PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tatsuya Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Willy Wonka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Wonka's choice of entrance music: Mr Rotten Treats - Insane Clown Posse. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Kawajiri
vs
Wonka

172 cm
30
155 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

173 cm
31
146 lbs
27 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
GREEN!160

GREEN!160

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tatsuya Kawajiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Willy Wonka!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Daniel Bishop and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Wonka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kawajiri staying out of range there.
Wonka scores with a shot to the body.
Wonka has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

It looks like Willy Wonka has been cut.
Wonka slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kawajiri lands a nice leg kick that just misses Wonka's sensitive parts.
Kawajiri gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kawajiri has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Rings Russia in the buildup to the fight.
Wonka defending well as Kawajiri loads up on a big left hand.
Wonka misses with a hook.
Wonka looks to score with a jab to the body but Kawajiri is just out of range.
Kawajiri thinks about countering with a body kick.
Wonka moves out of range of the body kick from Kawajiri.
Wonka throws a hook but Kawajiri blocks it.
Kawajiri throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawajiri looks to land a body kick but Wonka moved away.

Kawajiri gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wonka wants to control from the top but Kawajiri keeps moving.
Wonka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wonka trying to control but Kawajiri is working from the bottom.
Kawajiri is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wonka is controlling him.
Wonka trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawajiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wonka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kawajiri keeping full guard, as Wonka tries to pass.
Wonka is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kawajiri has control of Wonka's left arm, preventing Wonka from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kawajiri.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Wonka! But no joy.

Wonka changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kawajiri looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kawajiri is trying to improve his position.
Wonka in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Kawajiri avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Wonka.

Wonka is trying to get an arm triangle but Kawajiri is defending well.
Kawajiri tries to bench press Wonka off him but Wonka keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Wonka seems to be working for a kimura but Kawajiri defends the submission attempt.

Wonka is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kawajiri is just riding it out for now. Wonka eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Still in half guard, Wonka seems content to control.
Kawajiri has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wonka is working away from the top position though.

Wonka is looking for a kimura here.

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 has his hands clasped together around Wonka's back. He's all about the action.
Wonka wants to control but Kawajiri is keeping him busy.
My spies in LOD: Gym of the Gods inform me that Wonka has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Kawajiri wants to control but Wonka is keeping busy.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kawajiri keeps control of the position for the meantime.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kawajiri.
Wonka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kawajiri avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Willy Wonka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Willy Wonka's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kawajiri connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Wonka's hands.
Wonka lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Wonka jabs Kawajiri to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kawajiri on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Wonka walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Wonka ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kawajiri misses with a kick to the body.
Wonka throws a hook but Kawajiri blocks it.
Kawajiri is looking to counter punch.
Willy Wonka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wonka misses with a hook.
Kawajiri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kawajiri throws a push kick but Wonka slaps the foot to one side.
Kawajiri swats away the attempt to clinch by Wonka.
Wonka lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kawajiri at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri misses with an attempted mid kick.
Wonka cracks Kawajiri with an open hand slap.
Wonka fails with the takedown.
Kawajiri throws a push kick but Wonka slaps the foot to one side.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kawajiri. That's going to slow Wonka down.
Kawajiri scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kawajiri uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wonka.
Wonka jabs Kawajiri to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wonka shoots in looking for a takedown but Kawajiri manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wonka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kawajiri misses with a body kick.
Wonka misses the shot to the body.
Kawajiri fires out a quick counter leg kick but Wonka just manages to avoid it.
Wonka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kawajiri looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wonka fails with the takedown.
Tatsuya Kawajiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Willy Wonka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kawajiri sizes up Wonka with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
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!
Wonka misses with a body shot.
Wonka just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKawajiri.
Kawajiri on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kawajiri ducks under a wild hook from Wonka.
Wonka getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kawajiri connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Wonka fails with a takedown attempt.
Kawajiri looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kawajiri slips under a jab from Wonka.
Kawajiri jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Kawajiri lands an impressive looking overhand right. Wonka doesn't seem phased though.
Wonka just misses with a punch to the body.
Wonka throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kawajiri connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A swing and a miss from Wonka.
Wonka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kawajiri manages to avoid it.
Wonka misses with a body shot.
A big left from Wonka misses.
Donk. Kawajiri catches Wonka right on the button with a cross.
Wonka takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kawajiri lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wonka shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kawajiri as he jumps to the side.
Kawajiri moves out of range of the strikes.
Wonka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wonka misses with a body shot.
Kawajiri throwing a counter right hand but Wonka manages to avoid it.
Wonka paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kawajiri leaves Wonka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kawajiri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wonka.
Kawajiri scores with a leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Wonka to counter with a crisp jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Wonka misses the target.
A slow jab from Kawajiri misses its intended target.
Wonka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kawajiri moves away.
Kawajiri avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice body punch from Wonka.
Kawajiri looks to land a body kick but Wonka moved away.
Wonka tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Wonka scores with a decent looking hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Willy Wonka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Willy Wonka's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Wonka looks to land a right hand but Kawajiri moved out of range.
Kawajiri looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kawajiri misses with a body kick.
Kawajiri misses with a straight right.
Kawajiri lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kawajiri throws a hook but Wonka avoids it easily.
Wonka is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Wonka moves out of range as Kawajiri strikes.
Wonka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kawajiri manages to avoid it.
Wonka shoots in for a takedown but Kawajiri shows good takedown defense.
Wonka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawajiri throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kawajiri lands a jab to the nose.
Wonka misses with an uppercut.
Kawajiri with a nice cross.
Kawajiri thows a leg kick but Wonka checks it
and Wonka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wonka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kawajiri moves away.
Wonka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wonka connects with a body shot.
Wonka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kawajiri misses with a low kick.
Wonka misses with a straight left.
Wonka looks to land a left hand but Kawajiri moved out of range nicely.
Wonka getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kawajiri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kawajiri goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wonka throws a body punch but Kawajiri moves out of range.
Wonka tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kawajiri defends well and Wonka ends up having to push Kawajiri into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kawajiri thinks about countering with a body kick.
Wonka shoots in but Kawajiri avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tatsuya Kawajiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Willy Wonka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wonka takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kawajiri with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Wonka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kawajiri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wonka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kawajiri prevents it.
Wonka digs a right hand underneath Kawajiri's ribcage. Kawajiri let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Kawajiri breaks the clinch.
Kawajiri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wonka rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A jab from Wonka misses.
Wonka's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Wonka connects with a body shot.
Kawajiri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wonka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kawajiri sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wonka somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonka checks a leg kick.
Kawajiri looks to land a combination but Wonka avoids it well.
Kawajiri with a jab.
Kawajiri works the jab nicely.

Wonka shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kawajiri manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Willy Wonka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kawajiri is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kawajiri has control of Wonka's left arm, preventing Wonka from doing any damage.

Wonka thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wonka trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawajiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kawajiri looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Wonka trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawajiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kawajiri trying to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Tatsuya Kawajiri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tatsuya Kawajiri showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wonka 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Willy Wonka!
A determined Willy Wonka didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!