PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Denver (ranked 3992 p4p, 4063 weight class) and Seishiro Itagaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Denver
vs
Itagaki

184 cm
25
190
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
194
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Seventh Circle Clothing

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 Las Vegas, Joe Denver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Seishiro Itagaki!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Denver closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Itagaki did well to prevent Denver getting side control.

Denver seems to be looking for submissions.
Itagaki is looking to control Denver's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Itagaki avoid being mounted?

Itagaki looking for submissions off his back.
Denver drops an elbow to the side of Itagaki's head.

Denver seems to be working for a kimura but Itagaki defends the submission attempt.
Itagaki trying to control from the bottom.

Denver is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Itagaki is just riding it out for now. Denver eventually gives up the hold.
Denver prevents Itagaki from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Itagaki is defending against the submission attempts here by Denver.
Itagaki is looking to control Denver's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Itagaki avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denver looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Itagaki wants to control but Denver is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Denver is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Itagaki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Denver.
Itagaki is looking for a sweep. Denver is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Itagaki actively working from the bottom here.
Denver working Itagaki over with strikes.

Itagaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Itagaki is looking to control Denver's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Itagaki avoid being mounted?
Denver lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denver takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Itagaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Itagaki wants to improve his position but Denver is controlling well.
Denver lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Denver drops an elbow to the side of Itagaki's head.

Itagaki has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Denver. Oh but Itagaki has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Denver goes limp - he's gone! Itagaki jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Seishiro Itagaki!
An out of breath Seishiro Itagaki thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.