PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hiroto Inoue (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiranuka Stakanu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stakanu has chosen Oy, To Ne Vecher as his entrance music. Hiranuka Stakanu is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Inoue
vs
Stakanu

186 cm
26
238 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

184 cm
27
280 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroto Inoue!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiranuka Stakanu!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shigeki Sano and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stakanu cracks Inoue with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Inoue slips a jab and a cross from Stakanu.
Inoue looks for a takedown but Stakanu sprawls well.
Stakanu throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Inoue.
Inoue misses with a takedown attempt
and Stakanu counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Hiroto Inoue has been cut.
A punch combination from Stakanu misses.

Inoue scores a takedown into full mount!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Inoue prevents Stakanu from getting the reversal.
Inoue with good strikes from the mount here!
Inoue throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Stakanu keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Inoue looking to finish with strikes here!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Inoue working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Inoue throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakanu is in all sorts of trouble here.
Inoue looking to control and managing it successfully.
Stakanu is looking to improve his position but Inoue isn't that keen on the idea.
Inoue unloads with some shots from mount but Stakanu bucks and avoids them well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Stakanu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Inoue throws some wild stikes that Stakanu manages to avoid easily.
Inoue scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Stakanu?
Stakanu is trying to escape the mount.
Inoue can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stakanu is looking to escape.
Stakanu wants to hold on but Inoue pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stakanu wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Inoue.
Inoue throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Stakanu because Inoue loaded up on that one.
Inoue working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stakanu is trying desperately to improve position.
Inoue postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Stakanu looks a forlorn figure.
Inoue trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Stakanu wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Inoue.
Inoue landing strikes from the mount and Stakanu is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stakanu bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Inoue is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stakanu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Inoue swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Stakanu is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Stakanu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stakanu pushing down on Inoue's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Inoue regains full guard. Nicely done.
Inoue keeping full guard, as Stakanu tries to pass.
Stakanu slips nicely into half guard.

Stakanu is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inoue is trying to control but can't.
Inoue tries to roll over but Stakanu keeps him under control.
Inoue works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stakanu trying to move into half guard but instead Inoue has managed to sweep!

Stakanu is looking for a triangle but Inoue pushes his legs off easily.
Inoue trying to control the position from guard on top but Stakanu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stakanu looking for a guillotine here but Inoue defends easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Inoue is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
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 Hiroto Inoue will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hiroto Inoue's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stakanu throws a hook but Inoue avoids it easily.
Stakanu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stakanu shoots in for a takedown but Inoue shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Inoue bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Stakanu is trying to control Inoue's posture but Inoue avoids it.
Inoue has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Stakanu!
Stakanu takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Inoue tries to control but Stakanu wriggling away.
Inoue avoids the attempt from Stakanu to control.
Inoue sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakanu sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Inoue with the ground and pound but Stakanu uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Stakanu keeping full guard, as Inoue tries to pass.
Stakanu keeping moving, preventing Inoue from controlling successfully.
Inoue with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stakanu working a defensive guard here.
Inoue trying to control the position from guard on top but Stakanu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Inoue with a flurry of punches that miss.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Stakanu holds on and takes a little breather.
Stakanu lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Inoue!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stakanu goes for an armbar but Inoue turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Inoue.
Inoue postures up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stakanu keeping moving, preventing Inoue from controlling successfully.
Inoue trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stakanu trying to keep a closed guard but Inoue is proving a slippery customer.

Stakanu is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Inoue is aware though and is defending well.
Inoue loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Inoue keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stakanu's head.
Stakanu is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stakanu working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Inoue doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Inoue manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stakanu working a defensive guard here.
Hiroto Inoue overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Inoue sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stakanu's guard.
Inoue is thwarting Stakanu's attempts to control the position.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Inoue here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Inoue tries to pass to full mount but Stakanu defends it.
Inoue throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stakanu gets back to full guard.
Inoue wants to control from the top but Stakanu keeps moving.

Inoue got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stakanu has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Inoue has managed to get both his arms back between Stakanu's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inoue wants to control from the top but Stakanu keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stakanu is on top in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Inoue wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Stakanu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Inoue controls Stakanu momentarily but Stakanu frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Hiroto Inoue just wasn't active enough.
Inoue fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stakanu avoids it really well and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Inoue gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stakanu counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hiroto Inoue will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hiroto Inoue's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stakanu throws a nice looking combination but Inoue bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Inoue takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Inoue fails with the takedown
and Stakanu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stakanu listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Stakanu gets caught flat footed, as Inoue shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Inoue tries to free his leg and advance position but Stakanu is retaining full guard.

Stakanu throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stakanu manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Inoue tries to hold on but Stakanu pushes him away.

Stakanu goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Inoue is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakanu lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Inoue!

Stakanu looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Inoue is looking to improve his position but Stakanu isn't that keen on the idea.

Stakanu wants to finish this one by submission but Inoue is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Stakanu.

Stakanu has hold of Inoue's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Inoue manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stakanu working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Inoue tries to hold on but Stakanu pushes him away.

Stakanu looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Stakanu jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Inoue manages to avoid the submission attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Inoue prevents Stakanu from moving into mount.
Stakanu working away.

Stakanu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Stakanu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Inoue knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Stakanu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inoue is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Inoue prevents Stakanu from moving into mount.
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Inoue tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stakanu tries to advance to mount but Inoue denies him.
Inoue is looking for a sweep.
Inoue gets back to half guard.
Stakanu works his way into full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stakanu is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Inoue has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiranuka Stakanu really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hiroto Inoue's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Inoue misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Stakanu gets the takedown into side control.

Stakanu is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Inoue is trying to escape and Stakanu transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Inoue is forced to tap! Nice work there by Stakanu! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Hiranuka Stakanu!