PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Mulligan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masaru Hirai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mulligan
vs
Hirai

186 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 12 - 0

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Max Mulligan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masaru Hirai!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Mulligan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mulligan lands a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hirai tries to circle away but Mulligan has him pinned against the cage.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
Hirai looks gassed!
Hirai tries to circle away but Mulligan has him pinned against the cage.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Masaru Hirai has been cut.
Mulligan working Hirai over with knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mulligan scores with a knee to the head.
Mulligan is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head.
Mulligan putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hirai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hirai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mulligan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mulligan landing knees to the head.

Hirai is rocked!
Hirai tries to circle away but Mulligan has him pinned against the cage.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan crunches a lovely knee into Hirai's ribcage.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Mulligan lands a nice elbow.
Mulligan just leaning against Hirai, taking a breather.
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mulligan utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head.
Mulligan lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mulligan obliges.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mulligan.
Mulligan presses Hirai against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hirai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mulligan has Hirai pressed against the cage.
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
Mulligan landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Mulligan scores with a knee to the head.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mulligan tries a knee to the head but Hirai blocks it.
Hirai working hard to break the clinch.
Hirai is trying to break free.
Mulligan lands a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mulligan obliges.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hirai managing to block the knees to the body from Mulligan.
Hirai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hirai is trying to push Mulligan away but Mulligan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hirai tries to circle away but Mulligan has him pinned against the cage.
Mulligan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mulligan lands a nice elbow.
Mulligan is working Hirai over against the cage.
Mulligan lands a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hirai changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mulligan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hirai scores with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mulligan pushes Hirai up against the cage in a clinch.
Hirai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hirai takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mulligan.
Hirai takes an elbow to the forehead.
Mulligan lands a nice elbow.
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch but Mulligan keeps him there for the moment.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Mulligan connects with a knee to the head.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nice elbow from Mulligan.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan lands an elbow that stopped Hirai in his tracks for a moment.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hirai lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hirai is trying to break free.
Hirai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mulligan crunches a lovely knee into Hirai's ribcage.
Mulligan has Hirai pressed against the cage, preventing Hirai from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mulligan gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mulligan taking a breather.
Mulligan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hirai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirai drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mulligan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mulligan lands an elbow just above Hirai 's eye.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Mulligan is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Mulligan tries to land knees in the clinch but Hirai avoids the damage to the body.
Hirai working hard to break the clinch.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mulligan is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hirai tries to break the clinch but Mulligan is controlling the position.
Hirai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mulligan has him pressed against the cage.
Hirai tries to break free but Mulligan pushes him back against the cage.
Mulligan landing knees to the body.
Mulligan lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mulligan lands a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan crunches a lovely knee into Hirai's ribcage.
Mulligan with a knee to the head.
Hirai tries to circle away but Mulligan has him pinned against the cage.
Mulligan prevents a takedown attempt there.
Max Mulligan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masaru Hirai.
Mulligan lands a nice uppercut.
Mulligan landing some nice looking knees to the body.

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.
Mulligan working Hirai over with knees to the body.
Hirai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hirai is trying to drag Mulligan to the mat but Mulligan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hirai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hirai tries to circle away but Mulligan has him pinned against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mulligan.
Hirai takes an elbow to the temple.
Stalling in the clinch from Mulligan.
Hirai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mulligan putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hirai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mulligan.
Mulligan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nice elbow from Mulligan.
Mulligan lands an elbow just above Hirai 's eye.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
Mulligan connects with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Mulligan has the dominant position.
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Mulligan is controlling him.
Mulligan connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hirai's face.
Mulligan slowing the pace effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Mulligan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Masaru Hirai's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mulligan wants to clinch up but Hirai keeps it at a distance.
Hirai avoids the head kick by Mulligan.
Hirai misses with a head kick.
Hirai throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Mulligan tries to clinch there but Hirai circles away.

Mulligan closes the distance and clinches.
Mulligan avoiding damage.
A short body shot lands from Mulligan as the two fighters clinch.
Mulligan putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hirai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Mulligan lands a knee to the body.
Mulligan landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hirai takes a shot to the head.
Hirai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mulligan connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hirai's face.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mulligan landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mulligan misses with a knee strike.
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
Hirai looking for a takedown.
Max Mulligan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mulligan lands a good knee to the midsection. Hirai won't want to take too many of those.
Mulligan is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mulligan lands a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Mulligan has the dominant position.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
Hirai wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Mulligan has him pressed against the cage.
Mulligan with a knee to the head.
Hirai tries to break free but Mulligan pushes him back against the cage.
Mulligan connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hirai's face.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hirai lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mulligan lands a damaging elbow.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Mulligan has the dominant position.
Mulligan with a knee to the head.
Mulligan lands an elbow inside that Hirai shrugs off.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Mulligan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch but Mulligan keeps him there for the moment.
Mulligan creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hirai's defenses.
Hirai tries to break free but Mulligan pushes him back against the cage.
Hirai tries to break free but Mulligan pushes him back against the cage.
Mulligan landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Mulligan keeps control of Hirai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head.
Mulligan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hirai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A knee to the head by Mulligan.
Mulligan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hirai avoids it.
Mulligan scores with a knee to the head.
Hirai working hard to break the clinch.
Mulligan using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hirai tries to break free but Mulligan pushes him back against the cage.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan looking to throw knees to the head but Hirai is blocking nicely.
Hirai on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Mulligan has the dominant position.
Mulligan working Hirai over with knees to the body.
Hirai avoiding damage as Mulligan throws knees to the body.
Mulligan prevents Hirai from breaking the clinch.
Mulligan has Hirai pressed against the cage, preventing Hirai from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mulligan landing knees to the body.
Mulligan utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mulligan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mulligan.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan tries to land knees in the clinch but Hirai avoids the damage to the body.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hirai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mulligan has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mulligan using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hirai is trying to push Mulligan away but Mulligan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mulligan lands a damaging elbow.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A knee to the head by Mulligan.
Mulligan using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mulligan prevents the takedown attempt.
Max Mulligan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masaru Hirai.
Hirai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
Mulligan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hirai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hirai wants to get back to striking at distance but Mulligan won't allow it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hirai as Mulligan tries to tie him up.
Mulligan keeps control of Hirai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mulligan stalling against the cage.
Mulligan tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hirai tries to break the clinch but Mulligan is controlling the position.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Mulligan is controlling him.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mulligan.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Mulligan working Hirai over with knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Mulligan keeps control of Hirai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mulligan putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hirai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

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.
Hirai wants to get back to striking at distance but Mulligan won't allow it.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hirai wants to get back to striking at distance but Mulligan won't allow it.
Mulligan prevents the takedown attempt.
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
Mulligan landing knees to the body.
Mulligan is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Mulligan keeps control of Hirai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mulligan landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hirai wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mulligan landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Mulligan working Hirai over with knees to the body.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mulligan lands a nice elbow.
The referee calls for Mulligan to work.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mulligan lands a body shot.
Mulligan with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hirai is trying to break free.
Mulligan slowing the pace effectively.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mulligan lands a knee to the body.
Mulligan is stalling here.
Knees to the body from Mulligan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Mulligan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Masaru Hirai's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hirai misses the jab.
Mulligan tries to close the distance and clinch but Hirai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Hirai.
Mulligan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hirai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mulligan blocks a head kick by Hirai.

Mulligan has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mulligan lands an elbow just above Hirai 's eye.
A right hook to the body lands for Mulligan.
Mulligan is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Mulligan using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Mulligan controlling the action here for a moment.
Mulligan using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nice body punch from Mulligan.
Mulligan lands a damaging elbow.
Mulligan lands a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mulligan working Hirai over with knees to the body.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hirai lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mulligan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mulligan looking to throw knees to the head but Hirai is blocking nicely.
Mulligan with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mulligan putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hirai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hirai avoiding damage as Mulligan throws knees to the body.
Hirai on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hirai avoids a wild elbow strike from Mulligan.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mulligan lands an elbow inside.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hirai wants to break free but Mulligan has control.
Mulligan will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hirai up against the cage.
Hirai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Mulligan comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hirai working hard to break the clinch.
Come on Mulligan - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hirai changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mulligan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hirai keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mulligan throws a sloppy head kick and Hirai moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Hirai.

Mulligan moves into range and clinches up with Hirai.
Mulligan utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hirai lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The referee calls for Mulligan to work.
Mulligan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hirai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A right hand to the body from Mulligan.
Mulligan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hirai letting Mulligan take a breather here.
Hirai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mulligan has him pressed against the cage.
Hirai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hirai tries to break free but Mulligan pushes him back against the cage.
Mulligan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mulligan putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hirai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch but Mulligan keeps him there for the moment.
A short right from Mulligan.
Mulligan lands a knee to the body.
Mulligan connects with a knee to the head.
Hirai is looking to break free of the clinch but Mulligan has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Mulligan has him pressed against the cage.
Mulligan scores a nice knee to the body.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Hirai tries to break the clinch but Mulligan is controlling the position.
Nice elbow from Mulligan.
Mulligan with a knee to the head.
Hirai drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mulligan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hirai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mulligan wants to clinch up but Hirai keeps it at a distance.

Mulligan takes the fight into the clinch.
Mulligan lands a nice knee to the body.
Hirai wants to get back to striking at distance but Mulligan won't allow it.
Mulligan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hirai can do to turn this around?
Hirai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mulligan tries a knee to the head but Hirai blocks it.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Mulligan has him pressed against the cage.
Mulligan crunches a lovely knee into Hirai's ribcage.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch but Mulligan keeps him there for the moment.
Mulligan is trying to stall.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Mulligan has the dominant position.

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.
Mulligan lands a nice knee to the body.
Mulligan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hirai is defending well for now.
Mulligan keeps control of Hirai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Mulligan lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hirai.
Mulligan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mulligan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mulligan missing with knees to the body.
Hirai avoiding damage as Mulligan throws knees to the body.
Mulligan keeps control of Hirai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mulligan unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hirai lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hirai tries to break free but Mulligan pushes him back against the cage.
Mulligan is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Mulligan landing knees to the head.
Hirai has Mulligan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mulligan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Max Mulligan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masaru Hirai.
Mulligan scores with a knee to the head.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mulligan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hirai's efforts to push away.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mulligan.
Hirai tries to circle away but Mulligan has him pinned against the cage.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mulligan.
Hirai wants to break free but Mulligan has control.
Hirai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Masaru Hirai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Max Mulligan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mulligan scores with a shoulder strike.
Hirai tries to break the clinch but Mulligan is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Mulligan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mulligan, 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:26
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Mulligan!