PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kaito Rin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Styles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Rin might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Tracktor Bowling - Scars. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rin
vs
Styles

179 cm
23
179 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
175 lbs
12 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kaito Rin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Xavier Styles!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Anthony Taglia and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rin scores with a punch to the head.
Rin throws an overhand right that lands on Styles's shoulder, as Styles tries to avoid the shot.
Styles throws a combination that misses
and Rin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Xavier Styles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Styles.
Good exchange - Rin coming out on top.
Jab by Rin.
Rin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Styles throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rin lands a body shot.
Rin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Styles moves away.
Rin throws a front kick aimed at Styles's knee but Styles avoids it well.
Rin looks to land a left hand but Styles moved out of range nicely.
Rin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rin misses with an uppercut. Styles saw that one coming.
Styles slips under a jab.
Styles tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Styles is looking to chop away at Rin's legs.
Rin looks to land a left hand but Styles moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles throws a leg kick but Rin sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rin thows a body shot but no joy.
Rin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Styles moves away.

Rin changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Styles looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Rin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Styles has escaped the position, nice work there.
Styles tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Rin working the ground and pound but Styles is defending the strikes.
Styles tries to improve position but can't.
Styles manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Styles trying to hold on to Rin's head to control him but Rin postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles wants to get back to full guard.
Rin blocks the strikes from Styles.
Rin lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rin trying to pass the guard but Styles defending well.
Styles misses with some strikes from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Styles is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Styles has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Styles takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
A nice elbow there by Rin.

Rin working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Rin trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rin with the ground and pound from mount.
Rin avoids the attempt from Styles to control.
Rin lands a nice shot to the head.
The referee warns Styles that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Rin thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Rin scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Styles gets back to half guard.
Styles is looking to control Rin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Styles avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rin prevents Styles from improving his position.

Rin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Styles makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Rin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Styles throws a leg kick which misses Rin's front leg but catches the back leg as Rin tries to avoid it.
Styles shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rin leaves Styles with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Styles misses with a leg kick
and Rin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Styles changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rin tries to avoid it but Styles manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rin to the ground. Rin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kaito Rin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Styles.
Styles connects with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaito Rin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Styles.
Styles moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Styles stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rin throws a lazy right hand but Styles sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Styles avoids the body shot from Rin.
Rin lands a jab to the nose.
The fighters circling - Rin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Styles dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice shot lands for Rin.
Rin misses with a hook.

Rin shoots in and gets a takedown into Styles's guard.
Rin is pushing down on Styles's leg trying to pass to half guard. Styles is fighting to maintain full guard but Rin has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Styles wants to control but Rin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Rin tries to pass to full mount but Styles defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles trying to control but Rin postures up.
Styles moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Styles is looking for a triangle but Rin pushes his legs off easily.

Styles is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rin is aware though and is defending well.
Rin wants to control from the top but Styles keeps moving.
Rin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Styles working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rin advances to half guard.
Styles is looking to improve his position.
Styles keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Styles is trying to get back to full guard.
Rin trying to control from half guard but Styles is working away.
Rin trying to mount his opponent but Styles defends it.
Styles is pressing down on Rin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Styles is looking for a triangle but Rin pushes his legs off easily.
Rin postures up in Styles's guard and throws a big left but Styles blocks it.
Rin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kaito Rin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rin distracts Styles with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rin passes Styles's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Styles tries to get to full guard but Rin has control of the leg.
Rin passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Styles!
Styles is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rin controlling the pace for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Styles is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaito Rin dominated that second 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.

Styles closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Styles tries to bum rush Rin with a series of wild strikes but Rin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rin jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Rin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Styles to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Styles makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Rin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Styles doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Styles manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rin looking to control.
Styles sitting in guard here, content to control.

Rin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Styles keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rin's head.
Rin is pulling down on Styles's head to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rin working a defensive guard here.
Styles working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rin throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Rin is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Styles's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Styles accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rin is trying to keep Styles in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kaito Rin just wasn't active enough.
Rin walks into a stiff left hand from Styles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rin looks to throw the jab but Styles is out of range.
Rin throws the left hand but Styles avoids the punch easily.
Rin moves out of range as Styles throws a body kick.
A big left from Styles misses.
Styles misses the shot to the body.
Rin misses with a looping left.
Rin jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rin fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Styles checks it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rin scores with a nice right hand.
Styles shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rin but Rin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Styles lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rin circles away quickly and effectively.
A chopping leg kick lands by Styles.
Rin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Styles misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Styles misses with a double jab

and Rin counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Styles takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Styles won't allow Rin to pass to mount.
Rin works his way into full mount!
Rin is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Styles is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Styles is looking to escape.
Styles is desperately trying to improve his position but Rin has a good base and remains in mount.
Styles wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Rin.
Styles tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Styles is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Styles is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Xavier Styles just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Rin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A punch lands to the side of Rin 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice straight punches there by Rin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rin.
Styles shoots in but no luck this time.
Xavier Styles seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Styles throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Styles misses with a head kick.
Rin lands with a cross.
Rin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Styles.
Rin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice sprawl there from Rin as Styles shoots in.
Rin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Styles moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Styles misses the jab.
Rin tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Styles digs a good body shot into Rin's ribs.
Rin with a hook.
Rin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rin is able to avoid easily.
Styles shoots in and drives through. Rin sprawls well.
Kaito Rin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Styles.
Styles is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rin moves out of range of the body kick from Styles.
Styles uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rin.

Rin gets the takedown into side control.
Rin lands a decent elbow from side control.
You can see the frustration on Styles's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Styles defending against the ground and pound.
Styles tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rin swings around for an armbar but Styles sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rin's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles scoring with some ground and pound.
Rin managing to control the position.

Styles avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rin trying to control the position.
Styles forces his way into half guard.
Styles is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Styles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rin is trying to control but can't.
Rin is refusing to be controlled, as Styles sits in half guard.
Rin tries to roll over but Styles keeps him under control.
Styles not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rin keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Rin wants to get back to full guard.

Styles is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rin defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rin is looking to control Styles's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rin avoid being mounted?
Styles prevents Rin from improving his position.

Styles is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rin is just riding it out for now. Styles eventually gives up the hold.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rin is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kaito Rin will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Rin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Styles looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Styles shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rin pinned against the cage. Rin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Styles walks into a straight right hand from Rin.
Styles thows a left - swing and a miss!
Styles misses with a two punch combination.
Rin blocks a low kick nicely.
Rin throws a lazy right hand but Styles sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rin throws a shot to the body.
Styles fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rin jabs Styles right on the nose. Styles blinks but takes it well.
Rin moves out of range of the strikes.
Styles gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rin.
Rin ducks under a wild hook from Styles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles misses with a takedown attempt
and Rin counters with a left to the body.
Styles is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Nice straight punches there by Rin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rin.
Styles steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rin.
Styles checks a low kick from Rin.
Rin dodges the punch combination from Styles.
Rin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Styles moves away.
Styles drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Styles fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kaito Rin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Styles.
Styles uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rin.
Rin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Styles makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Good shot there by Rin.
Styles has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rin misses with a looping left.
Rin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Styles was well out of range. Poor timing from Rin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles throws a lazy right hand but Rin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Styles uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rin.
Styles fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rin.
Rin throws a jab but it's blocked by Styles.
Styles connects with a solid leg kick.
Styles tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rin was well out of range. Poor timing from Styles.
Rin throws a leg kick but Styles sees it coming and moves out of range.
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!
Styles throws out a loose jab but Rin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Styles misses with a kick to the body

and Rin counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Styles!
Styles tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rin looking to control but Styles is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Styles is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles is bucking up trying to escape but Rin cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Rin sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Styles is trying desperately to improve position.
Styles tries to hold on but Rin postures up.
Kaito Rin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rin controlling from mount.
Styles sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Styles wants to control but Rin is keeping busy.
Rin controlling the action here.
Styles is staying active underneath Rin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Xavier Styles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rin trying to control the pace.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kaito Rin.
Styles shoots in for a takedown but Rin shows good takedown defense.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaito Rin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaito Rin!
Kaito Rin retains his welterweight title!
Kaito Rin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.