PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Soares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikuhisa Minowa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Soares
vs
Minowa

180 cm
20
240 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
245 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rafael Soares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ikuhisa Minowa!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Minowa does no damage.

Soares gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Soares.
Soares lands a right hand.

Soares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Minowa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Soares takes one to the chin there.

It looks like Rafael Soares has been cut.
Soares tries to close the distance and clinch up but Minowa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Minowa should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Minowa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Soares sprawls well. Soares wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Minowa gets slowly back to his feet.
Minowa misses with a series of wild punches.
Soares scores with a head kick.

It looks like Ikuhisa Minowa has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Soares is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Soares showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Minowa.
Soares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Minowa.
Minowa misses with a few strikes there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Minowa looks gassed!
Soares tries to clinch up but Minowa circles away and keeps his distance.

Soares pushes Minowa up against the cage in a clinch.
A short left from Soares.
A nice left hand lands by Soares.

Soares manages to break the clinch.
Ikuhisa Minowa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minowa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Minowa swats away the attempt to clinch by Soares.
Soares tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Soares darts in and clinches Minowa up against the cage.

Minowa gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Soares regains guard.
Soares is looking to stand up but Minowa isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Soares wriggles free and stands up.
Soares wants to clinch.
Soares tries to clinch but Minowa is having none of it.
Rafael Soares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Soares tries to clinch up.
Minowa swats away the attempt to clinch by Soares.
Soares wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Soares darts in and clinches Minowa up against the cage.

Soares breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Soares moves in looking to clinch but Minowa pushes him off.
Minowa misses with a wild combination.
Soares tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Minowa paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Soares has closed the distance and engaged Minowa in a clinch.
Soares lands a left hand that snaps the head of Minowa backwards.
Minowa takes an elbow to the forehead.
Soares is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Soares scores with a shoulder strike.
Soares lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Soares has Minowa pushed against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Soares.
Soares lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soares lands with a light punch inside.
Soares will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Minowa up against the cage.
Soares stops a takedown attempt from Minowa.
Minowa is trying to drag Soares to the mat but Soares just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rafael Soares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ikuhisa Minowa.
Soares lands a hook to the side of the head.
Minowa can't get the takedown.
Soares softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Soares swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Soares lands an elbow just above Minowa 's eye.
Minowa blocks an uppercut.

Soares manages to break the clinch.
Minowa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Soares looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Minowa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Soares is fending him off so far but Minowa persists. Nope, Soares circles away and we're back to standing.

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.
A head kick misses from Soares.
Soares throws a wild body kick that Minowa sees coming a mile off.
Minowa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Soares.
Minowa keeps the fight on the outside.
Minowa lands a lovely overhand right.
Soares tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Minowa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Minowa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Soares moves in looking to clinch but Minowa pushes him off.
Minowa throws a right and a left that both miss.

Minowa feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Minowa tries to free his leg and advance position but Soares is retaining full guard.
Minowa passes Soares's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Minowa is looking for a kimura here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Soares is trying to stand back up but Minowa is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Soares dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Soares tries to clinch but Minowa moves out of range.
Soares dodges the punch combination from Minowa.
Minowa throws a series of punches but Soares moves out of range.
Minowa scores with a decent looking hook.
Soares tries to clinch up but Minowa circles away and keeps his distance.
Soares lets loose with a powerful body kick. Minowa will feel that in the morning.
Soares is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A left lands for Soares.
Soares tries to close the distance and clinch but Minowa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Soares moves into the clinch successfully.
Minowa wants a takedown but no success here.
Soares lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Soares throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Minowas head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Soares lands a right hand that snaps the head of Minowa backwards.
A short right from Soares on the inside.

Soares manages to break the clinch.
Soares tries to clinch up.
Minowa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Soares sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Minowa misses.
Soares tries to clinch there but Minowa circles away.
Soares doesn't manage to clinch there - Minowa circles away.
Soares wants to clinch up but Minowa keeps it at a distance.

Minowa feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Soares on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Soares tries to get out of the position.
Minowa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Soares is keeping the position for now.
Soares wants to stand and escape but Minowa is having none of it.
Soares keeping moving, preventing Minowa from controlling successfully.
Minowa forces his way into half guard.
Minowa stops Soares from getting back to his feet.
Minowa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Soares is trying to stand up here but Minowa is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Soares takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Soares fails with an attempt to clinch.
Minowa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Soares.

Soares closes the distance and pushes Minowa back into the cage.
Soares lands with a light punch inside.
Soares working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Minowa is trying to drag Soares to the mat but Soares just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rafael Soares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ikuhisa Minowa.

Soares's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Soares moves into the clinch.

Soares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Minowa misses with a wild combination.
Soares fails in his attempt to clinch.
Soares fails in his attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Minowa or perhaps it was just good defense by Soares which made him look bad.
Soares slaps away a takedown attempt from Minowa, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soares dodges the punch combination from Minowa.
Minowa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Soares tries to clinch there but Minowa circles away.
Soares is looking to clinch.
Soares wants to clinch up but Minowa keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Soares looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Minowa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Soares fails in his attempt to clinch.
Minowa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Soares's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Minowa throws a nice looking combination but Soares bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Soares is looking to clinch.

Minowa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minowa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Minowa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Minowa works his way into side control.
Minowa tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Minowa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Soares keeps working.

Minowa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ikuhisa Minowa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Soares fails in his attempt to clinch.

Soares gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Minowa to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Soares keeping full guard, as Minowa tries to pass.
Soares is looking to stand up but Minowa isn't so interested in that idea.
Soares keeping full guard, as Minowa tries to pass.
Soares is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soares keeping moving, preventing Minowa from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minowa prevents Soares from getting back to his feet.
Minowa passes into half guard.
Soares is trying to stand back up but Minowa is controlling him

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Minowa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Soares fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rafael Soares is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Minowa.
Soares scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Minowa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Minowa misses with an attempted mid kick.
Soares is looking to clinch but Minowa is avoiding it.
Minowa misses with a two punch combination.
Soares wants to clinch up but Minowa keeps it at a distance.
Soares wants to clinch.
Minowa swinging wilding here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Soares is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Minowa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Soares as he jumps to the side.
Horrible takedown by Minowa or perhaps it was just good defense by Soares which made him look bad.
Rafael Soares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ikuhisa Minowa.
Minowa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Soares looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Minowa throws a right and a left that Soares avoids nicely.
Soares is looking to clinch but Minowa is avoiding it.
Minowa swinging wilding here.
Minowa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Soares.

Soares closes the distance and pushes Minowa back into the cage.
Soares trying to stall but Minowa improves his position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soares is looking to clinch but Minowa is avoiding it.
Minowa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Minowa throws a one two combo.
Soares wants to clinch.
Soares doesn't manage to clinch there - Minowa circles away.
Soares tries to close the distance and clinch but Minowa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Minowa misses with a double jab.

Soares fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Minowa, pushing him back against the cage.
Minowa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Soares is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Soares throws a punch but it's blocked by Minowa.
Soares lands a nice uppercut.
Soares stalling against the cage.
Soares digs a right hand underneath Minowa's ribcage. Minowa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Soares working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Minowa tries for a takedown but Soares manages to get underhooks.
Soares landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Soares is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Soares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Soares throws a nice outside leg kick.
Minowa keeps the fight on the outside.
Minowa swinging wilding here.
Soares tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Soares is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Minowa catches Soares with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Soares is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Minowa lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Soares tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Minowa misses with a series of wild punches.
Soares moves in looking to clinch but Minowa pushes him off.
Minowa keeps the fight on the outside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ikuhisa Minowa.
I think Minowa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ikuhisa Minowa!