PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cullen Castrello (ranked 372 p4p, 47 weight class) and Kira Miyata (ranked 139 p4p, 20 weight class). Miyata has chosen Boa - Energetic as his entrance music. Kira Miyata has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Castrello
vs
Miyata

185 cm
36
148 lbs
33 - 16 - 3

171 cm
40
147 lbs
41 - 26 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 33 - 16 - 3, fighting out of New York, Cullen Castrello!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 41 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kira Miyata!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Miyata misses.
Castrello throws a low kick but Miyata moves out of range easily.
Castrello slips under a jab.
Castrello is looking to counter the offense by Miyata and move into the clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Miyata has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Castrello tries to score with a low kick but Miyata moves his leg out of the way.
Castrello really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Miyata slips under a jab from Castrello.
Castrello walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Miyata misses with a straight right.
Miyata checks a low kick from Castrello.
Castrello throws an off balance right hand
and Miyata counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Miyata throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Castrello is looking to land body kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castrello lands a nice shot to the body.
Castrello scores with a decent looking hook.
Castrello missing with a left hand there. Miyata was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Miyata scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A left and a right from Castrello both land. Nice combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good leg kick by Castrello there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castrello misses with a hook
and Miyata counters with a straight right hand.
Castrello on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Castrello uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Miyata.
Miyata looks to land a right hand but Castrello moved out of range.
A cross from Castrello lands.
Miyata throws out a loose jab but Castrello uses good head movement to avoid it.
Miyata lands with an overhand left.
Miyata tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Castrello defends well and Miyata ends up having to push Castrello into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Miyata dips to his left and cracks Castrello with an uppercut!
Castrello lands with a hook. Miyata tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Miyata throws a jab but it's blocked by Castrello.

Miyata looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Castrello is trying to maintain the position but Miyata is very close to passing his half guard.
Castrello manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miyata trying to control the position from guard on top but Castrello is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miyata stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Castrello swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Miyata trying to control the position from guard on top but Castrello is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Castrello managing to control the position.
Miyata is looking to work some ground and pound but Castrello has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miyata with a flurry of punches that miss.
Miyata landing with the ground and pound.
Castrello managing to control the position.
Miyata trying to control the position from guard on top but Castrello is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miyata content to stall in guard 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.
Castrello tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Castrello looks for the body kick but Miyata saw that one coming.
A countering left hand to the body from Miyata misses.
Castrello fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Miyata misses with a hook to the body
and Castrello connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Castrello scores with a crisp jab that stopped Miyata in his tracks.
Castrello looks to land a right hand but Miyata moved out of range.
Castrello displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Miyata.
Castrello wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
We've been told by Castrello's head coaches at The Beast that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Castrello connects with a body shot that sends Miyata's belly button to the back.

Miyata shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Miyata showed some decent athleticism there.
Miyata missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kira Miyata will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Castrello lands a nice shot that snaps Miyata's head back.
Miyata looks to land a left hand but Castrello moved out of range nicely.
Cullen Castrello is winning the standup battle so far.
Miyata with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Castrello to score with a decent uppercut.
Castrello connects with an inside leg kick.
Castrello throws a big shot that misses.
Miyata shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castrello as he avoids it easily.
Miyata misses the shot to the body.

Castrello moves into the clinch successfully.
Castrello scores with a nice hook to the head.
Castrello unloads a knee to the mid-section. Miyata lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Miyata tries a body shot but Castrello blocks it.
Castrello lands a knee to the head.
Castrello is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Castrello tries a body shot but Miyata blocks it.
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!
Miyata is working for takedown but Castrello is calmly controlling the position for now.
Castrello misses with a punch to the body.
Castrello comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Miyata blocks an elbow strike from Castrello.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castrello prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cullen Castrello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kira Miyata.
Miyata blocks an elbow strike from Castrello.
Miyata is looking for a takedown.
Castrello scores with a knee to the head.
Castrello tries to land knees in the clinch but Miyata avoids the damage to the body.
Castrello misses with a punch to the body.
Castrello doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Miyata wants to get back to striking at distance but Castrello won't allow it.
Castrello throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Miyatas head.
Castrello blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Miyata managing to block the knees to the body from Castrello.
Castrello blocks an uppercut.
Castrello is working Miyata over against the cage.
Castrello has Miyata pressed against the cage, preventing Miyata from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Miyata wants a takedown but no success here.
Miyata blocks the elbow strike.
A frustrated look appears on Miyata's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castrello pushes off an throws an elbow but Miyata leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Castrello tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Miyata takes an elbow to the temple.
Castrello working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Miyata takes an elbow to the temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Castrello.
Miyata drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Castrello gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Miyata manages to break the clinch.
Castrello throws a looping overhand right but Miyata ducks down to avoid it.
Castrello tries a head kick but it misses.
Miyata misses the jab.
Miyata blocks a head kick by Castrello.
It seemed like Miyata was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Miyata fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Castrello loads up on a big right hand but Miyata slips the punch.
Miyata blocks the body kick.
Miyata throws out a counter right but Castrello avoids it with no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castrello tries to clinch but Miyata is having none of it.
Kira Miyata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miyata takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A slow jab from Castrello misses its intended target.
Castrello throws a hook to the side of Miyata's head but Miyata sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Castrello misses with a straight right.
Miyata jabs at Castrello's body.
Miyata scores with a jab to the body.
Castrello avoids the body shot from Miyata.
Castrello lands with a thumping leg kick.
Castrello defending well as Miyata loads up on a big left hand.
Miyata throws a hook but Castrello blocks it.
Good exchange - Miyata coming out on top.
Castrello wants to clinch up but Miyata keeps it at a distance.
Miyata misses with a shot to the body
and Castrello counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miyata shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Castrello pinned against the cage. Castrello gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Castrello lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Castrello avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Miyata will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Miyata throws an overhand right that lands on Castrello's shoulder, as Castrello tries to avoid the shot.
Cullen Castrello is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Miyata shoots in for a double leg but Castrello sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As Miyata tries to get set, Castrello tries to push him back and clinch up but Miyata manages to avoid the attempt.
Castrello dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Miyata moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Castrello lands with a shot to the body.
Miyata misses with a right hand
and Castrello counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cullen Castrello dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Miyata moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Miyata misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Castrello.

Miyata closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Castrello quickly recovers to half guard.
Castrello avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Miyata.
Castrello is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Miyata throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Miyata is looking to take a break and control but Castrello is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Castrello keeping control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miyata missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miyata is thwarting Castrello's attempts to control the position.
Castrello is doing well to control the position and prevent Miyata from advancing to side control.
Castrello is trying to maintain the position but Miyata is very close to passing his half guard.
Miyata throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Castrello trying to control here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Castrello is concentrating on defense, preventing Miyata from advancing position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Miyata missing with a left hand there. Castrello was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jab by Miyata.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Castrello scores with a jab to the head.
Castrello lands with a hook. Miyata tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Miyata throws a right hand that misses
and Castrello counters with an inside leg kick.
Miyata has his takedown stuffed
and Castrello counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Miyata looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Miyata throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Castrello swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Miyata tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Miyata getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A big left from Miyata misses.
Miyata scores with a jab. Castrello acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Castrello misses with an uppercut.
Miyata fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Castrello swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cullen Castrello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kira Miyata.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Miyata.
Miyata fails with a takedown attempt.
Miyata shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Castrello defends it nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Castrello misses the target.

Miyata shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Castrello is trying to defend but Miyata finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Castrello works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miyata chips away with some ground and pound.
Castrello keeping moving, preventing Miyata from controlling successfully.
Castrello pulls Miyata in close to his closed guard and prevents Miyata from doing any damage or advancing position.
Miyata connects with a couple of short punches.
Castrello seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kira Miyata has got the better of the ground game so far.
Castrello looking for a sweep. Not yet Castrello, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miyata lands a couple of digs.
Castrello controlling Miyata's posture.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kira Miyata comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Miyata 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kira Miyata!
Kira Miyata seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.