PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tatsuya Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arthur Pirozhkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kawajiri comes to the cage accompanied by Water Pow . Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Kawajiri
vs
Pirozhkov

171 cm
31
146 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

175 cm
28
135 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tatsuya Kawajiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Arthur Pirozhkov!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Lou da Vinci and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kawajiri drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
You can see the frustration on Pirozhkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pirozhkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kawajiri has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Kawajiri prevents Pirozhkov from getting the reversal.

Kawajiri working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Kawajiri prevents Pirozhkov from getting the reversal.

Kawajiri looking for a guillotine from mount but Pirozhkov is having none of it.
Pirozhkov is looking to improve his position but Kawajiri isn't that keen on the idea.

Kawajiri goes for an armbar but Pirozhkov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Pirozhkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pirozhkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kawajiri pulls Pirozhkov in close to prevent any damage.
Pirozhkov forces his way into half guard.
Kawajiri won't allow Pirozhkov to pass to mount.
Kawajiri is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pirozhkov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pirozhkov's back!

Kawajiri is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Pirozhkov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pirozhkov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pirozhkov is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Pirozhkov breaks Kawajiri's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawajiri working a defensive guard here.
Kawajiri has Pirozhkov pulled in close to control his posture.
Pirozhkov trying to move into half guard but instead Kawajiri has managed to sweep!
Kawajiri is stalling in the full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Pirozhkov trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Kawajiri drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Pirozhkov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kawajiri has Pirozhkov in his guard.
Pirozhkov throwing strikes but missing.
Kawajiri pulls Pirozhkov in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri is trying to keep Pirozhkov in close.
Pirozhkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kawajiri is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pirozhkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kawajiri looking for a sweep. Not yet Kawajiri, not yet.
Kawajiri has control of Pirozhkov's left arm, preventing Pirozhkov from doing any damage.
Pirozhkov looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsuya Kawajiri dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pirozhkov tries to sprawl but Kawajiri drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Kawajiri is trying to work for a kimura but Pirozhkov is defending well.
Pirozhkov trying to get back to full guard but Kawajiri takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Kawajiri wants to take Pirozhkov's back here but Pirozhkov is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Kawajiri jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Pirozhkov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Kawajiri tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Pirozhkov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Tatsuya Kawajiri overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri is thwarting Pirozhkov's attempts to control the position.

Pirozhkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

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

Kawajiri is working for a submission of some sort.

Kawajiri is trying for a kimura here. Pirozhkov looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Kawajiri wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Tatsuya Kawajiri!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Tatsuya Kawajiri waved his t-shirt featuring Sinister Nutrition's logo in front of the cameras.