PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Haye (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rufus Hitzlspergher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Haye
vs
Hitzlspergher

196 cm
20
209 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

188 cm
20
200 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Evil Spirit Clothing Co. (KOF partner)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, David Haye!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rufus Hitzlspergher!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haye waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hitzlspergher.
Haye misses with a double jab.
Hitzlspergher is looking to score with low kicks.
Hitzlspergher throws a hook to the side of Haye's head but Haye sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hitzlspergher tries to land a leg kick but Haye saw it coming and moves away.
Haye showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hitzlspergher.
Haye connects with a right hand. Hitzlspergher shakes it off.

Haye drops Hitzlspergher with a beautiful combination! Hitzlspergher stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Haye is looking for the KO!

Hitzlspergher is rocked!
Haye misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hitzlspergher is still on wobbly legs! Can Haye finish him?
Hitzlspergher thuds his right hand into Haye's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hitzlspergher seems to have recovered his senses.

It looks like David Haye has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hitzlspergher throws a hook but Haye avoids it easily.
Haye thows a left - swing and a miss!
Haye showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hitzlspergher.
Haye throws a series of punches but Hitzlspergher moves out of range.
Hitzlspergher moves away from the strike by Haye.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Haye looks to land a left hand but Hitzlspergher moved out of range nicely.
Hitzlspergher throws a hook to the side of Haye's head but Haye sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hitzlspergher swinging wildly here.
Haye throws a hook but Hitzlspergher avoids it easily.
A combination from Hitzlspergher does no damage.
Hitzlspergher bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Haye's head backwards.
Haye looks to throw the jab but Hitzlspergher is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haye on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nice cross by Haye.
Hitzlspergher throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haye.
Hitzlspergher lands a lovely overhand right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haye scores with a hook.
Hitzlspergher checks a low kick from Haye.

Hitzlspergher drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hitzlspergher throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hitzlspergher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haye is keeping the position for now.

Hitzlspergher drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hitzlspergher jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hitzlspergher looks gassed!
Haye wants to stand and escape but Hitzlspergher is having none of it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Hitzlspergher wants to control from the top but Haye keeps moving.
Haye is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hitzlspergher is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Haye waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hitzlspergher.
Haye's corner calls for a 1-2. Haye obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Haye slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
David Haye seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haye dodges the punch combination from Hitzlspergher.
Haye is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hitzlspergher cracks Haye with a right hand to the side of the head.
A punch combination from Hitzlspergher misses.
David Haye is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hitzlspergher slips a straight right by Haye.
Hitzlspergher cracks Haye with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Hitzlspergher looks to land a combination but Haye avoids it well.
Hitzlspergher misses with a series of wild punches.
Haye throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Haye tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hitzlspergher was well out of range. Poor timing from Haye.
Hitzlspergher throws a leg kick but Haye sees it coming and moves out of range.
Haye avoids the body shot from Hitzlspergher.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Haye throws a jab but it's blocked by Hitzlspergher.
A punch combination from Haye misses.
Hitzlspergher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
No joy there for Hitzlspergher, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hitzlspergher misses the shot to the body.
Hitzlspergher misses the jab.
Hitzlspergher swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Haye blocks a jab.
Hitzlspergher shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Haye but Haye pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Haye tries to clinch there but Hitzlspergher circles away.
Hitzlspergher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Haye connects with a right hand. Hitzlspergher shakes it off.
Hitzlspergher misses with a combination
and Haye counters with a right hand to the body.
Haye throws a wild body kick that Hitzlspergher sees coming a mile off.
Hitzlspergher misses with a straight right.
Hitzlspergher takes a swing at Haye's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Haye throws out a leg kick but Hitzlspergher moves out of range and Haye only half commits.
A swing and a miss from Haye.
Hitzlspergher throws a combination. Haye tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hitzlspergher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hitzlspergher walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Haye takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A combination from Haye does no damage.
Hitzlspergher lands a nice looking body shot.
Haye moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hitzlspergher walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Haye checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hitzlspergher blocks a jab.
Haye looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Haye misses with an uppercut. Hitzlspergher saw that one coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitzlspergher throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haye.
Haye throws a predictable looking body shot
and Hitzlspergher makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hitzlspergher misses with a two punch combination.
Haye ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hitzlspergher moves away.
Hitzlspergher is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Haye had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Haye is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hitzlspergher.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Hitzlspergher dominated that round.
The cut man is working on David Haye's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A slow jab from Hitzlspergher misses its intended target.
Hitzlspergher ducks right into an uppercut from Haye.
A swing and a miss from Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hitzlspergher fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Haye displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hitzlspergher throws out the jab.
Haye throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hitzlspergher stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A jab from Haye misses.
Haye throws out a loose jab but Hitzlspergher uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hitzlspergher throws an overhand right that lands on Haye's shoulder, as Haye tries to avoid the shot.
Hitzlspergher shoots in and drives through. Haye sprawls well.
Nice defenses there by Hitzlspergher.
Haye throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Haye throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Haye closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hitzlspergher rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Haye moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Haye lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Haye.
Haye jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hitzlspergher avoids the body shot from Haye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haye doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hitzlspergher looks to land a combination. Haye sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Haye swings for the body but Hitzlspergher moves out of range.
Hitzlspergher fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rufus Hitzlspergher seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Haye throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hitzlspergher connects with a looping right hand.
Hitzlspergher circles away from the clinch attempt.
Haye throws a jab but it's blocked by Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Hitzlspergher.
Haye misses with an uppercut.
Haye throws the left hand but Hitzlspergher avoids the punch easily.
Haye tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Hitzlspergher counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Hitzlspergher drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hitzlspergher jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hitzlspergher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hitzlspergher forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haye blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hitzlspergher.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Haye is refusing to be controlled, as Hitzlspergher sits in half guard.
Hitzlspergher stops Haye from getting back to his feet.
Hitzlspergher lands with a punch from half guard.
Hitzlspergher has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Haye is refusing to be controlled, as Hitzlspergher sits in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hitzlspergher misses with a jab, cross combination.
Haye ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hitzlspergher moves away.
Hitzlspergher tries to bum rush Haye with a series of wild strikes but Haye uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hitzlspergher on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Haye thuds a left hand into Hitzlspergher's body.
Haye takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haye throws a lazy right hand but Hitzlspergher sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hitzlspergher throws a body punch but Haye moves out of range.
Hitzlspergher avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Haye dodges the punch combination from Hitzlspergher.
Haye misses with a body shot.
Haye steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hitzlspergher.
Haye will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Haye checks a low kick from Hitzlspergher.
Haye doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Haye throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Hitzlspergher counters with a nice uppercut.
Haye waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Haye looks to throw the jab but Hitzlspergher is out of range.
Hitzlspergher misses with a series of wild punches.
Haye wants to clinch up but Hitzlspergher keeps it at a distance.
Haye throws a jab when Hitzlspergher was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hitzlspergher throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haye.
Hitzlspergher tries to bum rush Haye with a series of wild strikes but Haye uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab from Haye misses.
Hitzlspergher swinging wildly here.
Haye catches Hitzlspergher with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Haye avoids a punch combination nicely.
Haye ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Haye clobbers Hitzlspergher with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hitzlspergher tries to bum rush Haye with a series of wild strikes but Haye uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hitzlspergher throws a right hand that Haye ducks under and follows up with a left that Haye also avoids with ease.
Hitzlspergher bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
No joy there for Hitzlspergher, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hitzlspergher moves out of range of the strikes.
Good shot there by Hitzlspergher.
Haye uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hitzlspergher.
Haye keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Hitzlspergher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on David Haye's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Haye fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hitzlspergher misses with a few strikes there.
Haye throws a hook but Hitzlspergher blocks it.
Hitzlspergher throws a series of strikes that have Haye backpedaling.
Haye fails in his attempt to clinch.
Haye misses with a hook. Hitzlspergher ducked under it nicely.
Hitzlspergher misses with a leg kick.
Haye throws a shot from downtown. Hitzlspergher moves away and avoids it.
Hitzlspergher moves out of range as Haye strikes.
Hitzlspergher swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rufus Hitzlspergher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Haye uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hitzlspergher.
Haye tries to clinch but Hitzlspergher is having none of it.

Haye rushes Hitzlspergher and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Hitzlspergher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Haye moves out of range of the leg kick from Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher throws a sloppy body shot
and Haye counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hitzlspergher steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Haye.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hitzlspergher steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Haye.
Hitzlspergher keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Haye.
Hitzlspergher walks into a left hand.
Hitzlspergher with a hook.
Haye lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Haye loads up on a big right hand but Hitzlspergher slips the punch.
Haye scores with a sloppy right hand. Hitzlspergher should have avoided that one.
Hitzlspergher misses with a looping left.
Hitzlspergher connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
No joy there for Hitzlspergher, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hitzlspergher throws a series of punches but Haye avoids them all with ease.
Haye is looking to chop away at Hitzlspergher's legs.
Hitzlspergher throws a series of punches but Haye moves out of range.
Hitzlspergher shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Haye avoids the body shot from Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haye.
Haye misses with a looping left.
Hitzlspergher steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Haye.
Hitzlspergher throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Haye stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Haye looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A combination from Hitzlspergher does no damage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Haye.
Hitzlspergher shoots in for a takedown but Haye shows good takedown defense.
Haye punishes Hitzlspergher's body with a nice straight punch.
Haye tries to clinch but Hitzlspergher moves out of range.
Hitzlspergher lands a jab.
Haye throws a shot from downtown. Hitzlspergher moves away and avoids it.
A punch combination from Hitzlspergher misses.
Haye throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hitzlspergher ducks under a wild hook from Haye.
Hitzlspergher will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Hitzlspergher drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hitzlspergher throwing strikes from guard but Haye blocks nicely.
Haye keeping moving, preventing Hitzlspergher from controlling successfully.
Haye trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Haye wants to stand but Hitzlspergher is controlling the position.
Hitzlspergher seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Haye trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hitzlspergher thuds a left hand into Haye's body.
Hitzlspergher misses with a wild combination.
Hitzlspergher misses with a jab, cross combination.
Haye tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hitzlspergher counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Haye slips a straight right by Hitzlspergher.
Nice shot lands for Haye.
Hitzlspergher swinging wildly here.
Haye throws a jab when Hitzlspergher was well out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hitzlspergher. Haye does a little dance to reset his feet.
Haye throws a body kick that misses.
Hitzlspergher falls off balance throwing a combination
and Haye connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hitzlspergher throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haye.
Rufus Hitzlspergher is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hitzlspergher moves out of range as Haye strikes.
Haye has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Haye there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hitzlspergher swinging wildly here.
Haye listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hitzlspergher throws a body punch but Haye moves out of range.
David Haye has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A telegraphed right hand from Haye misses the target.
Haye slips a jab and a cross from Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rufus Hitzlspergher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hitzlspergher winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rufus Hitzlspergher!