PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kazuo Imanari (ranked 141 p4p, 540 weight class) and Renji Abarai (ranked 21 p4p, 56 weight class). Imanari comes to the cage accompanied by 吉田兄弟 Rising. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Imanari
vs
Abarai

165 cm
30
145
13 - 1 - 0

175 cm
23
150
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Kazuo Imanari!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Renji Abarai!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abarai looks to score with a jab to the body but Imanari is just out of range.
Imanari takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Abarai just misses with a punch to the body.
Imanari shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Abarai sprawls well. Abarai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Imanari gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai throws a body punch but Imanari moves out of range.
Imanari throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Abarai to counter with a crisp jab.

Imanari gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imanari slows down the pace here.
Imanari blocks a body shot from Abarai.
Abarai misses with a body punch.
Imanari holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Imanari is trying to pull guard but Abarai turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Abarai lands with a left to the head.
Abarai tries to throw a body punch but Imanari avoids it by throwing Abarai back against the cage.
Abarai lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Abarai lands with a left to the head.
Imanari is trying to pull guard but Abarai has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuo Imanari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Imanari pulls guard effortlessly.

Imanari is working an open guard so Abarai takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Abarai tries to work over Imanari's front leg with a kick but Imanari checks it.
Abarai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Imanari wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Imanari takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari throws a body punch but Abarai moves out of range.
Renji Abarai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Imanari looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice side step and Abarai releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
The crowd cheers as Abarai lands an impressive looking overhand right. Imanari doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Abarai lands a nice hook to Imanari's body. Imanari takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Imanari throws a body shot but no joy.
Abarai throws a lazy right hand but Imanari sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai scores with a hook.
Abarai looks to land a left hand but Imanari moved out of range nicely.
Abarai with a hook.
Imanari throws a poor cross that misses
and Abarai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Imanari with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Abarai counter with a right hand.
Imanari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Imanari slips under a jab from Abarai.
Imanari is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Abarai.
Abarai has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The fighters circling - Abarai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imanari lands an overhand right.
Imanari moves to clinch but Abarai breaks away
and Abarai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Kazuo Imanari has been cut.

Imanari clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good body shot from Abarai.

Abarai breaks from the clinch.
Imanari fails with an attempt to clinch.
Abarai catches Imanari with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Abarai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Imanari.
Imanari tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Abarai manages to circle out of the way.
Abarai is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Imanari had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Abarai throws a big shot that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Renji Abarai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kazuo Imanari's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Abarai throws a body shot but no joy.
Abarai misses with a wild body shot.
A jab from Imanari does it's job there.
Abarai keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A jab from Abarai misses.
Imanari throws a hook but Abarai blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai throws a body shot but no joy.

Imanari drives through and clinches with Abarai against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Abarai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai lands a right hand that snaps the head of Imanari backwards.
Abarai misses with a short punch on the inside.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Imanari's elbow.
A short uppercut from Abarai.

Imanari has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Abarai uses from the top position.
Abarai would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Abarai is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
My spies in Hardman MMA inform me that Abarai has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari looking to control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Abarai stands and steps away. Imanari gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Imanari misses with a takedown
and Abarai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Imanari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Abarai connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Imanari looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Abarai throws out a counter right but Imanari avoids it with no problem.
Renji Abarai seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Abarai misses the target.
Abarai thows a left - swing and a miss!
Abarai thows a leg kick but Imanari checks it

and Imanari counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Imanari wants to pass the guard but Abarai is defending well.
Imanari working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Abarai's thigh. Abarai counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Imanari works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imanari is looking to advance position but Abarai won't allow it.
Abarai looks like he's trying to stand up.
Abarai is staying active underneath Imanari, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Abarai is concentrating on defense, preventing Imanari from advancing position.
Imanari tries to pass the half guard into mount. Abarai knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Abarai is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Imanari trying to control from Abarai's half guard. Abarai has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Renji Abarai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kazuo Imanari's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Imanari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abarai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abarai with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Imanari moves out of range of the strikes.
Imanari half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Abarai misses with a low kick.
Imanari feinted with a counter takedown.
Imanari uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abarai.
A looping hook to the body misses from Abarai. Imanari does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai scoring well with a low kick there.
Abarai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Imanari moves away.
Imanari walks into a straight right hand from Abarai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai lands a jab.
Imanari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abarai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abarai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Imanari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Abarai misses with a shot to the body

and Imanari counters by clinching up.
Imanari tries to pull guard but Abarai holds him up against the cage and eventually Imanari drops back down to his feet.
Imanari fails to pull guard.
Abarai tries to stall but Imanari uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Abarai.
Abarai pushes Imanari back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Abarai.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Imanari pulls Abarai into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abarai would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kazuo Imanari overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Abarai stands up from Imanari's guard - Abarai perhaps looking for a knockout.

Imanari scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai is refusing to be controlled, as Imanari sits in half guard.
Imanari looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Abarai trying to control but Imanari postures up.
Abarai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Imanari is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Abarai defends it well.
Imanari wants to pass to mount but Abarai is defending the position.
Abarai has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Imanari is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abarai works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Renji Abarai really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kazuo Imanari's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A clash of legs there as Abarai blocks the low kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Abarai misses.
Abarai waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Imanari.
Imanari seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Abarai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Abarai is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Imanari.
Abarai throws a solid leg kick but Imanari takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Abarai.
Imanari is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Abarai.
Imanari misses with a right hand
and Abarai counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imanari shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Abarai counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai misses with a body shot.
Abarai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Imanari on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Imanari looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Imanari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Imanari wants to control from the top but Abarai keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari looking to pass the guard.
Imanari is working hard here to advance position.

Abarai kicks Imanari off and gets to his feet.
Abarai lands a nice looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Imanari looks for a takedown but Abarai sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Imanari fails with an attempt to clinch.
Imanari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abarai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abarai doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Abarai cracks a nice hook into Imanari's ribs.
Abarai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Imanari throws a lazy uppercut
and Abarai counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imanari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A looping hook to the body misses from Abarai. Imanari does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Abarai tries to get set, Imanari tries to push him back and clinch up but Abarai manages to avoid the attempt.
Imanari loads up on a big right hand but Abarai slips the punch.
Imanari fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuo Imanari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Imanari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Abarai.
Imanari has his takedown stuffed
and Abarai counters with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Renji Abarai dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Kazuo Imanari's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Abarai misses with an uppercut.
Imanari moves away from the strike by Abarai.
Imanari wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kazuo Imanari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Imanari looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Abarai is fending him off so far but Imanari persists. Nope, Abarai circles away and we're back to standing.
Imanari darts in looking for a takedown but Abarai gets double underhooks and turns Imanari into the cage.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Imanari has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Abarai uses from the top position.
Imanari has a closed guard, preventing Abarai from standing up.

Imanari is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Abarai is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai is looking to stand up but Imanari won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abarai decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Imanari, up you get!
Abarai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Abarai throws a jab but it's blocked by Imanari.
Imanari misses with a leg kick
and Abarai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Imanari slips a straight right by Abarai.
Imanari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Abarai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Abarai throws a looping overhand right but Imanari ducks down to avoid it.
Imanari uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Abarai.
Kazuo Imanari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Renji Abarai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Imanari seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imanari throws a leg kick
and Imanari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Abarai clobbers Imanari with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Imanari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Abarai moves away.
Imanari backing away here, and Abarai unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Imanari moves in looking to clinch but Abarai pushes him off.
Abarai connects with a crisp jab.
Abarai fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Imanari has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Abarai connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai digs a good hook to Imanari's body.
Imanari bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Imanari tries to clinch up.
Jab, jab by Abarai - just one landing.
A low kick from Imanari misses
and Abarai counters with a nice uppercut.
Abarai swats away the attempt to clinch by Imanari.

Abarai gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Imanari to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abarai wants to get back to his feet but Imanari is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Imanari throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Imanari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Abarai is keeping the position for now.
Abarai trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Renji Abarai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Abarai winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 45:50
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 45:50
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Renji Abarai!
Renji Abarai is the new featherweight champion!
Renji Abarai thanked the fans post fight for their support.