PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Power (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Power is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Dangerous. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Danny Power was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Higashikuni
vs
Power

162 cm
28
146 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

172 cm
30
147 lbs
26 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Brute

Hellbent
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Katsu Higashikuni!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Danny Power!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A chopping leg kick lands by Higashikuni.
Power turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Power attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Higashikuni fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Power avoids it really well and circles away.
Higashikuni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Power.
Power defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Higashikuni.
A shot to the body from Higashikuni misses
and Power counters with a right hand to the body.
Power uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Higashikuni.
Power walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Power misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Higashikuni with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Power to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsu Higashikuni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Power scores with a hook.
Nice uppercut there from Power.

It looks like Katsu Higashikuni has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higashikuni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Power was well out of range. Poor timing from Higashikuni.
Power steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Higashikuni.
Power walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Higashikuni scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni misses with a wild body shot.
Higashikuni looks to land a left hand but Power moved out of range nicely.
Power lands the left hand.

Higashikuni is rocked!
Power throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Power avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
An inside leg kick from Power misses.
Higashikuni scores with a hook.
Katsu Higashikuni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Higashikuni with a hook.
Power cracks Higashikuni with an open hand slap.
Oh Higashikuni is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Higashikuni throws out a loose jab but Power uses good head movement to avoid it.
Power keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Power.
Power throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Higashikuni seems to have got his legs back now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Power moves out of range of the strikes.
Power takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Good standup being displayed there by Higashikuni as he connects with a hook.
Higashikuni fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni slips a straight right by Power.
Higashikuni takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Power ducks under a wild hook from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Power misses with an uppercut.
Power throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Power misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Higashikuni.
Power dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Power scoring well with a low kick there.
Higashikuni connects with a solid leg kick.
Power looks to land a body kick but Higashikuni moved away.
Power avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Power drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Higashikuni blocks a head kick by Power.
Power connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Higashikuni is looking to slow Power down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni lands with a hook. Power tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Power has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Higashikuni checks a leg kick nicely.
Power looks to land a left hand but Higashikuni moved out of range nicely.
Higashikuni is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Power throws a jab but it's blocked by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni tries to land a leg kick but Power saw it coming and moves away.
Higashikuni misses with a leg kick

and Power counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Power.
Higashikuni is trying to maintain a safe position but Power gets an underhook and turns Higashikuni into the cage.
Nice body punch from Higashikuni - that landed with a thud.
Power displaying some good clinch control by pressing Higashikuni up against the cage.
Power lands a left hand.
Higashikuni lands a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Power.
Power stalling the fight.
Higashikuni lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Higashikuni lands a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Higashikuni trying to control but Power is working from the bottom.
Power managing to control the position.
Power working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Power wants to sweep but no luck.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Danny Power hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Higashikuni wants to land a leg kick but Power is out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Higashikuni takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Power steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Higashikuni.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Higashikuni lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Power has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Power and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Higashikuni shoots in for a takedown but Power shows good takedown defense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Power dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Katsu Higashikuni's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Higashikuni jabs Power to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Power lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Higashikuni has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Higashikuni and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Power swings for the body but Higashikuni moves out of range.
Power 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.
Higashikuni blocks a jab.
Power lands a lovely overhand right.
Power connects with a jab.
Higashikuni cracks Power with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Higashikuni misses the shot to the body.
Higashikuni cracks Power with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Higashikuni wants to land a leg kick but Power is out of range.
Higashikuni avoids a kick to the body.
Higashikuni fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Higashikuni shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Power counters with a stiff right hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Power.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higashikuni throws an off balance right hand

and Power counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Higashikuni's guard now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higashikuni had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Power defends it easily.
Higashikuni preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Power trying to control the position from guard on top but Higashikuni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Power throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Higashikuni looking for a sweep. Not yet Higashikuni, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni is working hard here to advance position.
Power throwing strikes from guard but Higashikuni blocks nicely.
Power postures up in Higashikuni's guard and throws a big left but Higashikuni blocks it.
Power trying to control the position from guard on top but Higashikuni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Power looking to sit in guard and control but Higashikuni gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Higashikuni throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Power preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Power tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Higashikuni looking to pass the guard.
Power not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Higashikuni landing some decent shots from guard.
Power keeping moving, preventing Higashikuni from controlling successfully.
Power tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Power avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Power is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Power controls Higashikuni momentarily but Higashikuni frees himself.

Danny Power has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Higashikuni misses with a low kick.
Power slips under a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Higashikuni misses the target.
Power throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni connects with a good right hand that stumbles Power. Power circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Power cracks Higashikuni with a right hand to the side of the head.
Higashikuni has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Power.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Power on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Higashikuni. Higashikuni obviously looking to wear him down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Higashikuni checks a leg kick nicely.
Power avoids the head kick by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Power manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Higashikuni lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Power showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Katsu Higashikuni's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Power stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters circling a little - Power finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Power's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Higashikuni tries a head kick but it misses.
A low kick from Higashikuni is predictable there
and Power counters with a stiff right hand.
Higashikuni throws a lazy right hand but Power sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Higashikuni misses with a low kick as Power jumps back.
Higashikuni catches Power with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Danny Power seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Power tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Higashikuni swivels and escapes.
Higashikuni misses with a leg kick
and Power counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Higashikuni looks for a takedown but Power sprawls well.
Higashikuni misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsu Higashikuni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Power ducks under a wild hook from Higashikuni.
Power scores with a decent looking hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Higashikuni will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Power tries to keep at a distance but Higashikuni has taken the fight into the clinch.
Higashikuni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Higashikuni breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Higashikuni ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Higashikuni misses with a combination

and Power counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Power.
Higashikuni just leaning against Power, taking a breather.
Higashikuni misses with the head strike.
A shot in the inside from Power.
Power pressing his opponent against the cage.
Higashikuni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Power throws a head punch that misses.
Higashikuni throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Higashikuni misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Power breaks from the clinch.
Power throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Power scoring well with a low kick there.
Power checks a low kick from Higashikuni.
Power paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Power lands with a kick to the temple. Higashikuni shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A jab from Power misses.
Higashikuni misses with an uppercut.
Higashikuni swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Higashikuni throws a push kick but Power slaps the foot to one side.
Power connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Higashikuni looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Power is fending him off so far but Higashikuni persists. Nope, Power circles away and we're back to standing.
Higashikuni misses with a left hand
and Power counters with a low kick, right behind Higashikuni 's knee.
Higashikuni tries a head kick but it misses.
Higashikuni scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Power throws out the jab.
Higashikuni pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Higashikuni throws a head kick but Power moves out of range.
Higashikuni scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Power ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Higashikuni moves away.
Higashikuni scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Power doesn't seem bothered though.
Power misses with a head kick.
Higashikuni takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Power gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Higashikuni slips under a jab.
Power missing with a left hand there. Higashikuni was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Power throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Power 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.
Power avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Power misses the target.
Higashikuni fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Higashikuni swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Power takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A jab from Higashikuni does it's job there.
Power buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Power scoring well with a low kick there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Power scoring well with a low kick there.
Power jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Higashikuni tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Higashikuni tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Higashikuni lands a right hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Power misses the target.
Power avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Power really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Katsu Higashikuni's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Higashikuni checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Power connects with a nice looking jab.
Higashikuni listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Higashikuni moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Higashikuni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Power throws out the jab.
Power uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni misses with a straight right.
Higashikuni works Power's body with a nice hook.
Power on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Higashikuni. Higashikuni obviously looking to wear him down.
Higashikuni tries a low kick but Power avoids it.
Higashikuni slips under a jab from Power.
The crowd cheers as Power lands an impressive looking overhand right. Higashikuni doesn't seem phased though.
Higashikuni lands with a cross.
Higashikuni looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Power is fending him off so far but Higashikuni persists. Nope, Power circles away and we're back to standing.
Higashikuni throws a shot from downtown. Power moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Power manages to avoid it.
Power misses with a looping right.
Higashikuni thows a leg kick but Power checks it
and Power counters with a stiff right hand.
A swing and a miss from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni just misses with a punch to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni throws a predictable looking body shot

and Power moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Power.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Power.
Power working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Higashikuni is trying to break free.
Power lands a nice uppercut.
Higashikuni tries a body shot but Power blocks it.
Higashikuni is trying to break the clinch but Power is controlling him.
Power is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Higashikuni misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Higashikuni lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Higashikuni misses with some punches.

Higashikuni has picked Power up - he's going for a ride! Higashikuni dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Power wants to get back to full guard.
Higashikuni misses with a head shot. Power uses the momentum to regain guard.
Power is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Higashikuni scoring with punches to the head and body.
Power preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Power trying to keep a closed guard but Higashikuni is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Danny Power was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A telegraphed right hand from Higashikuni misses the target.
Power looks to score with a jab to the body but Higashikuni is just out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Higashikuni 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Higashikuni fails with a takedown attempt.
Power uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Higashikuni with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A cross from Higashikuni lands.
Higashikuni scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Power connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni lands a nice looking body shot.
Power throws a low kick but it's checked well by Higashikuni.
Power swings for the body but Higashikuni moves out of range.
Power with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Higashikuni digs a good hook to Power's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Higashikuni takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Higashikuni connects with a body shot that sends Power's belly button to the back.
Higashikuni scores with a decent looking hook.
A jab from Higashikuni misses.
Higashikuni throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Power.
Higashikuni missing with a left hand there. Power was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Higashikuni moves out of range of the strikes.
Power stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Katsu Higashikuni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Power moves away from the strike by Higashikuni.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Katsu Higashikuni will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Katsu Higashikuni's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Power scoring well with a low kick there.
A head kick misses from Power.
Higashikuni blocks a head kick by Power.
Higashikuni walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Power checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Power looks to land a left hand but Higashikuni moved out of range nicely.
Higashikuni throws a front kick aimed at Power's knee but Power avoids it well.
Higashikuni looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Higashikuni shoots for a takedown but Power saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Higashikuni lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Power tries a head kick but it misses.
Higashikuni throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Power tries to move into range but Higashikuni moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Higashikuni fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Power checks it well.
Power lands with an overhand left.
A nice leg kick lands there from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Higashikuni, right into the meat.
Higashikuni defending well as Power loads up on a big left hand.
Power lands a brutal head kick. Higashikuni looks out on his feet and Power throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:17 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). Danny Power!
Danny Power is the new featherweight champion!
Post fight, an emotional Danny Power said 'RANDOLPH!!! You think that you're hunting me down for my #1 ranking and this here gold belt *holds up title* but the hunter is about to become the hunted! I'm coming for you..*walks out of the cage*'.