PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Michael (ranked 5653 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sukana Blati (ranked 5789 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Michael
vs
Blati

192 cm
24
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricardo Michael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Sukana Blati!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blati goes for a double leg but Michael avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Michael continues to drive forward.
Blati misses with a takedown attempt - Michael sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Blati throws a right hand that Michael ducks under and follows up with a left that Michael also avoids with ease.
Michael goes for a double leg but Blati avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Blati continues to drive forward.

Blati gets caught napping as Michael dives in and scores a takedown. Blati manages to retain guard.

Blati wriggles free and stands up.

Blati gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Michael breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blati dives in and grabs Michael's left leg, looking for a takedown. Michael pushes down on Blati's head and hops out.
Ricardo Michael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sukana Blati.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blati tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Michael darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Blati looks winded!
Michael with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blati is pressing down on Michael's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Blati wants to sweep but no luck.
Michael's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Blati just misses with a punch to the body.
Blati fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Michael avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blati instigates a clinch.
Blati has Michael pushed against the cage.
Michael is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Blati is trying to pull guard but Michael has him pressed against the cage.
Blati is working for takedown but Michael is calmly controlling the position for now.
Blati struggles to land a body shot inside as Michael controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Michael jumps guard.
Michael is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Blati is controlling him.
Michael wants to control the position but Blati says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Michael preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Blati is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Michael looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Michael trying to control but Blati postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Blati tries to clinch but Michael moves out of range.

Michael shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Blati manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Blati pushes Michael off and gets back to his feet.
Blati looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Michael stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Michael wants it to stay on the feet.
Michael swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Blati fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And Michael counters with a quick kick to the body but Blati blocks it.
Blati is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michael tries a head kick but it misses.
Blati shapes to counter with a head kick.
Blati shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Michael defends it nicely.
Ricardo Michael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sukana Blati.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blati fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sukana Blati seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blati shoots in but Michael avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Michael fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Blati sprawls well initially but Michael persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Michael stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blati tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Michael has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Michael scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Blati?
Michael avoids the attempt from Blati to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blati working to try and regain half guard.
Michael controlling from the full mount.
Blati flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Blati taking shots to the head.
Michael lands a couple of good shots and Blati has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Michael has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Blati! Can he survive? No! He's out! Michael gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ricardo Michael!