PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ace Portgas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Booker Block (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Portgas
vs
Block

188 cm
23
210 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

190 cm
21
220 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ace Portgas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Booker Block!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Block as Portgas shoots in.
Block fails in his attempt to clinch.
Block tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Block is looking to clinch but Portgas is avoiding it.
Portgas fails with the takedown.
Block tries to close the distance and clinch but Portgas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Portgas shoots in but Block avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ace Portgas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Portgas shoots for a takedown but Block saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Block as Portgas shoots in.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Block.

Block fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Portgas sprawls well initially but Block persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Block tries to pass the half guard into mount. Portgas knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Portgas is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Block pulls his head out easily.
Portgas is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Block.
Block moves nicely into side control.
Portgas manages to get back to half guard.

Block is looking for a kimura here.
Block blocks the strikes from Portgas.
Block trying to control from half guard but Portgas is working away.
Block scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Portgas is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Block pulls his head out easily.
Portgas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Block wants to work for an arm triangle but Portgas is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Block misses with a head shot. Portgas uses the momentum to regain guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Portgas looking for a guillotine here but Block defends easily.

Portgas working for a triangle but Block defends it easily.

Portgas is looking for a triangle but Block pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Block passes Portgas's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Portgas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Block passes to side control.
The referee asks Block politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Block prefers to stall for the moment though.
Block landing a few strikes.
Block is looking to take a break and control but Portgas is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Portgas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Block wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portgas manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Portgas actively working from the bottom here.

Portgas is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Block pulls his head out easily.
Block wants to control but Portgas is keeping him busy.

Block looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Block missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Booker Block dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Portgas doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Block moves into the clinch.

Portgas has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Block is trying to keep an underhook but Portgas manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Portgas prevents Block from improving his position.
Portgas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Block keeps working.

Block looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Portgas is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Block has managed to free his arm - good work.

Portgas is working for a submission of some sort.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Portgas wants to work for an arm triangle but Block is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Block is looking to control Portgas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Block avoid being mounted?
Block manages to get to full guard.
Block manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Portgas manages to get himself to full guard.

Block avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Block must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Portgas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portgas doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Portgas keeping moving, preventing Block from controlling successfully.
Portgas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Block stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Portgas swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Block throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Portgas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Portgas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Block wants to pass the guard but Portgas is keeping the position.

Portgas looking for a guillotine here but Block defends easily.

Portgas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Block throws a big right hand that misses.

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.

Portgas throws his legs up looking for a submission but Block uses it to pass to side control.
Portgas wants to control but Block postures up.
Portgas takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Block wants to lay and pray for a moment but Portgas keeps working.
Block working away.

Block looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Block working the ground and pound but Portgas is defending the strikes.
Portgas is looking to reverse the position.
Portgas wants to control but Block postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ace Portgas will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Portgas tries for a takedown but Block circles away easily
and Block counters with a left to the body.

Portgas closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Portgas lands in his opponent's guard.
Portgas wants to control from the top but Block keeps moving.

Block is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Block keeping moving, preventing Portgas from controlling successfully.

Portgas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Portgas trying to control but Block is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Portgas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Portgas is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Block is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Block has escaped and now he's on top!
Block advances to half guard.

Portgas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Block is looking for a kimura but Portgas is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Block to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Block looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Portgas with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Portgas actively working from the bottom here.
Portgas is staying active underneath Block, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Portgas is trying to control but can't.
Portgas tries to get to full guard but Block has control of the leg.
Portgas works his way to full guard. Good work.

Block avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Portgas 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.
Portgas is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Portgas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Block gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Block pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Portgas is keeping the position for now.
Portgas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Portgas frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Portgas wants to control the pace but Block is squirming around nicely.

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.
Portgas throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Portgas is working for a guillotine from mount but Block frees his head quite easily.

Portgas goes for an armbar but Block turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Block.
Block passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Block wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Portgas, who protects the arm well.
Portgas is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Block off and has taken his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Ace Portgas did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Portgas with a lazy takedown attempt

and Block holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Block misses with a punch on the inside.
Portgas tries to score a body lock takedown but Block shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Portgas tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ace Portgas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Block struggles to land a body shot inside as Portgas controls his hands.
Block is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Block is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Portgas has denied him.
Block is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Booker Block.
Portgas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Block counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Block is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Portgas tries for a takedown but Block circles away easily
and Block counters with a leg kick.
Block tries to clinch but Portgas moves out of range.
Portgas swats away the attempt to clinch by Block.

Portgas shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Portgas showed some decent athleticism there.

Portgas is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Block doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Portgas.
Block gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portgas trying to control the position from guard on top but Block is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Block looking for a sweep. Not yet Block, not yet.
Portgas wants to control from the top but Block keeps moving.

Portgas drops back looking for a leg! Block is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Block manages to kick Portgas off! Portgas jumps back into Block's guard.
Block utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ace Portgas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Portgas drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Portgas jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Block utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Block tries to clinch up.
Portgas shoots and misses
and Block counters with a three punch combo that has Portgas backing up. Portgas nods at Block to acknowledge the strikes.

Portgas drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Block not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Block looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Portgas throwing strikes but missing.
Block looking for a sweep. Not yet Block, not yet.
Portgas trying to control the position from guard on top but Block is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Block working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Portgas.

Portgas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Block manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Portgas has Block in his guard.
Portgas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Block loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Portgas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Block doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Block manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Portgas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Block gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Block wants to control from the top but Portgas keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ace Portgas had his way with Booker Block in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Portgas misses with a takedown attempt

and Block counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Block prevents a takedown attempt there.
Block gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Portgas.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ace Portgas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right from Block on the inside.
The is referee keeping an eye on Block - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Block breaks from the clinch.
Ace Portgas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Portgas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Block but Block pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ace Portgas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Portgas misses with a takedown
and Block counters with a one-two to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Block tries to clinch but Portgas is having none of it.
Portgas misses with a series of wild punches.
Block doesn't manage to clinch there - Portgas circles away.
Block tries to close the distance and clinch up but Portgas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Portgas tries for a takedown but Block circles away easily
and Block counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Block fails with an attempt to clinch.
Portgas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Block to counter with a crisp jab.
Block tries to clinch there but Portgas circles away.
Portgas closes the distance but Block moves to the side

and Block moves into the clinch.
Block tries to stall but Portgas uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Block works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Portgas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Portgas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Portgas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Block pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Block misses with a hook from the clinch.
Block trying to stall but Portgas improves his position.
Block tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Block looking for a takedown.

Portgas lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Portgas seems to be looking for submissions.

Portgas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Block avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Portgas.

Portgas is trying to work for a kimura but Block is defending well.
Portgas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Block manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Portgas trying to control the position from guard on top but Block is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Portgas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Block manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Portgas has Block in his guard.

Portgas is looking for a triangle but Block pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Portgas looking to control.
Portgas tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Portgas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Portgas wants to sweep here but Block controlling him for the moment.
Booker Block has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Block sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Portgas's guard.
Block wants to take a breather but Portgas is having none of it.
Portgas tries to roll over but Block keeps him under control.
Portgas makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Portgas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Booker Block comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Portgas has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 48:47
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ace Portgas!