PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shuuji Hanamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikuhisa Minowa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ikuhisa Minowa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hanamoto
vs
Minowa

186 cm
26
194 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

182 cm
21
200 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shuuji Hanamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ikuhisa Minowa!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Taro Takaoka and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minowa cracks Hanamoto with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hanamoto with a lazy takedown attempt
and Minowa counters with a two punch combo.
Hanamoto misses with a takedown
and Minowa counters with a three punch combo that has Hanamoto backing up. Hanamoto nods at Minowa to acknowledge the strikes.

Hanamoto is rocked!
Hanamoto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Minowa.
Hanamoto tries for a takedown but Minowa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shuuji Hanamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanamoto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Minowa avoids it really well and circles away.
Hanamoto shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Minowa counters with a shoot takedown. Hanamoto fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Minowa forces his way into half guard.
Hanamoto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Minowa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minowa trying to control from half guard but Hanamoto is working away.
Minowa wants to free his trapped foot but Hanamoto is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Minowa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hanamoto keeps working.
Minowa wants to pass the guard but Hanamoto is defending well.
Minowa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hanamoto defending well though.
Hanamoto is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Minowa is working for a kimura but Hanamoto is defending it quite comfortably.

Minowa seems to be working for a kimura but Hanamoto defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minowa wants to pass the guard but Hanamoto is defending well.
Minowa is looking to stall here but Hanamoto recovers full guard.
Minowa wants to pass the guard but Hanamoto is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Minowa slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowa wants to control for a moment but Hanamoto uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Hanamoto is trying is best to control the position here.

Minowa seems to be looking for submissions.
Hanamoto is positioning himself well to prevent Minowa advancing to mount.
Hanamoto regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Minowa.

Hanamoto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Minowa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Minowa looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Minowa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hanamoto is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Minowa, into his guard.
Hanamoto stopping the sweep attempt from Minowa.
Hanamoto wants to stand but Minowa has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hanamoto throws a strike but Minowa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hanamoto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hanamoto is on top in guard.

Minowa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hanamoto defends well.
Hanamoto throws a strike but Minowa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Minowa controlling from the top position.
Minowa slips nicely into half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hanamoto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hanamoto looking to control.
Hanamoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Minowa trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanamoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hanamoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hanamoto keeping full guard, as Minowa tries to pass.
Minowa trying to control but Hanamoto is working from the bottom.
Minowa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Minowa passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Minowa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hanamoto keeps working.
Hanamoto regains half guard, as Minowa was trying to land strikes.

Minowa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hanamoto doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Minowa.
Minowa working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Hanamoto's thigh. Hanamoto counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hanamoto wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Minowa wants to control from the top but Hanamoto keeps moving.
Minowais looking to pass into half guard but Hanamoto pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hanamoto is in guard.
Minowa wants to improve his position but instead Hanamoto has moved into half guard.
Hanamoto lands with a punch from half guard.
Minowa won't allow Hanamoto to pass to mount.
Nice strikes from Hanamoto there.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Minowa is not content to let Hanamoto control the position.
Hanamoto is nestled in close to Minowa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Minowa is looking for a sweep. Hanamoto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hanamoto uses his free foot to push down on Minowa's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Minowa.
Minowa is looking to improve his position but Hanamoto isn't that keen on the idea.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Minowa is squirming around, avoiding Hanamoto's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikuhisa Minowa dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Minowa stuffs the takedown attempt from Hanamoto. Hanamoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Hanamoto doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Minowa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Minowa misses with a combination

and Hanamoto counters with a nice double leg into side control. Minowa won't be happy with that.
Hanamoto throws an elbow but Minowa slips to the side and avoids it well.
Minowa is looking for a sweep.
Sloppy strikes there by Hanamoto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minowa is looking to regain half guard here but Hanamoto keeps moving and retains side control.
Minowa regains half guard.
Minowa gets back to full guard.

Hanamoto stands and steps away. Minowa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hanamoto with a poor takedown
and Minowa counters with a series of strikes. Hanamoto will be more careful next time no doubt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shuuji Hanamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Minowa with that takedown attempt.
Shuuji Hanamoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hanamoto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shuuji Hanamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hanamoto shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Minowa gets back to full guard.

Minowa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hanamoto defends it easily.
Hanamoto won't allow Minowa to sweep him here.
Minowa has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Hanamoto has passed into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowa sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Minowa wants to improve his position but Hanamoto is controlling well.
Minowa moves into full guard.
Minowa is looking to sweep but instead, Hanamoto has passed into half guard.
Minowa is looking to improve his position.
Minowa is not content to let Hanamoto control the position.
Hanamoto prevents Minowa from improving his position.
Ikuhisa Minowa has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanamoto wants to stand up but Minowa has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Hanamoto is trying to control. Minowa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Minowa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Minowa.
Minowa looking for a sweep. Not yet Minowa, not yet.
Minowa keeping moving, preventing Hanamoto from controlling successfully.
Minowa wants to sweep but no luck.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Shuuji Hanamoto.
Minowa looks for a takedown but Hanamoto sprawls well.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Hanamoto shoots for a double leg takedown but Minowa sprawls well. He's pushed Hanamoto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hanamoto fails with a takedown attempt.

Minowa dives in and scores a takedown into Hanamoto's guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Minowa wants to pass the guard but Hanamoto is keeping the position.
Minowa won't allow Hanamoto to sweep him here.
Minowa trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hanamoto manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Minowa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hanamoto slips nicely into half guard.
Minowa wants to improve his position but Hanamoto is controlling well.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Minowa actively working from the bottom here.
Hanamoto landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Minowa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Minowa lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hanamoto!
Minowa thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Hanamoto is looking to get to half guard.
Minowa looking to ground and pound but Hanamoto is blocking nicely.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Minowa moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hanamoto has worked his arm free - good work by Hanamoto!
Hanamoto gets back to half guard.
Minowa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hanamoto's head.
Hanamoto tries to roll over but Minowa keeps him under control.

Minowa 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.
Hanamoto regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Minowa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hanamoto is keeping the position for now.
Hanamoto seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hanamoto working a defensive guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Minowa tries to free his leg and advance position but Hanamoto is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ikuhisa Minowa.
Well Minowa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Ikuhisa Minowa!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Ikuhisa Minowa!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Ikuhisa Minowa!

Ikuhisa Minowa wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Ikuhisa Minowa, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.