PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Miyamoto Musashi (ranked 4184 p4p, 4076 weight class) and Jack Bowman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Musashi
vs
Bowman

180 cm
25
190
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
194
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Miyamoto Musashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jack Bowman!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shigeki Sano and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Musashi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bowman tries to avoid it but Musashi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bowman to the ground. Bowman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Musashi tries for a takedown but Bowman circles away easily
and Bowman counters with a straight right hand.
Musashi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bowman circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miyamoto Musashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Musashi moves out of range of the body kick.
Bowman slaps away a takedown attempt from Musashi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bowman looks for a takedown but Musashi sprawls well.
Bowman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bowman is defended easily by Musashi.
Musashi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bowman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Musashi somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bowman has closed the distance and engaged Musashi in a clinch.

Musashi turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Musashi manages to end up in side control.

Bowman throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Bowman defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Musashi.
Musashi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Musashi looking to score a takedown here. Bowman is defending well but Musashi drives through and ends up in Bowman's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bowman pulls Musashi in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowman keeping moving, preventing Musashi from controlling successfully.
Bowman looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Musashi puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Bowman is concentrating on defense, preventing Musashi from advancing position.
Musashi is taking a breather. Bowman says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Musashi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bowman wants to control but Musashi is keeping busy.
Bowman is staying active underneath Musashi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bowman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowman moves into full guard.

Musashi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bowman, up you get!

Musashi closes the distance and clinches.

Musashi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bowman shoots in for a double leg but Musashi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Musashi connects with a body shot that sends Bowman's belly button to the back.
Musashi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bowman avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bowman stuffs the takedown attempt from Musashi. Musashi gets slowly back to his feet.
Bowman is looking for the big counter here.
Musashi tries to clinch but Bowman moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Bowman misses.
Musashi looks to score with a jab to the body but Bowman is just out of range.
Musashi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bowman connects with the punch.
Bowman shoots in for a takedown but Musashi shows good takedown defense.
Bowman has a takedown stuffed.
Musashi shoots in for a takedown but Bowman shows good takedown defense.
Musashi is breathing heavily.

Musashi closes the distance and pushes Bowman back into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jack Bowman will probably get the nod.
That's time! Musashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bowman fails with a takedown attempt.
Musashi misses with a body kick.
Musashi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Bowman clinches.
Musashi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Bowman is defending well.
Bowman is trying to force a seperation but Musashi has the dominant position.
Bowman can't get the takedown.
Musashi looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Musashi tries for a takedown but Bowman manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miyamoto Musashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bowman manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Bowman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Musashi is looking to work some ground and pound but Bowman has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bowman wants to stand but Musashi is controlling the position.

Musashi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Musashi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Musashi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bowman throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two 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.
Musashi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Miyamoto Musashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Musashi dives in for a single leg takedown but Bowman sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Musashi breaks from the clinch.
Bowman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Musashi avoids it really well and circles away.
Musashi throws a series of punches but Bowman avoids them all with ease.
Bowman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Musashi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bowman somewhat.
Musashi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bowman avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bowman moves into the clinch.
Bowman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bowman gets control of Musashi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bowman will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bowman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Musashi.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Musashi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Musashi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musashi is looking to stand up but Bowman won't let him.
Bowman keeping moving, preventing Musashi from controlling successfully.
Musashi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Bowman wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bowman shoots for a double leg takedown but Musashi sprawls well. He's pushed Bowman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Musashi shoots in for a takedown but Bowman shows good takedown defense.
Bowman looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jack Bowman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Musashi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bowman.
Musashi tries to clinch there but Bowman circles away.
Bowman wants to counter with a clinch but Musashi pushes him away.
Musashi goes for a double leg but Bowman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bowman continues to drive forward.

Musashi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Musashi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Musashi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bowman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Musashi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Musashi wants to take the fight to the mat but Bowman manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Musashi drags the fight down to the ground.
Musashi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bowman manages to get himself to full guard.

Bowman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Musashi is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Musashi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bowman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Musashi has managed to get both his arms back between Bowman's legs - danger averted.
Bowman is trying to control the position but Musashi postures up.
Bowman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Musashi's guard.

Bowman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bowman trying to control but Musashi is working from the bottom.
Jack Bowman has got the better of the ground game so far.

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.
Musashi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bowman throwing strikes from guard but Musashi blocks nicely.
Musashi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bowman wants to control from the top but Musashi keeps moving.
Bowman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musashi trying to keep a closed guard but Bowman is proving a slippery customer.
Bowman is looking to work some ground and pound but Musashi has wrist control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Musashi tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bowman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Horrible takedown attempt by Musashi or perhaps it was just good defense by Bowman, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miyamoto Musashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bowman throws a sloppy head kick and Musashi moves out of range easily.
Bowman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Musashi's waist but Musashi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bowman off to one side.
Musashi is looking to counter punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musashi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Musashi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bowman changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Musashi tries to avoid it but Bowman manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Musashi to the ground. Musashi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bowman lands a body shot.

Bowman forces Musashi back against the cage and clinches.

Musashi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Musashi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bowman circles away.
Musashi fails with the takedown
and Bowman counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bowman shoots in for a double leg but Musashi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Miyamoto Musashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jack Bowman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Bowman clinches up with Musashi and pushes him back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jack Bowman.
Well Bowman has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jack Bowman!