PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hirata Hitoshi (ranked 1242 p4p, 2535 weight class) and David Ournez (ranked 176 p4p, 294 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Hitoshi
vs
Ournez

173 cm
27
157
7 - 1 - 0

176 cm
25
159
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hirata Hitoshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, David Ournez!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Winston Alpacca and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hitoshi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ournez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
No luck for Ournez with that takedown attempt.
Hitoshi feinted with a counter takedown.

Ournez has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Hitoshi fails to land.
Hitoshi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Ournez has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Hitoshi is trying to keep an underhook but Ournez manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Ournez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ournez looks to land a strike but Hitoshi avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Ournez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hitoshi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ournez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ournez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hitoshi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ournez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ournez throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitoshi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ournez throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ournez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hitoshi looking for a sweep. Not yet Hitoshi, not yet.
Ournez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ournez distracts Hitoshi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ournez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ournez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hitoshi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hitoshi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ournez throws a big right hand that misses.
Hitoshi wants to sweep here but Ournez controlling him for the moment.
Ournez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ournez connects with a couple of short punches.
Ournez is looking to work some ground and pound but Hitoshi has wrist control.
Hitoshi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hitoshi throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ournez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ournez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ournez can do anything to dispel that myth.

Ournez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hitoshi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ournez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hitoshi is one step ahead there.
Ournez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hitoshi.
Ournez looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi throws a big elbow that misses.
Hitoshi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ournez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ournez looking for a sweep. Not yet Ournez, not yet.
Hitoshi throwing strikes from guard but Ournez blocks nicely.
Ournez looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ournez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hitoshi throws a big right hand that misses.
Ournez keeping moving, preventing Hitoshi from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ournez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hitoshi was covering up waiting for the punch and Ournez finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ournez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ournez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ournez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ournez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ournez cracks Hitoshi with a solid left hand.
Ournez cracks Hitoshi with a solid left hand.
Hitoshi 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.
Ournez throws a strike but Hitoshi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hitoshi wants to control from the top but Ournez keeps moving.
Hitoshi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hitoshi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ournez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hitoshi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hitoshi trying to control the position from guard on top but Ournez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

David Ournez dominated that round.
That's time! Hitoshi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ournez shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hitoshi's guard.
Ournez throws a strike but Hitoshi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ournez looking for a sweep. Not yet Ournez, not yet.
Ournez keeping moving, preventing Hitoshi from controlling successfully.
Hitoshi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hitoshi working some strikes from top position.
Ournez has momentary wrist control but Hitoshi slips an elbow through the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hitoshi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hitoshi trying to control the position from guard on top but Ournez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hitoshi throwing strikes from guard but Ournez blocks nicely.
Ournez is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitoshi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hitoshi throwing strikes from guard but Ournez blocks nicely.
Ournez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hitoshi.
Hitoshi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hitoshi wants to control but Ournez is keeping him busy.
Hitoshi throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Ournez works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Hitoshi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ournez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ournez has his hands clasped together around Hitoshi's back. He's all about the action.
Ournez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ournez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ournez.
Hitoshi cracks Ournez with a solid left hand.

Ournez looking for a guillotine here but Hitoshi defends easily.
Ournez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hitoshi throws an elbow that misses. Ournez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hitoshi's guard. Nice move by Ournez!

Hitoshi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ournez throws a strike but Hitoshi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hitoshi chips away with some ground and pound.
Hitoshi lands a couple of elbows.
Hitoshi postures up.
Hitoshi throwing strikes from guard but Ournez blocks nicely.
Hitoshi throws a strike but Ournez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ournez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hitoshi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ournez.
Ournez postures up and lands a big shot to Hitoshi's brow.
Ournez is in close to Hitoshi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hitoshi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
David Ournez has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ournez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hitoshi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ournez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hitoshi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ournez throwing strikes but missing.
Ournez throws an elbow that misses. Hitoshi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ournez's guard. Nice move by Hitoshi!

Hitoshi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ournez's head.
Ournez seems keen to control Hitoshi's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hitoshi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hitoshi wants to control from the top but Ournez keeps moving.
Hitoshi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hirata Hitoshi dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Hitoshi. No joy for Ournez on that attempt.

Ournez moves into the clinch successfully.
Hitoshi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ournez.
Hitoshi tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ournez has clasped his hands together around Hitoshi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Check out the look on Ournez's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Ournez tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hitoshi manages to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ournez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hitoshi trying to hold on to Ournez's head to control him but Ournez postures up.
Hitoshi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ournez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ournez with the ground and pound but Hitoshi uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Hitoshi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ournez's guard.

Ournez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hitoshi defends well.
Hitoshi trying to control the position from guard on top but Ournez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ournez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hitoshi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hitoshi throws a big elbow that misses.
Hitoshi throws a big right hand that misses.
Hitoshi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ournez working a defensive guard here.
Ournez has momentary wrist control but Hitoshi slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoshi wants to control from the top but Ournez keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hitoshi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hitoshi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ournez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hitoshi is one step ahead there.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Hitoshi postures up and lands a big shot to Ournez's brow.
Hitoshi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ournez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hitoshi throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ournez has his hands on Hitoshi's head, controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Hitoshi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ournez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ournez shoots in looking for a takedown. Hitoshi tries to sprawl out of it but Ournez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hitoshi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hirata Hitoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Ournez.
Ournez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hitoshi counters with a single leg into guard. Ournez didn't expect that.
Hitoshi throws an elbow that misses. Ournez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hitoshi's guard. Nice move by Ournez!

Ournez throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ournez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ournez trying to control the position from guard on top but Hitoshi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ournez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ournez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ournez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ournez throws a strike but Hitoshi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hitoshi throws an elbow that misses. Ournez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hitoshi's guard. Nice move by Ournez!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hitoshi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ournez postures up and lands a big shot to Hitoshi's brow.
Ournez won't allow Hitoshi to sweep him here.
Ournez throws an elbow that misses. Hitoshi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ournez's guard. Nice move by Hitoshi!

Ournez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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 Hirata Hitoshi.
I think Hitoshi 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight for David Ournez!
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight for David Ournez!
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight for Hirata Hitoshi!

David Ournez wins by split decision!
David Ournez thanked the fans post fight for their support.