PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Asai (ranked 37 p4p, 6 weight class) and Cheik Imbula (ranked 107 p4p, 17 weight class). Imbula has chosen ~Apache~ as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Asai
vs
Imbula

172 cm
31
153 lbs
23 - 10 - 1

185 cm
30
180 lbs
21 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)
Urban Fighter

Urban Fighter
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yoshihiro Asai !
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imbula looks to land a combination but Asai avoids it well.
It looked like Asai wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A head kick from Asai lands but Imbula takes it in his stride.
Imbula takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Asai throws a nice outside leg kick.
Asai shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Asai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've been informed that Imbula has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Imbula tries to land a leg kick but Asai saw it coming and moves away.
The fighters circling - Asai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Imbula on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Imbula uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Asai .
Asai pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Asai connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Imbula momentarily.
Imbula throws a half hearted mid kick.
Asai on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Imbula. Imbula obviously looking to wear him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A left and a right from Asai both land. Nice combination.
Imbula tried to score with a low kick but Asai checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asai lands with a nice body punch.
Asai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Asai moves into range and connects with a jab.
Asai swings for the body but Imbula moves out of range.
Asai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Asai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Asai misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Asai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Yoshihiro Asai has been cut.
Asai connects with a body shot that sends Imbula's belly button to the back.
Asai throws a sloppy head kick and Imbula moves out of range easily.
A slow jab from Imbula misses its intended target.
Asai throws an off balance right hand
and Imbula counters with a leg kick.
Asai loads up on a big right hand but Imbula slips the punch.
Imbula throws a low kick, looking for Asai 's leg but Asai calmly moves out of range.
Asai throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nice cross by Asai .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Asai misses with a wild body shot.
Imbula looks to score with a jab to the body but Asai is just out of range.
Asai jabs Imbula to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Asai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Imbula moves forwards but Asai connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Asai misses the body punch
and Imbula counters with a straight right hand.
Asai throws a solid leg kick but Imbula takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Asai .
An inside leg kick lands from Asai .
Asai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Imbula moves away.
Asai with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Asai lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Imbula misses with a body kick.
Asai swings for the body but Imbula moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Imbula on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Asai is looking to wear down Imbula with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Asai feints and then cracks Imbula's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Imbula down.
A swing and a miss from Asai .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asai catches Imbula with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Imbula has managed to clinch.
Imbula misses with a hook from the clinch.

Asai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Asai fakes the leg kick and cracks Imbula in the body.
Asai connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Asai moves into the clinch.
Imbula blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Imbula misses with a short punch on the inside.

Imbula manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Asai wants to stand but Imbula has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Imbula working a defensive guard here.

Imbula has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Asai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Asai stands up and waves to Imbula to follow him.
Imbula walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Asai swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Imbula.
Good exchange - Asai coming out on top.
Asai throws a head kick but Imbula moves out of range.
Asai throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Asai rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Imbula counters with a straight right hand.
A bone on bone clash there as Imbula blocks the leg kick.

Asai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Imbula tries to work over Asai 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Asai misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Asai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yoshihiro Asai 's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A head kick by Asai misses

and Imbula counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Imbula throwing strikes from guard but Asai blocks nicely.
Asai keeping moving, preventing Imbula from controlling successfully.
Asai 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.
Imbula throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Asai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Asai here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imbula trying to control the position from guard on top but Asai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Imbula passes Asai 's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Imbula is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asai is desperately trying to improve his position but Imbula has a good base and remains in mount.
Asai tries to hold on but Imbula postures up.
Imbula landing strikes from the mount and Asai is in trouble!

Imbula is working for a guillotine from mount but Asai frees his head quite easily.
Imbula wants to control the pace but Asai is squirming around nicely.
Imbula content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asai has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Imbula's lack of action.
Imbula wants to lay and pray for a moment but Asai keeps working.
Asai wants to get back to full guard but Imbula has mounted him!
Imbula trying to control but Asai is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Asai is trying to escape the mount but Imbula keeps good control and instead manages to take Asai 's back.
Asai is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Cheik Imbula has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Imbula working for a choke but Asai is defending well.

Imbula is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Asai is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Cheik Imbula!
Cheik Imbula is the new welterweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Cheik Imbula started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.