinea fails with the takedown.
Festation quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Pinea is looking to clinch.
Festation misses with a low kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pinea goes for a takedown attempt but Festation pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Festation lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinea connects with a good right hand that stumbles Festation. Festation circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Mana Festation is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pinea checks a low kick from Festation.
Festation goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Festation lands a nice looking body kick.
Pinea fails with a takedown attempt.
Pinea tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Festation paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pinea throws a jab when Festation was well out of range.
Festation seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Pinea ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Festation moves away.
Festation was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Pinea moves into range and clinches up with Festation.
Pinea softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Festation presses Pinea against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Pinea lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Festation connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pinea's face.
Pinea prevents a body shot from Festation.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Koko Pinea will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Koko Pinea's cut.
That's time! Festation's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pinea slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Pinea slips a straight right by Festation.
Pinea changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Festation scores with a nice body kick.

Pinea darts in and clinches Festation up against the cage.
Festation blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Festation lands a knee to the body.
Festation lands a knee to the head.
Festation throws a knee to the head but misses.
Pinea lands a good knee to the midsection. Festation won't want to take too many of those.
Festation lands with a light punch inside.
Festation is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Still in the clinch, Festation scores with a nice short uppercut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Festation lands a hook that snaps the head of Pinea backwards.
Festation softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pinea lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pinea.

Festation's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Festation wants to clinch up but Pinea keeps it at a distance.
Festation fakes the leg kick and cracks Pinea in the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Festation feints a jab promting Pinea to slip. Festation then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Pinea slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Koko Pinea seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pinea rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Festation counters with a one-two to the body.
Festation bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Festation connects with a high kick.
Pinea throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pinea misses with a shot to the body
and Festation counters with a good low kick that Pinea was not able to check.
Festation throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pinea throws out a counter right but Festation avoids it with no problem.
Pinea loads up on a big right hand but Festation slips the punch.
Festation misses with a kick to the body.
Pinea throws an off balance right hand
and Festation counters with a good low kick that Pinea was not able to check.
Pinea throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pinea is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Festation fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Festation walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Pinea checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Pinea gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Festation counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pinea clinches.
Pinea gets through Festation's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pinea tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Festation's elbow.
A nice right hand lands inside from Festation.

Pinea has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Festation is trying to keep an underhook but Pinea manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pinea connects with a nice short shot to Festation's temple.
Festation wants to get back to full guard.
Festation has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pinea is working away from the top position though.
Pinea is looking to take a break and control but Festation is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pinea is thwarting Festation's attempts to control the position.
Festation holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Pinea is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Festation is just riding it out for now. Pinea eventually gives up the hold.
Festation wants to improve his position but Pinea is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinea working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
My spies in Big Bear Fight Factory inform me that Pinea has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Festation keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Festation works his way to full guard. Good work.
Festation pulls Pinea in close to prevent any damage.
Pinea trying to control the position from guard on top but Festation is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pinea stopping the sweep attempt from Festation.
Pinea has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pinea trying to control the position from guard on top but Festation is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pinea wants to pass the guard but Festation is keeping the position.

That's four 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.
Pinea being controlled here momentarily.
Festation trying to control the position.
Festation wants to sweep but no luck.
Pinea advances to half guard.
Festation controlling the position for now.
Festation is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Festation is working hard here to advance position.
Pinea working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mana Festation dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Koko Pinea's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab by Pinea.
Pinea lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Pinea tries to clinch but Festation moves out of range.
Festation will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Festation sets himself, and Pinea steps forward looking for the clinch! Festation avoids it this time.
Festation is looking to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Festation.
Pinea throws a hook but Festation blocks it.
Pinea throws a lazy right hand but Festation sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mana Festation is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Pinea closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Festation throws Pinea to one side and escapes!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pinea tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Festation manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Pinea shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Festation napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Festation is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Pinea's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Festation tries to roll over but Pinea keeps him under control.
Pinea is thwarting Festation's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Festation is trying to stand.
Festation wants to control but Pinea is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Pinea working the head and body with strikes.
Festation is trying to get back to full guard.
Festation slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Festation preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Festation is on top in guard.

Festation content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pinea is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Pinea wants to take a breather but Festation is having none of it.
Pinea is pressing down on Festation's thigh, looking to free his foot. Festation is holding on for now.
Festation is holding on to half guard well.
Festation works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinea pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Festation is keeping the position for now.
Pinea postures up in Festation's guard and throws a big left but Festation blocks it.
Festation working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pinea.
Festation is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Festation has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Pinea has passed into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Festation is not content to let Pinea control the position.
Festation is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Pinea working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Festation manages to get back to half guard.
Pinea prevents Festation from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Pinea lands a nice short elbow.
Pinea takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Pinea is thwarting Festation's attempts to control the position.
Pinea working Festation over with strikes.
Festation trying to control here.
Festation is controlling Pinea's trapped leg to prevent Pinea from advancing to side control.
Festation taking some punishment here, with Pinea in his half guard.
Festation gets full guard.
Festation keeping full guard, as Pinea tries to pass.
Festation working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pinea.
Pinea is fighting to break Festation's control of his arms but Festation is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Koko Pinea comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pinea 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Koko Pinea!
A victorious Koko Pinea thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.