PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tom Waits (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Freedom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Waits comes to the ring accompanied by What A Waste. Freedom has chosen Johnny Freedom as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Waits
vs
Freedom

183 cm
26
193 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

180 cm
26
194 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Waits!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Freedom!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Waits thuds his right hand into Freedom's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Freedom walks into a left hand.
Freedom takes a kick to the side of the head.
Waits moves out of range of the body kick from Freedom.
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!
Waits connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice shot lands for Freedom.
Waits on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Freedom. Freedom obviously looking to wear him down.
Waits on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Freedom. Freedom obviously looking to wear him down.
Freedom uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Waits.
Freedom connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Freedom connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Freedom misses with an uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Freedom lands a head kick. Waits smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Freedom connects with a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Waits.
Freedom fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freedom fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Freedom misses with a straight right.
Waits lands an overhand right.
Johnny Freedom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Freedom just misses with a punch to the body.
Freedom connects with an inside leg kick.
Freedom throws a nice outside leg kick.
Waits throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Freedom.
Waits takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Waits misses with a combination
and Freedom makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Freedom jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Waits moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Waits.
Freedom goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Waits fails in his attempt to clinch.
Waits throws a looping overhand right but Freedom ducks down to avoid it.
Freedom has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Freedom scores with a nice right hand.
Waits misses with an uppercut. Freedom saw that one coming.
Freedom takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Freedom throws a low kick, looking for Waits's leg but Waits calmly moves out of range.
Waits takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Freedom gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Freedom missing with knees to the body.
Waits misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Freedom.
Freedom missing with knees to the body.
Waits tries a knee to the head but Freedom blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freedom blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Freedom is trying to break the clinch but Waits is controlling him.
Waits managing to block the knees to the body from Freedom.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Waits.
Freedom has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Freedom throws a head punch that misses.
I was talking to Waits's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A knee to the head by Waits.
Freedom looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Waits creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Freedom's defenses.
Waits struggles to land a body shot inside as Freedom controls his hands.
Waits cracks Freedom with a nice body shot.
Waits on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Waits just misses with a elbow thrown towards Freedom's brow.
Waits on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Waits tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Freedom dodges an elbow strike from Waits.
Freedom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Freedom breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Waits pushes Freedom up against the ropes in a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Freedom just misses with a elbow thrown towards Waits's brow.
Freedom lands an elbow just above Waits 's eye.

It looks like Tom Waits has been cut.
Waits tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Freedom avoids it.
Waits avoids the elbow strike from Freedom, against the ropes.
Waits misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Freedom fails to pull guard.
Freedom is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Waits is defending well for now.
Waits tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Waits tries to throw a body punch but Freedom avoids it by throwing Waits back against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Freedom throws an elbow but misses.
Waits tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Waits makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Freedom missing with knees to the body.
Waits working aggressively here.
Freedom swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Freedom working aggressively here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johnny Freedom will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tom Waits's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Waits throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Waits misses with a looping left.
Freedom jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Waits walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Waits misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Freedom staying out of range there.
Freedom throws a front kick aimed at Waits's knee but Waits avoids it well.
Freedom fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Waits closes the distance but Freedom moves to the side
and Freedom counters with a left to the body.
Waits uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Freedom.
Waits takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Freedom slips a jab from Waits.
Freedom looks to score with a jab to the body but Waits is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freedom tries to clinch there but Waits circles away.
Freedom lands a nice hook to Waits's body. Waits takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Freedom works the jab nicely.
Freedom misses with a body kick.
Johnny Freedom seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A low kick from Waits is predictable there
and Freedom counters with a slapping leg kick.
Freedom ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Waits moves away.
Freedom scores with a hook.
Freedom thumps Waits with a low kick.
Freedom swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Waits.
Both fighters circling a little - Freedom finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Waits throws a shot from downtown. Freedom moves away and avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Freedom is looking to chop away at Waits's legs.
Freedom scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Waits darts in and clinches Freedom up against the ropes.
Freedom swings wildly with an uppercut but Waits uses good head movement to avoid it.
Waits misses with a knee to the head.
Waits throws a head punch that misses.
Freedom lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Waits.
Freedom blocking some punches.
A right hand to the body from Waits.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Waits throws an elbow but misses.
Tom Waits has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Waits with a knee to the head.
Waits is leaning against Freedom and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Freedom tries to work over Waits's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Waits missing with knees to the body.
Waits lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Johnny Freedom has been cut.
Waits pushes Freedom back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freedom lands a good knee to the midsection. Waits won't want to take too many of those.
Waits struggles to land a body shot inside as Freedom controls his hands.

Freedom escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Waits tries a head kick but it misses.
Freedom takes a jab right on the kisser.
Freedom scores with a nice head shot.
Waits is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Freedom shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Waits throws an off balance right hand
and Freedom counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Waits has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Freedom.
Waits moves in looking to clinch but Freedom pushes him off.
Waits has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Freedom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Waits checks a leg kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freedom dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Waits. That did some damage!
Waits connects with a body shot.
Waits misses with a head kick.
Waits gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Freedom.
Freedom takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Waits moves out of range of the strikes.
Freedom tries to clinch there but Waits circles away.
Waits takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Freedom tries to work over Waits's front leg with a kick but Waits checks it.
Waits showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Freedom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Waits thuds his right hand into Freedom's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Freedom throws a leg kick but Waits moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Freedom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Freedom connects with a leg kick. Waits looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Waits connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Decent striking displayed by Freedom there.
Freedom throws a hook but Waits blocks it.
A cross from Freedom lands.
Freedom misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Waits counters with a nice uppercut.
A big left from Freedom misses.
Waits ducks under a wild hook from Freedom.
Waits is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Freedom misses with a body kick.
Waits shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Freedom avoids the head kick by Waits.
Freedom shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Freedom jabs at Waits's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waits misses with a straight right.
Waits takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Freedom throws out a loose jab but Waits uses good head movement to avoid it.
A bone on bone clash there as Waits blocks the leg kick.
Waits throws a head kick that misses.
Freedom throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Waits throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Freedom looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Freedom misses with a left hand
and Waits counters with a stiff right hand.
Waits tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Freedom manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Freedom circles away from the clinch attempt.
Freedom scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freedom connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Waits throws a half hearted mid kick.
Freedom lands a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Waits takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Freedom throws a wild body kick that Waits sees coming a mile off.
Freedom looks to land a left hand but Waits moved out of range nicely.
A punch combination from Waits misses.
Waits takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Freedom lets loose with a powerful body kick. Waits will feel that in the morning.
Freedom changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Freedom connects with a looping right hand.
Waits misses with a low kick as Freedom jumps back.
Freedom lands a nice shot that snaps Waits's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Freedom tenderised Waits's leg. Waits is trying to keep his angry face on.
Freedom bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Waits's head backwards.
Freedom throws out a powerful jab.
The fighters circling - Freedom throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Freedom dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Waits. That did some damage!
Freedom looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Waits uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Freedom.
Freedom throws a leg kick but Waits sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Freedom uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Waits.
The fight stays on the outside here - Freedom looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Waits doesn't manage to clinch there - Freedom circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waits is looking to score with low kicks.
Freedom slips under a jab.
Freedom bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Waits's head.
Freedom tests Waits's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Freedom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Waits manages to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Waits.
Waits connects with a nice looking jab.
Freedom connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Freedom misses with a straight right.
A head kick misses from Waits.
Good leg kick by Freedom there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Freedom really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Waits finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Waits tries to clinch but Freedom is having none of it.
Freedom throws a shot from downtown. Waits moves away and avoids it.
Freedom lands with a right hand.
Waits keeps the fight on the outside.
A jab lands there for Waits.
Jab from Freedom.
A shot to the body from Freedom misses
and Waits counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Good leg kick by Freedom there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Freedom throws out a loose jab but Waits uses good head movement to avoid it.
Waits lands a nice looking body shot.
Freedom cracks Waits with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Freedom dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Waits. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freedom scores with a hook to the body. Waits takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A punch lands to the side of Waits 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Waits drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Freedom avoids the head kick by Waits.
A shot to the liver by Freedom. Beautiful body shot.
Waits tries to clinch up.
Freedom misses with the body kick
and Waits counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Freedom ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Freedom checks the leg kick.
Freedom throws a hook to the side of Waits's head but Waits sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Freedom throws a right and a left that Waits avoids nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Waits.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Waits tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Freedom paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Freedom gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Freedom breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Freedom lands a nice hook to Waits's body. Waits takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Waits digs a good hook to Freedom's body.
Freedom jabs at Waits's body.
Freedom misses with a low kick.
Waits throws a right hand that Freedom ducks under and follows up with a left that Freedom also avoids with ease.
Freedom throws a lazy right hand but Waits sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Freedom moves away from the strike by Waits.
Waits throws a hook but Freedom blocks it.
Freedom throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freedom is looking to chop away at Waits's legs.
Waits throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Waits looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Freedom with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Freedom scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Waits doesn't seem bothered though.
Waits misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A low kick from Freedom misses
and Waits cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Waits throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Freedom.
Waits looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Freedom misses with an attempted mid kick.
Freedom connects with a solid leg kick.
Waits walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waits slips under a jab from Freedom.
Freedom throws a sloppy body shot

and Waits counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Waits.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Freedom blocks an elbow strike.
Freedom wants to break the clinch but can't.
Waits lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Waits blocks the elbow strike.
Waits misses with a knee strike.
Freedom managing to block the knees to the body from Waits.
Freedom tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Waits avoids it.
Waits prevents a body shot from Freedom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Freedom blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Waits misses with the head strike.
Waits misses with the head strike.
Waits misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Freedom dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Waits tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Freedom manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Freedom lands a nice looking body shot.
Waits's corner calls for a 1-2. Waits obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Freedom tries to clinch up but Waits circles away and keeps his distance.
Freedom's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Waits connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Freedom scrambles back to his feet.
Waits getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Freedom lands a lovely overhand right.
Waits throws a chopping leg kick but Freedom manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Freedom throws out a powerful jab.
Freedom throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Waits on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Freedom pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Waits back to the ropes. Freedom follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A left lands for Waits.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waits closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Waits goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Freedom throws an off balance right hand
and Waits counters with a head kick. That will keep Freedom thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Freedom lands with a cross.
Freedom misses with a looping left.
Freedom avoids the head kick by Waits.
Freedom takes a kick to the side of the head.
Freedom throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Freedom ducks under a wild hook from Waits.
Freedom misses with an uppercut.
A chopping leg kick lands by Freedom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Freedom misses with an uppercut
and Waits counters with a low kick, right behind Freedom 's knee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Waits tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Freedom throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Freedom fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Waits has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Freedom misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Waits.
Freedom avoids the head kick by Waits.

Waits gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Freedom missing with knees to the body.
Freedom blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Freedom missing with knees to the body.
Freedom unloads a knee to the mid-section. Waits lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Freedom swings wildly with an uppercut but Waits uses good head movement to avoid it.
Freedom doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freedom throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Waits is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Freedom is defending well for now.
A head punch on the inside from Waits fails to land.
Waits lands with a right to the head.
Waits tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Freedom's elbow.
Waits lands a right hand.
Waits has a couple of punches blocked by Freedom.
Waits misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tom Waits has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Waits connects with a nasty looking knee right to Freedom's face.
Waits fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Freedom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Waits misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Freedom.
Freedom avoiding damage as Waits throws knees to the body.

Freedom breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Waits tries to clinch but Freedom moves out of range.
Freedom throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waits throws a body punch but Freedom moves out of range.
Waits misses the shot to the body.
Waits takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Waits tries to clinch but Freedom moves out of range.
Waits throws a body punch but Freedom moves out of range.
Waits throws a leg kick which misses Freedom's front leg but catches the back leg as Freedom tries to avoid it.
Waits throws a head kick that misses.
Freedom cracks Waits with an open hand slap.
Freedom cracks the inside of Waits's front leg.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Freedom slips under a jab.
Freedom keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Freedom tries to clinch there but Waits circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tom Waits.
I think Freedom has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Johnny Freedom!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Johnny Freedom!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Johnny Freedom!

Johnny Freedom wins by unanimous decision! Johnny Freedom retains his middleweight title!
An out of breath and clearly excited Johnny Freedom thanked //buriedALIVE// Fight Gear for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).
Tom Waits spoke after the fight, saying 'Well done Johnny your a worthy champion.'.