PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack McCullough (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michihiro Bukake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCullough comes into the arena with Bodies by Drowning Pool blaring out of the sound system. Bukake has chosen Primo Victoria as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McCullough
vs
Bukake

193 cm
26
220 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
220 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Decent knees
Solid chin

Damnfield clothing
Mango Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack McCullough!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michihiro Bukake !
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCullough looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McCullough finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bukake moves out of range of the body kick from McCullough.
McCullough misses with the combination.
Bukake doesn't manage to clinch there - McCullough circles away.
McCullough misses with the body kick
and Bukake counters with an outside leg kick.
McCullough throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bukake is looking to clinch.
McCullough tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bukake is able to avoid easily.
McCullough tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCullough keeps the fight on the outside.

Bukake has McCullough up against the cage in a clinch.
Bukake taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Bukake trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukake has McCullough pressed against the cage, preventing McCullough from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bukake keeps control of McCullough as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McCullough wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bukake with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bukake landing knees to the head.
Bukake lands a shot to the body.
Bukake throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bukake working McCullough over with knees to the body.
McCullough wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
McCullough wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bukake has him pressed against the cage.
Bukake tries a knee to the head but McCullough blocks it.
Bukake keeps control of McCullough as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bukake just leaning against McCullough, taking a breather.
McCullough stops a takedown attempt from Bukake .

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McCullough gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Bukake holds on and takes a little breather.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bukake trying to keep a closed guard but McCullough is proving a slippery customer.
McCullough trying to control but Bukake is working from the bottom.
Bukake pulls McCullough in close to his closed guard and prevents McCullough from doing any damage or advancing position.
McCullough throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bukake works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Michihiro Bukake .

Bukake has closed the distance and engaged McCullough in a clinch.
McCullough on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bukake lands a knee to the head.
McCullough looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McCullough.
McCullough wants a takedown.

Bukake gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, McCullough regains guard.
McCullough has Bukake pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCullough wants to stand and escape but Bukake is having none of it.
Bukake looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McCullough is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCullough is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McCullough will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bukake pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCullough is keeping the position for now.

Bukake decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bukake blocks a head kick by McCullough.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCullough misses with a two punch combination.
McCullough misses with a jab, cross combination.
McCullough circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bukake takes one on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michihiro Bukake will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

McCullough misses with a series of wild punches.
McCullough throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bukake .
Bukake tries to clinch up.
McCullough throws a head kick that misses
and Bukake makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
McCullough misses with a low kick.
Bukake avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bukake is looking to clinch but McCullough is avoiding it.
Bukake tries to clinch up but McCullough circles away and keeps his distance.
Bukake with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
McCullough scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Michihiro Bukake has been cut.
McCullough throws a series of punches but Bukake avoids them all with ease.
McCullough throws a looping overhand right but Bukake ducks down to avoid it.

Bukake instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCullough is pressed up against the cage. Bukake has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McCullough down to the mat. McCullough avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
McCullough tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bukake was well out of range. Poor timing from McCullough.
McCullough with a hook.
Nice shot by McCullough.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bukake . That's going to slow McCullough down.
McCullough throws a lazy head kick
and Bukake counters with a good low kick that McCullough was not able to check.
Bukake checks the leg kick.
McCullough throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Bukake counters with an outside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Bukake closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bukake tries to land a knee to the head but McCullough blocks with his arms.
Bukake prevents McCullough from breaking the clinch.

Bukake turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side 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!
McCullough is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bukake asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCullough tries to improve position but can't.

Bukake working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
McCullough can't do much from the bottom here.

Bukake working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
McCullough manages to work his way to half guard, despite Bukake 's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukake stops McCullough from getting back to his feet.
Bukake passes into side control, despite McCullough's attempt to control the position.
Bukake trying to control the position but McCullough is working away.
Bukake working the head with strikes.
Bukake trying to control the action but McCullough is working from the bottom.

Bukake decides to stand back up.
Bukake throws an off balance right hand
and McCullough counters with a series of strikes. Bukake will be more careful next time no doubt.
McCullough throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McCullough is looking to chop away at Bukake 's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukake misses with a two punch combination.
McCullough misses with a double jab.
McCullough misses with a series of wild punches.
Bukake feints and then cracks McCullough's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McCullough down.
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!

Bukake closes the distance and clinches.
Bukake throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bukake keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCullough's efforts to push away.
McCullough is looking to break free of the clinch but Bukake has double underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bukake has picked McCullough up - he's going for a ride! Bukake dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
McCullough trying to control from the bottom.
Bukake sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michihiro Bukake will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Michihiro Bukake 's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Bukake throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bukake fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McCullough.
Bukake is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McCullough.
Bukake tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bukake looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice defenses there by Bukake .
McCullough swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McCullough fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Bukake closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bukake lands in his opponent's guard.
Bukake wants to control from the top but McCullough keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukake forces his way into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bukake connects with a nice short shot to McCullough's temple.
Bukake wants to stand up but McCullough is controlling the position.
McCullough is trying to stand back up but Bukake is controlling him
Bukake is trying to control. McCullough wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Bukake is taking a breather. McCullough says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Bukake is looking to take a break and control but McCullough is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Michihiro Bukake wasn't active enough on the ground.
McCullough swinging wildly here.
Jack McCullough is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCullough tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bukake slips a jab and a cross from McCullough.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bukake fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McCullough, pushing him back against the cage.
Bukake with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Jack McCullough has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bukake keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCullough's efforts to push away.
McCullough is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Bukake lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McCullough is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bukake with a knee to the head.
Bukake holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCullough can't break the clinch.
Michihiro Bukake seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
McCullough blocks the elbow strike.
McCullough wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bukake - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McCullough wants to get back to striking at distance but Bukake won't allow it.
McCullough managing to block the knees to the body from Bukake .
McCullough wants to break free but Bukake has control.
Bukake with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bukake lands a knee to the head.
Bukake tries to work over McCullough's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jack McCullough has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCullough wants to get back to striking at distance but Bukake won't allow it.
McCullough is pressed up against the cage. Bukake has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McCullough down to the mat. McCullough avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McCullough.

Bukake clinches.
Bukake keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCullough's efforts to push away.
McCullough has had enough of the clinch but Bukake keeps him there for the moment.
Bukake has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McCullough after a bit of a struggle.
Jack McCullough has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michihiro Bukake .
Bukake tries a knee to the head but McCullough blocks it.
McCullough has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bukake avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCullough looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McCullough is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bukake obliges.
Michihiro Bukake is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCullough wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bukake has him pressed against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michihiro Bukake comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bukake winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michihiro Bukake !
Michihiro Bukake made sure to mention his sponsor, Damnfield clothing in his post fight interview.