PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kichiro Kaneko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dick Solomon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dick Solomon acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Kaneko
vs
Solomon

178 cm
30
186 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

200 cm
29
174 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Empire Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kichiro Kaneko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dick Solomon!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Joseph Jones and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaneko throws a body kick that misses.
Solomon throws a lazy uppercut

and Kaneko counters with a single leg into guard. Solomon didn't expect that.
Kaneko is looking to work some ground and pound but Solomon has wrist control.
Kaneko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Solomon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Solomon avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kaneko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Solomon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kaneko trying to control but Solomon is working from the bottom.
Kaneko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Solomon pulls Kaneko in to control the position.
Solomon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Solomon pulls Kaneko in close to prevent any damage.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Dick Solomon wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nice sprawl there from Solomon as Kaneko shoots in.
An inside leg kick from Kaneko misses.
Kaneko fails with a takedown attempt.
Kaneko closes the distance and clinches up with Solomon, looking for a takedown. Kaneko pushes Solomon against the cage but Solomon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kichiro Kaneko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaneko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Solomon.
Kaneko misses with a looping right.
Solomon blocks a head kick by Kaneko.

Kaneko shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Solomon's guard.

Solomon kicks Kaneko off and gets to his feet.
Kaneko throws a head kick but Solomon moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Solomon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Solomon blocks a low kick nicely.
Dick Solomon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kaneko scores with a kick to the midsection.
Solomon checks a leg kick.
Dick Solomon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kaneko slips a jab and a cross from Solomon.
Kaneko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Solomon.
Kaneko defending well as Solomon loads up on a big left hand.
Kaneko throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaneko tries to work over Solomon's front leg with a kick but Solomon checks it.
Kaneko throws a jab when Solomon was well out of range.
Kaneko throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Kaneko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaneko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Solomon defending well though.
Kaneko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Solomon defending well though.
Solomon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kaneko is working away from the top position though.
Solomon tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kaneko has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Solomon is desperately trying to improve his position but Kaneko has a good base and remains in mount.
A nice elbow there by Kaneko.
Kaneko has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Solomon's face.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Solomon is desperately trying to improve his position but Kaneko has a good base and remains in mount.
Solomon takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaneko misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Solomon tries to hold on but Kaneko postures up.
Kaneko scoring with strikes but Solomon is staying in there.
Solomon manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Solomon regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Solomon wants to control the position but Kaneko says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Solomon makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Solomon takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kaneko closes the distance and clinches up with Solomon, looking for a takedown. Kaneko pushes Solomon against the cage but Solomon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Solomon throws a looping overhand right but Kaneko ducks down to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Kaneko.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Solomon takes a swing at Kaneko's ribcage but misses.
Kaneko throws a sloppy head kick and Solomon moves out of range easily.
Kaneko tries to clinch there but Solomon circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solomon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kaneko.
Solomon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kaneko.
Solomon takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kaneko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Solomon but Solomon pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kaneko tries a head kick but it misses.
Kaneko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Solomon.
Kaneko misses with a head kick.
Kaneko loads up on a big right hand but Solomon slips the punch.
Solomon wants to clinch up but Kaneko keeps it at a distance.
Kaneko throws a one two combo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Solomon misses with an uppercut
and Kaneko counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Solomon misses with a looping left.
Kaneko throws a nice looking combination but Solomon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Solomon moves in looking to clinch but Kaneko pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kichiro Kaneko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Solomon instigates a clinch.
Kaneko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Solomon backwards.
Kaneko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Solomon lands a body shot.
Solomon misses with some punches.
Kaneko blocks a body shot from Solomon.
Solomon blocking some punches.
Kaneko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Solomons head.
Kaneko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kaneko swings wildly with an uppercut but Solomon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Solomon struggles to land a body shot inside as Kaneko controls his hands.
A short uppercut from Kaneko.
Kaneko tries a body shot but Solomon blocks it.
Good body shot from Kaneko.
Solomon misses with a punch on the inside.
Kaneko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Solomon backwards.
Kaneko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Solomon pulls his leg out and moves away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Solomon fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaneko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Solomon moves away.
Solomon fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kaneko ducks under a wild hook from Solomon.
Solomon moves out of range of the body kick.
Kaneko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Solomon scores with a shot to the body.
Kaneko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Solomon checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kaneko throws a jab when Solomon was well out of range.
Solomon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice shot by Solomon.
Kaneko swats away the attempt to clinch by Solomon.
Kaneko moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A decent looking cross lands there for Solomon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solomon slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Solomon tries to clinch but Kaneko is having none of it.
Kaneko walks into a jab.
Kaneko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kichiro Kaneko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaneko throws a jab when Solomon was well out of range.

Solomon forces Kaneko back against the cage and clinches.
Kaneko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Solomon's elbow.
Solomon is leaning against Kaneko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kaneko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Solomon's elbow.
Kaneko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nice body punch from Kaneko - that landed with a thud.
Kaneko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kaneko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kaneko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Kaneko.
Nice body punch from Kaneko - that landed with a thud.
Solomon takes a shot to the head.
Solomon is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Solomon.
Kaneko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Solomon backwards.
Good body shot from Kaneko.
Solomon misses with a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Kaneko.
Solomon is breathing heavily.
Kaneko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kaneko cracks Solomon with a nice body shot.
Solomon is leaning against Kaneko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Solomon struggles to land a body shot inside as Kaneko controls his hands.
Solomon scores with a hook to the body.
Kaneko is looking to control Solomon's arms but Solomon gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kaneko has his back to the cage.
Kaneko throws a head punch that misses.
Kaneko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Solomon after a bit of a struggle.
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!
Kaneko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Solomon gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kaneko tries to work over Solomon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Solomon is trying to break the clinch but Kaneko is controlling him.
A short right from Kaneko.
Solomon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kaneko lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaneko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kaneko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A nice right hand lands inside from Solomon.

Solomon breaks the clinch.
Kaneko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Solomon.
Kaneko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Solomon.
Solomon's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Solomon duly obliges.
Dick Solomon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Solomon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kaneko. Kaneko obviously looking to wear him down.
Solomon stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kaneko.
Kaneko throws out a loose jab but Solomon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Solomon tries to clinch there but Kaneko circles away.
Solomon moves away from the strike by Kaneko.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kaneko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Solomon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Solomon misses with a looping right.

Solomon moves into range and clinches up with Kaneko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kichiro Kaneko will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Solomon throws a right hand that Kaneko ducks under and follows up with a left that Kaneko also avoids with ease.

Kaneko decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kaneko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Solomon trying to control here.
Solomon tries to roll over but Kaneko keeps him under control.
Kaneko lands strikes from half guard.
Kaneko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kaneko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Solomon holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Solomon is trying to stand.
Solomon is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Kaneko is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Solomon sees it coming and defends easily.
Solomon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kaneko.
Kaneko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Solomon's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Solomon regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaneko cracks Solomon with a solid left hand.
Kaneko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Solomon wants to stand but Kaneko is controlling the position.
Solomon working a defensive guard here.
Kaneko prevents Solomon from getting back to his feet.
Kaneko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kaneko landing some decent shots from guard.
Kichiro Kaneko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Solomon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kaneko postures up in Solomon's guard and throws a big left but Solomon blocks it.
Kaneko lands a couple of elbows.
Solomon wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kaneko trying to control the position from guard on top but Solomon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Solomon looking to control.
Dick Solomon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaneko looking to sit in guard and control but Solomon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kaneko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Solomon looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kaneko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kaneko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kaneko has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Solomon stands up and waves to Kaneko to follow him.
Solomon misses with a double jab.
Solomon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kichiro Kaneko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Solomon might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Kaneko.
Solomon misses with a series of wild punches.

Kaneko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Solomon is trying to defend but Kaneko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Solomon is looking to improve his position.

Solomon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Solomon is staying active underneath Kaneko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kaneko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kaneko wants to control but Solomon is keeping him busy.
Kaneko trying to pass the guard but Solomon defending well.

Solomon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kaneko pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kichiro Kaneko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kaneko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kichiro Kaneko!
Kichiro Kaneko took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, - - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - - for their support in the buildup to the fight.