PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Lindberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryuuken Hoshikawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ryuuken Hoshikawa was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Lindberg
vs
Hoshikawa

184 cm
23
199 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
26
197 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matt Lindberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryuuken Hoshikawa!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindberg on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Lindberg tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoshikawa was well out of range. Poor timing from Lindberg.
Lindberg on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hoshikawa avoids the body shot from Lindberg.
Lindberg takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hoshikawa lands a front kick.
Lindberg takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hoshikawa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lindberg. Hoshikawa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hoshikawa pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lindberg is out of range and Hoshikawa settles back down.
Hoshikawa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lindberg swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A head kick misses from Hoshikawa.
Good exchange - Lindberg coming out on top.
Hoshikawa swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Lindberg circles away from the clinch attempt.

Lindberg gets tackled into the cage by Hoshikawa. Hoshikawa maintains the clinch.
Hoshikawa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lindberg lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hoshikawa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshikawa crunches a lovely knee into Lindberg's ribcage.
Lindberg is breathing heavily.
Hoshikawa misses with a knee strike.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshikawa crunches a lovely knee into Lindberg's ribcage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hoshikawa obliges.
Hoshikawa tries a knee to the head but Lindberg blocks it.
Hoshikawa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lindbergs head.
Hoshikawa connects with a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa working Lindberg over with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoshikawa holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Lindberg tries to land a knee to the head but Hoshikawa blocks with his arms.
Hoshikawa leaning against his opponent.
Hoshikawa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lindberg's face.
Hoshikawa is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hoshikawa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lindberg has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoshikawa trying to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa stalling against the cage.
Hoshikawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lindberg throws an elbow but misses.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshikawa pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hoshikawa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hoshikawa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lindberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hoshikawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshikawa with a knee to the head.
Lindberg misses with an elbow strike.
Hoshikawa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lindberg is defending well for now.
Lindberg tries to land a knee to the head but Hoshikawa blocks with his arms.
Lindberg blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hoshikawa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lindberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hoshikawa blocks it with crossed arms.
Hoshikawa just leaning against Lindberg, taking a breather.
Hoshikawa unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hoshikawa is trying to maintain a safe position but Lindberg gets an underhook and turns Hoshikawa into the cage.
Hoshikawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the body.
Lindberg throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lindberg throws an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshikawa lands a knee to the head.
Lindberg tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa controlling the action here for a moment.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lindberg throws an elbow but misses.
Lindberg trying to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa crunches a lovely knee into Lindberg's ribcage.
Lindberg managing to block the knees to the body from Hoshikawa.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Hoshikawa blocks it.
Hoshikawa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa with a knee to the head.
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa tries to land knees in the clinch but Lindberg avoids the damage to the body.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Hoshikawa blocks it.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the head.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshikawa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four 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.
Hoshikawa blocks the elbow strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lindberg as Hoshikawa tries to tie him up.
Lindberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hoshikawa blocks it with crossed arms.
Hoshikawa looking to throw knees to the head but Lindberg is blocking nicely.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Lindberg.
Hoshikawa leaning against his opponent.
Hoshikawa tries to land a knee to the head but Lindberg blocks with his arms.
Lindberg missing with knees to the body.
Hoshikawa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hoshikawa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lindberg is defending well for now.
Lindberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hoshikawa blocks it with crossed arms.
Hoshikawa lands a knee to the body.
Lindberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hoshikawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoshikawa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lindberg has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lindberg lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hoshikawa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lindberg in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hoshikawa blocks an elbow strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hoshikawa connects with a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The referee calls for Hoshikawa to work.
Lindberg looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hoshikawa gets through Lindberg's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuuken Hoshikawa dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hoshikawa lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Lindberg throws out a loose jab but Hoshikawa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lindberg drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hoshikawa looks to land a combination but Lindberg avoids it well.
Lindberg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A bone on bone clash there as Lindberg blocks the leg kick.
Hoshikawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lindberg moves away.
Hoshikawa lands with a nice body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hoshikawa. That's going to slow Lindberg down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoshikawa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hoshikawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Lindberg swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lindberg. Hoshikawa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hoshikawa throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hoshikawa throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshikawa explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hoshikawa lands a nice hook to Lindberg's body. Lindberg takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ryuuken Hoshikawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hoshikawa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lindberg waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa blocks a head kick by Lindberg.
Ryuuken Hoshikawa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A good leg kick by Hoshikawa.
A head kick misses from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa throws a head kick that misses
and Lindberg counters with a big head kick but Hoshikawa shrugs it off.
Hoshikawa moves out of range as Lindberg strikes.
Hoshikawa wants to clinch
and Lindberg counters with a stiff right hand.
Hoshikawa misses with a leg kick
and Lindberg counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hoshikawa, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hoshikawa forces Lindberg back against the cage and clinches.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa managing to block the knees to the body from Lindberg.
Lindberg looking to throw knees to the head but Hoshikawa is blocking nicely.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Hoshikawa blocks it.
Hoshikawa lands a knee to the head.
Lindberg lands an elbow inside that Hoshikawa shrugs off.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoshikawa avoiding damage.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa dodges an elbow strike from Lindberg.
Hoshikawa scores with a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa avoids a wild elbow strike from Lindberg.
Hoshikawa is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Lindberg managing to block the knees to the body from Hoshikawa.
Ryuuken Hoshikawa seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshikawa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hoshikawa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lindberg has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoshikawa misses with a knee to the head.
Lindberg scores a nice knee to the body.
Hoshikawa managing to block the knees to the body from Lindberg.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshikawa blocks an elbow strike.
Lindberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hoshikawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lindberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hoshikawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoshikawa lands a good knee to the midsection. Lindberg won't want to take too many of those.
Hoshikawa avoids the elbow strike from Lindberg, against the cage.
Hoshikawa misses with a knee to the head.
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lindberg misses with an elbow over the top.
Hoshikawa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lindberg blocks it with crossed arms.
Lindberg misses with a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hoshikawa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hoshikawa digs a right hand into Lindberg's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lindberg's gas tank.
Hoshikawa scores a nice knee to the body.
Hoshikawa misses with a knee strike.
Lindberg misses with a knee strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa throws a knee to the head but misses.

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.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lindberg throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hoshikawa lands a nice shot to the body.
Lindberg managing to block the knees to the body from Hoshikawa.
Lindberg misses with a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lindberg or not.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lindberg as Hoshikawa tries to tie him up.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Hoshikawa blocks it.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa crunches a lovely knee into Lindberg's ribcage.
Hoshikawa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa gets through Lindberg's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hoshikawa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lindberg.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoshikawa working Lindberg over with knees to the body.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the head.
Hoshikawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuuken Hoshikawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Lindberg. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lindberg.
Lindberg has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hoshikawa.

Hoshikawa forces Lindberg back against the cage and clinches.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lindberg.
Hoshikawa lands a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa tries a knee to the head but Lindberg blocks it.
Lindberg misses with a knee strike.
Hoshikawa connects with a knee to the head.
Lindberg tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hoshikawa avoids it.
Hoshikawa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lindberg has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lindberg tries to land a knee to the head but Hoshikawa blocks with his arms.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the head.
Hoshikawa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but Hoshikawa blocks it.
Lindberg misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hoshikawa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lindberg has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lindberg is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hoshikawa is defending well for now.
A bit of stalling here from Hoshikawa.
Lindberg on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lindberg tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshikawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the head.
Lindberg is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa scores a nice knee to the body.
Lindberg misses with a knee to the head.
Lindberg trying to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hoshikawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lindberg lands a nice knee to the body.
Hoshikawa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Lindberg.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lindberg is keeping busy.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short uppercut from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hoshikawa stalling in the clinch.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lindberg blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lindberg looking to throw knees to the head but Hoshikawa is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hoshikawa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lindberg's face.
Lindberg using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lindberg creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hoshikawa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoshikawa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lindberg blocks it with crossed arms.
Lindberg throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hoshikawa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lindberg throws an elbow that misses.
Lindberg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hoshikawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoshikawa lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lindberg or not.
Hoshikawa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lindberg blocks it with crossed arms.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoshikawa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa is trying to stall.
Hoshikawa dodges an elbow strike from Lindberg.
Lindberg trying to land knees to the body.
Lindberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hoshikawa blocks it with crossed arms.
Hoshikawa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hoshikawa tries to land knees in the clinch but Lindberg avoids the damage to the body.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the head.
Lindberg looking to throw knees to the head but Hoshikawa is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshikawa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hoshikawa avoiding damage as Lindberg throws knees to the body.
Lindberg trying to land knees to the body.
A short right from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Lindberg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoshikawa is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hoshikawa lands a nice knee to the body.
Hoshikawa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lindberg looking to throw knees to the head but Hoshikawa is blocking nicely.
Lindberg looking to throw knees to the head but Hoshikawa is blocking nicely.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshikawa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Lindberg takes a knee to the side of the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Lindberg just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hoshikawa's brow.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa trying to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa tries to land knees in the clinch but Lindberg avoids the damage to the body.

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.
Hoshikawa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lindberg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshikawa lands a nice knee to the body.
Hoshikawa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ryuuken Hoshikawa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa landing knees to the head.
Hoshikawa tries to stall but Lindberg uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Matt Lindberg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lindberg throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lindberg in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lindberg takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lindberg with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa stalling in the clinch.
Lindberg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lindberg managing to block the knees to the body from Hoshikawa.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hoshikawa swings wildly with an uppercut but Lindberg uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lindberg creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Lindberg misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hoshikawa.
Lindberg being controlled against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryuuken Hoshikawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hoshikawa 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryuuken Hoshikawa!