PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hashimoto Toyotasan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Higashikuni's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Wind Up Toys (Uncle Acid & the Deadbets). 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.

Higashikuni
vs
Toyotasan

162 cm
21
146 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

167 cm
22
139 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

[CBK] The Smashwear Corporation

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Katsu Higashikuni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hashimoto Toyotasan!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Shimada and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Toyotasan wants to land a leg kick but Higashikuni is out of range.
Higashikuni pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Higashikuni scores with a jab. Toyotasan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Toyotasan. Higashikuni shrugs it off though.
Toyotasan wants to slow Higashikuni down by chopping away at his legs.
Toyotasan throws a front kick aimed at Higashikuni's knee but Higashikuni avoids it well.

Higashikuni dives in and scores a takedown into Toyotasan's guard.
Higashikuni trying to control but Toyotasan is working from the bottom.
Toyotasan has control of Higashikuni's left arm, preventing Higashikuni from doing any damage.
Higashikuni looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni wants to control from the top but Toyotasan keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Katsu Higashikuni.
Toyotasan throws a shot from downtown. Higashikuni moves away and avoids it.
Toyotasan throws a sloppy head kick and Higashikuni moves out of range easily.
Higashikuni shoots in for a double leg but Toyotasan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Toyotasan throws a body kick that misses.
Higashikuni gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Toyotasan counters with a thumping low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni scores with a shot to the body.
Good work by Higashikuni as he checks the leg kick.
Higashikuni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Toyotasan was well out of range. Poor timing from Higashikuni.
A thudding body kick lands there by Toyotasan!
Toyotasan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Higashikuni tries to clinch but Toyotasan is having none of it.
Higashikuni throws a right hand that misses
and Toyotasan counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Higashikuni jabs Toyotasan to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Higashikuni shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Toyotasan as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsu Higashikuni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higashikuni swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Toyotasan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Toyotasan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Higashikuni takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Higashikuni's calf.
Higashikuni throws a right hand that misses
and Toyotasan counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Higashikuni swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Toyotasan.
Toyotasan throws a leg kick that misses.
A lazy left from Higashikuni finds it's target.

Toyotasan moves into the clinch successfully.
Toyotasan is struggling to control the position.
Toyotasan tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Toyotasan stalling the fight.
Higashikuni has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Toyotasan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Toyotasan throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Toyotasan.
A short uppercut from Toyotasan.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Toyotasan.
Higashikuni on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Toyotasan gets underhooks to prevent Higashikuni's takedown attempt.
Toyotasan with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Toyotasan content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Higashikuni blocking some punches.
Higashikuni on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Higashikuni manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Higashikuni wants to sweep here but Toyotasan controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Higashikuni throws his legs up looking for a submission but Toyotasan uses it to pass to side control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni is looking for a sweep.
Higashikuni is being controlled here.
Higashikuni tries to bench press Toyotasan off him but Toyotasan keeps the position.
Higashikuni struggling a bit here.
Toyotasan wants to control but Higashikuni is keeping him busy.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Hashimoto Toyotasan.

Higashikuni changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Toyotasan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Toyotasan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Higashikuni. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Higashikuni in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Higashikuni trying to control the action but Toyotasan is working from the bottom.
Toyotasan being controlled for a moment.
Toyotasan is not content to let Higashikuni control the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni tries to move to mount but Toyotasan blocks the move with his legs.
Higashikuni lands some shots froms side control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan is trying to control Higashikuni's posture but Higashikuni avoids it.
Toyotasan is trying to improve his position.

Higashikuni is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Toyotasan has escaped the position, nice work there.

Higashikuni goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Toyotasan rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Higashikuni's guard! Nice work there by Toyotasan!
Higashikuni working a defensive guard but Toyotasan manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Toyotasan has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Higashikuni moves out of range of the body kick from Toyotasan.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Toyotasan.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Toyotasan pushes Higashikuni away with a front kick.
Toyotasan thumps Higashikuni with a low kick.
Higashikuni throws a body punch but Toyotasan moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hashimoto Toyotasan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Higashikuni's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Higashikuni tries to clinch but Toyotasan moves out of range.
Higashikuni thows a body shot but no joy.
Toyotasan looks to land a body kick but Higashikuni moved away.
Toyotasan throws a body punch but Higashikuni moves out of range.
Higashikuni fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Toyotasan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Higashikuni scores with the left hand. Toyotasan knows he should have avoided that one.
Higashikuni tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Donk. Toyotasan catches Higashikuni right on the button with a cross.
Higashikuni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Toyotasan.
Toyotasan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Toyotasan misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toyotasan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Higashikuni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Higashikuni throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Toyotasan misses with an attempted mid kick.

Higashikuni scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Higashikuni looking to control but instead Toyotasan has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Higashikuni trying to control from Toyotasan's half guard. Toyotasan has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Higashikuni controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan wants to control the position but Higashikuni says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Higashikuni seems to be working for a kimura but Toyotasan defends the submission attempt.
Higashikuni is keen to just control but Toyotasan is a slippery customer.
Katsu Higashikuni overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Higashikuni is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Toyotasan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Higashikuni.
Toyotasan trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan is looking to improve his position.
Higashikuni throws a strike but Toyotasan avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Toyotasan is trying to control the position but Higashikuni postures up.
Higashikuni wants to control from the top but Toyotasan keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan looking for a sweep. Not yet Toyotasan, not yet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Toyotasan keeping full guard, as Higashikuni tries to pass.
Higashikuni stopping the sweep attempt from Toyotasan.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Toyotasan closes the distance and clinches.
Higashikuni tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Toyotasan smiles and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Higashikuni looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni missing with a left hand there. Toyotasan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Toyotasan throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Higashikuni.
Toyotasan throws the kick towards the body but Higashikuni avoids it.
Higashikuni misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hashimoto Toyotasan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Toyotasan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Higashikuni tries for a takedown but Toyotasan circles away easily
and Toyotasan counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsu Higashikuni. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Higashikuni gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Toyotasan counters with a solid body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Toyotasan lands a front kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Toyotasan.
Higashikuni swats away the attempt to clinch by Toyotasan.
Toyotasan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Toyotasan throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Toyotasan fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Higashikuni has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Horrible takedown by Higashikuni or perhaps it was just good defense by Toyotasan which made him look bad.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Higashikuni swings away with a body shot that misses
and Toyotasan counters with a good, hard body kick but Higashikuni shrugs it off.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Toyotasan.
Toyotasan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Toyotasan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Toyotasan scores with a spinning back kick!
Higashikuni is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Toyotasan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Toyotasan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Toyotasan.
Higashikuni changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Toyotasan fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Toyotasan.

Toyotasan has closed the distance and engaged Higashikuni in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higashikuni blocks a body shot from Toyotasan.
Toyotasan misses with a knee strike.

Toyotasan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Toyotasan lands with a kick to the temple. Higashikuni shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Higashikuni shoots for a takedown but Toyotasan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Toyotasan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hashimoto Toyotasan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Higashikuni thows a body shot but no joy.
Higashikuni misses with a double jab.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan tries a head kick but it misses.
Toyotasan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Higashikuni is able to avoid easily.
Toyotasan moves away from the strike by Higashikuni.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Toyotasan.
Toyotasan doesn't manage to clinch there - Higashikuni circles away.
Toyotasan misses with a body kick.
Toyotasan misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Higashikuni misses with a left hand
and Toyotasan counters with a nice kick to the body.
Higashikuni misses with a lunging right hand
and Toyotasan makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Toyotasan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hashimoto Toyotasan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Toyotasan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Toyotasan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Toyotasan tries to clinch up but Higashikuni circles away and keeps his distance.
Higashikuni fails with the takedown.
Higashikuni checks a leg kick nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Higashikuni darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Toyotasan moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni trying to control the position from guard on top but Toyotasan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toyotasan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Higashikuni controls the pace.
Toyotasan keeping moving, preventing Higashikuni from controlling successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Toyotasan is trying to keep Higashikuni in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Katsu Higashikuni.
Toyotasan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Toyotasan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Toyotasan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Toyotasan slips a jab from Higashikuni.
Toyotasan throws a front kick aimed at Higashikuni's knee but Higashikuni avoids it well.
Toyotasan is looking to clinch but Higashikuni is avoiding it.
Higashikuni swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Higashikuni will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Toyotasan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Toyotasan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Higashikuni throws out the jab.
Toyotasan throws a half hearted mid kick.

Toyotasan gets caught napping as Higashikuni dives in and scores a takedown. Toyotasan manages to retain guard.
Higashikuni cracks Toyotasan with a solid left hand.
Toyotasan trying to keep a closed guard but Higashikuni is proving a slippery customer.
Higashikuni forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Higashikuni is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Toyotasan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Higashikuni.
Higashikuni stops Toyotasan from getting back to his feet.
Toyotasan trying to control here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan is looking for a sweep. Higashikuni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Toyotasan wants to get back to his feet.
Toyotasan is refusing to be controlled, as Higashikuni sits in half guard.
Toyotasan trying to control from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Hashimoto Toyotasan hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Toyotasan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Toyotasan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Higashikuni fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Toyotasan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Toyotasan on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Higashikuni closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Higashikuni prevents Toyotasan from improving his position.
Toyotasan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Higashikuni content to control rather than advance.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Higashikuni looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Higashikuni controlling the pace.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Toyotasan wants to control but Higashikuni is keeping busy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Higashikuni is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Higashikuni performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni passes to side control.

Higashikuni goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Toyotasan rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Higashikuni's guard! Nice work there by Toyotasan!

Higashikuni is looking for a triangle but Toyotasan pushes his legs off easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Higashikuni showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Toyotasan 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Hashimoto Toyotasan!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Hashimoto Toyotasan!

Hashimoto Toyotasan wins by majority decision!