PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Epic Fadda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Puna Wai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fadda
vs
Wai

179 cm
22
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Can Moonwalk

SP Ultimate Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Epic Fadda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Puna Wai!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fadda avoids the head kick by Wai.
Fadda with a lazy takedown attempt

and Wai counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Fadda is looking for a triangle but Wai pushes his legs off easily.
Wai is looking to work some ground and pound but Fadda has wrist control.
Fadda looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wai is one step ahead there.
Wai sitting in guard here, content to control.
Wai is in close to Fadda's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fadda not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fadda is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Wai is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wai passes into half guard.
Fadda manages to get to full guard.
Wai sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fadda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wai has managed to get both his arms back between Fadda's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fadda keeping moving, preventing Wai from controlling successfully.
Wai sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Fadda is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wai throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fadda keeping moving, preventing Wai from controlling successfully.
Wai looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Puna Wai was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Fadda gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Wai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Fadda had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Wai defends it easily.
Wai stands up over Fadda, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wai scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fadda keeping moving, preventing Wai from controlling successfully.
Wai connects with a couple of short punches.
Wai trying to control but Fadda is working from the bottom.
Fadda wants to sweep but no luck.
Wai advances to half guard.
Fadda is trying to get back to full guard.
Wai looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Fadda slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Fadda throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wai trying to control but Fadda is working from the bottom.

Fadda has his foot on Wai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wai works his way back into a safe position though.
Fadda definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Wai must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wai postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fadda working a defensive guard here.
Fadda is really struggling to control Wai but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Fadda working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fadda working a defensive guard here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Puna Wai 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.

Fadda shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Wai counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wai trying to control but Fadda is working from the bottom.
Wai is looking to stand up but Fadda won't let him.
Wai cracks Fadda with a solid left hand.
Wai trying to control but Fadda is working from the bottom.

Fadda has his foot on Wai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wai works his way back into a safe position though.
Fadda trying to control the position.

Fadda looking for a guillotine here but Wai defends easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wai stays in close to Fadda's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fadda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wai defends well.
Wai chips away with some ground and pound.
Fadda has a closed guard, preventing Wai from standing up.
Fadda is trying to keep Wai in close.
Wai trying to control but Fadda is working from the bottom.
Fadda controls Wai momentarily but Wai frees himself.
Fadda is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fadda misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Wai changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Fadda looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Fadda is trying to control Wai's posture but Wai avoids it.
Fadda manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wai prevents Fadda from improving his position.
Wai wants to free his trapped foot but Fadda is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Wai postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Fadda to stand up.
Fadda misses with a takedown

and Wai moves into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Epic Fadda. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Wai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fadda.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wai bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fadda tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wai trying to control the position but Fadda is working away.
Wai lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Wai lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Wai wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fadda keeps working.
Fadda tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Wai wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Fadda wants to control but Wai postures up.
Wai is working Fadda over with some ground and pound from side control.
Fadda stops Wai from passing to mount.
Fadda wants to control but Wai postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fadda tries to buck Wai off but Wai is having none of it.
Puna Wai has got the better of the ground game so far.
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!
Wai scoring with punches from side control.
Wai gets to mount! Fadda was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Wai has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Fadda's face.
Wai controlling from the full mount.
Wai scoring with strikes but Fadda is staying in there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fadda can't escape the position.
Wai unloading with bombs!
Fadda wants to control but Wai is having none of it.
Wai trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Puna Wai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Fadda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Wai counters with a head kick. That will keep Fadda thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fadda tries for a takedown but Wai circles away easily
and Wai counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Fadda is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Fadda is rocked!
Wai misses with a two punch combination.
Oh Fadda is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fadda shoots in for a takedown but Wai shows good takedown defense.
Fadda seems to have got his legs back now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Epic Fadda. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Wai gets the takedown into side control.
Wai wants to control but Fadda is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Fadda's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Wai scoring with punches from side control.
Fadda tries to buck Wai off but Wai is having none of it.
Wai is working Fadda over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fadda holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Wai is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Fadda's shoulder. That is not cool.
Fadda wants to control but Wai postures up.

Wai is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fadda is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Fadda is looking for a sweep.
Wai working away.
Wai working the ground and pound from side control.
Wai wants to control but Fadda is keeping him busy.
Fadda tries to improve position but can't.
Fadda is working hard here to advance position.
Wai taking a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wai working the ground and pound from side control.
Fadda is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fadda can't do much from the bottom here.
Wai cracks Fadda with a big elbow.
Fadda sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Wai is looking to take a break and control but Fadda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Wai lands a nice short elbow.
Wai is thwarting Fadda's attempts to control the position.
Wai winds up and cracks Fadda with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Wai slips a nice elbow through Fadda's hands, connecting with Fadda's forehead.
Fadda trying to control here.
Wai takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Wai working Fadda over with strikes.

Wai is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Fadda is just riding it out for now. Wai eventually gives up the hold.
Wai wants to pass the guard but Fadda is defending well.
Epic Fadda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Wai there.
Wai looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fadda moves into full guard.
Wai won't allow Fadda to sweep him here.

Wai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fadda can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Wai controls the pace.
Puna Wai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wai works a leg free and moves into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Puna Wai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Wai has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Puna Wai!
After winning the bout, Puna Wai thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.