PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eiji Kawashima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jay Hunter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jay Hunter has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kawashima
vs
Hunter

182 cm
26
175 lbs
18 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
182 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Brute
Legion of Pain Nutrition

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eiji Kawashima!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jay Hunter!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunter checks a low kick from Kawashima.
Kawashima pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hunter shoots in but no luck this time.
Kawashima moves away from the strike by Hunter.
Kawashima stuffs the takedown.
Kawashima is looking to land body kicks.
Kawashima keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hunter throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kawashima lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hunter fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Hunter.
Hunter has a takedown stuffed.
Hunter misses with a wild body shot.
Hunter blocks a jab.
Kawashima tries to move into range but Hunter moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hunter tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kawashima swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Jay Hunter has been cut.
Kawashima throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kawashima.
Horrible takedown by Hunter or perhaps it was just good defense by Kawashima which made him look bad.
Hunter shoots in but no luck this time.
Hunter shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kawashima as he jumps to the side.

Hunter looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hunter trying to mount his opponent but Kawashima defends it.
Hunter sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kawashima defending well though.
Hunter tries to pass to full mount but Kawashima defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter is trying to control. Kawashima wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kawashima keeping hold of Hunter's head, controlling as best he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kawashima is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hunter tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Kawashima.
Kawashima avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunter.
Hunter is thwarting Kawashima's attempts to control the position.

Eiji Kawashima has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hunter fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kawashima manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kawashima bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kawashima scores with a kick to the midsection.
Hunter shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kawashima pinned against the cage. Kawashima gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hunter tried to score with a low kick but Kawashima checks it.

Hunter drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hunter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kawashima keeping moving, preventing Hunter from controlling successfully.
Kawashima is trying to keep Hunter in close.
Hunter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima trying to control the position here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hunter looking to sit in guard and control but Kawashima gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hunter looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kawashima is one step ahead there.
Hunter is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hunter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kawashima defends it easily.
Hunter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jay Hunter will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jay Hunter's cut.
That's time! Kawashima's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kawashima tries to sprawl but Hunter drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Hunter throwing shots but Kawashima is blocking nicely.
Kawashima is concentrating on defense, preventing Hunter from advancing position.
Hunter not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kawashima keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kawashima won't allow Hunter to pass to mount.
Kawashima holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Kawashima keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hunter has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kawashima is controlling Hunter's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Hunter wants to control but Kawashima is keeping him busy.
Kawashima is trying to maintain the position but Hunter is very close to passing his half guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Eiji Kawashima wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hunter fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hunter drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hunter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kawashima preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kawashima avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hunter is looking to work some ground and pound but Kawashima has wrist control.
Hunter throwing strikes from guard but Kawashima blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hunter trying to control but Kawashima is working from the bottom.
Hunter throws a big elbow that misses.
Hunter missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hunter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kawashima is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hunter looking to pass the guard.
Hunter working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hunter wants to pass the guard but Kawashima is keeping the position.
Hunter makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kawashima keeping full guard, as Hunter tries to pass.
Kawashima is trying to keep Hunter in close.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kawashima holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hunter lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jay Hunter has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hunter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kawashima is keeping the position for now.

Kawashima looking for a guillotine here but Hunter defends easily.
Hunter stopping the sweep attempt from Kawashima.
Kawashima keeping full guard, as Hunter tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hunter working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kawashima 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.
Hunter trying to control but Kawashima is working from the bottom.

Kawashima pushes Hunter off and gets back to his feet.

Hunter changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kawashima looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
What's Kawashima going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
You can see the frustration on Kawashima's face as Hunter controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Hunter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jay Hunter's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hunter fails with the takedown
and Kawashima counters with a low kick, right behind Hunter 's knee.
Kawashima defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hunter.
Kawashima thuds a left hand into Hunter's body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hunter.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Hunter.
Kawashima connects with an inside leg kick.
Kawashima tries to land a leg kick but Hunter saw it coming and moves away.
Kawashima throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hunter stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kawashima misses with the combination.
Kawashima connects with a leg kick. Hunter looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hunter closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kawashima circles away.
Kawashima pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hunter is out of range and Kawashima settles back down.
Hunter takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima doesn't manage to clinch there - Hunter circles away.
Kawashima uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hunter has time to react.
Kawashima fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hunter is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kawashima sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kawashima misses with a body kick.
Eiji Kawashima is winning the standup battle so far.
Hunter takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kawashima lands with a shot to the body.
Kawashima tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hunter closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kawashima circles away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawashima moves in looking to clinch but Hunter pushes him off.
Kawashima thuds a left hand into Hunter's body.

Kawashima pushes Hunter up against the cage in a clinch.
Kawashima is stalling here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima presses Hunter against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hunter misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kawashima using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hunter tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kawashima just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kawashima tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short left from Kawashima.
Kawashima throws a knee to the head but misses.

Hunter drags the fight down to the ground.
Kawashima stopping the sweep attempt from Hunter.
Hunter being controlled here, momentarily.
Kawashima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hunter is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hunter looking for a sweep. Not yet Hunter, not yet.

Eiji Kawashima has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hunter misses with a takedown
letting Kawashima counter with a right hand.
Hunter looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kawashima is fending him off so far but Hunter persists. Nope, Kawashima circles away and we're back to standing.
Kawashima scores with a nice strike.
Hunter fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jay Hunter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kawashima throws a leg kick but Hunter sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kawashima keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter shoots in and drives through. Kawashima sprawls well.
Kawashima keeps Hunter at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunter takes one to the chin there.
Hunter checks a leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hunter.

Kawashima moves into range and clinches up with Hunter.
Kawashima looking to stall.
Kawashima softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hunter scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hunter changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kawashima fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kawashima tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hunter was well out of range. Poor timing from Kawashima.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eiji Kawashima clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Jay Hunter's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hunter is defended easily by Kawashima.
Hunter blocks the body kick.
Kawashima leaves Hunter with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hunter takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hunter shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Hunter.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hunter.
Hunter misses the shot to the body.
Hunter looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kawashima is fending him off so far but Hunter persists. Nope, Kawashima circles away and we're back to standing.
Hunter fails with a takedown attempt.
Hunter is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Kawashima connects with a leg kick. Hunter looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima connects with a single shot there.
Kawashima throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Eiji Kawashima is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kawashima looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hunter chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kawashima can pounce on him.
Kawashima connects with a leg kick. Hunter looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kawashima keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hunter takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kawashima throws a head kick but Hunter moves out of range.

Hunter throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kawashima tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hunter is in Kawashima's guard.
Hunter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hunter preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hunter loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hunter forces his way into half guard.
Hunter works his way into full mount!
Kawashima is working to get back to half guard.
Hunter sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter unloads with some shots from mount but Kawashima bucks and avoids them well.
Hunter working Kawashima over with strikes here.
Hunter can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kawashima is looking to escape.
Hunter prevents Kawashima from getting the reversal.
Hunter lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Kawashima is rocked!

It looks like Eiji Kawashima has been cut.
Hunter looking to control but Kawashima is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Poor strikes thrown by Hunter there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Hunter lands a heavy elbow.
Oh Kawashima is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kawashima can't escape the position.
Hunter trying to control but Kawashima is having none of it.
Kawashima seems to have got his legs back now.
Hunter lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kawashima hang on?
Hunter can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kawashima is looking to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hunter throws some wild stikes that Kawashima manages to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Jay Hunter will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hunter shoots for a double leg takedown but Kawashima sprawls well. He's pushed Hunter's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hunter shoots for a double leg takedown but Kawashima sprawls well. He's pushed Hunter's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hunter shoots in for a takedown but Kawashima shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Hunter.
Nice takedown defense from Kawashima. No joy for Hunter on that attempt.
Hunter shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kawashima as he jumps to the side.
Kawashima's jab looks to have found its range, popping Hunter under the eye.
Kawashima jabs Hunter to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kawashima scores with a sloppy right hand. Hunter should have avoided that one.
Hunter gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kawashima counters with a leg kick.
Hunter is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Hunter misses with a looping right.
Hunter looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kawashima is fending him off so far but Hunter persists. Nope, Kawashima circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima thumps Hunter with a low kick.
Kawashima lands a right hook to the body.
Hunter changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kawashima tries to avoid it but Hunter manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kawashima to the ground. Kawashima escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kawashima fakes the leg kick and cracks Hunter in the body.
Hunter takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kawashima buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hunter blocks a head kick by Kawashima.
An inside leg kick lands from Kawashima.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kawashima thuds a left hand into Hunter's body.
Hunter has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kawashima.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kawashima.
Kawashima throws a head kick that misses.
Hunter shoots in looking for a takedown but Kawashima manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hunter's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kawashima avoids it really well and circles away.
Kawashima connects with a nice looking jab.
Kawashima stuffs the takedown.
Kawashima leaves Hunter with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kawashima stuffs the takedown attempt from Hunter. Hunter gets slowly back to his feet.
Eiji Kawashima has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jay Hunter is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kawashima pushes Hunter away with a front kick.
Kawashima scores with a hook to the body. Hunter takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hunter avoids a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima is looking to clinch.
Hunter looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kawashima is fending him off so far but Hunter persists. Nope, Kawashima circles away and we're back to standing.
Kawashima wants to slow Hunter down by chopping away at his legs.
Hunter checks a low kick from Kawashima.
Hunter has a takedown stuffed.
Kawashima stuffs the takedown.
Hunter chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kawashima can pounce on him.
Kawashima takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Hunter looks for a takedown but Kawashima sprawls well.

Hunter shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Hunter trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter controlling the position easily from mount.
Kawashima is desperately trying to improve his position but Hunter has a good base and remains in mount.
Hunter controlling from the full mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kawashima is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hunter content just to control the position here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kawashima wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eiji Kawashima showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hunter 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jay Hunter!
Jay Hunter is the new welterweight champion!
Jay Hunter seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.