PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zhen Long (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masaru Hirai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Long has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Long
vs
Hirai

181 cm
26
190 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 14 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

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 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zhen Long!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masaru Hirai!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirai misses with a head kick.
Nice defenses there by Long.
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Long doesn't manage to clinch there - Hirai circles away.
Hirai throws a sloppy head kick and Long moves out of range easily.
Hirai misses with a head kick.
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Long blocks a head kick by Hirai.
Hirai keeps the fight on the outside.
Hirai throws a sloppy head kick and Long moves out of range easily.

Long has managed to clinch.
Long is breathing heavily.
Hirai tries to circle away but Long has him pinned against the cage.
Long prevents Hirai from breaking the clinch.
Long keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hirai's efforts to push away.
Hirai avoiding damage as Long throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Long prevents Hirai from breaking the clinch.
Hirai working hard to break the clinch.

Hirai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hirai moves out of range of the body kick from Long.
Hirai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hirai shoots in looking for a takedown but Long manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hirai's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Long.
Long wants to clinch.
Masaru Hirai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hirai looks to throw the jab but Long is out of range.
A head kick misses from Hirai.
Long tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hirai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Long throws a head kick but Hirai moves out of range.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Long avoids the head kick by Hirai.
Hirai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Hirai closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Long to the mat! Long manages to get full guard.
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.

Hirai gets to his feet - Long follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Long tries to clinch there but Hirai circles away.
A head kick misses from Hirai.
Hirai wants to clinch but Long slips to the side
and Long counters with a two punch combo.
Hirai darts in trying to clinch
and Long connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Long misses with a two punch combination.
Long ducks under a wild hook from Hirai.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zhen Long is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses

and Long holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Long with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Long tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Long gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hirai.
Zhen Long has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masaru Hirai.
Long with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Long misses with a knee strike.
Hirai wants a takedown.
Long throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hirai blocks it with crossed arms.
Long tries to land a knee to the head but Hirai blocks with his arms.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Long has the dominant position.
Long misses with a knee strike.

Hirai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Long throws a hook but Hirai blocks it.
Hirai tries a head kick but it misses.

Long has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hirai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Long blocks a head kick by Hirai.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Hirai swats away the attempt to clinch by Long.
Hirai showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hirai takes a swing at Long's ribcage but misses.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Long displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hirai throws out the jab.
Hirai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hirai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hirai keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick misses from Hirai.
Hirai throws a hook to the side of Long's head but Long sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hirai throws a lazy head kick
and Long counters with a head kick. That will keep Hirai thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
A punch combination from Long misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice body punch from Hirai.
A head kick misses from Hirai.
Long tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Masaru Hirai will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hirai throws a head kick but Long moves out of range.
Long slips under a jab.
Long tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hirai throws a lazy right hand but Long sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhen Long is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Long tries to close the distance and clinch but Hirai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Long steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hirai.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Hirai throws a sloppy head kick and Long moves out of range easily.
Long fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirai tries to clinch

and Long counters by clinching up.
Hirai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Long avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hirai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Long fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hirai tries to circle away but Long has him pinned against the cage.
Long keeps control of Hirai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nice body punch from Long.
Hirai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Hirai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hirai looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Long tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hirai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hirai is trying hard to land a takedown here. Long sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zhen Long has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masaru Hirai.
Long tries to clinch there but Hirai circles away.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Long fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hirai throws a lazy head kick

and Long counters by clinching up.
Long tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hirai avoids it.
Long with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch but Long keeps him there for the moment.
Hirai wants to break free but Long has control.
Long throws a knee to the head but misses.

Hirai breaks the clinch.

Long gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Long tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two 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.
Hirai tries for a takedown but Long manages to get underhooks.
Hirai managing to block the knees to the body from Long.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Long is controlling him.
Long with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Long lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Long tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Long tries to land a knee to the head but Hirai blocks with his arms.
Long prevents the takedown attempt.
Long misses with a knee strike.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Long tries a knee to the head but Hirai blocks it.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Long is controlling him.
Long tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hirai drops down looking for an ankle pick but Long pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hirai tries to clinch there but Long circles away.
Hirai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hirai tries to clinch there but Long circles away.
Hirai throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Long's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Long closes the distance but Hirai moves to the side
and Hirai counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hirai looks for a takedown but Long sprawls well.
Long ducks under a wild hook from Hirai.
Long tries to clinch but Hirai is having none of it.
A head kick misses from Hirai.
Long ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Long closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hirai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Long gets underhooks to prevent Hirai's takedown attempt.
Hirai wants to break free but Long has control.
Hirai wants to break free but Long has control.
Hirai tries to break the clinch but Long is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Long tries a knee to the head but Hirai blocks it.

That's four 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.
Long with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Long with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Long throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hirais head.
Long misses with a knee to the head.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Long with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Hirai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hirai tries to land a leg kick but Long saw it coming and moves away.
A head kick misses from Hirai.
Hirai tries a head kick but it misses.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Long gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hirai tries to break free but Long pushes him back against the cage.
Long with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hirai is trying to break free.
Long keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hirai's efforts to push away.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Long with a knee to the head.
Hirai goes for a takedown attempt but Long pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhen Long dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hirai tries to land a leg kick but Long saw it coming and moves away.
Hirai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Long's waist but Long gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hirai off to one side.
Hirai shoots and misses
and Long counters with a straight right hand.

Long moves into the clinch.
Hirai is trying to break free.
Long looking to throw knees to the head but Hirai is blocking nicely.
Hirai is trying to push Long away but Long has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Long misses with a knee to the head.
Long throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hirai blocks it with crossed arms.
Long keeps control of Hirai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Long tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Long looking to throw knees to the head but Hirai is blocking nicely.
Hirai wants a takedown.
Zhen Long has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masaru Hirai.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Long tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Long is controlling him.
Long with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Long scores with a knee to the head.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Long is controlling him.
Long with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hirai tries for a takedown but Long manages to get underhooks.
Long with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Hirai breaks the clinch.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Long blocks a head kick by Hirai.
Hirai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hirai lands a high kick!
Hirai throws a sloppy head kick and Long moves out of range easily.
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses

and Long counters by moving into the clinch.

Hirai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Long blocks the body kick.
Long closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hirai counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Long is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Long tries to clinch but Hirai moves out of range.
Hirai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Long avoids the head kick by Hirai.
Hirai throws a leg kick which misses Long's front leg but catches the back leg as Long tries to avoid it.

Long has Hirai up against the cage in a clinch.
Hirai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Long has him pressed against the cage.
Long tries to land a knee to the head but Hirai blocks with his arms.
Hirai wants a takedown but no success here.
Hirai wants to get back to striking at distance but Long won't allow it.
Hirai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Long has him pressed against the cage.
Long tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Long with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch but Long keeps him there for the moment.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Long tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hirai avoids it.
Long with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Long tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Long using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hirai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Hirai breaks the clinch.
A head kick by Hirai misses
and Long counters with a nice body kick.

Hirai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hirai lands in his opponent's guard.
Hirai slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Hirai trying to control but Long is working from the bottom.
Hirai sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Long working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hirai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hirai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Long being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Masaru Hirai.
A head kick by Hirai misses

and Long holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Long prevents Hirai from breaking the clinch.
Long throws a knee to the head but misses.
Long looking to throw knees to the head but Hirai is blocking nicely.
Long stops a takedown attempt from Hirai.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hirai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hirai is trying to push Long away but Long has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hirai tries to break the clinch but Long is controlling the position.

Hirai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hirai misses with a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hirai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hirai throws a right hand that Long ducks under and follows up with a left that Long also avoids with ease.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Masaru Hirai.
I think Hirai has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masaru Hirai!