PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yoshida Kotaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kato Munechika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kotaro comes to the ring accompanied by Dance Yourself Clean. Munechika has chosen Requiem for a Dream as his entrance music. Kato Munechika has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kotaro
vs
Munechika

194 cm
34
139 lbs
21 - 15 - 0

173 cm
34
160 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yoshida Kotaro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kato Munechika!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Hugh Johnson and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Munechika finds it's target.
Munechika lands a nice looking body shot.
Munechika uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kotaro.
Kotaro misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Munechika throws a shot from downtown. Kotaro moves away and avoids it.
Kotaro throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Munechika throws a body punch but Kotaro moves out of range.
Munechika digs a good body shot into Kotaro's ribs.
Kotaro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Munechika.
Munechika moves away from the strike by Kotaro.
Munechika throws a push kick but Kotaro slaps the foot to one side.
Kotaro throws a lazy right hand but Munechika sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Munechika tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kotaro throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Munechika uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kotaro.

Munechika fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kotaro sprawls well initially but Munechika persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munechika performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Munechika trying to control the action but Kotaro is working from the bottom.
Munechika works his foot free and advances to mount.
Munechika controlling the position easily from mount.
Munechika raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotaro wants to hold on but Munechika pushes him away.
Kotaro regains half guard.
Munechika prevents Kotaro from standing back up.

Kotaro actively working from the bottom here.
Munechika performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Munechika not landing any meaningful shots this time.
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!
Munechika trying to control the pace.
Kotaro really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kotaro is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kato Munechika was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Munechika will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Munechika fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Munechika uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kotaro.
Munechika misses with a looping right.
Munechika swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kotaro takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kotaro looks to land a left hand but Munechika moved out of range nicely.
Munechika throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Munechika is looking to clinch.
Kato Munechika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Munechika lands an overhand right.
Kotaro stuffs the takedown.
Yoshida Kotaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kato Munechika.
Kotaro throws a looping overhand right but Munechika ducks down to avoid it.
Nice straight punches there by Kotaro. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kotaro.
Nice uppercut lands for Kotaro. That snapped Munechika's head back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kotaro tries a head kick but it misses.
Munechika slips under a jab from Kotaro.
Munechika throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Kotaro counter with a right hand.
Munechika thuds a left hand into Kotaro's body.
Kotaro throws a leg kick but Munechika moved away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Munechika shoots in looking for a takedown. Kotaro tries to sprawl out of it but Munechika keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Kotaro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Munechika 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 Kotaro has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kotaro and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kato Munechika dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kotaro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Munechika.
Munechika scores with a hook.
Munechika misses with a straight right.
Nice sprawl there from Kotaro as Munechika shoots in.
Kotaro is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Munechika tries to land a leg kick but Kotaro saw it coming and moves away.
Munechika takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kotaro stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Munechika tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kotaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Munechika.
Kotaro stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kotaro wants it to stay on the feet.
Munechika tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kotaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Munechika.
Kotaro digs a good body shot into Munechika's ribs.
Munechika wants to clinch up but Kotaro keeps it at a distance.
Munechika throws a lazy uppercut
and Kotaro counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kotaro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Munechika.
Munechika misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munechika misses with a hook to the body
and Kotaro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Munechika avoids the head kick by Kotaro.
Munechika shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Munechika throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kotaro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Munechika shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kotaro as he avoids it easily.
Yoshida Kotaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kato Munechika.
Munechika is breathing heavily.
Munechika shoots and misses
and Kotaro counters with a nice body kick.
Kotaro blocks a leg kick.
Munechika shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Munechika changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kotaro tries to avoid it but Munechika manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kotaro to the ground. Kotaro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Munechika moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kotaro lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Munechika takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Munechika is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kotaro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kotaro throws a lazy right hand but Munechika sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kotaro throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Munechika fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kotaro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Munechika.
Kotaro on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kotaro lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Munechika at a distance.
Munechika changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kotaro tries to avoid it but Munechika manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kotaro to the ground. Kotaro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kotaro lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Munechika circles away quickly and effectively.
Munechika tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kotaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Munechika.
A swing and a miss from Kotaro.
A solid leg kick lands there for Munechika.
Munechika throws a looping overhand right but Kotaro ducks down to avoid it.
Yoshida Kotaro is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Munechika is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kotaro's half guard.
Kotaro tries to roll over but Munechika keeps him under control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kotaro trying to control here.
Munechika wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kotaro keeps working.
Kotaro is looking to escape.
Kotaro keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Munechika wants to take a breather but Kotaro is having none of it.
Munechika prevents Kotaro from improving his position.
Kotaro is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Munechika throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kotaro to regain full guard.
Kotaro is trying to keep Munechika in close.
Munechika is looking to work some ground and pound but Kotaro has wrist control.
Munechika is stalling in the full guard.
Munechika tries to free his leg and advance position but Kotaro is retaining full guard.
Kotaro keeping moving, preventing Munechika from controlling successfully.
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.
Kotaro wants to sweep but no luck.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Munechika connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kato Munechika will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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.

Munechika waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kotaro.
Munechika scoring well with a low kick there.
The fighters circling - Kotaro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kotaro takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kotaro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Munechika.
Munechika looks for the body kick but Kotaro saw that one coming.
Munechika looks for a takedown but Kotaro sprawls well.
Munechika finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kotaro throws a big shot that misses.
Munechika throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kotaro is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Munechika shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kotaro as he avoids it easily.
Yoshida Kotaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kato Munechika.
Munechika takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Munechika is looking to score with low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munechika buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kotaro slaps away a takedown attempt from Munechika, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Munechika ducks under a wild hook from Kotaro.
Munechika fails to land the takedown.
Munechika stuns Kotaro with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Munechika throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Munechika pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Munechika misses with a hook

and Kotaro counters by clinching up.
Munechika tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kotaro has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kotaro on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kotaro throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kotaro scores with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Munechika tries a body shot but Kotaro blocks it.
Munechika misses with a body punch.
Kotaro looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Munechika is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kotaro is defending well for now.
Munechika managing to block the knees to the body from Kotaro.
Kotaro throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kotaro.
Still in the clinch, Kotaro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kotaro with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Munechika.
Kotaro missing with knees to the body.
Kotaro scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Munechika tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Munechika takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kotaro lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kotaro lands a knee to the head.
Munechika misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munechika tries to throw a body punch but Kotaro avoids it by throwing Munechika back against the ropes.
Kotaro tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kotaro throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Munechika blocks it with crossed arms.
Munechika lands a left hand.
Kotaro tries to land knees in the clinch but Munechika avoids the damage to the body.
Munechika misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kotaro with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kotaro throws a knee to the head but misses.
Munechika lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kotaro prevents a body shot from Munechika.
Munechika comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Yoshida Kotaro has been cut.
Kotaro throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kotaro lands a left hand that snaps the head of Munechika backwards.
Munechika lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A knee to the head by Kotaro.
Munechika lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotaro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kotaro misses with a knee strike.
Kotaro avoids the elbow strike from Munechika, against the ropes.
Munechika tries a body shot but Kotaro blocks it.
Munechika misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice left hand lands by Kotaro.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kotaro with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Munechika misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kotaro connects with a knee to the head.
Kotaro looking to throw knees to the head but Munechika is blocking nicely.
Munechika presses Kotaro against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Munechika lands with a short shot to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Munechika gets through Kotaro's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Kotaro is rocked!
Munechika pushes Kotaro back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Oh Kotaro is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Munechika dips a shoulder and cracks Kotaro with a mighty uppercut! Kotaro falls back against the ropes and Munechika unloads with a barrage of strikes! Kotaro is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the ropes! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Munechika screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kato Munechika!
Kato Munechika is the new lightweight champion!
After the big win, Kato Munechika made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Hellbent and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.