PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Assange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaoto Nojihiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Assange has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Assange
vs
Nojihiro

176 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, James Assange!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kaoto Nojihiro!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Assange scores with a shot to the body.
Nojihiro tries for a takedown but Assange sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nojihiro shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nojihiro has a takedown stuffed.
James Assange has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoto Nojihiro.
Nojihiro takes one to the side of the head.
Assange lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Assange with a hook.
Nojihiro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Assange slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nojihiro fails with a takedown attempt.
Nojihiro looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nojihiro closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Nojihiro stands up.
Assange lands a jab-cross combination.
Assange scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Assange checks the leg kick nicely there.
Assange throws a combination. Nojihiro tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Nojihiro takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Good standup being displayed there by Assange as he connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assange paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nojihiro walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Assange checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kaoto Nojihiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nojihiro ducks right into an uppercut from Assange.
A punch lands to the side of Nojihiro 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Assange lands a slapping body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nojihiro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Assange sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
James Assange is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Assange lands with a nice body punch.
Assange lands a jab to Nojihiro's midsection.
No luck for Nojihiro with that takedown attempt.
Nojihiro doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nojihiro tries to move into range but Assange moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Assange lands an overhand right.
Assange scores with a jab to the body.
Assange lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nojihiro ducks right into an uppercut from Assange.
Assange displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Assange connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Assange connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Assange bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nojihiro closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Assange darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Nojihiro gets a takedown into half guard.
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!
Assange wants to control but Nojihiro is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Assange tries to roll over but Nojihiro keeps him under control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nojihiro stops Assange from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Assange dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Assange dips to his left and cracks Nojihiro with an uppercut!
Assange listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Assange jabs Nojihiro right on the nose. Nojihiro blinks but takes it well.
Assange keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Assange dips to his left and cracks Nojihiro with an uppercut!
Assange lands with a good body shot.
Assange lands with an uppercut that bounces Nojihiro off the cage and back into rage.
Nojihiro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nojihiro has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nojihiro there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nojihiro takes one on the button.
Nojihiro is breathing heavily.
Nojihiro has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nojihiro there as he acknowledges the shot.
Assange cracks Nojihiro with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nojihiro tries to close the distance and clinch up but Assange swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Assange fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice jab there from Assange.
Assange scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nojihiro doesn't seem bothered though.
Nojihiro shoots in for a double leg but Assange sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Assange fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nojihiro looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nojihiro throws a push kick but Assange slaps the foot to one side.
Nojihiro misses with a body punch
and Assange counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nojihiro walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Nojihiro fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Assange sprawls well initially but Nojihiro persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Assange is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Assange tries to kick Nojihiro off but Nojihiro keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nojihiro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Assange keeps working.
Assange wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assange tries to get to full guard but Nojihiro has control of the leg.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nojihiro shoots in but no luck this time.
James Assange has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoto Nojihiro.
Assange darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's four 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.
Nojihiro walks into a straight right hand from Assange.
Assange connects with a crisp jab.
Nojihiro shoots in for a takedown but Assange shows good takedown defense.
Nojihiro has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Assange connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Assange scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nojihiro doesn't seem bothered though.
Good standup being displayed there by Assange as he connects with a hook.
Assange tests Nojihiro's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Assange works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Assange dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Assange lands with an overhand left.
Nojihiro fails to land the takedown.
A nice combination there by Assange.
Nojihiro takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Assange comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nojihiro takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nojihiro wants to clinch but Assange slips to the side
and Assange counters with a one-two to the body.

Nojihiro is rocked!
Nojihiro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Assange moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nojihiro is still on wobbly legs! Can Assange finish him?
Assange lands a glancing blow to the side of Nojihiro's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nojihiro takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nojihiro seems to have recovered his senses.
Nojihiro tries to clinch but Assange moves away
and Assange cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Assange scores with a sloppy right hand. Nojihiro should have avoided that one.
Assange connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nojihiro misses with a hook to the body
and Assange counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kaoto Nojihiro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nojihiro walks into a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Assange. That snapped Nojihiro's head back.
The fighters circling - Nojihiro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nojihiro misses with a combination
letting Assange counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assange with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Assange uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nojihiro has time to react.
Assange scores with a jab to the body.
Assange scores with a shot to the body.
Assange throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nojihiro stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nojihiro takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Assange cracks Nojihiro with a good jab.
Assange lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nojihiro at a distance.
Assange lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nojihiro on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Assange wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
James Assange is winning the standup battle so far.
Assange lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nojihiro at a distance.
Assange ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Assange is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nojihiro can do to turn this around?
Assange scores with a jab.
Assange fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nojihiro looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Assange fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Assange lands a head shot.
Assange scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Assange getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assange scores with a sloppy right hand. Nojihiro should have avoided that one.
Assange scores with a body shot.
Nojihiro will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
James Assange is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nojihiro takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nojihiro takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Assange lands a slapping body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Assange, as that shot connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Assange throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kaoto Nojihiro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice shot lands for Assange.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Assange showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Assange, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:26
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:26
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Assange!