PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jon Meril (ranked 860 p4p, 3068 weight class) and Takeshi Kubota (ranked 104 p4p, 320 weight class). Meril comes to the cage accompanied by YEAT - Get Busy. Kubota has chosen Bullet Ballet OST - Barrel as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Meril
vs
Kubota

176 cm
29
155
14 - 5 - 1

178 cm
20
155
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Shadow Realm Apparel

ZERO Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Meril!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takeshi Kubota!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Robert Douchet and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kubota throws a lazy right hand but Meril sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kubota fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Meril manages to avoid it.
Meril was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kubota throws out a loose jab but Meril uses good head movement to avoid it.
It looked like Meril was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kubota.
Meril gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Meril has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Scrap Squad in the buildup to the fight.
Meril slips under a jab.
Meril appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kubota cracks Meril with an open hand slap.
Kubota tests Meril's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubota scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Meril blocks a jab.
It looked like Meril was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kubota.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubota missing with a left hand there. Meril was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kubota looks to land a right hand but Meril moved out of range.
Kubota swings for the body but Meril moves out of range.
Meril seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Meril takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kubota swings for the body but Meril moves out of range.
Meril seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kubota throws a body punch but Meril moves out of range.
It looked like Meril was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kubota.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kubota.
Kubota swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice shot lands for Kubota.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Meril doesn't seem bothered though.
Kubota missing with a left hand there. Meril was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kubota throws a lazy right hand but Meril sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kubota with a jab.
Kubota swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Meril counters with a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kubota jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kubota digs a good body shot into Meril's ribs.
Good shot there by Kubota.
Kubota looks to land a right hand but Meril moved out of range.
As Kubota looks to move away, Meril throws a big counter combo but Kubota just gets out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kubota ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Meril moves away.
Kubota lands with an uppercut that bounces Meril off the cage and back into range.
Kubota dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kubota takes a swing at Meril's ribcage but misses.
Kubota takes a swing at Meril's ribcage but misses.
Meril is looking for a counter combo.
Kubota misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like Meril was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kubota.
Kubota throws a hook but Meril avoids it easily.
Meril displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kubota throws out the jab.
Meril moves out of range of the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Meril on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kubota misses with a body punch
and Meril makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kubota throws a jab but it's blocked by Meril.
Kubota connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Meril bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Meril uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kubota.
Kubota is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kubota sizes up Meril with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Takeshi Kubota seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Meril ducks under a wild hook from Kubota.
Meril staying out of range there.
Meril went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Kubota 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.

Kubota fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The fighters circling - Kubota throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kubota lands a head shot.
Meril walks into a stiff left hand from Kubota.

Meril is rocked!
Meril slips a jab from Kubota.
Kubota throws a jab when Meril was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubota swings widly with a right hand
and Meril counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A left lands for Kubota.
Jon Meril is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kubota misses with an uppercut.
Meril went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubota misses with a wild body shot.
Takeshi Kubota seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kubota ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Meril moves away.
Kubota darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Meril moves out of range of the strikes.
Meril appears to be looking for a big counter.
Meril slips under a jab.
Meril slips under a jab from Kubota.
A slow jab from Kubota misses its intended target.
Kubota ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kubota throws a hook but Meril avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota misses the shot to the body.
Meril bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Meril takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kubota scores with a body shot.
Kubota misses with a wild body shot.
Kubota scores with a decent looking hook.
Kubota throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Meril counters with a stiff right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kubota throws an off balance right hand
and Meril counters with a three punch combo that has Kubota backing up. Kubota nods at Meril to acknowledge the strikes.
Kubota swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Meril appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meril defending well as Kubota loads up on a big left hand.
Meril displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kubota throws out the jab.
Meril swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kubota dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Meril bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kubota throws an overhand right that lands on Meril's shoulder, as Meril tries to avoid the shot.
Kubota misses the jab.
A quick step to the side and Meril tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Meril blocks the body kick.
Meril went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Meril uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kubota.
Meril was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meril displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kubota throws out the jab.
Meril ducks under a wild hook from Kubota.
Meril appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kubota lands a head shot.
Kubota misses with a right hand
and Meril counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kubota tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Meril was well out of range. Poor timing from Kubota.
Kubota connects with a single shot there.
Kubota connects with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kubota throws a big shot that misses.
Meril was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kubota throws a push kick but Meril slaps the foot to one side.
Meril is looking for a counter combo.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Kubota showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kubota takes a swing at Meril's ribcage but misses.
Kubota misses with a hook. Meril ducked under it nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Meril misses the target.
Kubota just misses with a punch to the body.
Kubota throws a jab but it's blocked by Meril.
Meril throws a big counter combination but Kubota scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kubota waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Meril.
Meril takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubota swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Meril.
Meril walks into a left hand.
Kubota darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Meril looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubota throws a body shot but no joy.
Kubota cracks Meril with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kubota misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Meril.
Meril went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Meril keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kubota.
It looked like Meril was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kubota throws an overhand right that lands on Meril's shoulder, as Meril tries to avoid the shot.
Kubota swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A quick step to the side and Meril tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Meril ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Meril doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Meril steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kubota.
Meril moves away from the strike by Kubota.
Meril is looking for a counter combo.
Kubota ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Meril moves away.
Kubota lands with a right hand.
Kubota has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Meril displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kubota throws out the jab.
Meril takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kubota connects with a single shot there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kubota misses with a left hand
and Meril counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kubota looks to throw the jab but Meril is out of range.
As Kubota looks to move away, Meril throws a big counter combo but Kubota just gets out of the way.
Kubota scores with a jab to the jaw.
Meril defending well as Kubota loads up on a big left hand.
A little feinted left hand from Meril on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kubota throws a body punch but Meril moves out of range.
Kubota throws a good cross that connects.
Kubota looks to throw the jab but Meril is out of range.
Meril slips under a jab from Kubota.
Meril steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kubota.
Meril throws a big counter combination but Kubota scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meril avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kubota looks to throw the jab but Meril is out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Meril misses its target.
Kubota tests Meril's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Meril uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kubota.
Kubota throws a looping overhand right but Meril ducks down to avoid it.
Kubota ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kubota connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kubota connects with a single shot there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Kubota really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Meril walks into a jab.
Kubota throws a hook but Meril blocks it.
Meril throws a big counter combination but Kubota scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Meril gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Oh Meril is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kubota fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Meril on the side of the head.
Kubota throws a right hand that misses
and Meril counters with a left and a right that stings Kubota.
Kubota scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kubota misses with a looping left.
Meril throws a big counter combination but Kubota scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kubota misses with a lunging right hand
and Meril counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meril avoids the body shot from Kubota.
Meril is looking to counter punch.
Meril seems to have got his legs back now.
Kubota thows a left - swing and a miss!
A punch lands to the side of Meril 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kubota misses with a lunging right hand
and Meril counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kubota throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Meril sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Meril went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kubota looks to land a right hand but Meril moved out of range.
Kubota jabs Meril to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Meril slips under a jab from Kubota.
Meril seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Meril walks into a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubota throws an off balance right hand
and Meril counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Meril slips a jab from Kubota.
Meril was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kubota scores with a nice strike.
Meril drops his hands momentarily and Kubota takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kubota misses with a lunging right hand
and Meril counters with a stiff right hand.
Kubota misses with a straight left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kubota. Meril does a little dance to reset his feet.
Meril was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kubota throws a shot from downtown. Meril moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meril steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kubota.
Kubota works the jab nicely.
Meril avoids the body shot from Kubota.
Meril swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Meril slips a jab from Kubota.
Meril throws a big counter combination but Kubota scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kubota missing with a left hand there. Meril was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kubota swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Meril makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kubota lands a jab to the head.
Kubota misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kubota cracks Meril with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kubota looks to score with a jab to the body but Meril is just out of range.
Kubota misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Meril counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kubota misses with a lunging right hand
and Meril counters with a straight right hand.
Kubota misses the body punch
and Meril counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Meril takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
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!
A jab from Kubota does it's job there.
Kubota looks for the body kick but Meril saw that one coming.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Kubota dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A jab from Kubota misses.
Meril walks into a left hand.
Meril shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Meril moves away from the strike by Kubota.
Kubota cracks Meril on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Meril falls backwards against the cage. Kubota follows up with more strikes that drop Meril to his knees. Kubota keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Meril! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Takeshi Kubota!
Takeshi Kubota is the new lightweight champion!
Our winner, Takeshi Kubota, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.