PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zachary Stark (ranked 25319 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryu Amakusa (ranked 5641 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stark
vs
Amakusa

203 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zachary Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryu Amakusa!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Alyssa Summers and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Amakusa looking to score a takedown here. Stark is defending well but Amakusa drives through and ends up in Stark's guard.
Stark is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stark wants to sweep but no luck.
Stark trying to control the position.
Amakusa sitting in guard here, content to control.
Amakusa stopping the sweep attempt from Stark.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amakusa is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Stark really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Amakusa shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Amakusa was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Stark trying his best to control but Amakusa has mounted him.
Amakusa controlling from the full mount.

Amakusa looking to secure an arm triangle but Stark defends it well.
Amakusa controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark is looking to improve his position but Amakusa isn't that keen on the idea.
Amakusa controlling from the full mount.
Stark is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Stark is desperately trying to improve his position but Amakusa has a good base and remains in mount.
Stark is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Amakusa prevents Stark from getting the reversal.
Stark wants to control but Amakusa is having none of it.
Amakusa lands a heavy elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amakusa controlling from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like Amakusa might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Amakusa lands a heavy elbow.

Amakusa wants to finish this one by submission but Stark is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Amakusa.
Amakusa controlling from the full mount.
Stark is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark stops Amakusa from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Amakusa won't let Stark get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Amakusa is working for a guillotine from mount but Stark frees his head quite easily.
Amakusa looking to control and managing it successfully.
Stark is looking to improve his position but Amakusa isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Amakusa controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Amakusa dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Amakusa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stark manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Stark trying to control the position here.
Amakusa is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Stark wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Amakusa manages to pass to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amakusa is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Amakusa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Amakusa lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amakusa sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Stark pushes Amakusa off looking to stand but Amakusa dives back in and keeps control.
Stark is trying to control but Amakusa passes into side control!
Amakusa 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 Stark's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Amakusa tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Amakusa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stark manages to work his way to half guard, despite Amakusa's best efforts.
Amakusa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Stark is looking to control Amakusa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stark avoid being mounted?
Amakusa winds up and cracks Stark with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Stark scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Amakusa manages to mount him!
Stark is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amakusa controlling from the full mount.
Stark is trying desperately to improve position.
Stark taking shots to the head.
Amakusa sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Stark wants to try and get back to his feet.
Amakusa takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Amakusa looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Amakusa is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Stark has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Amakusa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Stark is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Amakusa controlling his opponent.
Stark trying desperately to get to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stark is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Amakusa looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Amakusa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Amakusa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Amakusa dives in and scores a takedown into Stark's guard.
Stark is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Amakusa is controlling him.
Stark keeping full guard, as Amakusa tries to pass.
Stark is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Amakusa is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amakusa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark managing to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Amakusa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Amakusa throws a lazy head kick
and Stark counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stark fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Amakusa looks for the body kick but Stark saw that one coming.

Amakusa shoots in and bounces Stark off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ryu Amakusa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Amakusa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark looking for a sweep. Not yet Stark, not yet.
Amakusa content to stall in guard here.
Amakusa lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Amakusa stands up over Stark, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Amakusa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Amakusa is standing up over Stark. Stark looks to escape but Amakusa dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Amakusa looking to control and managing it successfully.
Stark tries to hold on but Amakusa pushes him away.
Amakusa sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Stark keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Amakusa sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Amakusa jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Stark is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Stark and Amakusa has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark struggling a bit here.

Amakusa has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Amakusa scores with a takedown into Stark's guard.
Stark wants to get back to his feet but Amakusa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Amakusa scoring with punches to the head and body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryu Amakusa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Amakusa 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryu Amakusa!