PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shinya Imanari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristof Velez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Imanari comes to the cage accompanied by Era - Ameno. Kristof Velez will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Imanari
vs
Velez

175 cm
24
245 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

190 cm
24
260 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinya Imanari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kristof Velez!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velez leaves Imanari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Imanari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Velez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A head kick misses from Imanari.
Imanari slips a jab from Velez.

Imanari scores a takedown into full mount!
Velez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Imanari. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Imanari throwing strikes but Velez recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Velez wants to get back to his feet.
Imanari is pressing down on Velez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Velez is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velez wants to get back to his feet.
Velez won't allow Imanari to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Velez wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Velez throws a jab when Imanari was well out of range.
Imanari takes one to the chin there.

It looks like Shinya Imanari has been cut.
Velez misses with a two punch combination.
Imanari takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Imanari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Imanari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Velez.
Velez misses with a double jab.
Velez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Imanari takes one to the chin there.
Imanari slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Imanari moves into the clinch.

Imanari gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Velez regains guard.

Imanari drops back, looking for a kneebar! Velez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Velez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Velez!
You can see the frustration on Imanari's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Imanari tries to buck Velez off but Velez is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imanari manages to work his way to half guard, despite Velez's best efforts.
Imanari regains full guard. Nicely done.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Imanari is on top in guard.
Imanari tries to free his leg and advance position but Velez is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kristof Velez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shinya Imanari's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Imanari avoids a kick to the body.

Imanari drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Imanari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Velez is keeping the position for now.
Imanari advances position into side control!
Imanari controlling from side mount.

Imanari is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Velez has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imanari advances nicely into full mount.

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.
Velez is trying to stand but he's just given Imanari his back.
Imanari biding his time, controlling Velez.

Velez defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Imanari's arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imanari thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Imanari working for the choke.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Imanari's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Velez wants to get back to his feet. He's half way up but Imanari drags him back down with a jolt, managing to get his forearm deep under Velez 's chin! Velez is in real trouble! His face is turning bright red and he's forced to tap! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Shinya Imanari!