PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Talib Kweli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Soral Punkass (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Punkass has chosen Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams as his entrance music. 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.

Kweli
vs
Punkass

176 cm
27
160 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
27
155 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Talib Kweli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Soral Punkass!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Punkass fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kweli, pushing him back against the cage.
Kweli stalling in the clinch.
Kweli tries to work over Punkass's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Punkass tries to circle away but Kweli has him pinned against the cage.

Punkass's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A head kick misses from Punkass.
Kweli misses the jab.
Kweli swings for the body but Punkass moves out of range.
Kweli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Punkass.
Nice defenses there by Punkass.
Punkass goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Punkass stalks Kweli and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kweli's face. Kweli staggers backwards, shaken.
Kweli blocks a head kick by Punkass.
Punkass thumps Kweli with a low kick.
Kweli throws a body punch but Punkass moves out of range.
Punkass swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kweli counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kweli displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Punkass throws out the jab.
Kweli digs a good hook to Punkass's body.
Kweli sizes up Punkass with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Soral Punkass seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Punkass tries a low kick but Kweli avoids it.

Punkass gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kweli misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Kweli on the inside.
Kweli misses with a body punch.
Kweli goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Punkass looking to throw knees to the head but Kweli is blocking nicely.
Punkass blocks a body shot from Kweli.
Kweli can't find room to land a body shot as Punkass controls the action.
Kweli stalling.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Kweli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Punkass closes the distance and pushes Kweli back into the cage.
Kweli can't find room to land a body shot as Punkass controls the action.
Punkass prevents a body shot from Kweli.

Punkass breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kweli uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A left lands for Kweli.
Punkass stalks Kweli and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kweli's face. Kweli staggers backwards, shaken.
Kweli takes one on the button.
Punkass slips under a jab from Kweli.
Punkass tries to land a front kick but Kweli steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice defenses there by Kweli.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Punkass.
Punkass tries to land a leg kick but Kweli saw it coming and moves away.
Kweli fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Punkass manages to avoid it.

Kweli gets tackled into the cage by Punkass. Punkass maintains the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Kweli.
Kweli lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Punkass backwards.
Punkass tries to land knees in the clinch but Kweli avoids the damage to the body.
Kweli works on Punkass's body with a couple of short punches.

Kweli breaks the clinch.

Punkass gets a clinch.
Kweli misses with a punch to the body.
Punkass blocks a body shot from Kweli.
Kweli misses with a punch to the body.
Punkass misses with a knee to the head.
Punkass tries to break the clinch but Kweli is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kweli as Punkass tries to tie him up.
Stalling in the clinch from Punkass.
Kweli misses with a body punch.

Punkass escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Punkass gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kweli lands with a short shot to the head.
Kweli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kweli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Punkass lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kweli misses with a body punch.
Kweli can't find room to land a body shot as Punkass controls the action.
Kweli swings wildly with an uppercut but Punkass uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kweli fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kweli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Punkass with a knee to the head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kweli blocks an elbow strike.
Kweli lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Punkass tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Kweli breaks the clinch.
Kweli digs a good hook to Punkass's body.
Punkass throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kweli misses with a hook.
Punkass walks into a stiff left hand from Kweli.
That kick from Kweli tenderised Punkass's leg. Punkass is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Punkass blocks a jab.
Punkass rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kweli moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kweli, as that shot connected.
Punkass avoids the body shot from Kweli.
Punkass throws the kick towards the body but Kweli avoids it.

Punkass gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A right hand to the body from Kweli.
Kweli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Punkass's elbow.
Kweli can't find room to land a body shot as Punkass controls the action.
Kweli goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kweli misses with a body punch.
Punkass lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Punkass misses with a knee to the head.
Punkass scores with a knee to the head.
Kweli is leaning against Punkass and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kweli tries to break free but Punkass pushes him back against the cage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kweli is stalling here.
Kweli is trying to force a seperation but Punkass has the dominant position.
Punkass prevents a body shot from Kweli.
Punkass takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Soral Punkass has been cut.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Punkass is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kweli managing to block the knees to the body from Punkass.
Kweli lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Punkass backwards.
Punkass is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kweli misses with a punch to the body.
Kweli tries to work over Punkass's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hook to the body lands for Punkass.
Kweli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kweli digs a right hand underneath Punkass's ribcage. Punkass let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kweli misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kweli can't find room to land a body shot as Punkass controls the action.
Punkass tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Punkass misses with an elbow over the top.
Punkass avoiding damage as Kweli throws knees to the body.
Kweli utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kweli lands a body punch in the clinch.
Punkass looks gassed!
Kweli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kweli misses with a punch to the body.
Kweli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kweli tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Kweli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kweli moves out of range of the body kick.
Kweli fails to land with a series of punches.

Punkass has managed to clinch.
Kweli misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Kweli pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Punkass scores with a head kick. Kweli tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kweli just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick from Punkass lands but Kweli takes it in his stride.
Kweli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Punkass moves away.
Kweli misses with a looping left.
Punkass tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kweli avoids the head kick by Punkass.
Kweli scores with a hook to the body. Punkass takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Punkass avoids the body shot from Kweli.
Punkass goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Talib Kweli dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Soral Punkass's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Punkass 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.
Kweli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Punkass blocks a jab.
Kweli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Punkass.
Punkass throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kweli's head.
Punkass misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Kweli blocks the leg kick.
Kweli throws a shot from downtown. Punkass moves away and avoids it.
Punkass is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kweli.
Punkass takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A big left from Kweli misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Punkass tries to score with a low kick but Kweli moves his leg out of the way.
Kweli looks to throw a body kick
and Punkass counters with a head kick. That will keep Kweli thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Talib Kweli is winning the standup battle so far.
Kweli throws a body punch but Punkass moves out of range.
Punkass throws a front kick aimed at Kweli's knee but Kweli avoids it well.
Kweli tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kweli throws a series of punches but Punkass avoids them all with ease.
Punkass swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Punkass takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kweli throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kweli takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big right from Punkass misses.

Punkass has closed the distance and engaged Kweli in a clinch.
Punkass is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Punkass blocks a body shot from Kweli.
Punkass lands with a left to the head.
Still in the clinch, Punkass scores with a nice short uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Punkass is stalling here.
Punkass blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A hook to the body from Kweli.
Punkass is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kweli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Punkass's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kweli connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Punkass scrambles back to his feet.
Kweli throws out a loose jab but Punkass uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kweli lands a leg kick that knocks Punkass off balance momentarily.
A slow jab from Kweli misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kweli lands a jab to Punkass's midsection.
Kweli connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kweli lands a nice hook to Punkass's body. Punkass takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A lazy left from Kweli finds it's target.
Punkass throws a leg kick but Kweli sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kweli swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Punkass counter with a right hand.

Punkass rushes Kweli and presses him up against the cage.
Kweli makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Good body shot from Kweli.
Punkass misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kweli.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kweli stalling the fight.
Kweli lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kweli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kweli trying to land knees to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Punkass - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Punkass looking to stall.
Kweli cracks Punkass with a nice body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Kweli.
Talib Kweli has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nice body punch from Kweli.
Kweli makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kweli can't find room to land a body shot as Punkass controls the action.
Kweli working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kweli lands a shoulder strike.
Kweli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Punkass tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kweli avoids it.
Punkass blocks a body shot from Kweli.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kweli struggles to land a body shot inside as Punkass controls his hands.
Kweli throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Kweli breaks from the clinch.
Punkass checks a low kick from Kweli.
Kweli feints and then cracks Punkass's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Punkass down.
Kweli lands a slapping body shot.
Kweli thows a body shot but no joy.
Kweli avoids a kick to the body.

Punkass clinches up with Kweli and pushes him back against the cage.
Punkass wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kweli lands with a short shot to the head.
Kweli lands with a short shot to the head.

Punkass is rocked!
Punkass wants to break free but Kweli has control.
Punkass is still on wobbly legs! Can Kweli finish him?

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kweli.
Kweli misses with a punch to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kweli tries a body shot but Punkass blocks it.
Kweli lands a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Kweli.
Kweli goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kweli lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kweli misses with a body punch.
Kweli lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kweli misses with a punch to the body.

Kweli breaks the clinch.
The fighters circling - Kweli throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Punkass seems to have recovered his senses.
Punkass moves out of range as Kweli strikes.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Punkass has managed to clinch.
Kweli lands a shoulder strike.
Punkass throws a head punch that misses.
Punkass prevents a body shot from Kweli.
Kweli misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Kweli pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kweli throws a leg kick
and Punkass counters with a nice uppercut.
Kweli swings for the body but Punkass moves out of range.
Kweli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Punkass was well out of range. Poor timing from Kweli.
Punkass is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
Kweli throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kweli on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Punkass uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kweli.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Punkass. That's going to slow Kweli down.
A good leg kick by Kweli.

Punkass fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kweli, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kweli misses with a punch to the body.
Punkass tries a knee to the head but Kweli blocks it.
Punkass wants to get back to striking at distance but Kweli won't allow it.
Kweli lands a left hand.
Kweli lands a nice shot to the body.
Kweli works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Talib Kweli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Punkass looking to stall.
Kweli lands a hook that snaps the head of Punkass backwards.

Kweli's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Soral Punkass has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Punkass fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kweli is out of range.
Punkass misses with a body punch
and Kweli counters with a left to the body.
Punkass throws a head kick that misses.
Kweli lands with a cross.
Punkass blocks a head kick by Kweli.

Punkass clinches up with Kweli and pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Kweli's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Kweli's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kweli scores with a crisp jab that stopped Punkass in his tracks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Punkass tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Punkass takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Talib Kweli showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kweli 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Talib Kweli!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Talib Kweli!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Talib Kweli!

Talib Kweli wins by unanimous decision!