PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hayato Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Pleaser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richard Pleaser is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kawajiri
vs
Pleaser

172 cm
18
147 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

168 cm
22
137 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Bushido Clothing

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hayato Kawajiri!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Richard Pleaser!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Kawajiri finds it's way through Pleaser's defenses.
Kawajiri tries to work over Pleaser's front leg with a kick but Pleaser checks it.
Kawajiri wants to land a leg kick but Pleaser is out of range.
Pleaser scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Hayato Kawajiri has been cut.
Pleaser lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Pleaser swats away the attempt to clinch by Kawajiri.
A right-left combo lands from Pleaser.
Kawajiri blocks a low kick nicely.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser moves out of range.
Pleaser throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kawajiri counters with a thumping low kick.
Kawajiri fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kawajiri moves out of range as Pleaser throws a body kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Pleaser!
Pleaser misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleaser misses with a body kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Pleaser.
Kawajiri wants to clinch.
Pleaser has a takedown stuffed.
Pleaser scores with a three punch combo!

Pleaser fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kawajiri sprawls well initially but Pleaser persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Pleaser is working for a kimura but Kawajiri is defending it quite comfortably.
Kawajiri is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pleaser wants to work for an arm triangle but Kawajiri is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pleaser looks gassed!
Kawajiri is not content to let Pleaser control the position.
Pleaser is stalling here. Kawajiri is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Pleaser seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Kawajiri has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pleaser struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kawajiri decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Kawajiri tries to clinch up.
A head kick misses from Pleaser.
Kawajiri throws a lazy uppercut
and Pleaser counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pleaser misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pleaser rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kawajiri moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pleaser shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kawajiri doesn't manage to clinch there - Pleaser circles away.
Kawajiri wants to clinch.

Pleaser shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kawajiri's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser won't allow Kawajiri to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Kawajiri stands up and beckons Pleaser to his feet.
Pleaser scores with a sloppy right hand. Kawajiri should have avoided that one.
Pleaser is working the combinations to good effect here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kawajiri keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kawajiri wants to clinch up but Pleaser keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Pleaser dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hayato Kawajiri's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pleaser throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser is having none of it.
Kawajiri is looking to clinch.
Pleaser tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kawajiri swivels and escapes.
Pleaser lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Pleaser misses with a head kick.
Pleaser tries to score with a low kick but Kawajiri moves his leg out of the way.
A leg kick checked by Pleaser.
Pleaser closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kawajiri takes one to the chin there.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser is having none of it.

Pleaser gets the takedown into side control.

Pleaser thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kawajiri is trying to buck Pleaser off.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleaser trying to control the action but Kawajiri is working from the bottom.
Kawajiri is trying to get back to his feet.

Pleaser tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Pleaser has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kawajiri is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Pleaser has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pleaser misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kawajiri closes the distance looking to clinch

and Pleaser counters with a single leg into guard. Kawajiri didn't expect that.
Pleaser stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kawajiri swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pleaser is controlling him.

Kawajiri has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Pleaser off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Kawajiri avoids a punch combination nicely.
Pleaser closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser moves out of range.
Pleaser misses with a wild combination.
Kawajiri closes the distance but Pleaser moves to the side
and Pleaser counters with a series of strikes. Kawajiri will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kawajiri misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Kawajiri has managed to clinch.
Kawajiri lands a damaging elbow.

Kawajiri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pleaser lands a slapping body shot.
Pleaser throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kawajiri counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kawajiri lands an elbow just above Pleaser 's eye.
Kawajiri landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Pleaser wants to break free but Kawajiri has control.
Kawajiri tries a knee to the head but Pleaser blocks it.
Kawajiri connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pleaser's face.
Pleaser is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kawajiri with a knee to the head.
Pleaser wants to get back to striking at distance but Kawajiri won't allow it.
Pleaser wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kawajiri has him pressed against the cage.
Kawajiri with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pleaser has had enough of the clinch but Kawajiri keeps him there for the moment.
Pleaser blocks an elbow strike from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri keeps control of Pleaser as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pleaser takes a knee right on the jaw!
Pleaser can't break the clinch.
Pleaser wants to break free but Kawajiri has control.

Kawajiri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Pleaser showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hayato Kawajiri's cut.
That's time! Kawajiri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pleaser fails with a takedown attempt.
Kawajiri misses with a low kick.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser moves out of range.
Pleaser comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Pleaser scores with a head kick.
Kawajiri lands a jab to the nose.

Pleaser is rocked!
A combination from Pleaser does no damage.
Pleaser is still on wobbly legs! Can Kawajiri finish him?
Pleaser circles away from the clinch attempt
and Pleaser counters with a nice leg kick.
Pleaser walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kawajiri.
Pleaser seems to have recovered his senses.
Kawajiri is looking to clinch but Pleaser is avoiding it.
Hayato Kawajiri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleaser throws a lazy head kick

and Kawajiri holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kawajiri manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kawajiri with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pleaser fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hayato Kawajiri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pleaser lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Pleaser looks to land a combination. Kawajiri sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Pleaser looks to land a combination but Kawajiri avoids it well.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kawajiri checks a leg kick.
Pleaser misses with a double jab
and Kawajiri counters with an outside leg kick.
Richard Pleaser seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kawajiri throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Pleaser throws a right hand that Kawajiri ducks under and follows up with a left that Kawajiri also avoids with ease.
Pleaser thuds a left hand into Kawajiri's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Pleaser walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kawajiri checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A low kick from Pleaser is predictable there

and Kawajiri moves into the clinch.
Pleaser wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pleaser has had enough of the clinch but Kawajiri keeps him there for the moment.
Pleaser can't get the takedown.
Hayato Kawajiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Pleaser.
Pleaser wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kawajiri landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kawajiri keeps control of Pleaser as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kawajiri using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pleaser has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Kawajiri breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pleaser misses with a head kick.
Pleaser misses with a wild body shot.
Kawajiri avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kawajiri wants to clinch
and Pleaser counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kawajiri tries to score with a low kick but Pleaser moves his leg out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri tries to clinch up
and Pleaser counters with a left and a right that stings Kawajiri.
Pleaser throws a sloppy head kick

and Kawajiri counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kawajiri connects with a knee to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kawajiri throws an elbow but misses.
Kawajiri lands a nice knee to the body.
Pleaser has had enough of the clinch but Kawajiri keeps him there for the moment.

Kawajiri breaks the clinch.
Kawajiri doesn't manage to clinch there - Pleaser circles away.
Pleaser lands with a straight right. Kawajiri didn't see that one coming.
Pleaser throws a series of punches but Kawajiri moves out of range.
Kawajiri tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Pleaser counters with a series of strikes. Kawajiri will be more careful next time no doubt.
Pleaser has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kawajiri is looking to clinch.
Pleaser lands a with a good body shot.
Pleaser avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kawajiri takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pleaser throws a series of punches but Kawajiri moves out of range.
Richard Pleaser seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Danga de danga de dang - Pleaser scores with a four punch combination!
Left hook, right uppercut from Pleaser.
A head kick misses from Pleaser.
Pleaser throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kawajiri counters with a big head kick but Pleaser shrugs it off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pleaser throws a sloppy head kick and Kawajiri moves out of range easily.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser is having none of it.
Kawajiri misses with a low kick as Pleaser jumps back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Hayato Kawajiri did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Hayato Kawajiri's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

No joy there for Pleaser, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pleaser throws a head kick that misses.
Pleaser shoots in for a takedown but Kawajiri shows good takedown defense.
Pleaser throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kawajiri's waist but Kawajiri gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pleaser off to one side.
Kawajiri throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kawajiri tries to clinch there but Pleaser circles away.
Pleaser swats away the attempt to clinch by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri doesn't manage to clinch there - Pleaser circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawajiri walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Pleaser checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kawajiri is looking to chop away at Pleaser's legs.
Pleaser is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Pleaser keeps the fight on the outside.
Pleaser misses with a series of wild punches.
A head kick misses from Pleaser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Pleaser counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pleaser trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawajiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kawajiri wants to stand and escape but Pleaser is having none of it.

Pleaser postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kawajiri is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pleaser, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kawajiri decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pleaser, up you get!
Pleaser fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hayato Kawajiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Pleaser.

Kawajiri has closed the distance and engaged Pleaser in a clinch.
Kawajiri tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Kawajiri escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pleaser lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Pleaser.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser moves out of range.
Kawajiri moves out of range of the leg kick from Pleaser.
Pleaser throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser digs a good hook to Kawajiri's body.
Kawajiri moves out of range of the body kick from Pleaser.
Pleaser misses with a kick to the body.
Pleaser throws a low kick, looking for Kawajiri's leg but Kawajiri calmly moves out of range.
Pleaser swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Pleaser with a jab.
Pleaser misses with a few strikes there.
Kawajiri tries to clinch
and Kawajiri takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A punch combination from Pleaser misses.
Pleaser tries a head kick but it misses.
Kawajiri looks to clinch
and Pleaser counters with a good, hard body kick but Kawajiri shrugs it off.
Pleaser walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kawajiri checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kawajiri swinging wilding here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser moves away
and Pleaser counters with a series of strikes. Kawajiri will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kawajiri throws a leg kick that is checked
and Pleaser counters with a series of strikes. Kawajiri will be more careful next time no doubt.
Pleaser lands a jab to the nose.
Kawajiri tries to clinch
and Pleaser counters with a nice body shot.
Kawajiri tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Pleaser counters with an outside leg kick.
Pleaser misses with a body kick.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Pleaser moves away
and Pleaser counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kawajiri tries to clinch
and Pleaser counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kawajiri's knee momentarily.
Pleaser is looking to land body kicks.
Pleaser throws a leg kick

and Kawajiri counters by clinching up.
Kawajiri throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pleaser blocks it with crossed arms.
Pleaser is trying to break free.
Kawajiri tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Pleaser dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Hayato Kawajiri's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Pleaser misses with a wild combination.
Pleaser throws a head kick that misses.
Pleaser fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kawajiri pushes Pleaser away with a front kick.
Kawajiri wants to clinch but Pleaser slips to the side
and Pleaser counters with a two punch combo.
Pleaser fails to land with a series of punches.
Kawajiri avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kawajiri is looking to clinch but Pleaser is avoiding it.
Pleaser pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kawajiri throws a leg kick but Pleaser checks it.
Pleaser punishes Kawajiri's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleaser throws a nice looking combination but Kawajiri bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pleaser fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Pleaser throws a sloppy head kick and Kawajiri moves out of range easily.
Kawajiri is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kawajiri is looking to clinch.

Pleaser shoots in and bounces Kawajiri off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Pleaser trying to control but Kawajiri is working from the bottom.
Pleaser is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Pleaser not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser wants to control from the top but Kawajiri keeps moving.
Kawajiri wants to get back to his feet but Pleaser passes into half guard.
Kawajiri tries to kick Pleaser off but Pleaser keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Richard Pleaser has got the better of the ground game so far.

Pleaser is working for an americana but Kawajiri has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Pleaser was thinking about the submission.
Pleaser trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawajiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pleaser has gone for a leg lock! Kawajiri slips out almost immediately though and dives into Pleaser's guard.

Kawajiri avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kawajiri tries to stand but Pleaser is controlling from the bottom.
Kawajiri stopping the sweep attempt from Pleaser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Pleaser isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kawajiri stacks Pleaser on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kawajiri!
Pleaser is trying to work for a sweep but Kawajiri has mounted him!
Kawajiri avoids the attempt from Pleaser to control.
Kawajiri wants to control the pace but Pleaser is squirming around nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pleaser wants to control but Kawajiri is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Richard Pleaser.
I think Pleaser 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 46:49
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Pleaser! Richard Pleaser retains his bantamweight title!