PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Hawking (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kato Munechika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hawking's entrance music is Shady Lane. A fine choice. Munechika is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Requiem for a Dream. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hawking
vs
Munechika

168 cm
21
156 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

173 cm
21
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Stephen Hawking!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kato Munechika!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, John Kavanagh and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Hawking misses.
Stephen Hawking seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Munechika scores with a spinning back kick!
Hawking swinging wildly here.
A lazy left from Munechika finds it's target.
Munechika scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Munechika uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hawking.
Hawking is looking to clinch but Munechika is avoiding it.
Munechika takes a swing at Hawking's ribcage but misses.
Hawking missing with a left hand there. Munechika was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hawking, as that shot connected.
Hawking steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Munechika.
Hawking lands a jab-cross combination.
Hawking throws the left hand but Munechika avoids the punch easily.
Hawking lands a really nice looking cross but Munechika seems unphased.
Hawking waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Munechika.
Munechika throws a right and a left that Hawking avoids nicely.
Hawking misses with a looping left.
Munechika scores with a one two! Hawking had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Munechika throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawking doesn't manage to clinch there - Munechika circles away.
Munechika throws a looping overhand right but Hawking ducks down to avoid it.
Hawking throws a looping overhand right but Munechika ducks down to avoid it.
Hawking throws a shot from downtown. Munechika moves away and avoids it.
Munechika connects with a looping right hand.
Munechika lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hawking throws a hook but Munechika blocks it.
Hawking avoids the body shot from Munechika.
Munechika throws a hook but Hawking avoids it easily.
No joy there for Munechika, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hawking throws a hook but Munechika blocks it.
Hawking walks into a straight right hand from Munechika.
Munechika misses with a few strikes there.
Munechika swats away the attempt to clinch by Hawking.
Hawking misses with a shot to the body
and Munechika makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Munechika ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hawking is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hawking just misses with a punch to the body.
Munechika displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hawking throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawking slips a jab and a cross from Munechika.
Hawking misses with a hook. Munechika ducked under it nicely.
Hawking misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stephen Hawking is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hawking thows a left - swing and a miss!
Munechika bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Munechika staying out of range there.
Munechika slips a jab from Hawking.
Hawking throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Munechika sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Munechika walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hawking.
Munechika throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hawking's head.
Munechika uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hawking.
The fighters circling - Hawking throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Munechika closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Munechika slips a nice elbow through Hawking's hands, connecting with Hawking's forehead.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Munechika wants to free his trapped foot but Hawking is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Munechika drops an elbow to the side of Hawking's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munechika not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hawking is trying to maintain the position but Munechika is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hawking makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hawking.
Munechika won't allow Hawking to sweep him here.
Hawking can't keep his opponent in guard - Munechika advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Munechika has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hawking moves into full guard.
Munechika stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hawking swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hawking wants to stand and escape but Munechika is having none of it.
Munechika in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hawking keeping full guard, as Munechika tries to pass.
Munechika scoring with punches to the head and body.
Munechika is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Munechika throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hawking wants to sweep but no luck.
Munechika working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hawking keeping full guard, as Munechika tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kato Munechika dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Munechika thuds his right hand into Hawking's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hawking misses with a straight right.
Munechika on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Munechika takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hawking smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Munechika staying out of range there.
Hawking swings for the body but Munechika moves out of range.
Hawking lands with a nice body kick.
Hawking drops his hands momentarily and Munechika takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Munechika moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Munechika ducks under a wild hook from Hawking.
Hawking scores with a push kick.
Good exchange - Munechika coming out on top.
Hawking throws out a loose jab but Munechika uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hawking moves into range and connects with a jab.
Munechika takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A big right from Munechika misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawking checks a low kick from Munechika.
Munechika ducks right into an uppercut from Hawking.
Hawking misses the jab.
Munechika uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hawking.
A slow jab from Munechika misses its intended target.
Hawking misses with a kick to the body.
Hawking looks to land a right hand but Munechika moved out of range.
Hawking swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hawking blocks a head kick by Munechika.
Hawking missing with a left hand there. Munechika was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hawking with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Munechika to score with a decent uppercut.
Munechika ducks under a wild hook from Hawking.
Hawking misses with an uppercut. Munechika saw that one coming.
Hawking misses with a looping left.
A combination from Hawking does no damage.
Hawking throws a jab but it's blocked by Munechika.
Munechika scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Munechika scores with a sloppy right hand. Hawking should have avoided that one.
Hawking scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Munechika slips a jab from Hawking.
Hawking throws a jab when Munechika was well out of range.
Hawking swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hawking moves in looking to clinch but Munechika pushes him off.
Hawking misses with an uppercut. Munechika saw that one coming.
Hawking bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Munechika's head backwards.
A low kick from Hawking misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Munechika ducks under a wild hook from Hawking.
Hawking tries a head kick but it misses.
Hawking misses with a looping left.
Hawking throws a jab but it's blocked by Munechika.
Hawking throws a jab but it's blocked by Munechika.
Hawking looks to throw the jab but Munechika is out of range.
Hawking misses with a wild combination.
Hawking dodges the punch combination from Munechika.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munechika uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hawking.
Munechika with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hawking to score with a decent uppercut.
Hawking keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hawking avoids a punch combination nicely.
A slow jab from Munechika misses its intended target.
Hawking lands with a right hand.
Munechika avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hawking swings for the body but Munechika moves out of range.
Hawking throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hawking jabs Munechika right on the nose. Munechika blinks but takes it well.
Hawking looks to land a left hand but Munechika moved out of range nicely.
Kato Munechika seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hawking misses with a few strikes there.
Munechika moves out of range as Hawking strikes.
Munechika wants to land a leg kick but Hawking is out of range.
Munechika fails with a takedown attempt.

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.
Munechika on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hawking motions for Munechika to come forward. Hawking throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hawking swings for the body but Munechika moves out of range.
Munechika throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Good work by Hawking as he checks the leg kick.
Munechika lands a jab to Hawking's midsection.
Munechika lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheers as Hawking lands an impressive looking overhand right. Munechika doesn't seem phased though.
Hawking scores with a shot to the body.
Hawking slips under a jab.
Munechika misses with a hook. Hawking ducked under it nicely.
Hawking misses with a jab to the body
and Munechika counters with a stiff right hand.
Hawking thumps Munechika with a low kick.
Hawking throws out a loose jab but Munechika uses good head movement to avoid it.
Munechika displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hawking throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kato Munechika will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Munechika slips under a jab from Hawking.
Munechika has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hawking finds it's way round the side to connect with Munechika's head.
Munechika slips under a jab from Hawking.
Munechika takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Munechika misses with a wild combination.
Hawking getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Munechika throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Munechika thows a body shot but no joy.
Hawking thows a leg kick but Munechika checks it
and Munechika counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hawking jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hawking is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Munechika.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Munechika takes a jab right on the kisser.
Munechika shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hawking as he jumps to the side.
Munechika avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Munechika uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hawking.
Munechika slips a straight right by Hawking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Hawking misses the target.
Hawking misses with a low kick.
Hawking stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Munechika uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hawking.
Hawking missing with a left hand there. Munechika was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Munechika takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Munechika closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hawking throws a lazy right hand but Munechika sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Munechika feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hawking's calf.
Hawking throws a hook but Munechika avoids it easily.
Hawking throws out a loose jab but Munechika uses good head movement to avoid it.
Munechika takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Munechika just misses with a punch to the body.
Munechika scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Munechika defending well as Hawking loads up on a big left hand.
Hawking throws a jab when Munechika was well out of range.
Hawking throws a shot from downtown. Munechika moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Munechika checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hawking jabs Munechika right on the nose. Munechika blinks but takes it well.
Munechika checks a leg kick.
Hawking misses with a body punch
enabling Munechika to counter with a crisp jab.
Munechika swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Munechika uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hawking.
Hawking misses with an attempted mid kick.
Munechika smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hawking darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hawking chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Munechika can pounce on him.
Munechika uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hawking.
Nice defenses there by Munechika.
Munechika takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hawking lands the left hand.
Hawking connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hawking throws a shot from downtown. Munechika moves away and avoids it.
Hawking wants to clinch but Munechika slips to the side
and Munechika counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawking lands a jab to the head.
Nice straight punches there by Hawking. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hawking.
Hawking misses with an uppercut. Munechika saw that one coming.
Hawking misses with an uppercut. Munechika saw that one coming.
Hawking misses with a shot to the body
and Munechika counters with an inside leg kick.
Hawking leaves Munechika with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Munechika throws out a leg kick but Hawking moves out of range and Munechika only half commits.
Hawking throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hawking takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Munechika ducks under a wild hook from Hawking.
Hawking throws a looping overhand right but Munechika ducks down to avoid it.
Hawking connects with the punch.
Munechika lands a nice shot to the body.

Hawking rushes Munechika and presses him up against the cage.
Hawking is trying to stall.
Nice body punch from Munechika - that landed with a thud.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawking taking a breather.
Munechika trying to stall but Hawking improves his position.
Munechika has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Munechika working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Hawking.
Munechika lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hawking is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Munechika is defending well for now.
Hawking struggles to land a body shot inside as Munechika controls his hands.
Hawking looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hawking unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A hook to the body from Munechika.
Munechika stalling.
A body shot lands from Munechika.
Nice elbow from Munechika.
Munechika lands a shoulder strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Munechika lands a body punch.
Munechika leaning against his opponent.
A short body shot lands from Munechika as the two fighters clinch.
Munechika lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Munechika drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stephen Hawking has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kato Munechika.
Munechika lands a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Munechika lands an elbow inside that Hawking shrugs off.
Munechika lands a body punch.
Hawking misses with a punch on the inside.
Stephen Hawking has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Munechika makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Munechika on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kato Munechika comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Munechika has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kato Munechika!