PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Javier Maequez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuo Mizakota (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.

Maequez
vs
Mizakota

180 cm
22
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Dark Storm Performance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Javier Maequez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuo Mizakota!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Shimada and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mizakota rushes Maequez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Maequez lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The referee calls for Maequez to work.
Maequez seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

Maequez manages to break the clinch.
Mizakota tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maequez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mizakota is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mizakota throws a quick inside leg kick.
Maequez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mizakota slips a jab and a cross from Maequez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Maequez instigates a clinch.
Mizakota wants to stall.
Mizakota drops down looking for an ankle pick but Maequez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Maequez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mizakota backs up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mizakota doesn't manage to clinch there - Maequez circles away.
Javier Maequez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mizakota tries to clinch up
and Maequez counters with a two punch combo.

It looks like Kazuo Mizakota has been cut.
Mizakota misses with a takedown attempt - Maequez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mizakota is looking to clinch but Maequez is avoiding it.

Maequez clinches up with Mizakota and pushes him back against the cage.

Mizakota turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Maequez tries to buck Mizakota off but Mizakota is having none of it.
Maequez wants to control but Mizakota postures up.
Maequez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mizakota on the ground.
Mizakota looks gassed!
Maequez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Mizakota is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mizakota tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Mizakota has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Maequez throwing hammer fists to the chest of Mizakota. What's that going to do exactly?
Mizakota throwing strikes here but Maequez is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Maequez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Poor strikes thrown by Mizakota there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Mizakota is working for a guillotine from mount but Maequez frees his head quite easily.
Maequez gets back to half guard.
Mizakota wants to free his trapped foot but Maequez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mizakota looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mizakota works his way into full mount!
Maequez wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Mizakota.
Mizakota tries to control but Maequez wriggling away.
Mizakota lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Mizakota scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Mizakota thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Mizakota working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Mizakota lands a big elbow.
Mizakota looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Maequez is squirming around, avoiding Mizakota's attempts to control the action.
Maequez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maequez tries to get out of the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mizakota raining down shots from the mount!
Maequez tries to hold on but Mizakota postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mizakota prevents Maequez from getting the reversal.
Maequez regains half guard.
Maequez keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Maequez is trying to get back to full guard.
Maequez is pressing down on Mizakota's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mizakota is fighting to break Maequez's control of his arms but Maequez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maequez wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kazuo Mizakota will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kazuo Mizakota's cut.
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.

Mizakota tries to keep at a distance but Maequez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mizakota trying to stall but Maequez improves his position.
Mizakota takes a shot to the head.
Maequez stalling.
Mizakota lands a knee to the body.
Mizakota drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Maequez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Maequez stalling the fight.
Mizakota tries to land knees in the clinch but Maequez avoids the damage to the body.
Maequez managing to block the knees to the body from Mizakota.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Maequez lands a right hand.
Mizakota is breathing heavily.
Maequez is working Mizakota over against the cage.
Maequez manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mizakota creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maequez lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mizakota backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Maequez.
Maequez stalling against the cage.
Maequez lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mizakota.
Maequez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mizakota backwards.
Mizakota trying to land knees to the body.
Maequez is pressed up against the cage. Mizakota has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Maequez down to the mat. Maequez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Maequez closes the distance and clinches.
Maequez is looking to control Mizakota's arms but Mizakota gets an underhook and turns him. Now Maequez has his back to the cage.
Maequez has had enough of the clinch but Mizakota keeps him there for the moment.
Maequez misses with a body punch.

Mizakota is trying to trip Maequez. He has hold of a leg but Maequez is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Mizakota persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Mizakota pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maequez is keeping the position for now.

Mizakota has gone for a leg lock! Maequez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mizakota's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mizakota has his foot on Maequez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maequez works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mizakota throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mizakota looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maequez is one step ahead there.
Maequez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Mizakota looking for a guillotine here but Maequez defends easily.
Maequez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Mizakota is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mizakota not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mizakota escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maequez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maequez wants to control from the top but Mizakota keeps moving.
Mizakota has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maequez controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mizakota bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Maequez's guard.
Mizakota won't allow Maequez to get back to his feet.
Maequez wants to sweep but no luck.
Maequez keeping full guard, as Mizakota tries to pass.
Mizakota wants to control from the top but Maequez keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maequez 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.
Mizakota working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Maequez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kazuo Mizakota has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mizakota throws the left hand but Maequez avoids the punch easily.
Mizakota tries to clinch but Maequez moves away
and Maequez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Javier Maequez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mizakota looks to clinch

and Maequez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mizakota throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maequez blocks it with crossed arms.

Mizakota jumps into guard, dragging Maequez to the mat.
Maequez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mizakota has momentary wrist control but Maequez slips an elbow through the middle.
Maequez throwing strikes from guard but Mizakota blocks nicely.

Mizakota escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maequez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maequez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuo Mizakota showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kazuo Mizakota's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mizakota closes the distance but Maequez moves to the side
and Maequez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mizakota is looking to clinch.
Maequez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mizakota tries to close the distance and clinch but Maequez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mizakota scoring well with a low kick there.
Maequez moves in looking to clinch but Mizakota pushes him off.
Maequez tries to clinch but Mizakota is having none of it.
Mizakota tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Maequez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Maequez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maequez stops a takedown attempt from Mizakota.
Maequez just leaning against Mizakota, taking a breather.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mizakota is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Maequez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mizakota tries to pull guard but Maequez holds him up against the cage and eventually Mizakota drops back down to his feet.
Javier Maequez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuo Mizakota.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maequez misses with the head strike.

Mizakota manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Mizakota can't keep his opponent in guard - Maequez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mizakota is trying to get back to full guard.
Mizakota has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Maequez is working away from the top position though.
Maequez not doing much here.
Mizakota moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mizakota controls Maequez momentarily but Maequez frees himself.
Maequez controlling from the top position.
Maequez stopping the sweep attempt from Mizakota.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mizakota working for a triangle but Maequez defends it easily.
Mizakota has momentary wrist control but Maequez slips an elbow through the middle.

Mizakota had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Maequez is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Mizakota Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Maequez's back instead.
Mizakota is not going to allow Maequez to sit and survive in this position.
Mizakota is landing with strikes from the back.

Mizakota patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Mizakota is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Maequez has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maequez covering up well under a series of strikes from Mizakota.
Maequez tries to escape the position.
Maequez trying to survive by controlling the hands.
Maequez tries to roll but Mizakota sticks to his back.
Maequez has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Mizakota struggling to land strikes to the head as Maequez covers up.
Maequez trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Maequez is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Maequez biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.
Mizakota is hanging on to Maequez's back as he tries to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mizakota somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Maequez looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Maequez has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Mizakota.
Mizakota connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Maequez to escape the position.

Maequez preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Mizakota.
Mizakota missing with strikes from the back.
Maequez trying to control the hands but Mizakota breaks the grip.

Mizakota is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Maequez is defending well though. Mizakota let's go of the attempt for now.

Maequez is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Javier Maequez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maequez is in bad spot here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuo Mizakota comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mizakota winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazuo Mizakota!