PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Togashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gaius Arabi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenji Togashi has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Togashi
vs
Arabi

171 cm
19
162 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

172 cm
18
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kenji Togashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gaius Arabi!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arabi tries for a takedown but Togashi circles away easily

and Togashi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Togashi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Arabi's head.
Arabi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arabi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Togashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Arabi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togashi postures up.
Togashi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Arabi on the ground.
Togashi tries to free his leg and advance position but Arabi is retaining full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gaius Arabi was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Arabi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Togashi to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arabi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Arabi trying to control the position.
Togashi trying to control but Arabi is working from the bottom.
Togashi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Arabi is keeping the position for now.
Arabi is trying to keep Togashi in close.
Togashi wants to control from the top but Arabi keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kenji Togashi has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Togashi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Arabi quickly recovers to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arabi wants to improve his position but Togashi is controlling well.
Togashi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Arabi defending well though.
Arabi won't allow Togashi to pass to mount.
Togashi wants to stand up but Arabi is controlling the position.
Togashi is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Togashi is breathing heavily.
Togashi is thwarting Arabi's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arabi is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Togashi is staying active.
Arabi gets back to full guard.
Arabi is trying to control the position but Togashi postures up.

Arabi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Arabi is trying to control the position but Togashi postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arabi keeping moving, preventing Togashi from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Togashi throws a head kick that misses.

Togashi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Arabi tries to lock up and control but Togashi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Togashi raining down hammerfists from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Arabi holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Togashi tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Togashi won't let Arabi get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Togashi is working for a guillotine from mount but Arabi frees his head quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Togashi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Togashi clinches.

Togashi has Arabi pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Togashi pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Arabi tumbling to the mat - Togashi dives into Arabi's guard.
Arabi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Togashi manages to get himself to full guard.
Arabi is looking to work some ground and pound but Togashi has wrist control.
Togashi managing to control the position.
Arabi postures up in Togashi's guard and throws a big left but Togashi blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arabi trying to control the position from guard on top but Togashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Togashi throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Togashi working a defensive guard here.
Togashi keeping moving, preventing Arabi from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Gaius Arabi.

Togashi moves into the clinch.
Togashi avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arabi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Togashi drags the fight down to the ground.
Togashi controls Arabi momentarily but Arabi frees himself.
Kenji Togashi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Togashi is wriggling around but Arabi manages to pass to half guard.
Arabi is keen to just control but Togashi is a slippery customer.
Arabi passes into side control, despite Togashi's attempt to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Togashi is trying to get back to half guard.
Arabi throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Arabi stands up.
Togashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Arabi.
Arabi is looking to clinch but Togashi is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arabi misses with a takedown attempt - Togashi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Arabi tries to clinch

and Togashi counters with a shoot takedown. Arabi fights it but they end up in guard.
Arabi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Togashi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Arabi trying to strike off his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Arabi has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Togashi doesn't defend quickly enough and Arabi has managed to lock this one up! Can Togashi escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Arabi on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Gaius Arabi!