PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shunsui Kyoraku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phraya Phichai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shunsui Kyoraku has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kyoraku
vs
Phichai

190 cm
25
186 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

184 cm
25
192 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shunsui Kyoraku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Phraya Phichai!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Russell Pearce and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phichai throws a leg kick
and Kyoraku counters with a nice body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kyoraku. That's going to slow Phichai down.
Phichai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kyoraku throws out the jab.
That kick from Phichai tenderised Kyoraku's leg. Kyoraku is trying to keep his angry face on.
Phichai darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Phichai throws a quick inside leg kick.
Phichai scores with a kick to the midsection.
Good work by Kyoraku as he checks the leg kick.
Phichai's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kyoraku under the eye.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kyoraku swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Phichai.
Phichai just misses with a punch to the body.
Phraya Phichai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kyoraku tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phichai was well out of range. Poor timing from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku throws a leg kick but Phichai moved away.
Phichai lands a nice shot that snaps Kyoraku's head back.
Kyoraku dips to his left and cracks Phichai with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Kyoraku there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kyoraku circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kyoraku tried to score with a low kick but Phichai checks it.
Kyoraku motions for Phichai to come forward. Kyoraku throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Phichai misses with a combination
and Kyoraku counters with an outside leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Phichai checks a leg kick.
Phichai misses with an uppercut
and Kyoraku counters with a thumping low kick.
Phichai blocks a jab.
Phichai walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Phichai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kyoraku has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Phichai.
Phichai throws a hook but Kyoraku blocks it.
Phichai throws a low kick but Kyoraku avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phichai cracks a nice hook into Kyoraku's ribs.
Kyoraku goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kyoraku throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kyoraku throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Phichai counters with a nice body kick.
Phichai throws a shot from downtown. Kyoraku moves away and avoids it.
Kyoraku wants to clinch up but Phichai keeps it at a distance.
Phichai misses with a looping left.
Nice jab there from Phichai.
A chopping leg kick lands by Phichai.
Phichai swinging wildly here.
Kyoraku avoids the body shot from Phichai.
Kyoraku tries to work over Phichai's front leg with a kick but Phichai checks it.
Phichai looks to throw the jab but Kyoraku is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phichai scores with a hook to the body. Kyoraku takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Phichai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kyoraku fails to land with a series of punches.
Phichai throws a nice outside leg kick.
Phichai connects with a solid leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Phichai finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Phichai lands a nice looking body shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Phichai.
Kyoraku on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kyoraku avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Phichai moves into range and clinches up with Kyoraku.
Kyoraku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Phichai stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Phichai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Phichai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kyoraku backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phichai tries to work over Kyoraku's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Phichai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kyorakus head.
Phichai blocks an uppercut.
Phichai using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Phichai working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Phichai.
Phichai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kyoraku working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Phichai lands a damaging elbow.
Phichai lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Phichai lands a nice shot to the body.
Kyoraku is breathing heavily.
Phichai misses with the head strike.
Phichai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kyorakus head.
Phichai landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Phichai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kyoraku has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kyoraku looking to stall.
Kyoraku misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Phichai.
Kyoraku avoiding damage as Phichai throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phraya Phichai dominated that round.
That's time! Kyoraku's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Phichai wants to land a leg kick but Kyoraku is out of range.
Phichai scores with a push kick.

Phichai clinches with his opponent.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kyoraku.
Kyoraku misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kyoraku tries to stall but Phichai uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kyoraku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Phichai.
Kyoraku misses with some punches.
Phichai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kyoraku blocks an elbow strike.
Phichai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kyoraku misses with a punch to the body.
Kyoraku prevents a body shot from Phichai.
Phichai pushes Kyoraku back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kyoraku struggles to land a body shot inside as Phichai controls his hands.
Kyoraku can't find room to land a body shot as Phichai controls the action.
Kyoraku blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
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!
Phichai lands with a right to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Phichai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phichai managing to block the knees to the body from Kyoraku.
Phichai tries a knee to the head but Kyoraku blocks it.
Phichai lands an elbow inside that Kyoraku shrugs off.

Kyoraku manages to break the clinch.
Kyoraku stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Phichai.
Phraya Phichai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Phichai cracks a nice hook into Kyoraku's ribs.
Nice cross by Kyoraku.
The crowd cheers as Kyoraku lands an impressive looking overhand right. Phichai doesn't seem phased though.
Kyoraku is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Phichai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kyoraku manages to avoid it.
Phichai throws a shot to the body.
Kyoraku throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Phichai on the side of the head.
Phichai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kyoraku throws out the jab.

Phichai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phichai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Phichai blocks an uppercut.
Kyoraku taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phichai lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kyoraku backwards.
Kyoraku throws a punch but it's blocked by Phichai.
A short right from Phichai.
Phichai lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Shunsui Kyoraku has been cut.
Phichai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Phichai pushes Kyoraku back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Phichai tries a knee to the head but Kyoraku blocks it.
Phichai takes a shot to the head.
A short uppercut from Phichai.
Phichai is working Kyoraku over against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Phichai misses with a body punch.
Phichai avoiding damage as Kyoraku throws knees to the body.
Kyoraku misses with a body punch.
Phichai lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kyoraku.
Kyoraku takes an elbow to the forehead.
Phichai scores with a shot to the side of Kyoraku's head.
Kyoraku has a couple of punches blocked by Phichai.
Kyoraku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Phichai's elbow.
Kyoraku throws a punch but it's blocked by Phichai.
Phichai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phichai working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kyoraku will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kyoraku misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Phichai.
Kyoraku lands a shot to the body.
Kyoraku 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.
A short right from Phichai on the inside.
Kyoraku blocks a body shot from Phichai.
Phichai scores with a nice hook to the head.
Phraya Phichai seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kyoraku throws a head punch that misses.
Phichai misses with a body punch.
Phichai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Phichai.
Phichai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Phichai tries a body shot but Kyoraku blocks it.
A short right from Phichai on the inside.
A knee to the head by Phichai.
Kyoraku working aggressively here.
Phichai struggles to land a body shot inside as Kyoraku controls his hands.
Kyoraku tries to work over Phichai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kyoraku takes an elbow to the temple.
Phichai missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phichai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kyoraku backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice body punch from Phichai - that landed with a thud.
A shot in the inside from Phichai.
Kyoraku lands a hook that snaps the head of Phichai backwards.
Kyoraku is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Phichai is defending well for now.
Kyoraku blocks a body shot from Phichai.
A short left from Phichai.
Phichai lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kyoraku has a couple of punches blocked by Phichai.
Kyoraku is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Phichai is defending well for now.
Phichai lands an elbow that stopped Kyoraku in his tracks for a moment.
Phichai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Phichai lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kyoraku.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kyoraku misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kyoraku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Phichai's elbow.
Phichai throws a punch but it's blocked by Kyoraku.
Kyoraku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A left hand lands to the body for Phichai.
Phichai misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phraya Phichai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shunsui Kyoraku's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kyoraku wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Good exchange - Phichai coming out on top.
Phichai takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kyoraku takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Phichai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kyoraku.
Phichai scores with a hook.
Kyoraku swats away the attempt to clinch by Phichai.
A slow jab from Phichai misses its intended target.
Kyoraku swings for the body but Phichai moves out of range.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Phichai.
Phichai lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phichai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kyoraku.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Phichai misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phichai keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Phichai scores with a nice strike.
Phichai cracks Kyoraku with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Phichai dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kyoraku. That did some damage!
Phichai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Phichai lands with a thumping leg kick.
Phichai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kyoraku.
Both fighters circling a little - Phichai finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Phichai. Those never looked like landing.
Phichai throws a jab but it's blocked by Kyoraku.
Kyoraku takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Phichai throws a sloppy head kick and Kyoraku moves out of range easily.
Phichai connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kyoraku fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kyoraku on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Phichai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kyoraku ducks under a wild hook from Phichai.
Phichai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Phichai throws a leg kick but Kyoraku checks it.
Kyoraku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phichai.
Phichai throws a lazy right hand but Kyoraku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Phichai is looking to clinch but Kyoraku is avoiding it.
It looks like Kyoraku has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Phichai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Phichai will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kyoraku throws a sloppy head kick
and Phichai counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kyoraku moves out of range of the body kick from Phichai.
Phichai lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku misses with a head kick.
Kyoraku bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Phichai's head backwards.
Phichai throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kyoraku.
Phichai has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Phichai doesn't manage to clinch there - Kyoraku circles away.
Phichai swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kyoraku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kyoraku misses with a double jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Phichai, right into the meat.
Phichai throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kyoraku throws a quick inside leg kick.
Phichai throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kyoraku lands a jab to the head.
Phichai misses with a low kick as Kyoraku jumps back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phichai lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Shunsui Kyoraku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sloppy strikes from Phichai. Those never looked like landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phichai connects with a body shot.
Kyoraku throws a body punch but Phichai moves out of range.
Phichai tries to close the distance and clinch but Kyoraku swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kyoraku tries to clinch up.
Phichai scores with a nice body kick.
Phichai takes a swing at Kyoraku's ribcage but misses.
Phraya Phichai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Phichai misses with a low kick as Kyoraku jumps back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Phichai throws a wild body kick that Kyoraku sees coming a mile off.
An inside leg kick lands from Phichai.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Phichai. Kyoraku shrugs it off though.
Kyoraku moves out of range as Phichai throws a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phraya Phichai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Phichai 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phraya Phichai!
Phraya Phichai seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.