PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ari Birmiski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Birmiski's entrance music is I'm Back - T.I. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Birmiski
vs
Watanabe

170 cm
24
140 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

172 cm
22
145 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ari Birmiski!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kenji Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watanabe scores with a head kick.
Birmiski takes one on the button.
Watanabe turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Watanabe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Birmiski moves away.
Birmiski throws the left hand but Watanabe avoids the punch easily.
The crowd cheers as Watanabe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Birmiski doesn't seem phased though.

Birmiski forces Watanabe back against the cage and clinches.
Watanabe misses with a body punch.
Watanabe is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Watanabe stalling against the cage.
Watanabe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Birmiski pushes Watanabe back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Watanabe trying to stall but Birmiski improves his position.

Birmiski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a head kick but Birmiski moves out of range.
Watanabe avoids the head kick by Birmiski.
Watanabe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Birmiski has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Watanabe scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kenji Watanabe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Birmiski takes a kick to the side of the head.
Birmiski avoids the head kick by Watanabe.
Birmiski tries to work over Watanabe's front leg with a kick but Watanabe checks it.
A jab from Birmiski misses.
Birmiski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Watanabe avoids it really well and circles away.
Birmiski takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a wild body kick that Birmiski sees coming a mile off.
Watanabe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Birmiski.
Watanabe lands an overhand right.

Watanabe tries to keep at a distance but Birmiski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Watanabe taking a breather.
Watanabe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Birmiski blocks it with crossed arms.
Birmiski avoiding damage as Watanabe throws knees to the body.
Birmiski is trying to break free.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Birmiski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Birmiski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Watanabe with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Birmiski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Birmiski moves out of range of the body kick.
Birmiski gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Birmiski drives through and clinches with Watanabe against the cage.
Watanabe misses with a punch to the body.
Watanabe keeps control of Birmiski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Birmiski taking a breather.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Birmiski takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Birmiski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Birmiski tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Birmiski back against the cage.
Birmiski tries to pull guard but Watanabe holds him up against the cage and eventually Birmiski drops back down to his feet.
Watanabe crunches a lovely knee into Birmiski's ribcage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe keeps control of Birmiski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Birmiski managing to block the knees to the body from Watanabe.
Watanabe misses with a punch to the body.
Watanabe tries to land knees in the clinch but Birmiski avoids the damage to the body.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Birmiski avoids it.
A hook to the body from Watanabe.
Watanabe unloads a knee to the mid-section. Birmiski lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Birmiski working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Watanabe stalling against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A right hook to the body lands for Birmiski.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Birmiski is stalling here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Watanabe dominated that round.
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.

Birmiski on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Watanabe. Watanabe obviously looking to wear him down.
Birmiski gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A leg kick checked by Birmiski.
Watanabe looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Watanabe throws a sloppy head kick
and Birmiski counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Watanabe checks the leg kick nicely there.
A big left from Birmiski misses.
Watanabe goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Watanabe has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Birmiski finds it's way round the side to connect with Watanabe's head.
Birmiski takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski swats away the attempt to clinch by Watanabe.
Birmiski misses the shot to the body.
Kenji Watanabe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Watanabe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Watanabe throws a head kick that half lands.
Watanabe fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Watanabe scores with a nice body kick.
Watanabe throws a chopping leg kick but Birmiski manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Watanabe throws a nice outside leg kick.
Birmiski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Watanabe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nice cross by Birmiski.
Watanabe thuds his shin into the meat of Birmiski's side.
Birmiski takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Watanabe throws a nice inside leg kick.
Watanabe connects with a high kick.
Birmiski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Watanabe avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watanabe is looking to land body kicks.
Watanabe swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Birmiski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Birmiski moves out of range of the leg kick from Watanabe.
Birmiski steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Watanabe. That one must have hurt.
Watanabe pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Birmiski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Birmiski checks a leg kick.
Watanabe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Birmiski takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Birmiski misses the body punch
and Watanabe counters with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Watanabe instigates a clinch.
Watanabe tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Birmiski is trying to maintain a safe position but Watanabe gets an underhook and turns Birmiski into the cage.
Watanabe unloads a knee to the mid-section. Birmiski lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Birmiski avoiding damage as Watanabe throws knees to the body.
Birmiski fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ari Birmiski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Birmiski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Birmiski controlling the action here for a moment.
Birmiski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Watanabe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Watanabe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Watanabe will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Birmiski avoids the head kick by Watanabe.
Nice sprawl there from Watanabe as Birmiski shoots in.
A big left from Birmiski misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Watanabe.
Watanabe fakes the leg kick and cracks Birmiski in the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Watanabe.
Nice uppercut there from Watanabe.
Birmiski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Watanabe manages to avoid it.
Birmiski throws the left hand but Watanabe avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Watanabe.
Watanabe checks a low kick from Birmiski.
Watanabe lands with a thumping leg kick.

Watanabe gets caught flat footed, as Birmiski shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Birmiski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Birmiski trying to control the position from guard on top but Watanabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Birmiski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Birmiski throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Watanabe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Birmiski is aware though and is defending well.
Watanabe looking to hit a scissor sweep but Birmiski is one step ahead there.
Birmiski wants to pass the guard but Watanabe is keeping the position.

Watanabe throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Birmiski escapes and throws Watanabe's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Watanabe keeps working.
Watanabe tries to improve position but can't.
Birmiski trying to control the position but Watanabe is working away.
Watanabe wants to control but Birmiski postures up.

Birmiski working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The ground and pound from Birmiski seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Birmiski thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Birmiski in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Watanabe is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Birmiski's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Birmiski clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Birmiski checks a low kick from Watanabe.
Birmiski throws a jab but it's blocked by Watanabe.
Watanabe dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Birmiski. That did some damage!
Birmiski misses with a takedown attempt - Watanabe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Birmiski rushes Watanabe and presses him up against the cage.
Watanabe is leaning against Birmiski and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Birmiski is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Watanabe tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kenji Watanabe seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Watanabe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Watanabe trying to control the position but instead, Birmiski has worked for underhooks and has pushed Watanabe into the cage.
Birmiski lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe tries to land knees in the clinch but Birmiski avoids the damage to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Watanabe takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Watanabe trying to land knees to the body.
Birmiski managing to block the knees to the body from Watanabe.
Watanabe manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Watanabe tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Watanabe putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Birmiski in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Birmiski working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski is trying to stall.
A short right from Birmiski on the inside.
Birmiski tries to break free but Watanabe pushes him back against the cage.
Watanabe using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Watanabe is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Birmiski is defending well for now.
Watanabe landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Birmiski trying to control the position but instead, Watanabe has worked for underhooks and has pushed Birmiski into the cage.
Watanabe stalling.
Birmiski prevents a body shot from Watanabe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski avoiding damage as Watanabe throws knees to the body.
Watanabe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Birmiski misses with a punch to the body.
Birmiski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Birmiski lands with a left to the head.
Birmiski manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Watanabe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Birmiski is keeping busy.
Watanabe tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski is trying to drag Watanabe to the mat but Watanabe just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Birmiski has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Watanabe stalling.
Birmiski takes a knee to the side of the body.
Watanabe missing with knees to the body.
Watanabe working Birmiski over with knees to the body.
Watanabe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Watanabe missing with knees to the body.
Birmiski is trying to break the clinch but Watanabe has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Watanabe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Watanabe dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Watanabe connects with a solid leg kick.
Watanabe moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Birmiski jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Watanabe throws a leg kick but Birmiski sees it coming and checks it nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Watanabe darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Birmiski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Watanabe stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Watanabe throws the kick towards the body but Birmiski avoids it.
Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.
Birmiski connects with a single shot there.
Watanabe takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Watanabe lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Watanabe throws a nice outside leg kick.
Birmiski lunges at Watanabe with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Watanabe's hand.
Birmiski misses with a hook. Watanabe ducked under it nicely.
The fighters circling - Birmiski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Watanabe with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Watanabe scores with a kick to the body.
Watanabe throws out a loose jab but Birmiski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Birmiski will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Watanabe tries a low kick but Birmiski avoids it.
Watanabe fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Birmiski is out of range.
Kenji Watanabe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Watanabe is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Watanabe tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Watanabe blocks a leg kick.
Watanabe motions for Birmiski to come forward. Watanabe throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Watanabe throws a leg kick but Birmiski checks it.
Birmiski throws a half hearted mid kick.
Watanabe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Birmiski has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Birmiski decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Birmiski 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.
Birmiski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Watanabe's head.
Watanabe tries to get to full guard but Birmiski has control of the leg.
Birmiski tries to pass to full mount but Watanabe defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Watanabe is not content to let Birmiski control the position.
Birmiski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Watanabe is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Birmiski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Birmiski's back!
Watanabe has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Birmiski's body.
Birmiski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Birmiski turns into Watanabe and is now in his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ari Birmiski.
I think Watanabe has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Watanabe!
Kenji Watanabe is the new bantamweight champion!