PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Via Dios (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masakazu Imanari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dios comes to the cage accompanied by Sandstorm. Masakazu Imanari struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.9lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Dios
vs
Imanari

185 cm
25
141 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

165 cm
25
145 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
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 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Via Dios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Masakazu Imanari!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dios clinches up with Imanari and pushes him back against the cage.
Dios throws an elbow that misses.
Dios throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Imanari blocks it with crossed arms.
Imanari wants a takedown.
Imanari is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dios pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Imanari tries for a takedown. No joy.
Via Dios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Imanari.
Imanari is trying to break free.
A short right from Dios on the inside.
Dios is struggling to control the position.

Imanari jumps guard.
Dios chips away with some ground and pound.
Dios is pushing down on Imanari's leg trying to pass to half guard. Imanari is fighting to maintain full guard but Dios has managed to sneak the leg through.
Dios looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Dios escapes and gets back to his feet.
Dios throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Dios wants to slow Imanari down by chopping away at his legs.
Dios lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Imanari loads up on a big right hand but Dios slips the punch.
Imanari shoots in but no luck this time.
Imanari looks gassed!
Dios thuds a left hand into Imanari's body.
Imanari misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imanari has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dios finds it's way round the side to connect with Imanari's head.
Dios throws a head kick but Imanari moves out of range.
Dios dodges the punch combination from Imanari.
Dios lands an overhand right.
Dios scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Dios works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Dios lands a jab to Imanari's midsection.
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!
Dios goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A nice combination there by Dios.
Dios comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Via Dios seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Dios has Imanari up against the cage in a clinch.
Dios working Imanari over with knees to the body.
Dios's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Dios tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Imanari avoids it.
Dios is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dios throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dios tries a knee to the head but Imanari blocks it.
Dios stalling against the cage.
Dios misses with an elbow strike.
Imanari blocks an elbow strike from Dios.
Dios comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Imanari blocks an elbow strike from Dios.
Imanari drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dios gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dios really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Dios trying to land knees to the body.
Dios lands a good knee to the midsection. Imanari won't want to take too many of those.
Imanari fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Dios using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Dios dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Dios tries to land knees in the clinch but Imanari avoids the damage to the body.
Dios misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Imanari.
Dios avoiding damage.
Imanari has Dios pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dios manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Dios.
Dios seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Knees in the clinch landing for Dios.
Imanari being controlled against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Via Dios.
Dios throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Imanari.
Dios scores with a body shot.
Imanari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dios is looking to wear down Imanari with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Dios works over Imanari's head and body with a nice combination.
Dios connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Dios takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Imanari on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dios scores with a hook to the body. Imanari takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Danga de danga de dang - Dios scores with a four punch combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to de liver by Dios. Beautiful body shot.
Dios uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Imanari has time to react.
Dios with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Dios closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice leg kick lands there from Dios.
A nice combination there by Dios.
Via Dios is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Dios instigates a clinch.
Imanari blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dios lands an elbow that stopped Imanari in his tracks for a moment.
Imanari drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dios gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dios dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dios creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Imanari's defenses.
Dios taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Via Dios dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Imanari doesn't manage to clinch there - Dios circles away.
Dios lands a jab-cross combination.

Imanari clinches up with Dios and pushes him back against the cage.
Imanari tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Imanari is working for takedown but Dios is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dios is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Imanari is defending well for now.
Dios is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Dios working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Imanari on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Dios is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Come on Dios - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Dios gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Imanari fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Via Dios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Imanari.
Imanari is breathing heavily.
Dios prevents the takedown attempt.
Dios controlling the action here for a moment.
Dios lands a nice elbow.
Dios is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Via Dios.
Dios plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Dios throws a series of punches but Imanari avoids them all with ease.

Dios darts in and clinches Imanari up against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Imanari tries to pull guard but Dios holds him up against the cage and eventually Imanari drops back down to his feet.
Imanari pushes off an throws an elbow but Dios leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Imanari dodges an elbow strike from Dios.
Dios is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Imanari can do to turn this around?
Dios lands a body shot.
The referee is keeping an eye on Dios - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Imanari is working for takedown but Dios is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dios slowing the pace effectively.
Dios using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Dios lands a shot to the body.
Dios misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Imanari.
Dios scores a nice knee to the body.
Dios scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Dios throws an elbow but misses.
Dios dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Dios misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Imanari.
Dios trying to land knees to the body.
Imanari tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dios smiles and moves away.
Dios doesn't manage to clinch there - Imanari circles away.
Imanari takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Dios throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Dios tries a head kick but it misses.
Imanari shoots in for a double leg but Dios sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Dios moves into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Dios.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dios misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Imanari.
Dios putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Imanari in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The referee calls for Dios to work.
Imanari drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dios pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dios misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dios defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Imanari.

Dios gets a clinch.
Dios is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Imanari is defending well for now.
Imanari letting Dios take a breather here.
Imanari goes for a takedown in the clinch but Dios prevents it.
Imanari being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Via Dios.
Dios throws a combination. Imanari tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Dios looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dios finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Dios fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Imanari, pushing him back against the cage.
Imanari avoids a wild elbow strike from Dios.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A short uppercut from Dios.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Dios lands an elbow inside that Imanari shrugs off.
Dios prevents the takedown attempt.
Dios leaning against his opponent.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Dios for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Via Dios dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Imanari shoots in but no luck this time.
Dios turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dios lands with a nice combination. Imanari backs away looking to recover.

Dios pushes Imanari up against the cage in a clinch.
Dios pushes off an throws an elbow but Imanari leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Imanari blocks an elbow strike from Dios.
Dios tries to land a knee to the head but Imanari blocks with his arms.
The referee calls for Dios to work.
Imanari is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dios gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Imanari blocks an elbow strike from Dios.
Dios working Imanari over with knees to the body.
Dios looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Dios lands an elbow inside that Imanari shrugs off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dios is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Dios is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Knees in the clinch landing for Dios.
Dios landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Dios throws an elbow but misses.
Dios pressing his opponent against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Via Dios.
Dios scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Imanari needs to keep his hands up - Dios had a free shot at his head there.
A left and a right from Dios both land. Nice combination.

Imanari shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Dios napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Dios manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dios has one foot on Imanari's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Imanari needs to keep his hands up - Dios had a free shot at his head there.

Imanari closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Dios did well to prevent Imanari getting side control.
Imanari working Dios over with strikes.

Dios pushes Imanari off and gets back to his feet.
Imanari takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dios throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dios keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Via Dios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Imanari.
Imanari showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dios.
Dios connects with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Dios.
A head kick misses from Dios.
Dios keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dios throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Imanari takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Dios lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Imanari at a distance.
Imanari looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Dios!
Imanari dives in and grabs Dios's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dios pushes down on Imanari's head and hops out.

Dios instigates a clinch.
Dios manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Imanari on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Dios presses Imanari against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Dios is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Dios tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Imanari avoids it.
Dios lands a nice knee to the body.
Masakazu Imanari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dios throws an elbow that misses.
Imanari is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dios pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dios taking a breather.
Dios blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dios lands a damaging elbow.
Dios tries to land knees in the clinch but Imanari avoids the damage to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Imanari drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dios gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dios tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Imanari avoids it.
Via Dios is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Imanari changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dios fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Via Dios is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dios lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Dios lands a nice shot to the body.
Imanari throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dios scores with a crisp jab that stopped Imanari in his tracks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dios lands a right hook to the body.

Dios gets in close and instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Via Dios showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dios, 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:26
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Via Dios!