PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Flint Marko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arigato Sayonara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Arigato Sayonara was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Marko
vs
Sayonara

181 cm
19
193 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
190 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Flint Marko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Arigato Sayonara!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sayonara throws a lazy right hand but Marko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Marko takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sayonara just misses with a punch to the body.

Sayonara looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Sayonara is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Marko has managed to free his arm - good work.
Marko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Marko.
Sayonara loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sayonara wants to pass the guard but Marko is keeping the position.
Sayonara with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sayonara postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Marko is trying to control the position but Sayonara postures up.
Sayonara trying to control the position from guard on top but Marko 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.

Sayonara drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Marko dives on top into guard.
Marko stands up over Sayonara, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sayonara keeping moving, preventing Marko from controlling successfully.
Marko working some strikes from top position.
Marko won't allow Sayonara to sweep him here.
Marko trying to control the position from guard on top but Sayonara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sayonara pulls Marko in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marko trying to control the position from guard on top but Sayonara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sayonara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Marko is one step ahead there.

Flint Marko has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sayonara swings for the body but Marko moves out of range.
Sayonara loads up on a big right hand but Marko slips the punch.
A shot to the liver by Sayonara. Beautiful body shot.
Sayonara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Marko misses with a hook
and Sayonara counters with a left and a right that stings Marko.
Sayonara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marko manages to avoid it.
Sayonara is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Marko rather than just go for the knockout.
Sayonara swings away with a body shot that misses
and Marko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sayonara punishes Marko's body with a nice straight punch.
Sayonara misses with a wild body shot.
Marko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sayonara.
Sayonara connects with a body shot.
Marko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sayonara swings for the body but Marko moves out of range.
Sayonara misses with a hook to the body
and Marko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Marko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sayonara counters with a nice body shot.
Marko avoids the body shot from Sayonara.
Marko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sayonara moves out of range of the strikes.

Marko tries to sprawl but Sayonara drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Sayonara seems to be looking for submissions.
Sayonara wants to take a breather but Marko is having none of it.

Sayonara is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Marko trying to control from the bottom.
Sayonara seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marko wants to control but Sayonara is keeping busy.
Sayonara throwing shots but Marko is blocking nicely.
Sayonara thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Marko's head.
Sayonara trying to mount his opponent but Marko defends it.

Sayonara wants to work for an arm triangle but Marko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Marko is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Sayonara wants to work for an arm triangle but Marko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Sayonara is working for a kimura but Marko is defending it quite comfortably.
Sayonara looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marko is looking to improve his position.
Sayonara trying to mount his opponent but Marko defends it.

Sayonara is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Marko defends it well.
Sayonara thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Marko's head.

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.
Sayonara slips a nice elbow through Marko's hands, connecting with Marko's forehead.

Sayonara is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sayonara thows a huge punch but Marko dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arigato Sayonara showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sayonara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marko was well out of range. Poor timing from Sayonara.
Sayonara misses the shot to the body.
Sayonara throws a right hand that Marko ducks under and follows up with a left that Marko also avoids with ease.
Sayonara misses with a body shot
letting Marko counter with a right hand.
Sayonara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marko was well out of range. Poor timing from Sayonara.
Sayonara lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Marko backs up against the cage.
Marko doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sayonara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Arigato Sayonara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab lands there for Sayonara.
Sayonara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marko tries for a takedown but Sayonara circles away easily

and Sayonara counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Marko's guard now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marko wants to sweep here but Sayonara controlling him for the moment.
Sayonara with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sayonara with a flurry of punches that miss.
Marko trying to keep a closed guard but Sayonara is proving a slippery customer.
Marko wants to sweep but no luck.
Marko keeping moving, preventing Sayonara from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sayonara throws a big right hand that misses.

Sayonara drops back, looking for a kneebar! Marko looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Marko looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Marko!
Sayonara is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Marko off and has taken his back!

Sayonara looking for the choke but no joy.

Sayonara patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Sayonara takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sayonara has managed to slip his arm under Marko's chin. This could be all over... yep, Marko is tapping out! Submission win for Sayonara.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Arigato Sayonara!