PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sho Hayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akise Tachibana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hayashi
vs
Tachibana

170 cm
22
150 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sho Hayashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akise Tachibana!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hayashi tries to keep at a distance but Tachibana has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tachibana tries to work over Hayashi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Tachibana manages to break the clinch.
Tachibana has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Hayashi is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Tachibana throws a series of punches but Hayashi moves out of range.
Tachibana throws a body punch but Hayashi moves out of range.
Hayashi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tachibana as he jumps to the side.

Hayashi moves into the clinch.
Hayashi definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hayashi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tachibana is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hayashi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tachibana fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Hayashi decides to pull guard.
Hayashi is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tachibana slips nicely into half guard.
Hayashi is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayashi is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Hayashi is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tachibana is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hayashi tries to get to full guard but Tachibana has control of the leg.
Tachibana is looking to pass Hayashi's guard but actually Hayashi recovers to full guard.

Tachibana is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hayashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Hayashi, not yet.

Hayashi is looking for a triangle but Tachibana pushes his legs off easily.

Tachibana got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hayashi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tachibana has managed to get both his arms back between Hayashi's legs - danger averted.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Tachibana is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hayashi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Tachibana in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayashi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Tachibana got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hayashi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tachibana has managed to get both his arms back between Hayashi's legs - danger averted.
Tachibana wants to stand but Hayashi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Hayashi is looking for a triangle but Tachibana pushes his legs off easily.
Hayashi wants to get back to his feet but Tachibana is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Hayashi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tachibana must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tachibana wants to pass the guard but Hayashi is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tachibana is looking to work some ground and pound but Hayashi has wrist control.
Hayashi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tachibana is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Hayashi working for a submission but Tachibana is keeping him at bay.
Tachibana sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hayashi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hayashi has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Hayashi is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Tachibana is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Tachibana flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Hayashi anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Tachibana and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Hayashi slips an arm under Tachibana chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Hayashi has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Hayashi is squeezing on Tachibana like an anaconda would it's prey. Tachibana fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sho Hayashi!