PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hulk Hogin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rin Itoshiki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Hogin might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to real american. Itoshiki has chosen Hito toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru (SZS Mod. Rap ver.) as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hogin
vs
Itoshiki

170 cm
33
276 lbs
47 - 21 - 2

195 cm
28
270 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

Brute
Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 47 - 21 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hulk Hogin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rin Itoshiki!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hogin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Itoshiki tries to clinch but Hogin is having none of it.
Rin Itoshiki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Itoshiki misses with a low kick.
Hogin circles away from the clinch attempt

and Hogin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hogin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hogin is looking to work some ground and pound but Itoshiki has wrist control.
Hogin trying to control but Itoshiki is working from the bottom.
Hogin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hogin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Itoshiki looking to control.
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!
Hogin wants to stand but Itoshiki is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hogin throws a strike but Itoshiki rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hogin throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogin with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Itoshiki can't handle though.
Itoshiki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Itoshiki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Itoshiki tries to stand but Hogin is controlling from the bottom.
Hogin keeping moving, preventing Itoshiki from controlling successfully.
Hogin tries to strike from the bottom.
Itoshiki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hogin wants to sweep but no luck.
Hogin wants to improve his position but instead Itoshiki has moved into half guard.
Hogin is looking for a sweep. Itoshiki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki wants to take a breather but Hogin is having none of it.
Hogin is looking to improve his position.
Hogin punching from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hogin throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Itoshiki stands up from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hogin's jab looks to have found its range, popping Itoshiki under the eye.

It looks like Rin Itoshiki has been cut.

Itoshiki has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hogin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hogin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hogin throws a hook to the side of Itoshiki's head but Itoshiki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Itoshiki cracks Hogin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hogin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Itoshiki is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hogin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Knees to the body from Itoshiki.
Itoshiki is looking to control Hogin's arms but Hogin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Itoshiki has his back to the cage.
Itoshiki misses with a knee to the head.
Itoshiki taking a breather.
Hogin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Itoshiki is keeping busy.
Hogin managing to block the knees to the body from Itoshiki.
Itoshiki misses with a punch on the inside.
Hogin prevents a body shot from Itoshiki.
Hogin is trying to maintain a safe position but Itoshiki gets an underhook and turns Hogin into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogin tries to throw a body punch but Itoshiki avoids it by throwing Hogin back against the cage.
Itoshiki with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
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!
Itoshiki lands an elbow inside that Hogin shrugs off.
Itoshiki working hard to break the clinch.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Hulk Hogin has been cut.
Hogin stalling the fight.
Hogin tries to work over Itoshiki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stalling in the clinch from Hogin.
Itoshiki tries to score a body lock takedown but Hogin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Itoshiki landing knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Itoshiki takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hogin trying to control the position but instead, Itoshiki has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hogin into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Itoshiki stalls.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rin Itoshiki will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hogin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Itoshiki moves to clinch but Hogin breaks away
and Hogin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Itoshiki fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hogin.

Itoshiki has managed to clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Itoshiki's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hogin as Itoshiki tries to tie him up.
Hogin lands an elbow that stopped Itoshiki in his tracks for a moment.
Itoshiki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hogin blocks it with crossed arms.
Itoshiki landing knees to the head.
Itoshiki misses with a punch to the body.
Itoshiki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Itoshiki throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Itoshiki blocks an elbow strike from Hogin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hogin dodges an elbow strike from Itoshiki.
Hogin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hogin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hogin takes a knee right on the jaw!
The referee calls for Hogin to work.

Itoshiki lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Itoshiki perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hogin throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Itoshiki blocks the strikes from Hogin.
Itoshiki trying to mount his opponent but Hogin defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Itoshiki content just to control the position here.
Hogin is looking to get to half guard.
Itoshiki controlling from the full mount.
Hogin throwing hammer fists to the chest of Itoshiki. What's that going to do exactly?
Itoshiki controlling from the full mount.
Hogin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hogin flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Itoshiki is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Hogin is desperately trying to improve his position but Itoshiki has a good base and remains in mount.
Itoshiki takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hogin working to try and regain half guard.
Hogin is squirming around, avoiding Itoshiki's attempts to control the action.
Itoshiki controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Hogin is trying to get back to full guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rin Itoshiki wasn't active enough on the ground.
Itoshiki lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Itoshiki misses with a wild body shot.
Itoshiki throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hogin misses with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Itoshiki tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Hogin to counter with a crisp jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hogin scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Itoshiki drives through and clinches with Hogin against the cage.
Come on Itoshiki - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hogin displaying some good clinch control by pressing Itoshiki up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rin Itoshiki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Hogin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Itoshiki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Itoshiki lands with a thumping leg kick.

Itoshiki tries to sprawl but Hogin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Hogin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Itoshiki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hogin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Itoshiki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Itoshiki pushes Hogin off and gets back to his feet.
Itoshiki is looking to clinch but Hogin is avoiding it.
Hogin misses with a straight left.
Hogin on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Itoshiki tries to clinch but Hogin moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Itoshiki connects with a single shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Itoshiki gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hogin to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hogin postures up in Itoshiki's guard and throws a big left but Itoshiki blocks it.
Hogin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Itoshiki wants to stand up but Hogin is controlling him.
Hogin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Itoshiki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Itoshiki wants to stand up but Hogin is controlling him.
Hogin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Itoshiki keeping moving, preventing Hogin from controlling successfully.
Hulk Hogin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Itoshiki can't keep his opponent in guard - Hogin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hulk Hogin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hogin trying to control from half guard but Itoshiki is working away.
Itoshiki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hogin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hogin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hogin postures up in Itoshiki's guard and throws a big left but Itoshiki blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Itoshiki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hogin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hogin throws a big elbow that misses.
Itoshiki wants to stand and escape but Hogin is having none of it.
Hogin throws a big elbow that misses.

Itoshiki manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Itoshiki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Itoshiki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Itoshiki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hogin swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Itoshiki gets a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Itoshiki throws an elbow but misses.
Itoshiki looking to throw knees to the head but Hogin is blocking nicely.
Hogin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Itoshiki's elbow.
Hogin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Itoshiki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hogin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Itoshiki's efforts to push away.
Hogin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hogin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Itoshiki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hogin avoids it.
Hogin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hogin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Itoshiki pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rin Itoshiki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Itoshiki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hogin throws a shot from downtown. Itoshiki moves away and avoids it.

Hogin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Hogin is working for a kimura but Itoshiki is defending it quite comfortably.
Itoshiki is trying to stand back up but Hogin is controlling him
Hogin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hogin 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.
Hogin is nestled in close to Itoshiki, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hulk Hogin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Itoshiki 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rin Itoshiki!
A less than humble Rin Itoshiki misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.