PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Alexander Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ukyo Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Smirnov
vs
Sato

173 cm
26
144 lbs
20 - 10 - 1

175 cm
28
140 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

World class boxer
Cardio machine

World class MT
Good gas tank

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q
Fighters First Nutrition Amsterdam 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ukyo Sato!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov swings for the body but Sato moves out of range.
Sato tried to score with a low kick but Smirnov checks it.
Sato throws a looping overhand right but Smirnov ducks down to avoid it.
Sato throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smirnov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Smirnov throws a hook but Sato avoids it easily.
Sato takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Smirnov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Smirnov avoids the head kick by Sato.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Smirnov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sato - the referee stops the clock and Smirnov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sato. Smirnov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Smirnov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sato.
Smirnov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sato counters with a flying knee. Nice.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sato thuds his shin into the meat of Smirnov's side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Smirnov misses its intended target.
Smirnov moves out of range of the body kick from Sato.
A head kick misses from Sato.
Sato tries a head kick but it misses.
Sato looks to throw a body kick
and Sato takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smirnov misses with an uppercut. Sato saw that one coming.
Smirnov blocks the body kick.
Sato scores with a leg kick.
Smirnov throws a big shot that misses.
Sato scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smirnov doesn't seem bothered though.
Smirnov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sato counters with a low kick, right behind Smirnov 's knee.
Sato pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smirnov scores with a decent looking hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato thows a body kick. Smirnov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Smirnov blocks a head kick by Sato.
Jab from Smirnov.
Sato ducks under a wild hook from Smirnov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smirnov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sato scores with a shot to the body.
Sato throws a wild body kick that Smirnov sees coming a mile off.
Smirnov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sato.
Smirnov misses with a wild body shot.
Smirnov just misses with a punch to the body.
Smirnov lands a jab-cross combination.
Smirnov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Smirnov throws a jab when Sato was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Ukyo Sato has been cut.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sato misses with a body kick.
Smirnov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sato counters with a straight right hand.
Sato comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smirnov moves away from the strike by Sato.
Smirnov throws a big shot that misses.
Sato explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sato feints and then cracks Smirnov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smirnov down.
Sato throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.
Sato scores with a spinning back kick!
Good leg kick by Smirnov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smirnov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Smirnov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A big right from Smirnov misses.
Sato throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Sato checks a low kick from Smirnov.
Sato looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sato throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smirnov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sato sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ukyo Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smirnov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Smirnov throws a jab but it's blocked by Sato.
Sato slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukyo Sato dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ukyo Sato's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smirnov was well out of range. Poor timing from Sato.
Sato lands a really nice looking cross but Smirnov seems unphased.
Sato tried to score with a low kick but Smirnov checks it.
Sato throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Sato misses with a leg kick
and Sato takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A head kick misses from Sato.
Ukyo Sato seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sato connects with a high kick.
Sato slips a jab from Smirnov.
Smirnov looks to throw the jab but Sato is out of range.
Smirnov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Sato looks to throw a body kick
and Smirnov counters with a good low kick that Sato was not able to check.
Smirnov misses with a right hand
and Sato counters with a good, hard body kick but Smirnov shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato looks to land a combination but Smirnov avoids it well.
Sato steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smirnov.
Sato throws a push kick but Smirnov slaps the foot to one side.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick from Sato lands but Smirnov takes it in his stride.
Smirnov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Sato scores with a kick to the midsection.
Smirnov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sato sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smirnov avoids the head kick by Sato.
Sato throws a front kick that sends Smirnov stumbling back into the ropes.
Sato looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sato avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sato throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smirnov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato takes one on the button.
Smirnov moves out of range of the body kick.
Smirnov avoids a kick to the body.
Sato throws a nice looking combination but Smirnov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smirnov moves out of range as Sato throws a body kick.
Smirnov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sato walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Smirnov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Smirnov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Satos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sato throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice defenses there by Sato.
Smirnov blocks the body kick.
Sato throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sato.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sato.
Sato misses the jab.
Smirnov cracks Sato with an open hand slap.
Sato ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sato looks to throw the jab but Smirnov is out of range.
Smirnov avoids the body shot from Sato.
Smirnov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sato counters with an outside leg kick.
Sato slips under a jab from Smirnov.
Sato misses with a kick to the body.
Smirnov lands with an uppercut that bounces Sato off the ropes and back into range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sato bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Smirnov lands a jab to the head.
Smirnov moves out of range as Sato throws a body kick.
Smirnov takes one to the chin there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An inside leg kick lands from Sato.
Smirnov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sato sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sato lands with a right hand.
Smirnov throws out a leg kick but Sato moves out of range and Smirnov only half commits.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice shot lands for Smirnov.
Smirnov throws a lazy uppercut
and Sato counters with a nice kick to the body.
Sato throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukyo Sato showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ukyo Sato's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sato looks for the body kick but Smirnov saw that one coming.
Smirnov misses with a series of wild punches.
Sato lands a head kick!
Sato throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smirnov looks to throw the jab but Sato is out of range.
Smirnov misses with a low kick.
Sato misses with a head kick.
Sato misses with a left hand
and Smirnov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Some bone on bone action there as Smirnov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Smirnov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sato sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sato misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov blocks a jab.
Smirnov with a hook.
Sato misses with an attempted mid kick.
Smirnov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Smirnov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sato counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice body kick there by Sato.
Sato fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sato - that will leave a mark!
Sato looks to land a body kick but Smirnov moved away.
Smirnov misses with a wild body shot.
Smirnov just misses with a punch to the body.
Smirnov misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A head kick misses from Smirnov.
Sato lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sato cracks Smirnov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Good standup being displayed there by Smirnov as he connects with a hook.
Smirnov loads up on a big right hand but Sato slips the punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smirnov throws a big shot that misses.
Sato goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sato lands a nice looking body shot.
Sato slips a straight right by Smirnov.
Sato connects with a high kick.
Smirnov misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sato - that will leave a mark!
Smirnov misses with a looping left.
Smirnov throws a lazy uppercut
and Sato counters with a nice low kick that buckles Smirnov's knee momentarily.
Smirnov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Smirnov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sato sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sato lands with a straight right. Smirnov didn't see that one coming.
Smirnov throws a right hand that misses
and Sato counters with a nice kick to the body.
Sato tries to work over Smirnov's front leg with a kick but Smirnov checks it.
Good shot there by Sato.
Sato scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sato needs to keep his hands up - Smirnov had a free shot at his head there.
Smirnov blocks a jab.
Sato scores with the left hand. Smirnov knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Smirnov thows a body kick. Sato tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Sato moves away from the strike by Smirnov.
Smirnov lands with a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smirnov was well out of range. Poor timing from Sato.
Sato looks to land a combination. Smirnov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nice jab there from Smirnov.
Smirnov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov just misses with a punch to the body.
Sato avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smirnov misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukyo Sato really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ukyo Sato's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smirnov throws a good cross that connects.
Sato is looking to land body kicks.
Smirnov throws the left hand but Sato avoids the punch easily.
Sato pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smirnov moves out of range of the body kick.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smirnov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smirnov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Smirnov lunges at Sato with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sato's hand.
Smirnov throws a big shot that misses.
Sato throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smirnov on the side of the head.
Sato looks to land a body kick but Smirnov moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov loads up on a big right hand but Sato slips the punch.
Sato lands a nice leg kick that just misses Smirnov's sensitive parts.
Sato misses with a hook.
Sato does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A head kick from Sato lands but Smirnov takes it in his stride.
Sato misses with the body kick
and Smirnov counters with a two punch combo.
Smirnov misses with a looping left.
Smirnov misses with an uppercut.
Smirnov throws a jab but it's blocked by Sato.
Sato throws a wild body kick that Smirnov sees coming a mile off.
Smirnov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sato counters with a nice body kick.
Sato has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sato throws a hook but Smirnov avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato lands a body shot.
Smirnov scores with a kick to the body.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sato lands with a kick to the temple. Smirnov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A low kick from Sato misses
and Smirnov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Smirnov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
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!
Smirnov wants to slow Sato down by chopping away at his legs.
Smirnov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sato looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sato thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smirnov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sato.
Sato moves out of range as Smirnov strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sato uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smirnov.
Sato connects with a looping right hand.
Sato misses with a head kick.
Sato scores with a nice body kick.
Smirnov throws an overhand right that lands on Sato's shoulder, as Sato tries to avoid the shot.
Sato throws a head kick that misses
and Smirnov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Smirnov lands with a hook. Sato tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sato uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smirnov.
Smirnov blocks a head kick by Sato.
Sato moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sato keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smirnov.
Smirnov blocks a head kick by Sato.
Smirnov throws a big shot that misses.
Sato looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Smirnov lands with an uppercut that bounces Sato off the ropes and back into range.
Sato throws a chopping leg kick but Smirnov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sato slips a straight right by Smirnov.
Sato throws a sloppy head kick and Smirnov moves out of range easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sato.
Smirnov blocks the body kick.
Smirnov throws a body punch but Sato moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Ukyo Sato will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ukyo Sato's cut.
That's time! Smirnov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sato lands a glancing blow to the side of Smirnov's head.
Smirnov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sato moves away.
Sato scores with a jab.
Sato tries to land a body kick
and Smirnov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smirnov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sato takes a swing at Smirnov's ribcage but misses.
Smirnov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A cross from Sato lands.
Sato swings for the body but Smirnov moves out of range.
Smirnov throws a lazy right hand but Sato sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sato.
Sato takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov throws a lazy right hand but Sato sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sato misses with a hook
and Smirnov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Smirnov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sato looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sato throws a head kick that misses
enabling Smirnov to counter with a crisp jab.
Sato throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.
Sato throws a push kick but Smirnov slaps the foot to one side.
Sato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sato moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Smirnov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Smirnov throws a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smirnov throws a hook to the side of Sato's head but Sato sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smirnov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sato goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sato pushes Smirnov away with a front kick.
Smirnov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sato, right into the meat.
Sato ducks under a wild hook from Smirnov.
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!
Smirnov moves forwards but Sato connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Smirnov lands a really nice looking cross but Sato seems unphased.
Sato with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov misses with a body shot.
Smirnov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Smirnov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sato misses with a kick to the body.
Sato throws a wild body kick that Smirnov sees coming a mile off.
Smirnov throws the left hand but Sato avoids the punch easily.
Sato checks a leg kick nicely.
The fighters circling - Smirnov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sato looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A head kick misses from Sato.
Sato throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sato looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sato.
Alexander Smirnov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sato uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smirnov.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smirnov, right into the meat.
Sato sizes up Smirnov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sato misses with a low kick.
Smirnov misses with a straight right.
Sato connects with a single shot there.
Sato lands with a kick to the ribs.
Sato ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smirnov moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sato goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Smirnov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sato checks a leg kick nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ukyo Sato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sato 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 46:50
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ukyo Sato!