PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yuki Shojumaru (ranked 3229 p4p, 5877 weight class) and Maitland Rask (ranked 180 p4p, 459 weight class). Yuki Shojumaru has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shojumaru
vs
Rask

150 cm
26
140
4 - 3 - 1

153 cm
25
142
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Good knees
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 - 3 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Yuki Shojumaru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Maitland Rask!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shojumaru throws an overhand right that lands on Rask's shoulder, as Rask tries to avoid the shot.
A jab from Shojumaru does it's job there.
Rask uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shojumaru.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Rask has eaten all the pies!
Shojumaru looks to land a right hand but Rask moved out of range.
Shojumaru slips under a jab from Rask.
Shojumaru slips under a jab.
Shojumaru uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rask.
Maitland Rask seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rask throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Shojumaru cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shojumaru uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rask.
Shojumaru takes one to the side of the head.
A shot to the body from Rask misses
and Shojumaru counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Shojumaru looks to score with a jab to the body but Rask is just out of range.
Rask throws a looping overhand right but Shojumaru ducks down to avoid it.
Rask looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Shojumaru throws a shot from downtown. Rask moves away and avoids it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rask looks to land a left hand but Shojumaru moved out of range nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shojumaru takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Shojumaru connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rask throws the left hand but Shojumaru avoids the punch easily.
Rask waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shojumaru.
Shojumaru gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rask throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shojumaru definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Shojumaru misses with an uppercut. Rask saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rask is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Rask is rocked!
Rask missing with a left hand there. Shojumaru was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rask is still on wobbly legs! Can Shojumaru finish him?
Rask moves away from the strike by Shojumaru.
Rask seems to have recovered his senses.
Rask gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Shojumaru takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rask listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Shojumaru scores with a hook to the body. Rask takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shojumaru lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rask at a distance.
Rask throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shojumaru misses with a looping right.
Rask pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rask uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shojumaru.
Shojumaru defending well as Rask loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rask takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Shojumaru connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rask. Rask circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Shojumaru looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rask throws a hook but Shojumaru blocks it.

Shojumaru sends Rask crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Shojumaru is motioning to the referee to let Rask up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rask on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rask blocks a jab.
Rask fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shojumaru manages to avoid it.
Rask throws a poor cross that misses
and Shojumaru counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The fighters circling - Shojumaru throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shojumaru looks to score with a jab to the body but Rask is just out of range.
Shojumaru keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rask is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Shojumaru slips under a jab.
Rask looks to land a left hand but Shojumaru moved out of range nicely.
Shojumaru throws a lazy right hand but Rask sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rask is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shojumaru.
Rask moves out of range as Shojumaru strikes.
Shojumaru slips a jab from Rask.
The fighters circling - Shojumaru throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shojumaru throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rask misses the shot to the body.
Rask takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rask slips under a jab.
Rask doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A telegraphed right hand from Rask misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shojumaru sends Rask crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Shojumaru is motioning to the referee to let Rask up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
A looping hook to the body misses from Shojumaru. Rask does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rask throws a jab but it's blocked by Shojumaru.
An attempted straight right counter from Shojumaru misses the target.
Rask avoids the body shot from Shojumaru.
Shojumaru blocks a jab.
Shojumaru defending well as Rask loads up on a big left hand.
Rask uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shojumaru.
Shojumaru tries to move into range but Rask moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shojumaru drops his hands momentarily and Rask takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shojumaru looks to score with a jab to the body but Rask is just out of range.
Shojumaru lands an overhand right.
Rask connects with a looping right hand.
Shojumaru looks to score with a jab to the body but Rask is just out of range.
Rask misses with an uppercut
and Shojumaru counters with a huge left! Rask is in big trouble! He's backing up but Shojumaru isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Rask from any more damage. A dominating finish by Shojumaru!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yuki Shojumaru!