PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Punch Bag (ranked 24946 p4p, 24668 weight class) and Ryder Morningstar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bag comes to the cage accompanied by Eye of the tiger. Ryder Morningstar is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Bag
vs
Morningstar

175 cm
19
147
6 - 17 - 0

175 cm
22
155
8 - 15 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 6 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Punch Bag!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ryder Morningstar!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morningstar misses with a hook.
Bag slips under a jab from Morningstar.
Morningstar loads up on a big right hand but Bag slips the punch.

Bag shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bag controlling the action here.
Morningstar wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bag content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Morningstar gets full guard.
Bag wants to pass the guard but Morningstar is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bag stays in close to Morningstar's body and controls the position.
Morningstar is controlling Bag's posture.
Bag postures up.
Morningstar might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bag haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morningstar keeping moving, preventing Bag from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Morningstar throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little feinted left hand from Bag on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Morningstar throws a leg kick

and Bag counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bag.

Bag breaks from the clinch.
Morningstar tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bag looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Morningstar misses with an uppercut.
A head kick misses from Morningstar.
Bag seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morningstar misses with a few strikes there.
Morningstar throws a shot from downtown. Bag moves away and avoids it.

Bag fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Morningstar to the ground. Bag is now in Morningstar's guard.
Bag stops Morningstar from standing up.
Bag stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Morningstar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bag is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bag wants to control from the top but Morningstar keeps moving.

Bag drops back looking for a leg! Morningstar is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Morningstar manages to kick Bag off! Bag jumps back into Morningstar's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bag trying to control but Morningstar is working from the bottom.
Morningstar is looking to stand up but Bag isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ryder Morningstar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Bag drives through with a takedown into guard.
Morningstar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bag.
Bag landing with the ground and pound.
Bag tries to free his leg and advance position but Morningstar is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bag won't allow Morningstar to get back to his feet.
Bag controls from within his opponent's guard.

Bag drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bag jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Morningstar controls Bag momentarily but Bag frees himself.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bag wants to control from the top but Morningstar keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Punch Bag dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Morningstar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Morningstar misses the target.
Morningstar throws a looping overhand right but Bag ducks down to avoid it.
Morningstar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice body punch from Morningstar.
Morningstar throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Bag counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Morningstar is trying to break the clinch but Bag has him pressed against the cage.
Morningstar wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Bag has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Morningstar uses from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bag wants to sweep here but Morningstar controlling him for the moment.
Morningstar being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morningstar won't allow Bag to sweep him here.

Bag uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Bag throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Morningstar's waist but Morningstar gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bag off to one side.
Morningstar tries a head kick but it misses.

Bag shoots in and bounces Morningstar off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bag trying to control but Morningstar is working from the bottom.
Morningstar looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morningstar lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bag keeping moving, preventing Morningstar from controlling successfully.
Morningstar has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bag is proving hard to escape from.
Morningstar trying to control but Bag is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bag has Morningstar pulled in close to control his posture.
Morningstar wants to stand but Bag has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bag fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Morningstar throws a poor cross that misses

and Bag counters with a takedown into side control.
Morningstar is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bag's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morningstar is trying to stand back up but Bag is controlling him
Morningstar has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bag is working away from the top position though.
Bag perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Morningstar is trying to maintain the position but Bag is very close to passing his half guard.
Bag is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Bag landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bag with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Bag looking to control but Morningstar is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Punch Bag will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Bag ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ryder Morningstar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morningstar throws a leg kick

and Bag counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bag content to control rather than advance.
Bag has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bag pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Morningstar defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bag.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bag cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Bag is working for a guillotine from mount but Morningstar frees his head quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morningstar is squirming around, avoiding Bag's attempts to control the action.
Punch Bag overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bag avoids the attempt from Morningstar to control.
Morningstar wants to get back to his feet.
Morningstar is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Morningstar is in all sorts of trouble here.
Morningstar manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Morningstar pushes Bag off looking to stand but Bag dives back in and keeps control.
Bag is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Morningstar can do to turn this around?

That's two 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.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Bag is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Morningstar doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bag.

Bag is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Morningstar defends it well.

Bag seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bag is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Morningstar has managed to free his arm - good work.
Morningstar is looking to escape.
Morningstar wants to get back to full guard.

Bag is working for a submission of some sort.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Morningstar throws a lazy right hand but Bag sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Bag on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bag shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Morningstar sprawls well. Morningstar wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bag gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No joy there for Morningstar, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Morningstar misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morningstar lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Morningstar throws a hook to the side of Bag's head but Bag sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bag blocks the body kick.
Bag throws a quick counter head kick but Morningstar was just out of range.

Bag drives through with a takedown into Morningstar's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bag pushing down on Morningstar's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Morningstar wants to improve his position but Bag is controlling well.
Bag slows the pace down in half guard.
Morningstar trying to control here.
Ryder Morningstar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Punch Bag is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bag sitting and controlling from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Punch Bag showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bag, 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Punch Bag!
During a confident post fight interview, Punch Bag thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.