PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between aTtaaas Lao Liikta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masaaki Kanagawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lao Liikta
vs
Kanagawa

178 cm
25
218 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
211 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, aTtaaas Lao Liikta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Masaaki Kanagawa!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Kanagawa catches Lao Liikta right on the button with a cross.
Lao Liikta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kanagawa lands with a right hand.
Kanagawa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kanagawa circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kanagawa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kanagawa misses with a body shot.
Lao Liikta slips under a jab from Kanagawa.

Lao Liikta closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kanagawa breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanagawa throws a big shot that misses.
Lao Liikta tries for a takedown but Kanagawa circles away easily
and Kanagawa counters with a stiff right hand.
Lao Liikta definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kanagawa lands a right hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lao Liikta gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kanagawa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lao Liikta has his takedown stuffed
and Kanagawa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for aTtaaas Lao Liikta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kanagawa throws a series of strikes that have Lao Liikta backpedaling.
Kanagawa scores with a shot to the body.
Kanagawa pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lao Liikta back to the cage. Kanagawa follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Lao Liikta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kanagawa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lao Liikta moves in looking to clinch but Kanagawa pushes him off.
Lao Liikta shoots in looking for a takedown. Kanagawa tries to sprawl out of it but Lao Liikta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kanagawa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lao Liikta shoots in for a takedown but Kanagawa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kanagawa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lao Liikta takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lao Liikta moves to clinch but Kanagawa breaks away
and Kanagawa counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lao Liikta shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Kanagawa to counter with a crisp jab.
Kanagawa lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Lao Liikta doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lao Liikta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kanagawa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lao Liikta tries for a takedown but Kanagawa circles away easily
and Kanagawa counters with a straight right hand.
Kanagawa scores with a decent looking hook.
Lao Liikta tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kanagawa defends well and Lao Liikta ends up having to push Kanagawa into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kanagawa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A jab from Kanagawa finds it's way through Lao Liikta's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lao Liikta gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kanagawa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lao Liikta shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kanagawa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A shot to the liver by Kanagawa. Beautiful body shot.
Kanagawa lands with a cross.
Kanagawa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kanagawa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kanagawa thuds a left hand into Lao Liikta's body.
Lao Liikta with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Kanagawa to counter with a crisp jab.
Lao Liikta tries for a takedown but Kanagawa circles away easily
and Kanagawa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lao Liikta is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kanagawa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kanagawa is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanagawa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lao Liikta.
Lao Liikta on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Lao Liikta shoots in for a takedown but Kanagawa shows good takedown defense.
Kanagawa lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kanagawa throws a shot to the body.
Kanagawa scores with a nice strike.

Lao Liikta closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Lao Liikta working the head and body with strikes.
Kanagawa is not content to let Lao Liikta control the position.
Lao Liikta lands some shots froms side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lao Liikta trying to control the action but Kanagawa is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kanagawa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Good standup being displayed there by Kanagawa as he connects with a hook.
Lao Liikta gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kanagawa counters with a nice uppercut.
Masaaki Kanagawa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lao Liikta has his takedown stuffed
and Kanagawa counters with a left to the body.
Lao Liikta ducks right into an uppercut from Kanagawa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lao Liikta gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kanagawa has had enough of the clinch but Lao Liikta keeps him there for the moment.
Lao Liikta content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kanagawa lands with a light punch inside.
Kanagawa prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for aTtaaas Lao Liikta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A shot in the inside from Kanagawa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanagawa scores with a hook to the body.

Kanagawa breaks the clinch.
Lao Liikta looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kanagawa tests Lao Liikta's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Masaaki Kanagawa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lao Liikta slips under a jab from Kanagawa.
Lao Liikta tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kanagawa defends well and Lao Liikta ends up having to push Kanagawa into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kanagawa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lao Liikta tries to close the distance and clinch but Kanagawa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kanagawa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kanagawa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lao Liikta is looking to clinch.
Lao Liikta doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kanagawa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lao Liikta with a poor takedown
and Kanagawa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lao Liikta on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanagawa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kanagawa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lao Liikta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lao Liikta tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kanagawa counters with a two punch combo.
Kanagawa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lao Liikta.

Lao Liikta is rocked!
Lao Liikta closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kanagawa circles away.
Lao Liikta tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kanagawa counters with a straight right hand.
Oh Lao Liikta is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lao Liikta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lao Liikta seems to have got his legs back now.
aTtaaas Lao Liikta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kanagawa misses with the combination.
Lao Liikta attempts a counter takedown but Kanagawa avoids it well and moves away.
Kanagawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lao Liikta moves away.
Lao Liikta misses with a takedown
letting Kanagawa counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lao Liikta takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lao Liikta tries for a takedown but Kanagawa circles away easily
enabling Kanagawa to counter with a crisp jab.
Kanagawa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Lao Liikta closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lao Liikta lands in his opponent's guard.
Lao Liikta landing some decent shots from guard.

Lao Liikta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kanagawa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lao Liikta. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lao Liikta slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kanagawa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lao Liikta with a nice head shot there.
Kanagawa pulls Lao Liikta in close to his closed guard and prevents Lao Liikta from doing any damage or advancing position.
Lao Liikta has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lao Liikta cracks Kanagawa with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lao Liikta is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masaaki Kanagawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lao Liikta is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kanagawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lao Liikta shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lao Liikta takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lao Liikta tries to clinch up
and Kanagawa counters with a straight right hand.

Lao Liikta shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kanagawa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lao Liikta lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kanagawa wants to get back to his feet.
Lao Liikta is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lao Liikta slips a nice elbow through Kanagawa's hands, connecting with Kanagawa's forehead.
Lao Liikta takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lao Liikta wants to control but Kanagawa is keeping him busy.
Lao Liikta scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lao Liikta seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Lao Liikta slips a nice elbow through Kanagawa's hands, connecting with Kanagawa's forehead.
Kanagawa on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Lao Liikta looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lao Liikta working Kanagawa over with strikes.
Lao Liikta is taking a breather. Kanagawa says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kanagawa tries to roll over but Lao Liikta keeps him under control.
Lao Liikta is taking a breather. Kanagawa says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kanagawa taking some punishment here, with Lao Liikta in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanagawa trying to control here.
Kanagawa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lao Liikta scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lao Liikta working the head and body with strikes.
Lao Liikta seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kanagawa is trying to stand.
Kanagawa has hold of Lao Liikta's hands but Lao Liikta slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Lao Liikta lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lao Liikta working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lao Liikta connects with a nice short shot to Kanagawa's temple.
Kanagawa pushes Lao Liikta off looking to stand but Lao Liikta dives back in and keeps control.
Lao Liikta lands strikes from half guard.
Kanagawa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lao Liikta scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lao Liikta is nestled in close to Kanagawa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kanagawa pushes Lao Liikta off looking to stand but Lao Liikta dives back in and keeps control.
Nice strikes from Lao Liikta there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kanagawa has hold of Lao Liikta's hands but Lao Liikta slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Lao Liikta looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
aTtaaas Lao Liikta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Masaaki Kanagawa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lao Liikta is nestled in close to Kanagawa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

And that's the end of the fight!
aTtaaas Lao Liikta showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kanagawa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masaaki Kanagawa!