PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Naoki Fujii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wiang Kwai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Naoki Fujii could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Wiang Kwai's chin.

Fujii
vs
Kwai

176 cm
25
170 lbs
10 - 1 - 2

176 cm
19
168 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Powerful

[MMABR] SOLID Nutritional - Tokyo's Best!!
Defiance

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 10 - 1 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Naoki Fujii!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Wiang Kwai!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kwai scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kwai tries to land a front kick but Fujii steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Fujii scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kwai trying to control here.
Kwai taking some punishment here, with Fujii in his half guard.
Kwai is trying to get back to full guard.
Kwai is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kwai keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fujii controlling the pace.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kwai avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fujii.
Kwai trying to control from the bottom.

Fujii is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kwai defends it well.
Kwai is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kwai avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kwai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fujii.
Fujii moves out of range of the body kick.
Kwai changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fujii tries for a takedown but Kwai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kwai misses the jab.
Wiang Kwai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fujii.
Fujii trying to control the position but Kwai is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwai tries to improve position but can't.
Fujii gets to mount! Kwai was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Fujii avoids the attempt from Kwai to control.
Fujii has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kwai blocking the ground and pound.
BOOM! Fujii connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Kwai is working to get back to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Fujii.
Fujii looking to control but Kwai is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kwai bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Fujii looking for a guillotine here but Kwai defends easily.
Fujii is breathing heavily.
Kwai trying to control the position from guard on top but Fujii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujii has a closed guard, preventing Kwai from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kwai trying to control but Fujii is working from the bottom.
Fujii controls Kwai momentarily but Kwai frees himself.
Kwai trying to control but Fujii is working from the bottom.
Kwai stays in close to Fujii's body and controls the position.

Fujii has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kwai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kwai trying to control the position from guard on top but Fujii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kwai wants to get up but he can't break Fujii's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kwai must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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.
Fujii tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kwai's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Fujii has his foot on Kwai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kwai works his way back into a safe position though.
Kwai wants to pass the guard but Fujii is keeping the position.
Kwai wants to control from the top but Fujii keeps moving.
Kwai is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kwai wants to control from the top but Fujii keeps moving.
Fujii is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fujii wants to sweep but no luck.
Fujii has a closed guard, preventing Kwai from standing up.
Kwai tries to free his leg and advance position but Fujii is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kwai misses with a wild combination.
Kwai leaves Fujii with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kwai misses with a wild body shot.
Kwai tries to land a front kick but Fujii steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fujii shoots for a double leg takedown but Kwai sprawls well. He's pushed Fujii's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kwai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fujii.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kwai misses with a kick to the body.
Fujii shoots in and drives through. Kwai sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naoki Fujii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fujii fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fujii.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fujii wants to clinch up but Kwai keeps it at a distance.
Kwai looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Fujii drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Check out the look on Fujii's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kwai is trying to improve his position.
Fujii lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kwai down.
Kwai wants to control but Fujii postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fujii has control of an arm but Kwai manages to advance to Fujii's back!
Fujii trying to control but not successfully.
Fujii staying busy and making it hard for Kwai to control.
Fujii turns into Kwai and is now in his guard.
Fujii working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Fujii feints and as Kwai raises his hands in defense, Fujii changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kwai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kwai working a defensive guard here.
Kwai is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kwai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fujii pushing down on Kwai's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Fujii is keen to just control but Kwai is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fujii is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Fujii wants to work for an arm triangle but Kwai is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kwai trying to hold on to Fujii's head to control him but Fujii postures up.
Kwai desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Fujii trying to pass the guard but Kwai defending well.
Kwai keeping hold of Fujii's head, controlling as best he can.
Fujii seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kwai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Fujii wants to pass the guard but Kwai is defending well.
Fujii prevents Kwai from improving his position.

Fujii is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kwai trying to hold on to Fujii's head to control him but Fujii postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fujii fails with the takedown.
Fujii moves out of range as Kwai throws a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naoki Fujii dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fujii ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fujii closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kwai circles away.
Fujii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kwai.
Fujii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Naoki Fujii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fujii shoots for a double leg takedown but Kwai sprawls well. He's pushed Fujii's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kwai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kwai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naoki Fujii. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fujii throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kwai was covering up waiting for the punch and Fujii finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kwai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kwai working a defensive guard here.
Kwai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fujii. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fujii with a nice head shot there.
Kwai wants to stand but Fujii is controlling the position.
Fujii wants to pass the guard but Kwai is keeping the position.
Kwai wants to stand up but Fujii is controlling him.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fujii fails with a takedown attempt.

Fujii shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Fujii showed some decent athleticism there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwai moves into full guard.
Fujii won't allow Kwai to get back to his feet.
Fujii controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kwai looking to control.
Naoki Fujii overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fujii throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kwai keeping full guard, as Fujii tries to pass.
Kwai is looking to stand up but Fujii isn't so interested in that idea.
Kwai is trying to keep Fujii in close.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kwai dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fujii. That did some damage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujii looks for a takedown but Kwai sprawls well.
Kwai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kwai slips under a jab.
Fujii fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fujii moves out of range of the body kick.
Kwai connects with a solid leg kick.
Fujii slips under a jab from Kwai.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fujii shoots in and drives through. Kwai sprawls well.
Kwai lands a right hook to the body.
Kwai throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kwai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kwai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fujii.
Fujii avoids the body shot from Kwai.
Fujii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kwai tries to avoid it but Fujii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kwai to the ground. Kwai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kwai looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kwai looks to land a body kick but Fujii moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Wiang Kwai just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fujii shoots for a takedown but Kwai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fujii walks into a jab.
Fujii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fujii moves out of range as Kwai strikes.
Kwai is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Fujii rather than just go for the knockout.
Kwai throws a leg kick but Fujii sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kwai lands with an overhand left.
Kwai stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kwai wants it to stay on the feet.
Kwai throws a nice inside leg kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fujii is looking to clinch.
Fujii moves out of range of the body kick from Kwai.
Kwai thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fujii shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Fujii landing punches.
Kwai is desperately trying to improve his position but Fujii has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Fujii cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Fujii lands a big shot there that rocks Kwai but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kwai is looking to get to half guard.
Kwai tries to hold on but Fujii pushes him away.
Fujii throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Kwai tries to hold on but Fujii postures up.
Kwai is squirming around, avoiding Fujii's attempts to control the action.
Fujii avoids the attempt from Kwai to control.
Kwai is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwai slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kwai wants to improve his position but Fujii is controlling well.
Fujii lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kwai controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Kwai moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Fujii slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Kwai's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Fujii is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kwai knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kwai prevents Fujii from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kwai is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kwai gets back to full guard.
Kwai 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.
Fujii trying to control but Kwai is working from the bottom.
Fujii looking to pass the guard.
Kwai keeping moving, preventing Fujii from controlling successfully.
Fujii wants to pass the guard but Kwai is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fujii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kwai.
Kwai punishes Fujii's body with a nice straight punch.
Kwai misses with the combination.
Kwai is looking to chop away at Fujii's legs.
Fujii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kwai.
Kwai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fujii moves away.
Fujii shoots in but Kwai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Wiang Kwai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Kwai misses with a body kick.
Kwai misses with a body shot.
Fujii fails to land the takedown.

Fujii darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kwai has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fujii is working away from the top position though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Fujii throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fujii wants to control but Kwai is keeping him busy.

Fujii is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kwai doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Fujii.
Kwai wants to control but Fujii is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujii wants to free his trapped foot but Kwai is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Fujii is working for a kimura but Kwai is defending it quite comfortably.
Kwai moves into full guard.
Kwai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fujii is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kwai throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fujii dodges the punch combination from Kwai.
Fujii shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kwai pinned against the cage. Kwai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fujii shoots for a takedown but Kwai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naoki Fujii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kwai tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Fujii is able to avoid easily.
Fujii on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd cheers as Kwai lands an impressive looking overhand right. Fujii doesn't seem phased though.
Fujii takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujii shoots in for a takedown but Kwai shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fujii.
Fujii moves out of range as Kwai throws a body kick.
Kwai throws an overhand right that lands on Fujii's shoulder, as Fujii tries to avoid the shot.
Fujii moves out of range of the body kick from Kwai.
Fujii shoots in for a takedown but Kwai shows good takedown defense.
Kwai misses with a kick to the body.
Some wild striking there from Kwai.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kwai!

That's four 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.
Fujii slips a straight right by Kwai.
Fujii moves out of range of the body kick from Kwai.
Kwai stuffs the takedown.
Fujii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fujii blocks a low kick nicely.
Fujii moves forwards but Kwai connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kwai leaves Fujii with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kwai looks to score with a jab to the body but Fujii is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wiang Kwai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kwai has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 47:48
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wiang Kwai!
Wiang Kwai is the new lightweight champion!