PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Iari Weiss Pascal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masaru Hirai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hirai has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Weiss Pascal
vs
Hirai

180 cm
26
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
4 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 Tokyo, Iari Weiss Pascal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masaru Hirai!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Weiss Pascal looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hirai looks gassed!
Weiss Pascal rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hirai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Weiss Pascal throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hirai tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Weiss Pascal is in Hirai's guard.
Hirai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Weiss Pascal.
Weiss Pascal with a nice head shot there.
Weiss Pascal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Weiss Pascal drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Weiss Pascal jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hirai is looking to stand up but Weiss Pascal isn't so interested in that idea.
Weiss Pascal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Weiss Pascal has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Weiss Pascal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hirai has momentary wrist control but Weiss Pascal slips an elbow through the middle.
Weiss Pascal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hirai wants to stand and escape but Weiss Pascal is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal lands a couple of digs.
Weiss Pascal postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Weiss Pascal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Weiss Pascal drops back looking for a leg! Hirai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hirai manages to kick Weiss Pascal off! Weiss Pascal jumps back into Hirai's guard.
Weiss Pascal lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Weiss Pascal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Weiss Pascal is looking to work some ground and pound but Hirai has wrist control.
Weiss Pascal scoring with some ground and pound.
Weiss Pascal thows a big elbow that misses.
Weiss Pascal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal looking to pass the guard.
Weiss Pascal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Weiss Pascal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hirai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Weiss Pascal working some strikes from top position.
Hirai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Weiss Pascal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Weiss Pascal lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Weiss Pascal working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hirai's head.

Weiss Pascal thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Weiss Pascal tries to free his leg and advance position but Hirai is retaining full guard.
Weiss Pascal won't allow Hirai to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal throwing strikes from guard but Hirai blocks nicely.
Hirai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Weiss Pascal drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Weiss Pascal jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Weiss Pascal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Weiss Pascal throws a big right hand that misses.
Weiss Pascal looking to pass the guard.
Weiss Pascal scoring with some ground and pound.
Weiss Pascal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Weiss Pascal postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Weiss Pascal keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hirai's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal lands a couple of digs.
Weiss Pascal working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hirai's head.
Weiss Pascal distracts Hirai with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Weiss Pascal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Weiss Pascal distracts Hirai with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Weiss Pascal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hirai wants to stand and escape but Weiss Pascal is having none of it.
Weiss Pascal throws a big right hand that misses.
Weiss Pascal postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hirai wants to stand and escape but Weiss Pascal is having none of it.
Weiss Pascal postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hirai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Weiss Pascal.
Weiss Pascal postures up and lands a big shot to Hirai's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iari Weiss Pascal dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Masaru Hirai's cut.
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.

Weiss Pascal looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Weiss Pascal winds up and cracks Hirai with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Weiss Pascal is working for a kimura but Hirai is defending it quite comfortably.
Weiss Pascal winds up and cracks Hirai with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Weiss Pascal trying to mount his opponent but Hirai defends it.

Weiss Pascal is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal working Hirai over with strikes.
Hirai is breathing heavily.
Weiss Pascal drops an elbow to the side of Hirai's head.
Hirai tries to kick Weiss Pascal off but Weiss Pascal keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Weiss Pascal lands with a punch from half guard.
Weiss Pascal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Weiss Pascal working over Hirai with some ground and pound. Hirai looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hirai pushes Weiss Pascal off looking to stand but Weiss Pascal dives back in and keeps control.
Weiss Pascal is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Weiss Pascal winds up and cracks Hirai with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Hirai pushes Weiss Pascal off looking to stand but Weiss Pascal dives back in and keeps control.

Weiss Pascal is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hirai defends it well.
Hirai is trying to stand back up but Weiss Pascal is controlling him
Weiss Pascal looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Iari Weiss Pascal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Weiss Pascal scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Weiss Pascal is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hirai is just riding it out for now. Weiss Pascal eventually gives up the hold.
Hirai looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal slips a nice elbow through Hirai's hands, connecting with Hirai's forehead.
Weiss Pascal thows a huge punch but Hirai dodges it nicely.
Weiss Pascal looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Weiss Pascal lands strikes from half guard.
Weiss Pascal lands with a punch from half guard.
Weiss Pascal slips a nice elbow through Hirai's hands, connecting with Hirai's forehead.
Weiss Pascal is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Weiss Pascal working Hirai over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal thows a huge punch but Hirai dodges it nicely.
Weiss Pascal drops an elbow to the side of Hirai's head.
Weiss Pascal lands with a punch from half guard.
Weiss Pascal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hirai wants to get back to his feet.

Weiss Pascal is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Weiss Pascal is looking for a kimura but Hirai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Weiss Pascal to get the leverage.
Weiss Pascal is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Weiss Pascal is working for a submission of some sort.
Hirai is trying to stand back up but Weiss Pascal is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iari Weiss Pascal dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Masaru Hirai's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Weiss Pascal shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hirai's guard.

Weiss Pascal drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hirai looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hirai looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hirai!
Hirai wants to lay and pray for a moment but Weiss Pascal keeps working.
Weiss Pascal tries to improve position but can't.
Weiss Pascal is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Weiss Pascal is trying to control but can't.
Hirai wants to lay and pray for a moment but Weiss Pascal keeps working.
Weiss Pascal wants to improve his position but Hirai is controlling well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hirai trying to control from half guard but Weiss Pascal is working away.
Weiss Pascal wants to improve his position but Hirai is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Weiss Pascal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Weiss Pascal holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Weiss Pascal tries to get to full guard but Hirai has control of the leg.
Hirai missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Weiss Pascal is trying to maintain the position but Hirai is very close to passing his half guard.
Hirai is trying to control the action in half guard but Weiss Pascal is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Weiss Pascal trying to control but Hirai postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hirai takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Weiss Pascal shoots in but no luck this time.

Hirai tries to sprawl but Weiss Pascal drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Weiss Pascal scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Weiss Pascal is working for an americana but Hirai has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Weiss Pascal was thinking about the submission.
Weiss Pascal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Weiss Pascal throwing strikes but missing.
Hirai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Weiss Pascal has gone for a leg lock! Hirai slips out almost immediately though and dives into Weiss Pascal's guard.
Weiss Pascal has control of Hirai's left arm, preventing Hirai from doing any damage.

Weiss Pascal looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Weiss Pascal is working an open guard so Hirai takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Weiss Pascal keeps the fight on the outside.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Weiss Pascal.

Weiss Pascal swings around for an armbar but Hirai sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Weiss Pascal's guard.
Weiss Pascal working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hirai.

Weiss Pascal is looking for a triangle but Hirai pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hirai slips nicely into half guard.
Still in half guard, Hirai seems content to control.
Weiss Pascal is looking to control Hirai's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Weiss Pascal avoid being mounted?
Weiss Pascal is not content to let Hirai control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Weiss Pascal wants to control but Hirai is keeping busy.
Iari Weiss Pascal is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hirai prevents Weiss Pascal from improving his position.
Hirai wants to stand up but Weiss Pascal has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Horrible takedown by Weiss Pascal or perhaps it was just good defense by Hirai which made him look bad.
Weiss Pascal takes a kick to the side of the head.
Weiss Pascal listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Weiss Pascal gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hirai is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Masaru Hirai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Weiss Pascal connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hirai some visible discomfort.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iari Weiss Pascal showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Weiss Pascal has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:25
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:26
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iari Weiss Pascal!