PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Huima Kostaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Zardoz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kostaja
vs
Zardoz

190 cm
25
265 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

189 cm
19
236 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Huima Kostaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Juan Zardoz!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zardoz shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kostaja's guard.
Kostaja is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zardoz trying to control the position from guard on top but Kostaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kostaja wants to sweep but no luck.
Zardoz wants to control from the top but Kostaja keeps moving.

Kostaja working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zardoz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zardoz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zardoz trying to control the position from guard on top but Kostaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kostaja is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zardoz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kostaja throws a series of punches but Zardoz avoids them all with ease.
Kostaja has his takedown stuffed

and Zardoz counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zardoz would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Zardoz trying to control but Kostaja is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostaja wants to stand but Zardoz is controlling the position.
Kostaja avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zardoz controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kostaja keeping full guard, as Zardoz tries to pass.
Zardoz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Zardoz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kostaja connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zardoz misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Kostaja.
Zardoz goes for a takedown attempt but Kostaja pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kostaja darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Zardoz wants to get back to his feet.
Kostaja is looking to advance position but Zardoz won't allow it.

Kostaja seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zardoz misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Zardoz wants to get back to full guard.
Kostaja trying to pass the guard but Zardoz defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zardoz wants to get back to his feet.
Kostaja trying to control the pace.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kostaja misses with a few strikes there.
Juan Zardoz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kostaja moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Juan Zardoz has been cut.
Kostaja scores with a hook to the body. Zardoz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Huima Kostaja dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Juan Zardoz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kostaja throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zardoz looks to clinch
and Kostaja counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Zardoz shoots in and bounces Kostaja off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Kostaja is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zardoz tries to free his leg and advance position but Kostaja is retaining full guard.
Kostaja is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Zardoz stands and steps away. Kostaja gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zardoz fails with the takedown
and Kostaja counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zardoz darts in trying to clinch
and Kostaja counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Zardoz is breathing heavily.
Kostaja scores with a hook to the body. Zardoz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zardoz looks to clinch

and Kostaja holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kostaja leaning against his opponent.
Kostaja blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Kostaja jumps guard.

Kostaja throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kostaja tries to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zardoz stands up and waves to Kostaja to follow him.
Zardoz wants to clinch
and Kostaja counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zardoz takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Kostaja moves into the clinch.
Zardoz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kostaja avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kostaja lands with a light punch inside.
Zardoz goes for a takedown attempt but Kostaja pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Huima Kostaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juan Zardoz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostaja fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kostaja throws a series of punches but Zardoz moves out of range.
Nice shot by Kostaja.
Kostaja jabs at Zardoz's body.
Zardoz takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Huima Kostaja is winning the standup battle so far.
Kostaja will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kostaja swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kostaja looks to land a combination but Zardoz avoids it well.
Zardoz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zardoz dodges the punch combination from Kostaja.
Zardoz darts in trying to clinch
and Kostaja connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kostaja fails with a takedown attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kostaja.
Kostaja throws a right hand that Zardoz ducks under and follows up with a left that Zardoz also avoids with ease.
Zardoz looks to clinch

so Kostaja counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kostaja drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Zardoz manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kostaja has Zardoz in his guard.
Kostaja keeping moving, preventing Zardoz from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Huima Kostaja dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Juan Zardoz'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!

Kostaja lands with a nice combination. Zardoz backs away looking to recover.
Kostaja misses with a series of wild punches.
Zardoz throws a sloppy head kick

and Kostaja counters with a takedown into side control.
Zardoz manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Zardoz controlling the action here.
Kostaja keeping control of the position.
Zardoz is thwarting Kostaja's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zardoz wants to work for an arm triangle but Kostaja is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zardoz is trying to control the action in half guard but Kostaja is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Kostaja is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zardoz pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kostaja is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Zardoz jumps into side control!
An elbow from Zardoz crashes against the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zardoz passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Kostaja!
Zardoz can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kostaja is looking to escape.
Zardoz scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kostaja?
Zardoz thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Kostaja gets back to half guard.

Kostaja looking for submissions off his back.
Kostaja is staying active underneath Zardoz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zardoz seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Huima Kostaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zardoz is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Zardoz is looking to take a break and control but Kostaja is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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.
Kostaja trying to control here.

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

and Zardoz counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kostaja being controlled here, momentarily.
Zardoz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zardoz wants to pass the guard but Kostaja is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Juan Zardoz.
I think Kostaja has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Huima Kostaja!