PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kaito Saruwatari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saruwatari comes to the cage accompanied by Andrea Bocelli - Time To Say Goodbye. Kaito Saruwatari could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nick James's chin.

Saruwatari
vs
James

186 cm
27
214 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

189 cm
31
215 lbs
9 - 14 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kaito Saruwatari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nick James!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Albert Achterberg and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saruwatari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Saruwatari throws a looping overhand right but James ducks down to avoid it.
James throws a nice looking combination but Saruwatari bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

James is looking for a kimura here.

James is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Saruwatari is just riding it out for now. James eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are battling for position here. Saruwatari manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
James won't allow Saruwatari to get back to his feet.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saruwatari lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for James!
Saruwatari knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for James on the ground.

Saruwatari gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Kaito Saruwatari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

James fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Saruwatari to the ground. James is now in Saruwatari's guard.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.

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

James drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Saruwatari dives on top into guard.

James looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

James is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Saruwatari is aware though and is defending well.
Saruwatari is looking to stand up but James won't let him.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
James is working an open guard so Saruwatari takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
James moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
James takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Saruwatari circles away from the clinch attempt
and Saruwatari counters with a nice leg kick.
Saruwatari looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.
James takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saruwatari misses with a looping left.
Saruwatari looking to land some kicks to the body here.

James shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. James showed some decent athleticism there.
Saruwatari wants to get back to full guard.

James is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Saruwatari defends it well.
Saruwatari tries to get to full guard but James has control of the leg.

James is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saruwatari doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time James.

James wants to work for an arm triangle but Saruwatari is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Saruwatari wants to control but James is keeping busy.

James is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saruwatari doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time James.
Saruwatari gets back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Saruwatari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saruwatari wants to hit a switch here but James passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Saruwatari there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nick James will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Saruwatari keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saruwatari pulls out of a head kick attempt.

James closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Saruwatari quickly recovers to half guard.

James is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Saruwatari is just riding it out for now. James eventually gives up the hold.

James is looking for a kimura but Saruwatari is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for James to get the leverage.
Saruwatari wants to control but James is keeping busy.

James seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saruwatari tries to roll over but James keeps him under control.

James is working for a submission of some sort.

James is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

James is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Saruwatari is just riding it out for now. James eventually gives up the hold.
Saruwatari slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Saruwatari trying to keep a closed guard but James is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James wants to pass the guard but Saruwatari is keeping the position.
Saruwatari looking for a sweep. Not yet Saruwatari, not yet.

James is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
James trying to control but Saruwatari is working from the bottom.
James postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Saruwatari is on top in guard.
Saruwatari is looking to stand up but James won't let him.

Saruwatari decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on James, up you get!
Saruwatari scores with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed right hand from James misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saruwatari lands with a thumping leg kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Saruwatari!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Saruwatari. James shrugs it off though.
James misses with a looping left.
Saruwatari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from James is defended easily by Saruwatari.
Saruwatari connects with an inside leg kick.
Saruwatari connects with a leg kick. James looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kaito Saruwatari is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saruwatari.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saruwatari is looking to slow James down with leg kicks.
James misses with a takedown attempt
and Saruwatari counters with a good, hard body kick but James shrugs it off.
Kaito Saruwatari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick James.
James is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James takes one on the chin but seems OK.
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Saruwatari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A jab lands there for Saruwatari.
James looks for a takedown but Saruwatari sprawls well.
James drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saruwatari slips a jab and a cross from James.
Saruwatari throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by James.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaito Saruwatari dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A slapping body kick lands there for Saruwatari.
Saruwatari feints a jab promting James to slip. Saruwatari then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. James slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Saruwatari lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Saruwatari scoring well with a low kick there.
James shoots in for a takedown but Saruwatari shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Saruwatari looks to land a combination. James sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Nick James has been cut.
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!
Saruwatari scores with a decent looking hook.
James walks into a straight right hand from Saruwatari.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
James throws a left and a right that both miss
and Saruwatari counters with a nice low kick that buckles James's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saruwatari fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Saruwatari throws a head kick but James moves out of range.
Saruwatari lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Saruwatari swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by James.
Saruwatari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
James's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
James misses with a wild combination.
James tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Saruwatari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice jab there from Saruwatari.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saruwatari.
Saruwatari bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saruwatari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saruwatari scoring well with a low kick there.
Saruwatari lands a nice looking kick to the body. James takes a step back to recover.
Saruwatari fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and James has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Saruwatari clobbers James with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kaito Saruwatari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saruwatari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Saruwatari ducks under a wild hook from James.
Saruwatari pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces James back to the cage. Saruwatari follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Saruwatari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saruwatari lands the left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James sizes up Saruwatari with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Saruwatari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Saruwatari scores with a leg kick.
Saruwatari throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
James shoots in but Saruwatari avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kaito Saruwatari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick James.
James fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
James tries to bum rush Saruwatari with a series of wild strikes but Saruwatari uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters circling a little - Saruwatari finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Saruwatari feints and then cracks James's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow James down.
Good leg kick by Saruwatari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
James takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Nick James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saruwatari feints and then cracks James's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow James down.
Saruwatari throws a head kick but James moves out of range.
James fails with the takedown.
Saruwatari cracks the inside of James's front leg.
Saruwatari lands a nice leg kick that just misses James's sensitive parts.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saruwatari scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
An inside leg kick lands from Saruwatari.
Saruwatari lands a nice leg kick that just misses James's sensitive parts.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaito Saruwatari showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saruwatari 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaito Saruwatari!
Kaito Saruwatari really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Torment Fightwear logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.