PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maciej Zajac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikuhisa Minowa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Zajac
vs
Minowa

183 cm
18
276 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Maciej Zajac!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ikuhisa Minowa!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zajac throws a head kick that misses.
Minowa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zajac really is a fat lump.

Minowa changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zajac looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Zajac is trying to get back to half guard.
Zajac manages to work his way to half guard, despite Minowa's best efforts.
Zajac gets full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Minowa wants to pass the guard but Zajac is keeping the position.

Minowa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Zajac looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zajac working a defensive guard here.
Minowa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zajac swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zajac keeping moving, preventing Minowa from controlling successfully.

Zajac throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Minowa thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zajac misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Minowa throws a series of punches but Zajac avoids them all with ease.
Zajac avoids the head kick by Minowa.

Minowa feints and as Zajac raises his hands in defense, Minowa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zajac is breathing heavily.

Zajac throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Minowa advances position into side control!
Minowa wants to control but Zajac is keeping him busy.

Minowa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Minowa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Minowa grinds an elbow into Zajac's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajac tries to improve position but can't.
Minowa in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Zajac is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Minowa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zajac keeps working.
Zajac is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Minowa scores with a couple of nice shots.

Zajac looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Minowa passes to full mount!
Minowa thowing shots but they're missing.
Zajac is squirming around, avoiding Minowa's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zajac is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowa landing strikes, looking to finish!
Zajac wants to control but Minowa is having none of it.
Minowa trying to control but Zajac is having none of it.
Zajac sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Minowa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Zajac is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Minowa pulls his head out easily.
Zajac is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Minowa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Zajac tries to get to full guard but Minowa has control of the leg.
Minowa works his foot free and advances to mount.
Zajac working to try and regain half guard.
Minowa throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Zajac keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Minowa is landing with some decent strikes but Zajac is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Zajac taking shots to the head.

Minowa working for a submission but Zajac is keeping him at bay.

Minowa is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Zajac has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikuhisa Minowa dominated that round.
That's time! Zajac's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Minowa tries to bum rush Zajac with a series of wild strikes but Zajac uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Minowa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Minowa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zajac shoots in but no luck this time.
Minowa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Zajac changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Minowa tries to avoid it but Zajac manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Minowa to the ground. Minowa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maciej Zajac is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zajac showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Minowa.
Zajac shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Minowa pinned against the cage. Minowa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maciej Zajac. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minowa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minowa misses with a body kick.

Zajac changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Minowa looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Minowa managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Zajac.
Minowa is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Zajac missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minowa is looking for a sweep. Zajac is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Minowa works his way to full guard. Good work.
Minowa trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Zajac trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zajac is working hard here to advance position.
Zajac throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Minowa. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Minowa is trying to control the position from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zajac throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Zajac shoots for a double leg takedown but Minowa sprawls well. He's pushed Zajac's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A punch combination from Minowa misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zajac.
Minowa throws a series of punches but Zajac avoids them all with ease.
Minowa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zajac.
Minowa tries to bench press Zajac off him but Zajac keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajac wants to lay and pray for a moment but Minowa keeps working.
Minowa is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zajac's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Minowa trying to hold on to Zajac's head to control him but Zajac postures up.

Zajac wants to work for an arm triangle but Minowa is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Minowa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zajac's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zajac's back!
Zajac is in bad spot here.

Minowa looking for the RNC.
Minowa is working the ground and pound. Can Zajac escape?
Minowa missing with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowa throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

Minowa has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Zajac has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Minowa is trying to stick to Zajac's back but Zajac is turning into Minowa. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Minowa's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Zajac.
Zajac stopping the sweep attempt from Minowa.
Zajac trying to control but Minowa is working from the bottom.

Zajac drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zajac jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zajac takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Minowa throws a combination. Zajac tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Minowa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zajac.

Zajac shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Minowa looking for a guillotine here but Zajac defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zajac passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Zajac decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Zajac checks a leg kick.
Minowa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Zajac closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Minowa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zajac wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Minowa struggling a bit here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Zajac wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Minowa, who protects the arm well.
Minowa tries to bench press Zajac off him but Zajac keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maciej Zajac dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zajac fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zajac showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Minowa.
Minowa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Minowa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Minowa changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zajac looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Minowa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Minowa throws a strike aimed at the side of Zajac's head but Zajac avoids it well.
Minowa scores with punches from side control.
Minowa working the ground and pound but Zajac is defending the strikes.
Zajac struggling a bit here.
Minowa misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zajac wants to control but Minowa postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minowa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zajac is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Zajac showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Minowa.
Minowa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zajac.
Zajac takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zajac fails in his attempt to clinch.
An inside leg kick from Zajac misses.

Zajac looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Minowa!
Zajac is trying to take his opponent's back.
Minowa tries to reverse the position but Zajac maintains control.
Maciej Zajac overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Minowa flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Zajac working the ground and pound effectively.
Minowa is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajac content just to control the position here.
Minowa regains half guard.
Minowa trying to hold on to Zajac's head to control him but Zajac postures up.
Minowa controlling the position for now.

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

Zajac is looking for a kimura here.
Minowa landing strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Zajac advances position into side control!
You can see the frustration on Minowa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Minowa can do anything to dispel that myth.

Zajac tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zajac has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Minowa takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Minowa misses with an elbow from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Minowa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zajac wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Zajac is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Minowa has escaped the position, nice work there.
Minowa keeping his opponent close.
Zajac throws a strike aimed at the side of Minowa's head but Minowa avoids it well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Minowa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zajac.
Minowa looks to land a combination but Zajac avoids it well.
Horrible takedown by Zajac or perhaps it was just good defense by Minowa which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maciej Zajac. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Minowa.
No luck for Zajac with that takedown attempt.

Minowa scores with a takedown into Zajac's guard.
Minowa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ikuhisa Minowa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Minowa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

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