PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shuuji Hanamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier McPherson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hanamoto
vs
McPherson

186 cm
20
195 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

187 cm
23
185 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shuuji Hanamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Xavier McPherson!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Hanamoto or perhaps it was just good defense by McPherson which made him look bad.
Hanamoto closes this distance looking for a takedown but McPherson circles away.
Shuuji Hanamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hanamoto tries to clinch there but McPherson circles away.
Hanamoto looks for a takedown but McPherson sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shuuji Hanamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanamoto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McPherson as he jumps to the side.

McPherson moves into range and clinches up with Hanamoto.
Hanamoto is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
McPherson connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Shuuji Hanamoto has been cut.
Hanamoto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McPherson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McPherson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McPherson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hanamoto in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McPherson with a knee to the head.
Hanamoto is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hanamoto is breathing heavily.
McPherson lands a hook to the side of the head.

McPherson drops Hanamoto with a big knee straight up the middle! Hanamoto is covering up against the ropes but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Hanamoto is rocked!
Hanamoto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Oh Hanamoto is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
McPherson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hanamoto's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McPherson finds Hanamoto's off switch, with a big overhand right that connects perfectly to the side of the head! Hanamoto flops back against the ropes, eyes gazing into the distance. McPherson lands an unnecessary shot before the referee has time to step in and end the fight. Brutal stuff but I'm sure Hanamoto will be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:13 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Xavier McPherson!