PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Justin Carmichael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sorachi Iwamizawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Carmichael
vs
Iwamizawa

170 cm
19
154 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

181 cm
22
151 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Justin Carmichael!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sorachi Iwamizawa!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carmichael connects with a nice looking jab.
Iwamizawa slips under a jab.
Iwamizawa blocks the body kick.
A head kick misses from Iwamizawa.
Nice defenses there by Iwamizawa.
Iwamizawa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Iwamizawa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Carmichael as he jumps to the side.
Nice body kick from Carmichael.

Iwamizawa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Iwamizawa showed some decent athleticism there.
Iwamizawa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Carmichael wants to control but Iwamizawa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Carmichael is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Carmichael wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwamizawa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Iwamizawa wants to free his trapped foot but Carmichael is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Carmichael is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Iwamizawa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Carmichael cracks Iwamizawa with a good jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Carmichael pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Iwamizawa ducks under a wild hook from Carmichael.
Carmichael stalks Iwamizawa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Iwamizawa's face. Iwamizawa staggers backwards, shaken.
Iwamizawa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice leg kick lands there from Carmichael.
Iwamizawa looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carmichael thows a left - swing and a miss!
Iwamizawa slips a straight right by Carmichael.
Carmichael throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Iwamizawa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Carmichael tests Iwamizawa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Carmichael chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Carmichael lands a high kick to the side of Iwamizawa's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Carmichael dives into guard, looking to finish.

Iwamizawa is rocked!

Carmichael gets to his feet. Iwamizawa looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Iwamizawa is still on wobbly legs! Can Carmichael finish him?
Carmichael misses with a hook.
Iwamizawa seems to have recovered his senses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Carmichael!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Iwamizawa.
Nice sprawl there from Carmichael as Iwamizawa shoots in.
A nice inside leg kick there by Carmichael. That's going to slow Iwamizawa down.
Iwamizawa is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Carmichael misses with a two punch combination.
Carmichael lands the left hand.
Iwamizawa wants to clinch up but Carmichael keeps it at a distance.
Carmichael throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Carmichael, right into the meat.
Iwamizawa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A decent looking cross lands there for Carmichael.
Nice defenses there by Carmichael.

Carmichael gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Carmichael holds on and takes a little breather.
Carmichael looking to hit a scissor sweep but Iwamizawa is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Carmichael is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Iwamizawa wants to control from the top but Carmichael keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Iwamizawa passes Carmichael's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Carmichael dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Carmichael works over Iwamizawa's head and body with a nice combination.
Iwamizawa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Carmichael paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Carmichael fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Iwamizawa manages to avoid it.
Carmichael turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Justin Carmichael is winning the standup battle so far.
Carmichael misses with a straight right.
Sorachi Iwamizawa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Iwamizawa avoids the body shot from Carmichael.
Carmichael connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Carmichael lands a nice shot that snaps Iwamizawa's head back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carmichael lands a right hook to the body.
Carmichael swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice cross by Carmichael.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Carmichael connects with the punch.
Iwamizawa needs to keep his hands up - Carmichael had a free shot at his head there.
Iwamizawa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A big left from Carmichael misses.
Carmichael misses with a straight left.
A jab lands there for Carmichael.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwamizawa walks into a left hand.
Iwamizawa wants to clinch.
Iwamizawa swinging wilding here.
Iwamizawa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Carmichael's waist but Carmichael gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Iwamizawa off to one side.
Carmichael connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Carmichael cracks the inside of Iwamizawa's front leg.
Iwamizawa slips a jab and a cross from Carmichael.
Iwamizawa takes one to the side of the head.
Iwamizawa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Carmichael works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Carmichael misses with a few strikes there.
Iwamizawa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Iwamizawa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Justin Carmichael is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Carmichael. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Carmichael.
Iwamizawa chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Carmichael can pounce on him.
Carmichael fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Iwamizawa.
Iwamizawa wants to clinch.
Iwamizawa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Carmichael.
Iwamizawa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Iwamizawa moves out of range of the body kick from Carmichael.
Carmichael will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Carmichael is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Iwamizawa can do to turn this around?
Carmichael avoids the head kick by Iwamizawa.
Carmichael misses with an uppercut. Iwamizawa saw that one coming.
Carmichael throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Iwamizawa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Iwamizawa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Carmichael misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Iwamizawa misses with a series of wild punches.
Iwamizawa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael keeps the fight on the outside.
Iwamizawa throws a right and a left that Carmichael avoids nicely.
Iwamizawa defending well as Carmichael loads up on a big left hand.
Iwamizawa wants to clinch up but Carmichael keeps it at a distance.
Carmichael will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Iwamizawa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Carmichael thuds his right hand into Iwamizawa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Iwamizawa misses the shot to the body.
Carmichael uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Iwamizawa throws a sloppy head kick and Carmichael moves out of range easily.
Carmichael misses with a hook. Iwamizawa ducked under it nicely.
Iwamizawa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Danga de danga de dang - Carmichael scores with a four punch combination!
Iwamizawa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Carmichael lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael misses with a double jab.
Carmichael scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Iwamizawa shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Iwamizawa was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
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.

Iwamizawa moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Carmichael has worked his arm free - good work by Carmichael!
Carmichael is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Carmichael is defending against the submission attempts here by Iwamizawa.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Iwamizawa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Carmichael dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Iwamizawa shoots in but Carmichael avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Carmichael cracks Iwamizawa with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Carmichael has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Iwamizawa to stand back up!
Carmichael jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Iwamizawa is looking to clinch but Carmichael is avoiding it.
A lazy left from Carmichael finds it's target.
Carmichael loads up on a big right hand but Iwamizawa slips the punch.
Iwamizawa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Carmichael paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Carmichael throws a quick inside leg kick.
Iwamizawa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Carmichael stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carmichael misses with a head kick.
Carmichael drops Iwamizawa with a left right combo! Carmichael follows him down to the ground into side control.
Carmichael tries to move to mount but Iwamizawa blocks the move with his legs.
Iwamizawa is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwamizawa tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Iwamizawa working to try and regain half guard.
Carmichael content just to control the position here.
Iwamizawa can't escape the position.
Carmichael looking to control and managing it successfully.
Carmichael looking to control but Iwamizawa is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Iwamizawa is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Carmichael controlling his opponent.
Carmichael avoids the attempt from Iwamizawa to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iwamizawa keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Iwamizawa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Carmichael looking to control and managing it successfully.
Carmichael looking to control but Iwamizawa is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Carmichael controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Iwamizawa flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Carmichael avoids the attempt from Iwamizawa to control.
Iwamizawa throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Iwamizawa working to try and regain half guard.
Iwamizawa throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Carmichael clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Iwamizawa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Carmichael throws a lazy right hand but Iwamizawa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Iwamizawa misses with a head kick.
Carmichael checks the leg kick nicely there.
Carmichael lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jab from Carmichael.
Iwamizawa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Iwamizawa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Carmichael circles away.
Carmichael drops Iwamizawa with a nice combination! Carmichael dives into Iwamizawa's guard, looking to finish!

Iwamizawa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Iwamizawa is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Iwamizawa is working an open guard so Carmichael takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwamizawa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Iwamizawa tries to move into range but Carmichael moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Carmichael.
Carmichael misses with a few strikes there.
Iwamizawa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Carmichael moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Justin Carmichael seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Iwamizawa throws a hook but Carmichael avoids it easily.
Carmichael throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Iwamizawa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Iwamizawa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Iwamizawa looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Iwamizawa seems to be working for a kimura but Carmichael defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Iwamizawa wants to work for an arm triangle but Carmichael is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Carmichael pushes Iwamizawa off and gets back to his feet.
Carmichael connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Iwamizawa takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Carmichael misses with a straight left.
Iwamizawa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Iwamizawa blocks a head kick by Carmichael.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Iwamizawa closes the distance and clinches.

Carmichael breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Iwamizawa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Carmichael.
Iwamizawa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Justin Carmichael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sorachi Iwamizawa.
Carmichael wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Carmichael looks to throw the jab but Iwamizawa is out of range.
Carmichael connects with a high kick.
Iwamizawa swinging wilding here.
Good exchange - Carmichael coming out on top.

Iwamizawa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Carmichael to the mat! Carmichael manages to get full guard.
Iwamizawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Carmichael is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carmichael looking for a sweep. Not yet Carmichael, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Iwamizawa.
Iwamizawa wants to control from the top but Carmichael keeps moving.
Carmichael might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Carmichael is trying to keep Iwamizawa in close.
Carmichael keeping moving, preventing Iwamizawa from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Iwamizawa postures up in Carmichael's guard and throws a big left but Carmichael blocks it.
Iwamizawa is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Carmichael had his way with Sorachi Iwamizawa in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Carmichael scores with a hook.
Iwamizawa checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Carmichael scores with a jab to the jaw.
Carmichael moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Carmichael connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Carmichael is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Carmichael waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Iwamizawa.
Carmichael scores with a leg kick.
Iwamizawa throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Carmichael throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Carmichael throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Carmichael throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Carmichael misses with a few strikes there.

Iwamizawa shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Iwamizawa trying to control but Carmichael is working from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Carmichael is trying to keep Iwamizawa in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iwamizawa wanted to stand there but Carmichael had control of the position.
Iwamizawa trying to control but Carmichael is working from the bottom.
Iwamizawa thows a big elbow that misses.
Carmichael looking for a sweep. Not yet Carmichael, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Carmichael wants to stand but Iwamizawa is controlling the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Carmichael.
Carmichael connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Iwamizawa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Carmichael pinned against the cage. Carmichael gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Carmichael scores with a sloppy right hand. Iwamizawa should have avoided that one.
Iwamizawa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Carmichael.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Carmichael, as that shot connected.
Iwamizawa slips under a jab.
Iwamizawa tries to clinch but Carmichael moves out of range.
Carmichael lands with a right hand.
Carmichael throws a hook to the side of Iwamizawa's head but Iwamizawa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Iwamizawa blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Carmichael finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Carmichael misses with a low kick.
Iwamizawa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Iwamizawa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Iwamizawa slips a jab and a cross from Carmichael.
Iwamizawa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Carmichael looks to throw the jab but Iwamizawa is out of range.
Iwamizawa ducks under a wild hook from Carmichael.

Iwamizawa pushes Carmichael up against the ropes in a clinch.
Iwamizawa tries for a takedown. No joy.

Carmichael breaks from the clinch.
Carmichael misses with a jab, cross combination.
Iwamizawa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Iwamizawa drives through with a takedown into guard.
Iwamizawa throws and elbow that misses. Carmichael uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Iwamizawa's guard. Nice move by Carmichael!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Iwamizawa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Carmichael gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Iwamizawa isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Carmichael stacks Iwamizawa on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Carmichael!
Iwamizawa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Carmichael wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Carmichael controls the position.
Sorachi Iwamizawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Justin Carmichael is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Iwamizawa wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Carmichael showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Carmichael, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 50:45
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Carmichael!
Justin Carmichael retains his featherweight title!