PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kareem Kiram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kiram
vs
Watanabe

170 cm
19
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
135 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kareem Kiram !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takeshi Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Watanabe.
Kiram wants to clinch.
Watanabe is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Watanabe misses with a combination
and Kiram counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Watanabe misses with a double jab
letting Kiram counter with a right hand.
Watanabe throws a right hand that Kiram ducks under and follows up with a left that Kiram also avoids with ease.
A jab lands there for Kiram .
Watanabe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kiram counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Watanabe misses with a combination
and Kiram counters with a nice uppercut.
Watanabe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Kiram to counter with a crisp jab.
Watanabe misses with a wild combination.

Kiram darts in and clinches Watanabe up against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Kiram scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kiram lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Kiram scores with a nice short uppercut.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe fails to land with a series of punches.
Watanabe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Watanabe looks winded!

Kiram moves into the clinch.
Kiram scores with a shoulder strike.

Kiram 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Watanabe throws a combination that misses
and Kiram counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kiram connects with a body shot that sends Watanabe's belly button to the back.
Kiram digs a good hook to Watanabe's body.

Kiram instigates a clinch.

Kiram breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kiram tries to clinch up but Watanabe circles away and keeps his distance.

Kiram has taken the fight to the clinch.
Watanabe takes a shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kiram breaks the clinch.

Kiram forces Watanabe back against the cage and clinches.
Kiram lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kiram breaks from the clinch.

Kiram darts in and clinches Watanabe up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kiram .

Kiram breaks the clinch.
Watanabe fails to land with a series of punches.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kiram throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Watanabes head.
Kiram lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kiram misses with a punch to the body.
Kiram stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kiram lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kiram lands a hook that snaps the head of Watanabe backwards.
A short uppercut from Kiram .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiram works on Watanabe's body with a couple of short punches.
Kiram lands a body shot in the clinch.
Watanabe blocks a body shot from Kiram .
Nice body punch from Kiram .

Kiram breaks from the clinch.

Kiram gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short right from Kiram .
Kiram lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Kiram breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Kiram rushes Watanabe and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kiram tries to throw a body punch but Watanabe avoids it by throwing Kiram back against the cage.
Kiram lands a hook to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Kiram .
Kiram is leaning against Watanabe and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiram scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kiram lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kiram breaks the clinch.
Watanabe misses with a double jab
and Kiram counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kiram fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kiram is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Kiram moves into the clinch.
Kiram can't find room to land a body shot as Watanabe controls the action.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kiram .
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kiram breaks the clinch.
Nice body punch from Kiram .
Watanabe circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kareem Kiram dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kiram forces Watanabe back against the cage and clinches.
Kiram has had enough of the clinch but Watanabe keeps him there for the moment.
Kiram tries to work over Watanabe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Watanabe prevents a body shot from Kiram .
Kiram lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kiram misses with the head strike.
Kiram stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kiram lands a nice shot to the body.
Watanabe's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Kiram breaks from the clinch.
Kiram tries to close the distance and clinch up but Watanabe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Watanabe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kiram counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Watanabe is breathing heavily.
Watanabe misses with a double jab
and Kiram counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiram is looking to clinch.
Kiram fails in his attempt to clinch.
Takeshi Watanabe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kiram moves into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Kiram - that landed with a thud.
Kiram lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kiram lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Watanabe backwards.
Kiram pushes Watanabe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kareem Kiram has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Kiram breaks the clinch.
Kiram tries to close the distance and clinch but Watanabe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kiram moves into range and clinches up with Watanabe.
Watanabe is trying to maintain a safe position but Kiram gets an underhook and turns Watanabe into the cage.

Kiram 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Some wild striking there from Watanabe.
Kiram tries to clinch but Watanabe moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiram is looking to clinch but Watanabe is avoiding it.
Kiram fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kiram .
Kiram fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kiram gets a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kiram lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Watanabe backwards.
Watanabe wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kiram lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kiram softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kiram lands a hook that snaps the head of Watanabe backwards.

Kiram pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takeshi Watanabe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Watanabe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kiram circles away quickly and effectively.

Kiram has closed the distance and engaged Watanabe in a clinch.

Kiram breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kiram fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiram clobbers Watanabe with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Kiram gets a clinch.
A short right from Kiram .
Kiram pushes Watanabe back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kiram misses with a hook to the ribs.

Kiram breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kiram forces Watanabe back against the cage and clinches.

Kiram breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kiram tries to clinch up.
Watanabe avoids the body shot from Kiram .
Watanabe keeps the fight on the outside.
Watanabe misses with a combination
and Kiram cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Watanabe avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe keeps the fight on the outside.
Kiram wants to clinch up but Watanabe keeps it at a distance.

Kiram clinches up with Watanabe and pushes him back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kiram .

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

Kiram pushes Watanabe up against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kiram breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kiram tries to clinch but Watanabe moves out of range.
Watanabe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kiram circles away quickly and effectively.
Watanabe takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Kiram pushes Watanabe up against the cage in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kiram breaks the clinch.

Kiram closes the distance and pushes Watanabe back into the cage.
Watanabe is trying to break the clinch but Kiram is controlling him.
Watanabe has had enough of the clinch but Kiram keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kareem Kiram dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Watanabe misses with a double jab
and Watanabe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Watanabe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kiram counters with a straight right hand.
Kiram tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Watanabe paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Watanabe gets tackled into the cage by Kiram . Kiram maintains the clinch.
Kiram working aggressively here.
Watanabe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kiram throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Watanabes head.
A short right from Kiram on the inside.

Kiram breaks from the clinch.
Watanabe keeps the fight on the outside.
Watanabe throws a combination that misses
and Kiram counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Watanabe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Watanabe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kiram counters with a nice body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kiram looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Watanabe takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe misses with the combination.

Kiram forces Watanabe back against the cage and clinches.
Kiram softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kiram works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A right hook to the body lands for Kiram .
Kiram lands a body punch.
A short uppercut from Kiram .
Kiram working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kiram lands a hook that snaps the head of Watanabe backwards.
Watanabe blocks a body shot from Kiram .
Kiram softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe blocks a body shot from Kiram .
Kiram lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kiram tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Watanabe's elbow.
A short right from Kiram on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kiram .
Kiram lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kiram lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Watanabe or not.
Kiram scores with a shoulder strike.
Kiram misses with a shot to the kidneys.
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!
Kiram misses with a punch to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kiram .

Kiram breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kiram tries to close the distance and clinch up but Watanabe swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiram tries to clinch up.

Kiram moves into the clinch.
Kiram lands a right hand.
Kiram lands a shot to the body.

Kiram escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kiram is looking to clinch but Watanabe is avoiding it.

Kiram has closed the distance and engaged Watanabe in a clinch.
Kiram scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kiram lands with a light punch inside.
Nice body punch from Kiram .

Kiram 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kiram wants to clinch.
Kiram scores with a body shot.
Kiram is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Watanabe can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Kiram counter with a right hand.

Kiram gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kiram escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kiram moves in looking to clinch but Watanabe pushes him off.
Watanabe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kiram moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Kiram takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kiram lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Watanabe backwards.
Kiram lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Kiram pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watanabe throws a combination that misses
letting Kiram counter with a right hand.

Kiram gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Takeshi Watanabe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kareem Kiram is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kiram breaks from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kareem Kiram showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kiram 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kareem Kiram !
Our winner, Kareem Kiram , made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.