PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Spas Spasov (ranked 3247 p4p, 23884 weight class) and Takeru Ishii (ranked 357 p4p, 647 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Spasov
vs
Ishii

180 cm
30
159
17 - 17 - 2

170 cm
29
127
15 - 19 - 2

Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Spas Spasov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 19 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Takeru Ishii!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good standup being displayed there by Ishii as he connects with a hook.
Ishii does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Spasov throws a series of punches but Ishii avoids them all with ease.
A nice side step and Ishii releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ishii darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Spasov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Doom's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Spasov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nice defenses there by Ishii.
Ishii swinging wildly here.
Spasov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Spasov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spasov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Spasov throws a right hand that Ishii ducks under and follows up with a left that Ishii also avoids with ease.
Spasov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ishii.
Spasov takes one to the side of the head.
Ishii misses with a low kick as Spasov jumps back.
Spasov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ishii.
Ishii scores with a hook to the body. Spasov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Spasov drives through and clinches with Ishii against the ropes.
Ishii throws an elbow that misses.
Spasov blocks the elbow strike.
Spasov effectively controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spasov digs a right hand into Ishii's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ishii's gas tank.
Spasov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Spasov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ishii throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Spasov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Spasov misses with a series of wild punches.
Takeru Ishii is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short body shot lands from Spasov as the two fighters clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Spasov.
Spasov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Spasov.

Spasov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ishii dodges the punch combination from Spasov.
Ishii fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Spasov is out of range.
Spasov appears to be looking for a big counter.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ishii darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishii with a nice calf kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ishii dodges the punch combination from Spasov.
Spasov slips under a jab from Ishii.

Spasov gets a clinch.
Ishii throws an elbow that misses.
Good body shot from Spasov.
Spasov avoids the elbow strike from Ishii, against the ropes.
Ishii tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ishii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Spasov.
Nice body punch from Spasov.
Ishii looks winded!
Spasov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ishii.
A right hook to the body lands for Spasov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spasov presses Ishii against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Ishii misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ishii avoids a punch combination nicely.
Spasov misses with a jab, cross combination.

Spasov moves into the clinch.
Spasov lands a shot to the body.
Spasov leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Spasov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Spasov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ishii or not.
Ishii throws a head punch that misses.
Spasov pushes Ishii back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Spasov.
A body shot lands from Spasov.
Spasov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ishii can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishii pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Ishii throws an elbow that misses.
Spasov lands with a right to the head.
Spas Spasov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ishii swings wildly with an uppercut but Spasov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ishii working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spasov lands a nice shot to the body.
Ishii is breathing heavily.
Spasov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spasov avoids a wild elbow strike from Ishii.

Spasov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ishii pushes Spasov up against the ropes in a clinch.
Spasov is stalling here.
Spasov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Spasov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Spasov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ishii.
Spasov feints a jab promting Ishii to slip. Spasov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ishii slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Spasov misses with a series of wild punches.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Spasov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ishii swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ishii throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Spasov breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spasov lands with a good body shot.
Spasov throws a right hand that Ishii ducks under and follows up with a left that Ishii also avoids with ease.

Spasov moves into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Spasov.
Spasov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spasov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Spasov.
Ishii has a couple of punches blocked by Spasov.
Spasov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ishii up against the ropes.
Spasov stalls.

Spasov breaks from the clinch.
Spasov throws a nice looking combination but Ishii bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ishii wants to counter the offense by Spasov and move into the clinch position.
Spasov misses with a wild combination.

Spasov darts in and clinches Ishii up against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spas Spasov dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Spasov takes the fight into the clinch.

Spasov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spasov throws a nice looking combination but Ishii bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ishii tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ishii throws a hook to the side of Spasov's head but Spasov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ishii scoring well with a low kick there.

Spasov moves into the clinch.
Spasov lands a nice shot to the body.
A body shot lands from Spasov.
Nice body punch from Spasov - that landed with a thud.
Ishii creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Spasov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ishii drives through and clinches with Spasov against the ropes.
Spasov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ishii blocks a body shot from Spasov.
Good body shot from Spasov.
Ishii throws an elbow that misses.
Spasov lands a nice shot to the body.
Spas Spasov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ishii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishii throws an elbow that misses.
Ishii throws an elbow but it misses.
Spasov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Spasov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Spasov has closed the distance and engaged Ishii in a clinch.
Ishii throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A right hand to the body from Spasov.
Spasov blocks an uppercut.
Spasov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spasov works on Ishii's body with a couple of short punches.
Ishii throws a head punch that misses.
Ishii throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ishii throws a head punch that misses.
Ishii misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishii misses with the head strike.
A bit of stalling here from Spasov.
Spasov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Spasov lands a body shot.
Ishii lands with a right to the head.
Ishii looks to throw an elbow but misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ishii.
A head punch on the inside from Ishii fails to land.

Spasov manages to break the clinch.

Spasov closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spasov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spasov tries to work over Ishii's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Spasov avoids a wild elbow strike from Ishii.
A nice left hand lands by Ishii.
Takeru Ishii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice body punch from Spasov - that landed with a thud.

And that's the end of the fight!
Spas Spasov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Spasov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spas Spasov!
A very excited looking Spas Spasov 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.