GFL 40 - Lao vs Ritch PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between The Hulk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Errol Field (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hulk comes to the cage accompanied by Hulkamania!. Field is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Best of Sakuraba. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hulk
vs
Field

170 cm
25
145 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

162 cm
19
143 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, The Hulk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Errol Field!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice combination there by Hulk.
Hulk slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Field walks into a jab.

Field closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Field tries for a kimura but Hulk is defending well.
Hulk manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Hulk is defending against the submission attempts here by Field.
Hulk moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Field tries to free his leg and advance position but Hulk is retaining full guard.
Field controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hulk is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Field frees his head nicely. Oh but Hulk has switched to an armbar! Field is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). The Hulk!
The Hulk decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
50%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Riku Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Xylar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dante Xylar struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Takahashi
vs
Xylar

176 cm
24
152 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

176 cm
20
150 lbs
0 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Riku Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dante Xylar!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Xylar gets caught flat footed, as Takahashi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Xylar looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Takahashi is pushing down on Xylar's leg trying to pass to half guard. Xylar is fighting to maintain full guard but Takahashi has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Takahashi maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Xylar could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Takahashi has cracked it and Xylar is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Takahashi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Riku Takahashi!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
49%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yusuke Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Yamazaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nakamura comes into the arena with Movado - Neva Believe U blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nakamura
vs
Yamazaki

173 cm
21
150 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

172 cm
25
148 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yusuke Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takeshi Yamazaki!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yamazaki gets a clinch.
Yamazaki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nakamura avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Yamazaki misses with some punches.

Nakamura is trying to trip Yamazaki. He has hold of a leg but Yamazaki is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Nakamura persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Nakamura throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Yamazaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Yamazaki, not yet.
Yamazaki working a defensive guard here.
Yamazaki is looking to stand up but Nakamura isn't so interested in that idea.
Yamazaki is trying to control the position but Nakamura postures up.
Nakamura sitting in guard here, content to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Takeshi Yamazaki hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Nakamura.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nakamura is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Yamazaki knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Nakamura working the head with strikes.
Yamazaki can't do much from the bottom here.
Nakamura throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Nakamura working the strikes but Yamazaki uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Yamazaki regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura trying to control but Yamazaki is working from the bottom.
Nakamura landing some decent shots from guard.
Nakamura stopping the sweep attempt from Yamazaki.
Yamazaki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nakamura looking to sit in guard and control but Yamazaki gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Nakamura pulls Yamazaki in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Yamazaki from controlling successfully.
Yamazaki looking to sit in guard and control but Nakamura gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Nakamura is working Yamazaki over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nakamura throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yamazaki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nakamura trying to control but Yamazaki is working from the bottom.
Yamazaki wants to stand up but Nakamura is controlling him.
Nakamura is in close to Yamazaki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nakamura stands and throws Yamazaki's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Nakamura trying to control the action but Yamazaki is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yamazaki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yusuke Nakamura dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nakamura moves in looking to clinch but Yamazaki pushes him off.
Nakamura throws a nice looking combination but Yamazaki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yusuke Nakamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown by Yamazaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakamura which made him look bad.
Nakamura throws a nice looking combination but Yamazaki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
No luck for Yamazaki with that takedown attempt.
Yamazaki shoots in for a takedown but Nakamura shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Yusuke Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takeshi Yamazaki.
Yamazaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Nakamura feints and as Yamazaki raises his hands in defense, Nakamura changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Nakamura content to stall in guard here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Yamazaki is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Yamazaki controls the pace.
Nakamura is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Nakamura looking for a guillotine here but Yamazaki defends easily.
Yamazaki trying to control but Nakamura is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nakamura striking off his back but it's not causing Yamazaki any problems.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Yamazaki stopping the sweep attempt from Nakamura.
Nakamura trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakamura is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Yamazaki stopping the sweep attempt from Nakamura.
Yamazaki wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Nakamura wants to improve his position but instead Yamazaki has moved into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Nakamura is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Yamazaki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nakamura sees it coming and defends easily.
Nakamura is refusing to be controlled, as Yamazaki sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yusuke Nakamura dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Yamazaki tries for a takedown but Nakamura sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yamazaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakamura circles away.

Nakamura looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Yamazaki keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
Nakamura throws an elbow that misses. Yamazaki uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nakamura's guard. Nice move by Yamazaki!
Yamazaki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Yamazaki wants to stand but Nakamura is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamazaki tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakamura is retaining full guard.

Nakamura has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Yamazaki off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Oooooh!!! Nakamura has knocked Yamazaki down with a huge combo! Nakamura steps away and waves a wobbly Yamazaki back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Yamazaki is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yamazaki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Yamazaki is still on wobbly legs! Can Nakamura finish him?
Nakamura is stalking Yamazaki. Yamazaki circles to his left. Keeps circling left. Bam! Straight right from Nakamura, and it's lights out! Yamazaki really payed the price for that rookie mistake.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Yusuke Nakamura!
After winning the bout, Yusuke Nakamura thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
92%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thorstein Horgmo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Norifumi Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Norifumi Yamamoto was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Horgmo
vs
Yamamoto

181 cm
26
144 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

160 cm
20
134 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thorstein Horgmo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Norifumi Yamamoto!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horgmo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yamamoto sprawls well. Yamamoto wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Horgmo gets slowly back to his feet.
Yamamoto misses with the combination.
Horgmo misses with a kick to the body.
Horgmo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Yamamoto swivels and escapes.
Horgmo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yamamoto circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thorstein Horgmo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horgmo blocks a head kick by Yamamoto.
Horgmo misses with a takedown attempt
and Yamamoto counters with a right hand to the body.
Yamamoto throws a combination that misses
and Horgmo counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Yamamoto is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Horgmo avoids the head kick by Yamamoto.
Horgmo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Horgmo lets loose with a powerful body kick. Yamamoto will feel that in the morning.

Horgmo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yamamoto wants to get back to his feet.

Yamamoto kicks Horgmo off and gets back to his feet.
Horgmo lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Horgmo blocks a head kick by Yamamoto.
That kick from Horgmo tenderised Yamamoto's leg. Yamamoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Horgmo closes the distance and clinches up with Yamamoto, looking for a takedown. Horgmo pushes Yamamoto against the cage but Yamamoto circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yamamoto tries to work over Horgmo's front leg with a kick but Horgmo checks it.
Yamamoto swats away the attempt to clinch by Horgmo.
Yamamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Horgmo moves out of range easily.
Horgmo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto keeps the fight on the outside.
Yamamoto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thorstein Horgmo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Horgmo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Yamamoto, pushing him back against the cage.
Yamamoto is trying to break the clinch but Horgmo is controlling him.
Horgmo lands a damaging elbow.

Horgmo turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yamamoto manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Yamamoto misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Horgmo wants to control but Yamamoto is keeping him busy.
Yamamoto wants to control but Horgmo is keeping busy.
Horgmo performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Yamamoto wants to get back to full guard.
Horgmo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Horgmo is keen to just control but Yamamoto is a slippery customer.

We're going to have a standup here because Thorstein Horgmo wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Yamamoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Horgmo circles away quickly and effectively.
Horgmo blocks a head kick by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto throws a head kick that misses.
Yamamoto walks forward, straight into a front kick from Horgmo.
Horgmo lands a nice looking body kick.
Yamamoto looks to land a combination but Horgmo avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto misses with a wild combination.
Norifumi Yamamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horgmo throws a good cross that connects.
Horgmo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yamamoto avoids it really well and circles away.
Yamamoto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yamamoto wants it to stay on the feet.
Horgmo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yamamoto misses with a hook.
Yamamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Horgmo moves out of range easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horgmo avoids the head kick by Yamamoto.
A combination from Yamamoto does no damage.

Horgmo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Yamamoto's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thorstein Horgmo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Horgmo goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Yamamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Horgmo moves out of range easily.
Horgmo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Horgmo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Horgmo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Yamamoto has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Horgmo but great work by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto lands a nice forearm strike.
Yamamoto cracks Horgmo with a big right hand but Horgmo just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Yamamoto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Horgmo keeps working.

Yamamoto looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Yamamoto cracks Horgmo with a big right hand but Horgmo just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horgmo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Yamamoto trying to control the action but Horgmo is working from the bottom.
Yamamoto scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Horgmo to see if he's OK.
Horgmo prevents Yamamoto from improving position.
Horgmo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Yamamoto scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horgmo tries to get to full guard but Yamamoto has control of the leg.
Yamamoto is looking to advance position but Horgmo won't allow it.

Horgmo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yamamoto winds up and cracks Horgmo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Horgmo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Horgmo is trying to control the position but Yamamoto postures up.
Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Horgmo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Horgmo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Yamamoto must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Yamamoto trying to control but Horgmo is working from the bottom.
Yamamoto stands up over Horgmo, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yamamoto keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Horgmo's head.
Yamamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Horgmo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yamamoto distracts Horgmo with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Yamamoto sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Horgmo's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Horgmo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Yamamoto passes to full mount!
Yamamoto landing strikes from the mount.
Yamamoto trying to control but Horgmo is having none of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Yamamoto jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Horgmo manages to avoid the submission attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yamamoto lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norifumi Yamamoto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Horgmo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Horgmo is looking to clinch.
Yamamoto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Horgmo scores a takedown into full mount!
Horgmo avoids the attempt from Yamamoto to control.
Yamamoto keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Horgmo wants to control the pace but Yamamoto is squirming around nicely.

Horgmo goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Yamamoto is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yamamoto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yamamoto throws an elbow that misses. Horgmo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Yamamoto's guard. Nice move by Horgmo!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yamamoto trying to strike off his back.
Horgmo prevents Yamamoto from getting back to his feet.
Yamamoto has a closed guard, preventing Horgmo from standing up.
Horgmo wants to control from the top but Yamamoto keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Yamamoto trying to strike off his back.
Yamamoto striking from the bottom.
Horgmo with a flurry of punches that miss.

Horgmo stands up from Yamamoto's guard - Horgmo perhaps looking for a knockout.
Horgmo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yamamoto swats away the attempt to clinch by Horgmo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Horgmo can pounce on him.
Horgmo is looking to land body kicks.
Yamamoto moves out of range as Horgmo throws a body kick.
A punch combination from Yamamoto misses.

Horgmo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Yamamoto pushes Horgmo off and scrambles back to his feet.
Horgmo shoots and misses
and Yamamoto counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Yamamoto misses with a double jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yamamoto.
Horgmo looks for a takedown but Yamamoto sprawls well.
Thorstein Horgmo is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yamamoto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A leg kick checked by Horgmo.

Horgmo forces Yamamoto back against the cage and clinches.
Yamamoto stalls.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Horgmo breaks from the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yamamoto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Horgmo.
Yamamoto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Horgmo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yamamoto defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thorstein Horgmo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horgmo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yamamoto.

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 Thorstein Horgmo.
I think Horgmo 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thorstein Horgmo!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
64%

Main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kung Lao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ollie Ritch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Lao
vs
Ritch

192 cm
24
223 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

193 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kung Lao!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ollie Ritch!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ritch throws a big shot that misses.
A head kick misses from Ritch.
Jab by Ritch.
Lao avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ollie Ritch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lao blocks a head kick by Ritch.
Lao has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ritch finds it's way round the side to connect with Lao's head.
Ritch tries a head kick but it misses.
Lao moves away from the strike by Ritch.
Lao avoids the head kick by Ritch.
A telegraphed right hand from Ritch misses the target.
Lao scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lao throws a good cross that connects.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lao keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ritch.
Ritch throws a front kick aimed at Lao's knee but Lao avoids it well.
Ritch on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A solid body kick from Lao.
Ritch gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lao.
Ritch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lao thuds his shin into the meat of Ritch's side.
Ritch looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lao digs a good hook to Ritch's body.
Lao cracks a nice hook into Ritch's ribs.
Lao connects with a looping right hand.
Ritch takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lao lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ritch at a distance.
Lao connects with a body shot.
Lao moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lao is looking to wear down Ritch with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ritch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lao throws a leg kick which misses Ritch's front leg but catches the back leg as Ritch tries to avoid it.
Lao dips to his left and cracks Ritch with an uppercut!
A nice inside leg kick there by Lao. That's going to slow Ritch down.
Lao scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lao connects with a crisp jab.
Lao with a jab.

Lao has Ritch up against the cage in a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lao as Ritch tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lao is working Ritch over against the cage.
Lao lands a nice shot to the body.
Lao gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Lao.
Lao looking to throw knees to the head but Ritch is blocking nicely.
Lao scores with a shoulder strike.
Lao lands with a short punch from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Lao.
Lao lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lao scores with a nice hook to the head.

Ritch is rocked!
Lao scores with a shoulder strike.
Ritch is still on wobbly legs! Can Lao finish him?
Lao lands a shot to the body.
Lao lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lao lands an uppercut.
Lao lands a nice shot to the body.
Lao pushes Ritch back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Lao drops Ritch onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Ritch is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lao works on Ritch's body with a couple of short punches.
Lao scores with a shot to the side of Ritch's head.
Lao creates some distance for himselfand unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Ritch's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Ritch drops to his knees and Lao pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:15 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kung Lao!
Kung Lao retains his light heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Kung Lao made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.