PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jin Kazama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randy Maramot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Randy Maramot was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kazama
vs
Maramot

174 cm
24
173 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
178 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Mundi Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jin Kazama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Randy Maramot!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maramot misses with a wild combination.
Maramot throws a hook to the side of Kazama's head but Kazama sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maramot takes a swing at Kazama's ribcage but misses.
Maramot doesn't manage to clinch there - Kazama circles away.
Maramot throws a head kick that misses.
Maramot throws a head kick but Kazama moves out of range.
Maramot moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Jin Kazama has been cut.
Kazama shoots in for a takedown but Maramot shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Maramot misses with a few strikes there.
Maramot throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maramot throws a looping overhand right but Kazama ducks down to avoid it.
Maramot connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kazama looks for a takedown but Maramot sprawls well.

Kazama gets the takedown into side control.

Kazama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Maramot, who protects the arm well.

Kazama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maramot has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazama advances to mount.

Kazama goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Maramot is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kazama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maramot can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kazama is breathing heavily.
Kazama bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Maramot's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kazama is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Maramot is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Maramot has escaped and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kazama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maramot defends well.
Maramot must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kazama has a closed guard, preventing Maramot from standing up.
Kazama looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maramot is one step ahead there.

Kazama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maramot tries to stand but Kazama is controlling from the bottom.

Kazama has his foot on Maramot's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maramot works his way back into a safe position though.
Maramot really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kazama. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kazama tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kazama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maramot gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maramot wants to get up but he can't break Kazama's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Maramot is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Maramot got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kazama has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maramot has managed to get both his arms back between Kazama's legs - danger averted.
Kazama wants to sweep here but Maramot controlling him for the moment.
Maramot controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kazama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jin Kazama dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jin Kazama's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Maramot throws a head kick but Kazama moves out of range.
Maramot paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Maramot throws a right and a left that Kazama avoids nicely.
Maramot throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kazama circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maramot displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kazama.
Nice uppercut there from Maramot.
Maramot pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maramot plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Maramot throws a head kick that misses.
Kazama shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Maramot as he jumps to the side.
Maramot fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maramot lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kazama circles away quickly and effectively.
Randy Maramot is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maramot is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maramot misses with a body shot.
Some wild striking there from Maramot.
Kazama steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Maramot. That one must have hurt.
Kazama tries for a takedown but Maramot sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jin Kazama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maramot throws a right hand that Kazama ducks under and follows up with a left that Kazama also avoids with ease.
Maramot misses with the combination.

Kazama shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kazama showed some decent athleticism there.
Maramot is looking to improve his position.
Kazama passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Maramot!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kazama looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Kazama goes for an armbar but Maramot turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Maramot.
Kazama is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kazama wants to free his trapped foot but Maramot is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazama seems to be looking for submissions.
Kazama passes to side control.

Kazama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maramot has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kazama is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Maramot knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Maramot tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Maramot is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Jin Kazama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kazama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maramot has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kazama tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Kazama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Maramot, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jin Kazama will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jin Kazama's cut.
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!

Maramot misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maramot tries a head kick but it misses.
Maramot pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kazama shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Maramot as he avoids it easily.
Kazama takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Maramot stuffs the takedown.
Maramot cracks Kazama with a right hand to the side of the head.
Maramot throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick misses from Maramot.
Maramot is looking to clinch but Kazama is avoiding it.
Maramot throws a nice looking combination but Kazama bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Some bone on bone action there as Kazama checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kazama shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jin Kazama. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maramot tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kazama swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kazama closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Maramot is defending against the submission attempts here by Kazama.

Kazama looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Kazama is trying to work for a kimura but Maramot is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kazama is working for a submission of some sort.

Maramot is defending against the submission attempts here by Kazama.

Kazama is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Maramot to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazama prevents Maramot from getting back to his feet.

Kazama drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Maramot manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kazama has Maramot in his guard.
Maramot wants to stand but Kazama has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

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.
Randy Maramot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kazama tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kazama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maramot gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maramot trying to control but Kazama is working from the bottom.

Kazama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maramot defends well.
Jin Kazama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maramot seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jin Kazama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kazama, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jin Kazama!
Jin Kazama is the new middleweight champion!