PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Saw Ba Nyein (ranked 6369 p4p, 6409 weight class) and Hideki Suzuki (ranked 316 p4p, 317 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ba Nyein
vs
Suzuki

163 cm
19
119
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
135
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Saw Ba Nyein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hideki Suzuki!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Suzuki closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Ba Nyein to counter with a crisp jab.
Suzuki is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Suzuki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've been told by Ba Nyein's head coaches at Deathsquad that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ba Nyein throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Suzuki on the side of the head.
A jab lands there for Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Suzuki lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ba Nyein circles away quickly and effectively.
Ba Nyein has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Suzuki.
Suzuki tries to clinch
and Ba Nyein counters with a stiff right hand.
Ba Nyein chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Suzuki misses with a takedown
and Ba Nyein counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Suzuki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ba Nyein pinned against the cage. Ba Nyein gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ba Nyein misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ba Nyein throws a looping overhand right but Suzuki ducks down to avoid it.
Suzuki is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A good leg kick by Ba Nyein.
Suzuki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Suzuki takes a swing at Ba Nyein's ribcage but misses.
Ba Nyein thumps Suzuki with a low kick.
Ba Nyein tries to land a front kick but Suzuki steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ba Nyein thumps Suzuki with a low kick.
Suzuki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Suzuki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ba Nyein counters with a slapping leg kick.
Saw Ba Nyein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hideki Suzuki.
Ba Nyein lands a leg kick that knocks Suzuki off balance momentarily.
Ba Nyein looks to land a left hand but Suzuki moved out of range nicely.
Ba Nyein throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Suzuki misses with a takedown
and Ba Nyein counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Suzuki shoots in looking for a takedown but Ba Nyein manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Suzuki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Suzuki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ba Nyein but Ba Nyein pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Suzuki's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ba Nyein displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Suzuki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ba Nyein can pounce on him.
Suzuki slips a straight right by Ba Nyein.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ba Nyein cracks Suzuki with a good jab.
Ba Nyein lands a really nice looking cross but Suzuki seems unphased.
The fight stays on the outside here - Suzuki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jab, jab by Ba Nyein - just one landing.
Ba Nyein with a nice calf kick.
Ba Nyein scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Suzuki shoots in and drives through. Ba Nyein sprawls well.
Ba Nyein with the inside leg kick.
Ba Nyein throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ba Nyein fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ba Nyein connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ba Nyein with the inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki misses with a takedown attempt
and Ba Nyein connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ba Nyein feints and then cracks Suzuki's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Suzuki down.
Ba Nyein looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ba Nyein feints and then cracks Suzuki's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Suzuki down.
Suzuki misses with a takedown attempt - Ba Nyein sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Suzuki.
Suzuki looks winded!
Ba Nyein connects with a leg kick.
Jab, jab by Ba Nyein - just one landing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ba Nyein.
Suzuki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ba Nyein fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
No luck for Suzuki with that takedown attempt.
Suzuki tries to land a body kick
and Ba Nyein counters with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Suzuki.
Suzuki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ba Nyein, as that shot connected.
A nice leg kick from Ba Nyein, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ba Nyein fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Suzuki tries for a takedown but Ba Nyein sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ba Nyein lands a nice shot that snaps Suzuki's head back.
Ba Nyein throws a leg kick which misses Suzuki's front leg but catches the back leg as Suzuki tries to avoid it.
Ba Nyein connects with a crisp jab.
Ba Nyein cracks Suzuki with an open hand slap.
A low kick lands for Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ba Nyein tests Suzuki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ba Nyein does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ba Nyein lands a nice shot that snaps Suzuki's head back.
Ba Nyein fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Suzuki on the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Saw Ba Nyein dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ba Nyein throws the left hand but Suzuki avoids the punch easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Suzuki misses.
Hideki Suzuki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ba Nyein throws a leg kick that misses.
Suzuki shoots in for a takedown but Ba Nyein shows good takedown defense.
Ba Nyein fires out a quick counter leg kick but Suzuki just manages to avoid it.
Suzuki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Suzuki slips under a jab.
Ba Nyein misses with a looping right.
Suzuki let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Ba Nyein lands a right hook to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ba Nyein scores with a crisp jab that stopped Suzuki in his tracks.
Ba Nyein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Suzuki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Good shot there by Ba Nyein.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy body kick from Suzuki
letting Ba Nyein counter with a right hand.
Ba Nyein connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Suzuki shoots for a double leg takedown but Ba Nyein sprawls well. He's pushed Suzuki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Suzuki slips under a jab from Ba Nyein.
Suzuki has his takedown stuffed
and Suzuki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Saw Ba Nyein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hideki Suzuki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ba Nyein connects with a single shot there.
Suzuki throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Suzuki ducks under a wild hook from Ba Nyein.
Suzuki moves forwards but Ba Nyein connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ba Nyein lands a nice looking body kick.
Ba Nyein throws a looping overhand right but Suzuki ducks down to avoid it.
Ba Nyein chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Suzuki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ba Nyein slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Suzuki moves into the clinch.
Suzuki tries a knee to the head but Ba Nyein blocks it.
Ba Nyein misses with some punches.
Ba Nyein lands a body shot in the clinch.

Ba Nyein escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Suzuki shoots for a takedown but Ba Nyein saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Saw Ba Nyein is winning the standup battle so far.
Suzuki shoots for a takedown but Ba Nyein saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
It looked like Ba Nyein wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Suzuki throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ba Nyein counters with a leg kick.
Suzuki is breathing heavily.
Ba Nyein lands a leg kick that knocks Suzuki off balance momentarily.
Suzuki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ba Nyein lands a glancing blow to the side of Suzuki's head.
Ba Nyein is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Suzuki can do to turn this around?
Ba Nyein throws out a loose jab but Suzuki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Suzuki on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ba Nyein defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Suzuki.
It looked like Ba Nyein wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Suzuki is trying desperately to land a takedown but Ba Nyein is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Suzuki.
Ba Nyein works the jab nicely.
Suzuki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ba Nyein manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saw Ba Nyein is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Suzuki throws a head kick but Ba Nyein moves out of range.
Ba Nyein tried to counter with a leg kick but Suzuki avoided it.
Suzuki tries to clinch but Ba Nyein moves away
and Ba Nyein counters with an inside leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Ba Nyein lands an impressive looking overhand right. Suzuki doesn't seem phased though.
Jab by Ba Nyein.
Suzuki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ba Nyein. Suzuki shrugs it off though.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Suzuki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ba Nyein lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein lands a leg kick that knocks Suzuki off balance momentarily.
Ba Nyein connects with an inside leg kick.
Suzuki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ba Nyein misses with a leg kick.
A jab lands there for Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Suzuki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Suzuki rushes Ba Nyein and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ba Nyein lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ba Nyein lands a right hand.
Ba Nyein lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Suzuki throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ba Nyein.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ba Nyein.

Suzuki breaks the clinch.
Ba Nyein getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Suzuki tries to clinch but Ba Nyein moves away
and Ba Nyein cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Suzuki or perhaps it was just good defense by Ba Nyein, which made it look bad.
Ba Nyein sizes up Suzuki with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Suzuki on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Suzuki looks to land a combination but Ba Nyein avoids it well.
Ba Nyein lands with a hook. Suzuki tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Suzuki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ba Nyein as he avoids it easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Ba Nyein as he connects with a hook.
Suzuki tries to clinch there but Ba Nyein circles away.
A jab from Ba Nyein does it's job there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A low kick lands for Ba Nyein.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ba Nyein.
Suzuki tries to clinch but Ba Nyein is having none of it.
Ba Nyein was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ba Nyein lands with a straight right. Suzuki didn't see that one coming.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Saw Ba Nyein dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ba Nyein lands a leg kick that knocks Suzuki off balance momentarily.
Ba Nyein thows a left - swing and a miss!
Suzuki is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Suzuki tries to clinch up but Ba Nyein circles away and keeps his distance.
Suzuki closes the distance and clinches up with Ba Nyein, looking for a takedown. Suzuki pushes Ba Nyein against the cage but Ba Nyein circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ba Nyein scores with a leg kick.
Suzuki shoots in looking for a takedown. Ba Nyein tries to sprawl out of it but Suzuki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ba Nyein manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Suzuki misses with a wild combination.
Ba Nyein bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice leg kick from Ba Nyein, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ba Nyein connects with a right hand. Suzuki shakes it off.
Ba Nyein connects with a good right hand that stumbles Suzuki. Suzuki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ba Nyein connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ba Nyein throws a leg kick which misses Suzuki's front leg but catches the back leg as Suzuki tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ba Nyein keeps the fight on the outside.
Ba Nyein with the inside leg kick.
Suzuki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ba Nyein.
As Ba Nyein backs off Suzuki throws a huge counter combo but Ba Nyein manages to avoid it all.

Suzuki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ba Nyein's half guard.
Ba Nyein keeping hold of Suzuki's head, controlling as best he can.
Ba Nyein is looking to improve his position.
Ba Nyein might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein keeping hold of Suzuki's head, controlling as best he can.
Suzuki throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ba Nyein to regain full guard.
Suzuki is looking to advance position but Ba Nyein has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Ba Nyein takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Suzuki is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Suzuki is working to get back to half guard.
Ba Nyein avoids the attempt from Suzuki to control.
Saw Ba Nyein is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Suzuki working to try and regain half guard.
Ba Nyein takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Suzuki is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saw Ba Nyein showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ba Nyein has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saw Ba Nyein!
Hideki Suzuki spoke after the fight, saying 'It is what it is'.