PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryo Hamada (ranked 22683 p4p, 3625 weight class) and DJ Costune (ranked 595 p4p, 438 weight class). Costune has chosen God Save The Queen as his entrance music. Ryo Hamada could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to DJ Costune's chin.

Hamada
vs
Costune

180 cm
25
178
6 - 3 - 0

184 cm
27
179
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryo Hamada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, DJ Costune!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Ben Hemmingworth and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costune walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Costune misses with a wild combination.
Costune has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Hamada throws a low kick but Costune moves out of range easily.
Costune misses with a few strikes there.
Hamada throws out a loose jab but Costune uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hamada lands a nice looking body shot.
Ryo Hamada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Costune finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hamada swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Costune checks the leg kick.
Hamada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hamada throws a lazy right hand but Costune sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
As Hamada backs off Costune throws a huge counter combo but Hamada manages to avoid it all.
Hamada has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Hamada is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hamada lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Costune lands with an uppercut that bounces Hamada off the cage and back into range.
Hamada with a nice calf kick.
A jab lands there for Hamada.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Costune throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Costune ducks under a wild hook from Hamada.
Hamada tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Costune keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hamada.
Costune fails to land with a series of punches.
Hamada tried to counter with a leg kick but Costune avoided it.
Hamada misses with a low kick.
Hamada throws a low kick but Costune moves out of range easily.
Costune looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamada avoids a punch combination nicely.
Costune misses with the combination.
Hamada tries to clinch but Costune is having none of it.
Hamada misses with a straight right.
Some wild striking there from Costune.
Hamada misses with a straight left.
Nice shot by Hamada.
Costune tried to score with a low kick but Hamada checks it.
Hamada closes the distance and clinches up with Costune, looking for a takedown. Hamada pushes Costune against the cage but Costune circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hamada looks to land a left hand but Costune moved out of range nicely.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hamada or perhaps it was just good defense by Costune, which made it look bad.
Hamada scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hamada tests Costune's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hamada misses with an uppercut. Costune saw that one coming.
Hamada looks to throw the jab but Costune is out of range.
Hamada lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costune looks to land a combination but Hamada avoids it well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Costune throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hamada.
Costune lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A slow jab from Hamada misses its intended target.
Costune throws out a counter right but Hamada avoids it with no problem.
Costune misses with a double jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hamada's corner calls for a 1-2. Hamada obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Costune lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hamada backs up against the cage.
Costune swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Costune slips a jab from Hamada.
Costune swinging wildly here.
Costune throws a right and a left that Hamada avoids nicely.
Hamada throws a low kick but it's checked well by Costune.
Hamada throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Costune. Those never looked like landing.
Hamada lands with a hook. Costune tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hamada cracks Costune with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Hamada fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Costune, pushing him back against the cage.
Costune has Hamada pressed against the cage, preventing Hamada from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Costune breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costune throws a right and a left that Hamada avoids nicely.
Hamada was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hamada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Costune sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hamada is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hamada takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Decent striking displayed by Hamada there.
Hamada just misses with a punch to the body.
Costune throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Costune throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hamada takes a swing at Costune's ribcage but misses.
As Hamada backs off Costune throws a huge counter combo but Hamada manages to avoid it all.
Hamada swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hamada pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A left lands for Hamada.
Costune moves away from the strike by Hamada.
Hamada scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A big left from Hamada misses.
Costune avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice defenses there by Costune.
Costune is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hamada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hamada connects with a body shot.
Hamada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Costune steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hamada.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamada misses with a hook.
Hamada throws a jab but it's blocked by Costune.
Jab from Hamada.
Hamada waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Costune.
Hamada swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Costune counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Costune thuds his right hand into Hamada's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Costune swinging wildly here.
Costune bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hamada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hamada connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Costune throws a series of punches but Hamada moves out of range.
Costune gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hamada.
Hamada misses with an uppercut. Costune saw that one coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hamada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Despite the aggression on Costune's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Costune looks to land a combination but Hamada avoids it well.
It looked like Hamada was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Costune.
Hamada moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hamada throws out a loose jab but Costune uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hamada waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Costune.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Costune jabs Hamada to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Costune slips a jab from Hamada.
Despite the aggression on Costune's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Costune checks a low kick from Hamada.
Ryo Hamada is winning the standup battle so far.
Hamada scores with a nice head shot.
Costune misses with a low kick as Hamada jumps back.
Hamada misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Costune.
A combination from Costune does no damage.
Hamada throws a shot from downtown. Costune moves away and avoids it.
Hamada misses with a looping right.
Costune throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hamada.
Costune lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hamada circles away quickly and effectively.
A left and a right from Costune both land. Nice combination.
Costune moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Costune uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hamada.
Hamada throws a hook but Costune avoids it easily.
A big left from Hamada misses.
Costune misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hamada swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Costune misses with a series of wild punches.
Costune slips under a jab from Hamada.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamada swings widly with a right hand
and Costune counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
DJ Costune is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hamada missing with a left hand there. Costune was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Good standup being displayed there by Hamada as he connects with a hook.
Hamada throws a hook but Costune blocks it.
DJ Costune is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hamada connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Costune's hands.
Hamada takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Costune misses with a jab, cross combination.
Costune throws a body punch but Hamada moves out of range.
No joy there for Costune, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Costune moves out of range as Hamada strikes.
Costune checks a low kick from Hamada.
A head kick by Hamada misses
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Costune counters with a stiff right hand.
Costune takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hamada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Costune sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Costune ducks under a wild hook from Hamada.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A bone on bone clash there as Hamada blocks the leg kick.
Hamada bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Costune's head.
Costune takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hamada throws a leg kick but Costune sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hamada goes for a double leg but Costune avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Costune continues to drive forward.
Costune looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamada misses with some punches.
Hamada is trying to push Costune away but Costune has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hamada wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Costune has him pressed against the cage.
Costune prevents Hamada from breaking the clinch.
Hamada wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Costune has him pressed against the cage.

Hamada manages to break the clinch.
Costune misses with a series of wild punches.
Hamada swings for the body but Costune moves out of range.
Costune keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hamada.
Hamada works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hamada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hamada misses with a straight right.
Costune has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A swing and a miss from Hamada.
Costune throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hamada.
Costune throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hamada.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamada avoids a punch combination nicely.
Costune fails to land with a series of punches.
A little feinted left hand from Hamada on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Costune cracks a nice hook into Hamada's ribs.
Hamada is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Costune.
Costune takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hamada throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Costune stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hamada connects with a single shot there.
Costune throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hamada.
Hamada throws out a leg kick but Costune moves out of range and Hamada only half commits.
Hamada throws a low kick, looking for Costune's leg but Costune calmly moves out of range.
A nice side step and Costune releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Costune staying out of range there.
Hamada closes this distance looking for a takedown but Costune circles away.
Hamada showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Costune.
Hamada lands a right hook to the body.
Nice cross by Hamada.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hamada misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costune moves out of range of the strikes.
Hamada misses with a hook
and Costune counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hamada tried to score with a low kick but Costune checks it.
Costune loads up on a big right hand but Hamada slips the punch.
Hamada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Costune fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hamada. Costune does a little dance to reset his feet.
A cross from Hamada lands.
Hamada with a hook.
Costune misses with a double jab.
It looked like Hamada wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A jab lands there for Hamada.
Hamada is looking to clinch but Costune is avoiding it.
Hamada clobbers Costune with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hamada is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Costune.
Costune is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Costune keeps the fight on the outside.
Good exchange - Hamada coming out on top.
Hamada tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Costune lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Hamada looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Costune!
Costune wants to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ryo Hamada will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Hamada. Those never looked like landing.
Hamada looks to score with a jab to the body but Costune is just out of range.
Costune lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Costune misses with a two punch combination.
Costune slips under a jab.
Costune slips a straight right by Hamada.
Hamada misses with a right hand
and Costune counters with a two punch combo.
Costune throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hamada.
Hamada tries to clinch up but Costune circles away and keeps his distance.
Costune slips under a jab.
Costune moves away from the strike by Hamada.
Costune showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hamada.
Hamada throws a lazy right hand but Costune sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costune throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hamada misses with an uppercut
and Hamada takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hamada thuds a left hand into Costune's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Costune throws a right and a left that Hamada avoids nicely.

Hamada clinches up with Costune and pushes him back against the cage.

Costune breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamada misses with an uppercut.
Hamada looks to score with a jab to the body but Costune is just out of range.
Costune staying out of range there.
Despite the aggression on Costune's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Costune has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hamada finds it's way round the side to connect with Costune's head.
Hamada throws a looping overhand right but Costune ducks down to avoid it.
Hamada moves out of range as Costune strikes.
Hamada misses with a looping left.
Hamada with a jab.
Costune avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sloppy strikes from Costune. Those never looked like landing.
Costune lands a jab-cross combination.
Costune tries to work over Hamada's front leg with a kick but Hamada checks it.
Hamada shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hamada swings for the body but Costune moves out of range.
Hamada shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Costune sprawls well. Costune wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hamada gets slowly back to his feet.
Hamada shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Costune pinned against the cage. Costune gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamada lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hamada looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Costune drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hamada misses with the combination.
Hamada lands a lovely overhand right.
Costune rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hamada moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hamada checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hamada throws a front kick aimed at Costune's knee but Costune avoids it well.
Costune steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hamada.
Hamada with a nice cross.
Hamada throws a looping overhand right but Costune ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costune throws a right hand that Hamada ducks under and follows up with a left that Hamada also avoids with ease.
Hamada throws out a loose jab but Costune uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hamada throws a shot from downtown. Costune moves away and avoids it.
Costune takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A combination from Costune does no damage.
Hamada tries to land a leg kick but Costune saw it coming and moves away.
Hamada swings for the body but Costune moves out of range.
Costune fails to land with a series of punches.
Costune slips under a jab from Hamada.
DJ Costune has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hamada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big left from Hamada misses.
Hamada's corner calls for a 1-2. Hamada obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A slow jab from Hamada misses its intended target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hamada.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryo Hamada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Costune checks a low kick from Hamada.
Hamada checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Costune keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hamada.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamada just misses with a punch to the body.
Costune slips under a jab from Hamada.
Costune is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hamada with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Costune. Those never looked like landing.
Costune ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sloppy strikes from Hamada. Those never looked like landing.
Costune swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hamada avoids the body shot from Costune.
Hamada is looking to counter punch.
Hamada throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Costune misses with a wild combination.
Costune feints a jab promting Hamada to slip. Costune then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hamada slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Ryo Hamada has been cut.
Hamada checks a low kick from Costune.
Hamada avoids a punch combination nicely.
Costune takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Costune goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ryo Hamada is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Costune misses with a double jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to DJ Costune.
Well Hamada 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryo Hamada!
Ryo Hamada seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.