PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bart Meesters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saito Shinji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Bart Meesters has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Meesters
vs
Shinji

180 cm
26
145 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

155 cm
25
138 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bart Meesters!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Saito Shinji!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shinji defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Meesters.
Meesters misses with a takedown attempt

and Shinji counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Shinji looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Meesters keeping moving, preventing Shinji from controlling successfully.
Meesters striking off his back but it's not causing Shinji any problems.
Shinji passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Shinji controlling the position from side mount.
Shinji in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Shinji trying to control the position but Meesters is working away.

Shinji wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Meesters, who protects the arm well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shinji is looking to take a break and control but Meesters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinji tries to move to mount but Meesters blocks the move with his legs.

Shinji is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Meesters knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Shinji wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Meesters, who protects the arm well.
Meesters sneaks back into half guard.
Meesters tries to roll over but Shinji keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meesters trying to hold on to Shinji's head to control him but Shinji postures up.

Shinji is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Meesters doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shinji.
Shinji trying to control the action but Meesters is working from the bottom.
Meesters is looking for a sweep. Shinji is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Shinji is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Meesters doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shinji.
Shinji perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Meesters looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Shinji thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Meesters is staying active underneath Shinji, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Shinji is working for a submission of some sort.
Meesters won't allow Shinji to pass to mount.
Shinji is keen to just control but Meesters is a slippery customer.

Shinji looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Meesters looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Meesters with the active half guard here but Shinji passes nicely into side control.
Shinji tries to move into full mount but can't pass Meesters's legs.

Shinji is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Meesters is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shinji in side control, throwing shots but Meesters defends.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saito Shinji dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Meesters doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shinji connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shinji misses with a body shot.
Meesters closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shinji circles away.
Meesters misses with a takedown attempt - Shinji sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bart Meesters. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Meesters uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shinji.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Shinji misses.
Shinji misses with a wild body shot.
Meesters changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shinji tries to avoid it but Meesters manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shinji to the ground. Shinji escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Shinji shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Meesters is trying to defend but Shinji finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shinji works his way into full mount!
Shinji thowing shots but they're missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meesters holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Shinji tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Shinji lands a heavy elbow.
Shinji trying to control but Meesters is having none of it.
Meesters tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Shinji looking to finish Meesters with some ground and pound. This is bad for Meesters!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Shinji takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Shinji goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Meesters is on top in guard.

Shinji looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Meesters has picked Shinji up and slammed him! Shinji can't keep hold of the triangle and Meesters manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinji wants to control but Meesters postures up.
Meesters trying to control the action but Shinji is working from the bottom.
Shinji gets back to half guard.

Shinji looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shinji has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Meesters is working away from the top position though.
Meesters not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shinji works his way to full guard. Good work.
Meesters will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meesters is looking to work some ground and pound but Shinji has wrist control.

Shinji is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Meesters is aware though and is defending well.
Meesters won't allow Shinji to sweep him here.

Meesters drops back, looking for a kneebar! Shinji looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Shinji looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Shinji!
Sloppy strikes there by Shinji.

Shinji working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Shinji wants to lay and pray for a moment but Meesters keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Shinji has an Americana. Meesters didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Shinji is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Shinji hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Saito Shinji!