PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Liam Brady (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Niwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Michael Niwa enters the cage!

Brady
vs
Niwa

173 cm
21
170 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Liam Brady!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Niwa!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brady lands with a kick to the temple. Niwa shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Michael Niwa has been cut.
Brady misses with a wild combination.
Brady throws a series of punches but Niwa moves out of range.
Brady rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Niwa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Brady drives through and clinches with Niwa against the cage.

Brady pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Niwa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Niwa stops Brady from standing up.
Brady might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Brady working a defensive guard here.
Niwa wants to control from the top but Brady keeps moving.
Brady is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brady is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Niwa is just riding it out for now. Brady eventually gives up the hold.
Niwa is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Niwa actively working from the bottom here.
Niwa manages to get to full guard.
Niwa keeping full guard, as Brady tries to pass.
Brady trying to stand up but can't free himself from Niwa's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Niwa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Brady tries to free his leg and advance position but Niwa is retaining full guard.

Niwa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Brady doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Brady manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Niwa working a defensive guard but Brady manages to pass into side control anyway.

Brady is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Niwa has escaped the position, nice work there.
Brady wants to control but Niwa is keeping him busy.

Brady tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Brady has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Brady scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Niwa to see if he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brady has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Niwa!
Niwa is looking to get to half guard.

Brady is working for a guillotine from mount but Niwa frees his head quite easily.
Niwa keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Niwa wants to control but Brady is having none of it.
Niwa is desperately trying to improve his position but Brady has a good base and remains in mount.
Brady can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Niwa is looking to escape.
Niwa is desperately trying to improve his position but Brady has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brady is working for a guillotine from mount but Niwa frees his head quite easily.

Brady stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Liam Brady seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brady throws a head kick that misses.
Brady goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Niwa changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Brady looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Brady is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Niwa has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Brady prevents Niwa from improving position.
Brady is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Brady dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Niwa's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Brady connects with an inside leg kick.
Brady throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No joy there for Brady, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Niwa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Brady misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Niwa.
Niwa on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Niwa scores with a takedown into Brady's guard.

Brady pushes Niwa off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Brady scores with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niwa has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Brady.
Niwa is breathing heavily.

Brady forces Niwa back against the cage and clinches.

Brady's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liam Brady is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Brady breaks from the clinch.

Brady fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Niwa, pushing him back against the cage.

Brady breaks from the clinch.
Niwa blocks a head kick by Brady.

Brady forces Niwa back against the cage and clinches.
Niwa wants a takedown.

Brady's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Brady throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Niwa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brady misses with a head kick.
Good exchange - Brady coming out on top.
Brady throws a right and a left that both miss.
Brady tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Niwa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Brady lands with a thumping leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Brady moves into the clinch.
Brady gets underhooks to prevent Niwa's takedown attempt.
Liam Brady has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Niwa.

Brady breaks from the clinch.
Brady rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Niwa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Brady closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brady breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Niwa ducks under a wild hook from Brady.
Brady throws a right and a left that Niwa avoids nicely.
Liam Brady is winning the standup battle so far.
Brady keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Brady drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Niwa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Brady can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Brady drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Niwa dives on top into guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Brady wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niwa wants to pass the guard but Brady is keeping the position.
Niwa stopping the sweep attempt from Brady.

Brady working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Niwa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Niwa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Niwa prevents Brady from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Brady dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Michael Niwa's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Brady looks to throw the jab but Niwa is out of range.
Brady misses with a double jab.

Brady rushes Niwa and presses him up against the cage.

Brady breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Brady.
Niwa moves out of range as Brady throws a body kick.
Niwa tries to move into range but Brady moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Niwa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Brady sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Niwa wants to clinch.
Brady with a poor takedown

and Niwa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Brady tries to get to full guard but Niwa has control of the leg.
Niwa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Brady knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brady is trying to stand back up but Niwa is controlling him
Brady is looking to improve his position.
Brady is working hard here to advance position.
Niwa wants to free his trapped foot but Brady is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Brady wants to get back to his feet.

That's two 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.

Niwa is working for a kimura but Brady is defending it quite comfortably.
Brady pushes Niwa off looking to stand but Niwa dives back in and keeps control.
Niwa wants to control but Brady is keeping him busy.
Brady is trying to stand up here but Niwa is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niwa slips a nice elbow through Brady's hands, connecting with Brady's forehead.
Brady is trying to stand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Brady is trying to control but can't.
Niwa not doing much here.
Brady is looking to escape.
Niwa is controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Brady throws a head kick that misses.

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.
Niwa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Brady tries for a takedown but Niwa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Brady throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Brady throws an off balance right hand

and Niwa counters with a shoot takedown. Brady fights it but they end up in guard.
Brady is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Niwa is controlling him.
Niwa wants to control from the top but Brady keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Niwa really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Niwa's cut.
That's time! Brady's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Niwa slips a jab and a cross from Brady.
Brady throws a right hand that Niwa ducks under and follows up with a left that Niwa also avoids with ease.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Brady.
Niwa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Brady sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Niwa somewhat.
A head kick from Brady lands but Niwa takes it in his stride.
Brady misses with a double jab

so Niwa counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Brady is looking for a triangle but Niwa pushes his legs off easily.
Brady keeping moving, preventing Niwa from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brady wants to stand but Niwa is controlling the position.
Brady trying to strike off his back.
Brady is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Niwa wants to control from the top but Brady keeps moving.

Brady pushes Niwa off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Niwa tries to clinch there but Brady circles away.
Nice shot lands for Brady.
Brady shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Niwa defends it nicely.
Niwa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Brady.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Brady misses with a wild combination.
Brady pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brady misses with a takedown attempt

and Niwa counters with a single leg into guard. Brady didn't expect that.
Niwa won't allow Brady to get back to his feet.
Niwa looking to sit in guard and control but Brady gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Niwa 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.
Niwa trying to keep a closed guard but Brady is proving a slippery customer.

Niwa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Brady can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Niwa keeping moving, preventing Brady from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niwa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Brady drops back looking for a leg! Niwa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Niwa manages to kick Brady off! Brady jumps back into Niwa's guard.

Niwa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Brady is aware though and is defending well.
Brady with a flurry of punches that miss.
Brady trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Michael Niwa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Brady lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Brady postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Brady avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Niwa dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Michael Niwa's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A left and a right from Brady both land. Nice combination.
Brady uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Niwa has time to react.
Brady throws a nice head kick!
Brady lands with a slapping head kick.
Niwa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Brady swinging wildly here.
Niwa looks for a takedown but Brady sprawls well.
Brady swats away the attempt to clinch by Niwa.
Niwa is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niwa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Brady shoots in and bounces Niwa off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Niwa keeping full guard, as Brady tries to pass.

Niwa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Brady defends well.

Brady thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Niwa is looking for a triangle but Brady pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Brady gets to his feet - Niwa follows without any prompting.

Brady closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Brady's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Brady throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Niwa shoots in but Brady avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Liam Brady has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Niwa.
Brady swinging wildly here.
A punch combination from Brady misses.
Niwa shoots in and drives through. Brady sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niwa fails with a takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Brady.
Niwa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Brady as he avoids it easily.
Brady lands with a kick to the temple. Niwa shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Brady swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Brady keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A nice leg kick lands there from Brady.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brady plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A big left from Brady misses.
Brady swings widly with a right hand

and Niwa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Brady wants to get back to his feet but Niwa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Brady trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Brady wants to improve his position but instead Niwa has moved into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liam Brady showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Brady 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 48:47
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liam Brady!
Liam Brady retains his welterweight title!