PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tatsuya Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Venum Tree Knee Dad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tree Knee Dad has chosen Not Falling by Mudvayne as his entrance music. Venum Tree Knee Dad acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Kawajiri
vs
Tree Knee Dad

172 cm
33
155 lbs
18 - 10 - 1

170 cm
31
152 lbs
25 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Hellbent

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 18 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tatsuya Kawajiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Venum Tree Knee Dad!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawajiri tries to work over Tree Knee Dad's front leg with a kick but Tree Knee Dad checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tree Knee Dad! But no joy.
Kawajiri throws a hook but Tree Knee Dad avoids it easily.
Kawajiri throws an overhand right that lands on Tree Knee Dad's shoulder, as Tree Knee Dad tries to avoid the shot.
Kawajiri misses with a straight right.
Kawajiri looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kawajiri throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Tree Knee Dad thuds a left hand into Kawajiri's body.
Kawajiri steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tree Knee Dad.
Kawajiri was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kawajiri takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Kawajiri tries to keep at a distance but Tree Knee Dad has taken the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kawajiri.
Kawajiri lands a body shot.

Tree Knee Dad drags the fight down to the ground.

Tree Knee Dad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kawajiri defends well.
Kawajiri tries to free his leg and advance position but Tree Knee Dad is retaining full guard.

Kawajiri avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tree Knee Dad had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kawajiri defends it easily.
Tree Knee Dad being controlled here, momentarily.
Tree Knee Dad has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kawajiri has passed into side control.
Tree Knee Dad is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kawajiri controls the position.

That's two 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.
Tree Knee Dad is trying to control Kawajiri's posture but Kawajiri avoids it.
Kawajiri happy to just control the position for now.
Tree Knee Dad keeping his opponent close.
Tree Knee Dad tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kawajiri trying to control the position but Tree Knee Dad is working away.
Tree Knee Dad tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tree Knee Dad wants to control but Kawajiri postures up.
Tree Knee Dad tries to buck Kawajiri off but Kawajiri is having none of it.
Tree Knee Dad keeps trying to improve his position.
Tree Knee Dad felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Tree Knee Dad seems a little lost for a moment, as Kawajiri dominates the positioning.
Tree Knee Dad is looking for a sweep.
Kawajiri controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tree Knee Dad is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Tree Knee Dad has a hand on Kawajiri's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Kawajiri takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Kawajiri content just to control the position here.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to improve his position but Kawajiri isn't that keen on the idea.
Kawajiri can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tree Knee Dad is looking to escape.
Tree Knee Dad is working to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tree Knee Dad manages to regain half guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tatsuya Kawajiri will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tree Knee Dad moves out of range of the body kick from Kawajiri.
Tree Knee Dad lands a jab-cross combination.
Kawajiri pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A countering left hand to the body from Tree Knee Dad misses.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to clinch but Kawajiri is avoiding it.
Tree Knee Dad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kawajiri throwing a counter right hand but Tree Knee Dad manages to avoid it.
Kawajiri avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kawajiri throws a body kick that misses.
Tree Knee Dad looks to land a body kick but Kawajiri moved away.
Kawajiri takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kawajiri misses the shot to the body.
Tree Knee Dad with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kawajiri's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tree Knee Dad connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kawajiri scrambles back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tree Knee Dad uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kawajiri.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a straight left.
Kawajiri getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kawajiri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tree Knee Dad stuns Kawajiri with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri connects with a looping right hand.
Tree Knee Dad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kawajiri moves away.
A quick step to the side and Kawajiri tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Venum Tree Knee Dad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tree Knee Dad lands a body shot.
A jab from Kawajiri does it's job there.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kawajiri throws a hook but Tree Knee Dad avoids it easily.
Kawajiri misses with a straight left.
Kawajiri throws a front kick aimed at Tree Knee Dad's knee but Tree Knee Dad avoids it well.
Tree Knee Dad jabs Kawajiri to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tree Knee Dad keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tree Knee Dad.
Tatsuya Kawajiri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kawajiri throws out a loose jab but Tree Knee Dad uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kawajiri doesn't seem bothered though.
Tree Knee Dad throws a low kick but Kawajiri avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good leg kick by Tree Knee Dad there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tree Knee Dad fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tree Knee Dad looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tree Knee Dad is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kawajiri rather than just go for the knockout.
Tree Knee Dad thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kawajiri was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kawajiri avoids a kick to the body.
Tree Knee Dad cracks Kawajiri with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kawajiri rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Tree Knee Dad to counter with a crisp jab.
A shot to the body from Tree Knee Dad misses
and Kawajiri counters with a nice body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tree Knee Dad. That's going to slow Kawajiri down.
Kawajiri checks a leg kick nicely.
Tree Knee Dad just misses with a punch to the body.
Kawajiri looks to score with a jab to the body but Tree Knee Dad is just out of range.
Venum Tree Knee Dad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tree Knee Dad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kawajiri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kawajiri walks into a straight right hand from Tree Knee Dad.
Kawajiri throws a body shot but no joy.
A slow jab from Tree Knee Dad misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kawajiri works the jab nicely.
Kawajiri rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tree Knee Dad moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tree Knee Dad slips a jab and a cross from Kawajiri.

Kawajiri moves into the clinch successfully.
Tree Knee Dad lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kawajiri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kawajiri works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kawajiri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kawajiri throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tree Knee Dads head.
Kawajiri pushes Tree Knee Dad back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kawajiri lands a shoulder strike.
Kawajiri blocks an elbow strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tree Knee Dad has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kawajiri avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kawajiri blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tree Knee Dad can't find room to land a body shot as Kawajiri controls the action.
Tree Knee Dad cracks Kawajiri with a nice body shot.
Kawajiri lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Tree Knee Dad fails to land.
Kawajiri is working Tree Knee Dad over against the cage.
Kawajiri tries a body shot but Tree Knee Dad blocks it.
Tree Knee Dad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tree Knee Dad tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kawajiri just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tatsuya Kawajiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Venum Tree Knee Dad.
Kawajiri prevents a body shot from Tree Knee Dad.
A short uppercut from Kawajiri.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tree Knee Dad throws an elbow but misses.
Kawajiri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tree Knee Dad working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kawajiri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tree Knee Dad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kawajiri lands a nice uppercut.
Tree Knee Dad lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kawajiri prevents a takedown attempt there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tree Knee Dad takes a shot to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Kawajiri.
Kawajiri lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tree Knee Dad looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Venum Tree Knee Dad will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tree Knee Dad keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tree Knee Dad throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kawajiri stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kawajiri looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kawajiri moves to clinch but Tree Knee Dad breaks away
and Tree Knee Dad connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kawajiri throws a shot from downtown. Tree Knee Dad moves away and avoids it.
Kawajiri throws a jab but it's blocked by Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tree Knee Dad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kawajiri manages to avoid it.
Tree Knee Dad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kawajiri was well out of range. Poor timing from Tree Knee Dad.
Kawajiri takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Tree Knee Dad misses.
Tree Knee Dad uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kawajiri.
Tree Knee Dad fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kawajiri scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kawajiri connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kawajiri throws a push kick but Tree Knee Dad slaps the foot to one side.
Kawajiri is looking to land body kicks.
Kawajiri doesn't manage to clinch there - Tree Knee Dad circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tree Knee Dad! But no joy.
Kawajiri misses with a kick to the body
and Tree Knee Dad counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tree Knee Dad throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Kawajiri misses the target.
Kawajiri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kawajiri walks into a jab.
A cross from Tree Knee Dad lands.

Tree Knee Dad closes the distance and pushes Kawajiri back into the cage.
Kawajiri tries to work over Tree Knee Dad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kawajiri working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kawajiri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tree Knee Dad's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kawajiri is looking to control Tree Knee Dad's arms but Tree Knee Dad gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kawajiri has his back to the cage.
Kawajiri lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kawajiri creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kawajiri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kawajiri tries to work over Tree Knee Dad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a punch to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Kawajiri.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a body punch.
Tree Knee Dad jumps guard but Kawajiri turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tree Knee Dad tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kawajiri's elbow.
A body shot lands from Tree Knee Dad.
Kawajiri tries to work over Tree Knee Dad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tree Knee Dad lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kawajiri blocks a body shot from Tree Knee Dad.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tree Knee Dad throws a head punch that misses.
Tatsuya Kawajiri has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Tree Knee Dad has clasped his hands together around Kawajiri's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kawajiri is trying to get back to half guard.
Tree Knee Dad wants to control but Kawajiri is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri regains half guard, as Tree Knee Dad was trying to land strikes.
Tree Knee Dad controlling the action here.
Tatsuya Kawajiri overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kawajiri wants to improve his position but Tree Knee Dad is controlling well.
Kawajiri is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tree Knee Dad's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tree Knee Dad's back!
Kawajiri controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad looking very determined here, making life difficult for Kawajiri.
Tree Knee Dad is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Kawajiri.
Tree Knee Dad tries to escape the position.
Kawajiri is trying to control but Tree Knee Dad is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Tree Knee Dad is wriggling around trying to escape.

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 Tatsuya Kawajiri.
I think Kawajiri has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tatsuya Kawajiri!
An out of breath and clearly excited Tatsuya Kawajiri thanked GREEN!160 for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).