PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ric Landeverde (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Landeverde comes to the cage accompanied by Napalm & Erruption- In San Francisco. Watanabe is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Handsome Family - Far From Any Road. Takeshi Watanabe told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Landeverde
vs
Watanabe

170 cm
34
147 lbs
20 - 17 - 1

175 cm
36
135 lbs
16 - 25 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 20 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ric Landeverde!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 25 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Takeshi Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watanabe slaps away a takedown attempt from Landeverde, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Watanabe has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Watanabe there as he acknowledges the shot.
Landeverde with a jab.
Watanabe throws a right and a left that Landeverde avoids nicely.
Landeverde lands a head shot.
Landeverde throws a big shot that misses.
Watanabe misses with a double jab.
Watanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Landeverde throws a jab but it's blocked by Watanabe.
Watanabe blocks a head kick by Landeverde.
Watanabe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Watanabe misses with a head kick.
Watanabe takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A solid leg kick lands there for Landeverde.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Landeverde pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Watanabe feints the counter takedown.
Watanabe misses with a wild combination.
Landeverde misses with a head kick.
Watanabe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Landeverde slips a jab and a cross from Watanabe.
Watanabe misses with a double jab.
It looked like Landeverde wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Landeverde darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Watanabe wants to stand back up but Landeverde manages to pass into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Landeverde connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Watanabe some visible discomfort.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Landeverde landing a few strikes.
Landeverde has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Watanabe takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Watanabe is working to avoid the ground and pound but Landeverde connects with a decent elbow.
Landeverde trying to control the action but Watanabe is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Landeverde working the head with strikes.
Landeverde prevents Watanabe from escaping the position.
Watanabe is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Landeverde working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Landeverde stands up.
Ric Landeverde seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Landeverde tries a head kick but it misses.
Landeverde throws a jab but it's blocked by Watanabe.
Watanabe pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Landeverde back to the cage. Watanabe follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A combination from Watanabe does no damage.
Watanabe throws a right and a left that Landeverde avoids nicely.
Watanabe misses with a combination
and Landeverde counters with a nice body kick.
Watanabe looks winded!
Landeverde throws a sloppy head kick and Watanabe moves out of range easily.
Watanabe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Watanabe misses with a wild combination.
Takeshi Watanabe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a right hand that Landeverde ducks under and follows up with a left that Landeverde also avoids with ease.
Watanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Landeverde lunges at Watanabe with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Watanabe's hand.
A jab from Landeverde finds it's way through Watanabe's defenses.
Landeverde swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Watanabe.
Landeverde tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Watanabe defends well and Landeverde ends up having to push Watanabe into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Landeverde lands a lovely overhand right.
Watanabe avoids the head kick by Landeverde.
Watanabe slips under a jab from Landeverde.
Landeverde throws a body punch but Watanabe moves out of range.
Landeverde throws a nice head kick!

Watanabe is rocked!
Landeverde scores with a decent looking hook.
Watanabe is still on wobbly legs! Can Landeverde finish him?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Watanabe throws a right hand that Landeverde ducks under and follows up with a left that Landeverde also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Landeverde is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Landeverde throws a low kick but Watanabe avoids it.
Watanabe seems to have recovered his senses.
Landeverde digs a good body shot into Watanabe's ribs.
Left hook, right uppercut from Watanabe.
Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.
Watanabe looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Landeverde connects with a single shot there.
Landeverde blocks a head kick by Watanabe.
Watanabe moves forwards but Landeverde connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Watanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Watanabe throws a right hand that Landeverde ducks under and follows up with a left that Landeverde also avoids with ease.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Landeverde, right into the meat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sloppy strikes from Landeverde. Those never looked like landing.
Watanabe doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Landeverde throws a push kick but Watanabe slaps the foot to one side.
Landeverde shoots in for a takedown but Watanabe shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ric Landeverde dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Landeverde slips a jab and a cross from Watanabe.
Landeverde looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Landeverde with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Landeverde takes a swing at Watanabe's ribcage but misses.
Landeverde throws a hook to the side of Watanabe's head but Watanabe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Watanabe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Landeverde throws a right and a left that both miss.
Landeverde throws a leg kick but Watanabe checks it.
Landeverde throws out a loose jab but Watanabe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Watanabe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sloppy strikes from Watanabe. Those never looked like landing.
Landeverde half committed to a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Landeverde tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Landeverde misses with a straight right.
Watanabe with the counter takedown but Landeverde avoids it easily.
Landeverde throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Watanabe counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Watanabe is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Landeverde is looking to control Watanabe's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Landeverde avoid being mounted?

Landeverde looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Landeverde wants to control but Watanabe is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Watanabe escapes and gets back to his feet.
Takeshi Watanabe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Watanabe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A punch combination from Landeverde misses.
Landeverde misses with a double jab
and Watanabe counters with a two punch combo.
Landeverde throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Landeverde scores with a hook to the body. Watanabe takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Watanabe looks to land a combination but Landeverde avoids it well.
A little feinted left hand from Landeverde on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Landeverde fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Landeverde swings for the body but Watanabe moves out of range.
And Watanabe tries to counter it with a takedown but Landeverde pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Landeverde drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
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!
Watanabe taking a bit of punishment here - Landeverde scoring with strikes.
Watanabe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Landeverde. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Watanabe wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Landeverde working the head with strikes.
Landeverde scoring with punches from side control.

Landeverde working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Landeverde lands a nice forearm strike.
Landeverde in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Landeverde working the body and head with strikes.

Landeverde decides to stand up, so the ref orders Watanabe to his feet.
Landeverde throws a head kick but Watanabe moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Landeverde jabs Watanabe right on the nose. Watanabe blinks but takes it well.
Landeverde takes a swing at Watanabe's ribcage but misses.
Watanabe throws a one two combo.
Landeverde lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Watanabe throws a series of punches but Landeverde avoids them all with ease.
Landeverde looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Watanabe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Watanabe blocks a head kick by Landeverde.
Watanabe misses with a few strikes there.
A quick step to the side and Landeverde tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Landeverde looks to land a right hand but Watanabe moved out of range.

Landeverde darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Landeverde working Watanabe over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Landeverde drops an elbow to the side of Watanabe's head.
Landeverde seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Landeverde tries to pass to full mount but Watanabe defends it.
Landeverde lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ric Landeverde overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Landeverde stops Watanabe from getting back to his feet.

Landeverde is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Watanabe has managed to free his arm - good work.
Watanabe wants to improve his position but Landeverde is controlling well.
Landeverde working over Watanabe with some ground and pound. Watanabe looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Watanabe on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Landeverde there.

Landeverde seems to be working for a kimura but Watanabe defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ric Landeverde dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Landeverde throws a series of punches but Watanabe moves out of range.
Watanabe shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Landeverde. Watanabe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Watanabe moves out of range of the strikes.
Watanabe throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Landeverde.
Watanabe throws a right and a left that Landeverde avoids nicely.
Watanabe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Watanabe blocks a head kick by Landeverde.
Watanabe feints the counter takedown.
Watanabe misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Landeverde dives in for a single leg takedown but Watanabe sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Watanabe changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Watanabe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big right from Landeverde misses.
And Watanabe tries to counter it with a takedown but Landeverde pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Landeverde connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Landeverde throws a lazy right hand but Watanabe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Watanabe lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Landeverde backs up against the cage.
Watanabe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Landeverde throws a nice head kick!
Watanabe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Watanabe walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Watanabe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Landeverde avoids a punch combination nicely.
Watanabe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Watanabe is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Landeverde dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Landeverde throws a right and a left that both miss.
Watanabe tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe throws a head kick that misses.
Landeverde throws a lazy right hand but Watanabe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A cross from Landeverde lands.
Watanabe slips under a jab.
Watanabe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Landeverde is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Watanabe.
Landeverde throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ric Landeverde is winning the standup battle so far.
Landeverde looks to land a left hand but Watanabe moved out of range nicely.
Landeverde lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Watanabe circles away quickly and effectively.
Watanabe feints the counter takedown.
Landeverde misses with a double jab.
Landeverde shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Watanabe pinned against the cage. Watanabe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe swinging wildly here.
Watanabe walks into a stiff left hand from Landeverde.
Watanabe throws a series of punches but Landeverde moves out of range.
Watanabe avoids the head kick by Landeverde.
Landeverde fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Watanabe manages to avoid it.
Landeverde slips a jab and a cross from Watanabe.
Watanabe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Landeverde tries a head kick but it misses.
Watanabe is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Landeverde, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Watanabe blocks a jab.
Watanabe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Landeverde shoots in for a takedown but Watanabe shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ric Landeverde. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Landeverde throws a sloppy head kick and Watanabe moves out of range easily.
Watanabe tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Watanabe throws a combination that misses
and Landeverde connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Watanabe misses with the combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Watanabe avoids the head kick by Landeverde.
Landeverde misses with a lunging right hand
and Watanabe counters with a series of strikes. Landeverde will be more careful next time no doubt.
Landeverde dodges the punch combination from Watanabe.
Landeverde appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Takeshi Watanabe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Landeverde sizes up Watanabe with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ric Landeverde.
Well Landeverde has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ric Landeverde!
Ric Landeverde took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.