PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Illy Niccolo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hitoshi Masaru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Niccolo
vs
Masaru

176 cm
26
165 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

170 cm
25
164 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Illy Niccolo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Hitoshi Masaru!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niccolo with a hook.
Masaru throws a head kick that Niccolo semi-blocks.
Masaru ducks under a wild hook from Niccolo.
Niccolo throws an overhand right that lands on Masaru's shoulder, as Masaru tries to avoid the shot.
Niccolo lands a jab.
Niccolo swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Masaru counters with a big head kick but Niccolo shrugs it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masaru tries a head kick but it misses.
Niccolo blocks a low kick nicely.
Niccolo blocks a head kick by Masaru.
Niccolo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Masaru under the eye.
Niccolo throws a right hand that misses
and Masaru counters with a nice low kick that buckles Niccolo's knee momentarily.
Niccolo scores with the left hand. Masaru knows he should have avoided that one.
Masaru uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Niccolo.
Niccolo misses with a looping right.
Masaru slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niccolo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Masaru counters with a low kick, right behind Niccolo 's knee.
Niccolo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Masaru counters with a head kick. That will keep Niccolo thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Niccolo is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Niccolo misses the jab.
Niccolo throws a sloppy body shot
and Masaru counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Niccolo is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Niccolo connects with a body shot that sends Masaru's belly button to the back.
Niccolo throws an overhand right that lands on Masaru's shoulder, as Masaru tries to avoid the shot.
Masaru fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Niccolo misses with a series of wild punches.
Niccolo swings away with a body shot that misses
and Masaru counters with an inside leg kick.
Masaru bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Niccolo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Masaru counters with a thumping low kick.
Masaru throws a head kick that misses.
Masaru tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masaru has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Masaru there as he acknowledges the shot.
Niccolo misses with a body shot.
Masaru misses with a head kick.
Niccolo swings widly with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A shot to the body from Niccolo misses
and Masaru makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Niccolo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Masaru counters with a good low kick that Niccolo was not able to check.
Niccolo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Niccolo is breathing heavily.
Masaru throws a sloppy head kick and Niccolo moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Niccolo misses the target.
Masaru motions for Niccolo to come forward. Masaru throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Masaru swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Niccolo throws a poor cross that misses
and Masaru counters with a nice low kick that buckles Niccolo's knee momentarily.
Niccolo throws a poor cross that misses
and Masaru counters with a head kick. That will keep Niccolo thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaru misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Masaru tries a head kick but it misses.
Masaru misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Masaru tries to work over Niccolo's front leg with a kick but Niccolo checks it.
Niccolo lands a nice shot to the body.
Niccolo misses with a hook
and Masaru counters with a leg kick.
Masaru throws a head kick that misses.
Masaru takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Masaru slips a jab from Niccolo.
Niccolo misses with a left hand
and Masaru counters with a slapping leg kick.
Niccolo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Masaru throws a head kick that half lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niccolo avoids the head kick by Masaru.
Niccolo lands a nice looking body shot.
Masaru pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Masaru scores with a leg kick.
Masaru moves out of range of the strikes.
Niccolo blocks a head kick by Masaru.
Masaru walks into a stiff left hand from Niccolo.
Niccolo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masaru throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Masaru misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Niccolo misses with a looping left.
Niccolo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Illy Niccolo will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Niccolo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Masaru stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Illy Niccolo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masaru tries a head kick but it misses.
Masaru connects with a high kick.
Masaru tries a head kick but it misses.
Masaru displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Niccolo throws out the jab.
Good exchange - Niccolo coming out on top.
Niccolo misses with a wild body shot.
Illy Niccolo is winning the standup battle so far.
Masaru needs to keep his hands up - Niccolo had a free shot at his head there.
A cross from Niccolo lands.
Masaru tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Niccolo is able to avoid easily.
Niccolo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Masaru counters with a good low kick that Niccolo was not able to check.
Masaru takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Masaru takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niccolo looks to throw the jab but Masaru is out of range.
Masaru throws a low kick but it's checked well by Niccolo.
Masaru steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Niccolo.
Masaru throws out a leg kick but Niccolo moves out of range and Masaru only half commits.
Niccolo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masaru moves away.
Niccolo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Masaru looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Niccolo checks the leg kick.
Masaru takes one to the chin there.
Niccolo misses with an uppercut.
Masaru uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Niccolo.
Masaru misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Some wild striking there from Niccolo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masaru throws a front kick aimed at Niccolo's knee but Niccolo avoids it well.
Niccolo throws a right hand that misses
and Masaru counters with a leg kick.
Niccolo scores with a body shot.
A cross from Niccolo lands.
Masaru throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Niccolo slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Niccolo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Masaru is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Niccolo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Masaru sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Niccolo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Masaru stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Niccolo looks to land a combination but Masaru avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masaru scores with a head kick.
Masaru wants to slow Niccolo down by chopping away at his legs.
Niccolo slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Niccolo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Niccolo connects with a jab.
Niccolo scores with a hook to the body. Masaru takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Niccolo lands with a hook. Masaru tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Niccolo misses with a few strikes there.
Masaru gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Niccolo blocks a low kick nicely.
Masaru uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Niccolo.
Niccolo throws a lazy right hand but Masaru sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masaru misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Masaru throws a low kick but Niccolo moves out of range easily.
Niccolo lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Niccolo lands with a right hand.
Niccolo missing with a left hand there. Masaru was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Masaru throws a sloppy head kick and Niccolo moves out of range easily.
Masaru tries to land a leg kick but Niccolo saw it coming and moves away.
Niccolo throws a big shot that misses.
A combination from Niccolo does no damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Niccolo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Masaru throws a leg kick but Niccolo moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Illy Niccolo dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Masaru on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Masaru misses with a shot to the body
and Masaru takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Masaru pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Niccolo checks a low kick from Masaru.
Niccolo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Masaru counters with an inside leg kick.
Masaru throws a head kick that misses.
Niccolo checks a leg kick.
Niccolo throws a sloppy body shot
and Masaru counters with a nice low kick that buckles Niccolo's knee momentarily.
Niccolo lands a slapping body shot.
Masaru takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Niccolo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Niccolo scores with a sloppy right hand. Masaru should have avoided that one.
Masaru needs to keep his hands up - Niccolo had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masaru drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Niccolo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masaru.
A head kick misses from Masaru.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Masaru in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
A head kick misses from Masaru.
Masaru throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Niccolo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Niccolo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Masaru sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Niccolo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Niccolo throws out a powerful jab.
Masaru takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Masaru walks into a stiff left hand from Niccolo.
Niccolo lands a nice hook to Masaru's body. Masaru takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Masaru takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Illy Niccolo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masaru drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Masaru gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Niccolo.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Niccolo.
Niccolo blocks a low kick nicely.
A head kick by Masaru misses
and Niccolo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Masaru takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Niccolo lands an overhand right.
Niccolo lands a nice shot to the body.
Niccolo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Niccolo thuds his right hand into Masaru's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Niccolo lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niccolo's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Niccolo duly obliges.
Niccolo lands an overhand right.
Niccolo throws a poor cross that misses
and Masaru counters with a slapping leg kick.
Niccolo throws out a powerful jab.
Niccolo jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Niccolo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Niccolo misses with a wild combination.
Niccolo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Niccolo scores with a nice strike.
Masaru shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Masaru looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masaru bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Masaru has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Masaru throws a head kick that misses.
Masaru misses with a head kick.
Niccolo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Masaru blocks a jab.
Niccolo throws a good cross that connects.
Niccolo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Niccolo throws a right hand that misses
and Masaru counters with a leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Masaru lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Niccolo misses with a hook. Masaru ducked under it nicely.
Hitoshi Masaru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab, jab by Niccolo - just one landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Illy Niccolo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Niccolo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Illy Niccolo!