PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shuu Hitoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Greg Sii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hitoshi
vs
Sii

180 cm
24
182 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
175 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

[JMFC] 160!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shuu Hitoshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Greg Sii!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Matheus Silva and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sii keeps the fight on the outside.
Sii throws a right hand that Hitoshi ducks under and follows up with a left that Hitoshi also avoids with ease.
Sii throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sii closes the distance and clinches up with Hitoshi, looking for a takedown. Sii pushes Hitoshi against the cage but Hitoshi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Hitoshi closes the distance and clinches.
Hitoshi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sii's elbow.
Sii can't break the clinch.
Sii wants a takedown.
Hitoshi tries a body shot but Sii blocks it.
Sii tries a body shot but Hitoshi blocks it.
Hitoshi tries a body shot but Sii blocks it.
Stalling in the clinch from Hitoshi.
Sii tries for a takedown but Hitoshi manages to get underhooks.
Shuu Hitoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Greg Sii.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Come on Hitoshi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hitoshi keeps control of Sii as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sii is working for takedown but Hitoshi is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitoshi tries a body shot but Sii blocks it.
Hitoshi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hitoshi struggles to land a body shot inside as Sii controls his hands.
Hitoshi looking for a takedown.
Hitoshi is trying to drag Sii to the mat but Sii just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hitoshi misses with a body punch.
Hitoshi misses with a body punch.
Sii tries for a takedown but Hitoshi manages to get underhooks.
Hitoshi misses with a body punch.
Hitoshi misses with a punch to the body.
Hitoshi lands a shot to the body.

Sii gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hitoshi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sii is pressing down on Hitoshi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hitoshi is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Sii there.
Sii passes to side control.
You can see the frustration on Hitoshi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sii working the body and head with strikes.
Hitoshi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Hitoshi wants to get back to full guard.
Hitoshi is controlling Sii's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Sii not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hitoshi wants to control but Sii is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hitoshi tries to roll over but Sii keeps him under control.
Hitoshi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sii is looking to advance position but Hitoshi has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sii tries to hold on but Hitoshi postures up.

Hitoshi jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Sii is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Sii and Hitoshi has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
You can see the frustration on Sii's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sii is looking to reverse the position.
Sii regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sii is looking to improve his position.

Hitoshi seems to be working for a kimura but Sii defends the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sii can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sii controlling the position well.
Hitoshi working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Sii's thigh. Sii counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Hitoshi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Greg Sii will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sii throws a hook to the side of Hitoshi's head but Hitoshi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sii.
Hitoshi is trying to get back to half guard.
Sii is looking to take a break and control but Hitoshi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sii tries to score with some ground and pound. Hitoshi controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sii working away.
Sii working the ground and pound but Hitoshi is defending the strikes.
Sii working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hitoshi gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sii wants to take a breather but Hitoshi is having none of it.
Sii with the ground and pound but Hitoshi uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Hitoshi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitoshi keeping moving, preventing Sii from controlling successfully.
Sii stopping the sweep attempt from Hitoshi.
Sii sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hitoshi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hitoshi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hitoshi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sii throws out the jab.
Hitoshi thows a body shot but no joy.
Sii lands with an overhand left.

Hitoshi gets caught flat footed, as Sii shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi controls Sii momentarily but Sii frees himself.
Sii trying to control the position from guard on top but Hitoshi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hitoshi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sii!
Hitoshi tries to control but Sii wriggling away.

Hitoshi wants to finish this one by submission but Sii is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hitoshi.

Hitoshi goes for an armbar but Sii turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Sii.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hitoshi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi looking to control.
Sii stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hitoshi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sii is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sii postures up in Hitoshi's guard and throws a big left but Hitoshi blocks it.
Hitoshi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hitoshi keeping moving, preventing Sii from controlling successfully.
Sii must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sii throws a series of punches but Hitoshi avoids them all with ease.
Sii shoots in looking for a takedown. Hitoshi tries to sprawl out of it but Sii keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hitoshi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sii dives in and grabs Hitoshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hitoshi pushes down on Sii's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hitoshi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sii throws a hook but Hitoshi avoids it easily.
Greg Sii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sii throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sii misses with a straight left.
Hitoshi cracks a nice hook into Sii's ribs.
Hitoshi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sii looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sii fails with the takedown.
Shuu Hitoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Greg Sii.

Sii looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Sii throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sii takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hitoshi controlling the position for now.
Sii is keen to just control but Hitoshi is a slippery customer.
Sii throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greg Sii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hitoshi moves into range and clinches up with Sii.
Hitoshi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sii is trying to break the clinch but Hitoshi has him pressed against the cage.
Hitoshi prevents the takedown attempt.
Hitoshi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sii pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hitoshi misses with a body punch.
Sii wants a takedown but no success here.

Sii has hold of one of Hitoshi's legs. Hitoshi is fighting the takedown attempt but Sii gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Hitoshi wants to sweep here but Sii controlling him for the moment.
Hitoshi working a defensive guard here.
Sii preventing the sweep.
Sii throwing strikes from guard but Hitoshi blocks nicely.
Hitoshi is trying to control the position but Sii postures up.
Hitoshi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sii is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sii with a nice head shot there.
Sii throwing strikes but missing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hitoshi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sii.
Sii misses with a body shot.
Sii misses with a looping left.
Sii fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sii throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sii loads up on a big right hand but Hitoshi slips the punch.

Sii closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Hitoshi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hitoshi.
Sii postures up.
Sii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sii trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi working a defensive guard here.
Sii advances position into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hitoshi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sii's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hitoshi wants to control but Sii is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sii thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sii throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sii is thwarting Hitoshi's attempts to control the position.
Sii trying to control the action but Hitoshi is working from the bottom.
Hitoshi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sii.
Sii prevents Hitoshi from improving his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sii throws a series of punches but Hitoshi avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sii fails with a takedown attempt.
Shuu Hitoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Greg Sii.
Hitoshi takes one to the side of the head.
Sii takes a swing at Hitoshi's ribcage but misses.
Sii swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sii throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hitoshi's waist but Hitoshi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sii off to one side.
Sii misses with an uppercut. Hitoshi saw that one coming.
Hitoshi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sii moves away.
Sii looks to score with a jab to the body but Hitoshi is just out of range.
Hitoshi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sii displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hitoshi.
Hitoshi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sii doesn't seem bothered though.
Sii misses with a takedown attempt
and Hitoshi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sii thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hitoshi slips under a jab.
Sii has his takedown stuffed
and Hitoshi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sii just misses with a punch to the body.
Hitoshi looks to score with a jab to the body but Sii is just out of range.
Hitoshi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sii will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hitoshi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sii.
Sii loads up on a big right hand but Hitoshi slips the punch.
Hitoshi is looking to wear down Sii with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sii with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hitoshi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hitoshi forces his way into half guard.
Greg Sii is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sii wants to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shuu Hitoshi.
I think Sii 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Greg Sii!