PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Kingston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tsubasa Hongo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kingston has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. 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?

Kingston
vs
Hongo

200 cm
23
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
25
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyle Kingston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tsubasa Hongo!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hongo looks for a takedown but Kingston sprawls well.
Kingston is breathing heavily.
Kingston throws a series of punches but Hongo moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Kingston.
Hongo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Hongo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kingston, pushing him back against the cage.

Hongo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hongo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hongo pulls Kingston in close to his closed guard and prevents Kingston from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kingston is looking to stand up but Hongo won't let him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hongo has Kingston pulled in close to control his posture.
Kingston wants to stand but Hongo is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kingston trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hongo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Hongo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kingston off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Hongo fails with a takedown attempt.
Kingston misses with a combination

and Hongo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hongo performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingston looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hongo tries to stand and escape but Kingston is controlling the position.
Hongo stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingston looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hongo controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hongo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hongo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Hongo seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hongo has managed to clinch.
A short body shot lands from Hongo as the two fighters clinch.
Hongo can't get the takedown.

Hongo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hongo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kingston.
Hongo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kingston tries to avoid it but Hongo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kingston to the ground. Kingston escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hongo is defended easily by Kingston.
Kyle Kingston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tsubasa Hongo.
Kingston throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kingston throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hongo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hongo takes the fight into the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hongo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kingston wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingston tries to break the clinch but Hongo is controlling the position.

Hongo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kingston swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hongo counters with a head kick.
Kingston throws a nice looking combination but Hongo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hongo dives in and grabs Kingston's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kingston pushes down on Hongo's head and hops out.
Hongo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kingston.
Kingston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hongo circles away quickly and effectively.

Hongo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Come on Hongo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hongo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kingston tries to break the clinch but Hongo is controlling the position.
Hongo blocking some punches.

Hongo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Some wild striking there from Kingston.

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.
Kingston swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Hongo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kingston's guard.
Hongo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hongo trying to control but Kingston is working from the bottom.
Kingston keeping full guard, as Hongo tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingston keeping moving, preventing Hongo from controlling successfully.
Kingston on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kingston tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hongo stops Kingston from standing up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Hongo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kingston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hongo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tsubasa Hongo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kingston misses with the combination.
Hongo works the jab nicely.
Hongo scores with a head kick.

Hongo clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short left from Hongo.
Kingston has had enough of the clinch but Hongo keeps him there for the moment.
Hongo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kingston has had enough of the clinch but Hongo keeps him there for the moment.
Kingston working hard to break the clinch.
Kingston is trying to break the clinch but Hongo is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kingston wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Hongo breaks from the clinch.
Kingston misses with a combination
and Hongo counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hongo fails with the takedown.
Hongo shoots in for a takedown but Kingston shows good takedown defense.
Hongo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kingston throws a right and a left that Hongo avoids nicely.
Hongo misses with a wild body shot.
Kingston throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hongo counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kingston is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kingston throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hongo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Hongo decides to return to a standing position.
Kingston misses with the combination.
Hongo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kingston as he jumps to the side.
Kyle Kingston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tsubasa Hongo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hongo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hongo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kingston is refusing to be controlled, as Hongo sits in half guard.
Well, if Hongo is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hongo thows a huge punch but Kingston dodges it nicely.
Hongo is taking a breather. Kingston says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kingston tries to kick Hongo off but Hongo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

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.

Hongo decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Kyle Kingston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hongo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kingston tries to avoid it but Hongo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kingston to the ground. Kingston escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kingston walks into a left hand.
Kingston falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hongo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hongo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kingston does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tsubasa Hongo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hongo 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tsubasa Hongo!