T$T- Monday Fight Night PBP Commentary

Co-main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Koji Sobando (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shrab Kabovik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Sobando
vs
Kabovik

169 cm
27
169 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

179 cm
26
160 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Koji Sobando!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shrab Kabovik!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Fujiwara and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sobando misses with a jab, cross combination.

Sobando closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kabovik is staying active underneath Sobando, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kabovik tries to get to full guard but Sobando has control of the leg.
Sobando not doing much here.
Kabovik really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sobando. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sobando is thwarting Kabovik's attempts to control the position.
Kabovik wants to get back to full guard.
Kabovik is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sobando's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sobando's back!
Sobando is in bad spot here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobando looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Kabovik lands shots from the back.
Sobando staying busy and making it hard for Kabovik to control.
Sobando has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Sobando wants to escape the position.
Sobando has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Kabovik.
Kabovik somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Kabovik throwing sloppy strikes.
A lull in the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobando is trapped and Kabovik is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Kabovik is punishing Sobando with some ground and pound.
Sobando can't escape the position.
Sobando manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kabovik's guard. Nice work there by Sobando.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobando sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kabovik's guard.
Kabovik tries to get to full guard but Sobando has control of the leg.
Kabovik keeps trying to improve his position.
Sobando thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kabovik's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabovik trying to control here.
Sobando keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sobando not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kabovik is trying to maintain the position but Sobando is very close to passing his half guard.
Sobando prevents Kabovik from improving his position.

Sobando wants to work for an arm triangle but Kabovik is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kabovik tries to roll over but Sobando keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Sobando wants to control but Kabovik is keeping him busy.
Sobando sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kabovik defending well though.

Sobando is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kabovik doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sobando.
Kabovik is looking for a sweep. Sobando is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sobando thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kabovik's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Koji Sobando will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kabovik tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kabovik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sobando swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Koji Sobando seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kabovik moves into range and clinches up with Sobando.
Kabovik lands a right hand.
Kabovik works on Sobando's body with a couple of short punches.
The referee calls for Kabovik to work.

Sobando successfully pulls guard.

Kabovik content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Sobando has locked up a guillotine! Sobando's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Kabovik is holding on here and Sobando must be using up a lot of energy. Kabovik has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Sobando gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Koji Sobando!
An out of breath Koji Sobando thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hakbar Shamuli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Naya Shinoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Shinoki 's choice of entrance music: wadiako. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shamuli
vs
Shinoki

158 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
169 lbs
19 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hakbar Shamuli!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Naya Shinoki !
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Kenichi Hosakawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shamuli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Shinoki shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Shamuli manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Shinoki wants to control from the top but Shamuli keeps moving.
Shinoki looking to pass the guard.
Shinoki won't allow Shamuli to get back to his feet.
Shamuli avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shinoki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shamuli wants to stand up but Shinoki is controlling him.
Shinoki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Shinoki trying to control but Shamuli is working from the bottom.
Shinoki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Naya Shinoki has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Shinoki tries to close the distance and clinch but Shamuli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shinoki tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Shamuli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shamuli misses with a takedown attempt - Shinoki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Shamuli gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Shinoki to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Shinoki throws a big right hand that misses.
Shinoki wants to control from the top but Shamuli keeps moving.
Shinoki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shinoki is a very stocky fighter. Infact he's such a weird shape that he's almost like some sort of comedy character - it's hard to believe he's real.
Shinoki won't allow Shamuli to get back to his feet.
Shamuli being controlled here, momentarily.
Shamuli is looking to stand up but Shinoki isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shinoki trying to control but Shamuli is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Naya Shinoki has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Shinoki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shamuli circles away.
Shinoki tries to clinch but Shamuli is having none of it.
Shamuli slaps away a takedown attempt from Shinoki , before circling back to the center of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shinoki has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Shamuli is trying to keep an underhook but Shinoki manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Shamuli is trying to stand up here but Shinoki is controlling him well.
Shinoki trying to control the action but Shamuli is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinoki stops Shamuli from getting back to his feet.

Shinoki is trying to work for a kimura but Shamuli is defending well.
Shamuli looks like he's trying to stand up.
Shinoki works his way into full mount!
Shamuli blocking the ground and pound.

Shinoki looking to secure an arm triangle but Shamuli defends it well.
Shinoki tries to control but Shamuli wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamuli might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shamuli is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Shinoki trying to control but Shamuli is having none of it.

Shamuli defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Shinoki .
Shinoki trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shinoki raining down hammerfists from mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shamuli is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Shinoki wants to control the pace but Shamuli is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naya Shinoki dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shinoki fails with a takedown attempt.
Shamuli shoots for a double leg takedown but Shinoki sprawls well. He's pushed Shamuli's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Shamuli gets tackled into the ropes by Shinoki . Shinoki maintains the clinch.
Shinoki wants a takedown.
Shinoki wants a takedown but no success here.
Hakbar Shamuli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Naya Shinoki .

Shinoki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Shinoki closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shamuli to the mat! Shamuli manages to get full guard.
Naya Shinoki has got the better of the ground game so far.

Shinoki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shinoki passes into half guard.
Shinoki is pressing down on Shamuli's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shamuli is holding on for now.
Shamuli on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shamuli tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamuli is trying to stand up here but Shinoki is controlling him well.
Shinoki wants to control but Shamuli is keeping him busy.
Shinoki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shamuli defending well though.
Shamuli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shamuli pushes Shinoki off looking to stand but Shinoki dives back in and keeps control.
Shinoki wants to pass to mount but Shamuli is defending the position.

Shamuli is defending against the submission attempts here by Shinoki .
Shinoki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shamuli wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shinoki is trying to control. Shamuli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Shinoki is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Shamuli!
Shinoki trying to control but Shamuli is having none of it.

Shinoki working for a submission but Shamuli is keeping him at bay.
Shamuli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shinoki on the ground.

Shinoki jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Shamuli manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Shamuli is trying to get back to his feet.
Shamuli takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamuli is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Shinoki in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Shinoki is trying to get an arm triangle but Shamuli is defending well.
Shamuli is trying to buck Shinoki off.
Shinoki fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Shamuli is pushing Shinoki 's head away, looking to escape. Shinoki manages to hold on to the position though.
Shinoki trying to control the position but Shamuli is working away.
Shinoki is staying tight to Shamuli's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Shamuli wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinoki tries to move to mount but Shamuli blocks the move with his legs.
Shamuli seems a little lost for a moment, as Shinoki dominates the positioning.
Shinoki wants to control but Shamuli is keeping him busy.
Shinoki controls the position from side control.

Shinoki tries for a kimura but Shamuli is defending well.
Shamuli is not content to let Shinoki control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shinoki has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Shamuli!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naya Shinoki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice takedown defense from Shamuli. No joy for Shinoki on that attempt.
Shinoki stuffs the takedown.
Shamuli fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shinoki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shamuli sprawls well. Shamuli wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shinoki gets slowly back to his feet.
Shamuli circles away from the clinch attempt.

Shinoki moves into the clinch.

Shamuli wants the takedown. Shinoki is fighting it off but Shamuli persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Shinoki 's guard against the ropes.
Shamuli has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Shinoki keeping moving, preventing Shamuli from controlling successfully.
Shinoki looking to control.
Shamuli pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shinoki is keeping the position for now.
Shinoki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamuli wants to control from the top but Shinoki keeps moving.
Shinoki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Shamuli keeps the fight on the outside.
Shamuli shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shinoki as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hakbar Shamuli. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shinoki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Shamuli napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shamuli pushes Shinoki away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Shinoki gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Shinoki tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Shinoki trying to control the position but Shamuli is working away.

Shinoki tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shinoki wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shamuli, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Shinoki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shamuli keeps working.
Shamuli is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Shinoki asserts his dominance and retains side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shamuli is looking to get back to his feet here but Shinoki is keeping cool and he's managed to take Shamuli's back.
Shamuli is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Shinoki .

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shinoki has managed to slip his arm under Shamuli's chin. This could be all over... yep, Shamuli is tapping out! Submission win for Shinoki .

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Naya Shinoki ! Naya Shinoki retains his lightweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Naya Shinoki waved his t-shirt featuring Kemists ↑ 5x160Q's logo in front of the cameras.
The defeated Hakbar Shamuli had this to say: 'Needa Practice More'.