PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eiji Kawashima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Player has chosen Jeezy - Foul Play as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Kawashima
vs
Player

182 cm
31
170 lbs
30 - 7 - 0

178 cm
31
173 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent

Heisenberg
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eiji Kawashima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Player!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawashima bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Gary Player seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Player cracks Kawashima with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Player digs a good hook to Kawashima's body.
A bone on bone clash there as Player blocks the leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Player.
Nice shot by Player.
Kawashima walks into a left hand.
A swing and a miss from Kawashima.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Player has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Player throws a lazy right hand but Kawashima sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Player misses with a low kick as Kawashima jumps back.
Kawashima blocks a head kick by Player.
Player throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kawashima on the side of the head.
Player lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Player scores with a jab. Kawashima acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Player takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kawashima gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kawashima has Player up against the cage in a clinch.
Kawashima swings wildly with an uppercut but Player uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kawashima manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kawashima lands with a short shot to the head.
Player blocks an uppercut.
Player throws a punch but it's blocked by Kawashima.
Kawashima effectively controlling the action here.
Kawashima can't find room to land a body shot as Player controls the action.
Kawashima misses with a hook from the clinch.
Player misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player lands a nice uppercut.
Player tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Kawashima.
Player lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kawashima or not.
Kawashima swings wildly with an uppercut but Player uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kawashima throws a punch but it's blocked by Player.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kawashima digs a right hand underneath Player's ribcage. Player let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kawashima misses with a body punch.
I was talking to Kawashima's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Player.
Player misses with a punch on the inside.
Player blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kawashima will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Player up against the cage.
Player misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima trying to stall but Player improves his position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kawashima.
Player working aggressively here.
Kawashima blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kawashima misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kawashima fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Player doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Player blocks a body shot from Kawashima.
Kawashima tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Kawashima on the inside.
Kawashima struggles to land a body shot inside as Player controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kawashima.
A short uppercut from Player.
Kawashima taking a breather.
Kawashima tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Player's elbow.
Kawashima working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima tries to throw a body punch but Player avoids it by throwing Kawashima back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Player.
Kawashima is looking to control Player's arms but Player gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kawashima has his back to the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Player tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Player tries to work over Kawashima's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Player scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Player misses with a hook from the clinch.
Player swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Player throws a punch but it's blocked by Kawashima.
Player blocks a body shot from Kawashima.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Player.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kawashima misses with the head strike.
Kawashima lands a body punch.
Kawashima misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kawashima lands a body shot in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Eiji Kawashima will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kawashima uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Player.
Player is looking to clinch but Kawashima is avoiding it.
Player throws a leg kick but Kawashima checks it.
Player looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Good standup being displayed there by Player as he connects with a hook.
Player pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kawashima.
Player jabs at Kawashima's body.
Player connects with a looping right hand.
Kawashima throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kawashima blocks a head kick by Player.
Kawashima throws a wild body kick that Player sees coming a mile off.
Kawashima connects with a good right hand that stumbles Player. Player circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Player fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima connects with a right hand. Player shakes it off.
Kawashima looks to land a right hand but Player moved out of range.
Player thuds a left hand into Kawashima's body.
Kawashima misses with a straight left.
Player with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Player lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Eiji Kawashima has been cut.
Good leg kick by Kawashima there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Player thumps Kawashima with a low kick.
Player tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kawashima is able to avoid easily.
Kawashima takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Player with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Player cracks Kawashima with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Player blocks the body kick.
Gary Player seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut lands for Player. That snapped Kawashima's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player wants to land a leg kick but Kawashima is out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Player 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.
Kawashima misses with a body kick.
Player slips a jab and a cross from Kawashima.
Kawashima throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kawashima connects with a body shot that sends Player's belly button to the back.
Kawashima showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Player.
Player swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Player looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Player scores with a decent looking hook.
Player throws a low kick but Kawashima avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima avoids the head kick by Player.
Player displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kawashima throws out the jab.
Player looks to score with a jab to the body but Kawashima is just out of range.
Kawashima walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Player checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kawashima scores with a jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Player checks a leg kick.
Kawashima misses with a leg kick

and Player counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Player throwing shots but Kawashima is blocking nicely.
Player not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Player sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kawashima defending well though.
Player not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kawashima keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawashima avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kawashima trying to control here.
Player throwing shots but Kawashima is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Player throwing shots but Kawashima is blocking nicely.
Kawashima blocking the ground and pound attempt from Player.
Player missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Player thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Player misses with a head shot. Kawashima uses the momentum to regain guard.
Player working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Player trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Player showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Eiji Kawashima'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. 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.

Player lunges at Kawashima with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kawashima's hand.
Player lands with an overhand left.
Kawashima takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Player throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Player misses with a head kick.
Good exchange - Player coming out on top.
Player keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Player lands a jab to the nose.
Kawashima jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Player jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Kawashima is rocked!
Player fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kawashima looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kawashima avoids the head kick by Player.
Player lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima slips under a jab.
Player throws a jab when Kawashima was well out of range.
Player jabs Kawashima to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kawashima throws the left hand but Player avoids the punch easily.
Player fakes the leg kick and cracks Kawashima in the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Kawashima misses the target.
Kawashima avoids a kick to the body.
Player swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Player cracks the inside of Kawashima's front leg.
Kawashima loads up on a big right hand but Player slips the punch.
Kawashima is looking to land body kicks.
Player scores with a spinning back kick!
Kawashima lands a head kick. Player smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Gary Player has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Player tries a low kick but Kawashima avoids it.
Kawashima tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Player is able to avoid easily.
Kawashima uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Player.
Player throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kawashima's head.
Player misses the shot to the body.
Kawashima throws out a leg kick but Player moves out of range and Kawashima only half commits.

Player moves into the clinch.
Player doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kawashima swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Player working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Player blocks an uppercut.
Kawashima blocking some punches.
Kawashima is trying to maintain a safe position but Player gets an underhook and turns Kawashima into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player misses with the head strike.
Kawashima struggles to land a body shot inside as Player controls his hands.
Kawashima blocks a body shot from Player.
Kawashima misses with a punch on the inside.
Kawashima tries a body shot but Player blocks it.
Player can't find room to land a body shot as Kawashima controls the action.
Kawashima throws a punch but it's blocked by Player.
Kawashima has a couple of punches blocked by Player.
Player misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kawashima blocks an uppercut.
Player lands with a left to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kawashima fails to land.
Kawashima lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Player misses with some punches.
Player lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Player creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kawashima misses with a punch on the inside.
Player misses with a punch on the inside.
Player misses with the head strike.
Player scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawashima has a couple of punches blocked by Player.
Player misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kawashima misses with a short punch on the inside.
Player misses with some punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Kawashima.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A right hand to the body from Kawashima.
Kawashima misses with some punches.
Kawashima is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Kawashima.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gary Player comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Player 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gary Player!
During a confident post fight interview, Gary Player thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.