PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yuuji Hoshino (ranked 897 p4p, 3617 weight class) and Ari Katajamaki (ranked 68 p4p, 240 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hoshino
vs
Katajamaki

168 cm
32
140
15 - 10 - 0

162 cm
26
135
7 - 12 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Fantasy Threads
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuuji Hoshino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Katajamaki!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katajamaki ducks under a wild hook from Hoshino.
Hoshino defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Katajamaki.
Katajamaki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hoshino avoids it really well and circles away.
Katajamaki shoots for a double leg takedown but Hoshino sprawls well. He's pushed Katajamaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Yuuji Hoshino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Katajamaki.
Hoshino looks to score with a jab to the body but Katajamaki is just out of range.
Hoshino stuffs the takedown attempt from Katajamaki. Katajamaki gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like Hoshino was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Katajamaki.
Hoshino swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And Katajamaki tries to counter it with a takedown but Hoshino pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Katajamaki drives through with a takedown into Hoshino's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Katajamaki won't allow Hoshino to get back to his feet.
Katajamaki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Katajamaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hoshino works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hoshino's head.
Katajamaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hoshino works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Katajamaki stops Hoshino from standing up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Katajamaki throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Katajamaki tries to move into range but Hoshino moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hoshino lands with a nice body punch.
Katajamaki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hoshino pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hoshino tries a head kick but it misses.
Hoshino misses with a head kick.
Katajamaki swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoshino.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino stuffs the takedown.
Hoshino takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hoshino but Hoshino pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It appears Hoshino was looking to counter with a kick there.
Katajamaki with a poor takedown

and Hoshino counters by moving into the clinch.
Katajamaki prevents a body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino misses with the head strike.
Katajamaki tries for a takedown. No joy.

Katajamaki wants the takedown. Hoshino is fighting it off but Katajamaki persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hoshino's guard against the cage.

Hoshino manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Katajamaki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hoshino fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hoshino is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Hoshino scores with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hoshino instigates a clinch.
Katajamaki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Katajamaki can't get the takedown.
Hoshino scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hoshino has a couple of punches blocked by Katajamaki.
Katajamaki blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
Katajamaki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hoshino after a bit of a struggle.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hoshino.
Hoshino tries to throw a body punch but Katajamaki avoids it by throwing Hoshino back against the cage.
Hoshino gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Katajamaki.
Katajamaki is trying to drag Hoshino to the mat but Hoshino just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hoshino lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Katajamaki backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino tries to throw a body punch but Katajamaki avoids it by throwing Hoshino back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Katajamaki looking for a takedown.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hoshino gets underhooks to prevent Katajamaki's takedown attempt.
Katajamaki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hoshino avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hoshino lands a right hand that snaps the head of Katajamaki backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right from Hoshino on the inside.
Hoshino prevents the takedown attempt.
Hoshino tries to work over Katajamaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Katajamaki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Katajamaki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hoshino lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hoshino presses Katajamaki against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hoshino lands with a right to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuuji Hoshino dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hoshino clinches up against the cage.
Katajamaki looking for a takedown.
Hoshino struggles to land a body shot inside as Katajamaki controls his hands.
Hoshino is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Katajamaki can do to turn this around?
Katajamaki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hoshino pulls his leg out and moves away.
Katajamaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Yuuji Hoshino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Katajamaki.
Katajamaki moves out of range as Hoshino strikes.
Katajamaki shoots in looking for a takedown. Hoshino tries to sprawl out of it but Katajamaki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hoshino manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoshino stuffs the takedown.
Hoshino doesn't manage to clinch there - Katajamaki circles away.
Hoshino keeps the fight on the outside.
Katajamaki takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Katajamaki shoots for a takedown but Hoshino saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Katajamaki.

Katajamaki moves into range and clinches up with Hoshino.
Hoshino misses with a body punch.
Katajamaki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hoshino is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Katajamaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hoshino gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A shot in the inside from Hoshino.
Hoshino gets through Katajamaki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Katajamaki wants a takedown.
Hoshino taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki takes a shot to the head.
Katajamaki wants to take the fight to the mat but Hoshino manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hoshino scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hoshino misses with the head strike.
Hoshino is pressed up against the cage. Katajamaki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hoshino down to the mat. Hoshino avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hoshino leaves Katajamaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Hoshino closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoshino misses with a punch on the inside.
Hoshino swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Hoshino on the inside.
Hoshino gets underhooks to prevent Katajamaki's takedown attempt.
A head punch on the inside from Katajamaki fails to land.
A short right from Hoshino.
Hoshino throws a head punch that misses.
Yuuji Hoshino has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hoshino lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino throws a punch but it's blocked by Katajamaki.
Katajamaki blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
Katajamaki is working for takedown but Hoshino is calmly controlling the position for now.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoshino creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Katajamaki is working for takedown but Hoshino is calmly controlling the position for now.
Katajamaki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Katajamaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Hoshino uses good head movement to avoid it.
Katajamaki tries for a takedown but Hoshino manages to get underhooks.
Hoshino lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Katajamaki backwards.
Hoshino prevents the takedown attempt.
Katajamaki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Katajamaki goes for a takedown attempt but Hoshino pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Katajamaki is breathing heavily.
Katajamaki looks for a takedown but Hoshino sprawls well.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hoshino sprawls well. Hoshino wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Katajamaki gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Hoshino as he connects with a hook.
Katajamaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hoshino tries to avoid it but Katajamaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hoshino to the ground. Hoshino escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hoshino is looking to counter the offense by Katajamaki and move into the clinch.
Hoshino lands a high kick!

It looks like Ari Katajamaki has been cut.
Yuuji Hoshino is winning the standup battle so far.
Katajamaki walks into a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoshino looks to throw the jab but Katajamaki is out of range.
Katajamaki tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Katajamaki has a takedown stuffed.
Hoshino throws a body shot but no joy.
Hoshino throws a one two combo.

Katajamaki is rocked!
Hoshino displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Katajamaki.
Hoshino is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuuji Hoshino dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ari Katajamaki's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Katajamaki misses with a takedown attempt - Hoshino sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Katajamaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hoshino as he jumps to the side.
Hoshino thinks about countering with a body kick.
Yuuji Hoshino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Katajamaki.
Hoshino stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hoshino wants it to stay on the feet.
Katajamaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hoshino tries to avoid it but Katajamaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hoshino to the ground. Hoshino escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Katajamaki closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hoshino's guard.
Katajamaki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hoshino avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hoshino wants to stand up but Katajamaki is controlling him.
Katajamaki wants to control from the top but Hoshino keeps moving.
Ari Katajamaki has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hoshino wriggles free and stands up.
Hoshino leaves Katajamaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hoshino scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hoshino as he avoids it easily.
Hoshino moves in looking to clinch but Katajamaki pushes him off.
Hoshino scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A jab lands there for Hoshino.

Hoshino moves into the clinch.

Katajamaki tightens his grip and picks Hoshino up, before dumping him to the ground. Hoshino manages to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hoshino manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hoshino.
Katajamaki wants to take the fight to the mat but Hoshino manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Katajamaki creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hoshino lands with a short shot to the head.
Katajamaki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hoshino avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Katajamaki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hoshino fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hoshino throws a head kick that half lands.
Katajamaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd cheers as Hoshino lands an impressive looking overhand right. Katajamaki doesn't seem phased though.
Katajamaki takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hoshino displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Katajamaki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino thows a left - swing and a miss!
Both fighters circling a little - Hoshino finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Hoshino closes the distance and pushes Katajamaki back into the cage.
Katajamaki takes a shot to the head.
Katajamaki is looking for a takedown.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hoshino.
Katajamaki is still on wobbly legs! Can Hoshino finish him?
Katajamaki has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hoshino seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Katajamaki can turn it around.
Hoshino gets underhooks to prevent Katajamaki's takedown attempt.
Katajamaki seems to have recovered his senses.
Hoshino lands a right hand.
Katajamaki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hoshino is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hoshino tries to work over Katajamaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hoshino lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hoshino.
Hoshino stops a takedown attempt from Katajamaki.
Hoshino lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Katajamaki or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Hoshino.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hoshino holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hoshino stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hoshino lands a shot to the body.
Katajamaki takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hoshino lands a left hand.
Hoshino holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hoshino throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Katajamakis head.
Ari Katajamaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yuuji Hoshino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A short left from Hoshino.
Katajamaki is looking for a takedown.
Hoshino lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Katajamaki backwards.

Katajamaki has Hoshino pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Katajamaki pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hoshino tumbling to the mat - Katajamaki dives into Hoshino's guard.
Katajamaki prevents Hoshino from getting back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuuji Hoshino showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hoshino 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:26
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:26
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:26

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