PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Kapaldi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iko Hitigaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kapaldi
vs
Hitigaki

158 cm
18
143 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

169 cm
18
147 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pedro Kapaldi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Iko Hitigaki!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kapaldi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kapaldi misses with a wild body shot.
Kapaldi just misses with a punch to the body.
Kapaldi throws a body punch but Hitigaki moves out of range.
Kapaldi throws a hook but Hitigaki blocks it.
Hitigaki looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hitigaki has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hitigaki there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kapaldi lands a nice looking body shot.
Hitigaki drops his hands momentarily and Kapaldi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hitigaki takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Hitigaki darts in and clinches Kapaldi up against the cage.
Kapaldi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hitigaki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kapaldi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kapaldi struggles to land a body shot inside as Hitigaki controls his hands.
Kapaldi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kapaldi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kapaldi has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Hitigaki prevents a body shot from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hitigaki's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitigaki is pushing Kapaldi up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kapaldi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hitigaki throws a head punch that misses.
Kapaldi throws a head punch that misses.
Kapaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Kapaldi.
Kapaldi tries a body shot but Hitigaki blocks it.
Kapaldi misses with the head strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hitigaki throws an elbow but misses.
Kapaldi misses with a punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kapaldi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hitigaki takes a shot to the head.
Kapaldi misses with some punches.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kapaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kapaldi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hitigaki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kapaldi misses with the head strike.
Hitigaki tries to land knees in the clinch but Kapaldi avoids the damage to the body.
Kapaldi swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitigaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hitigaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kapaldi's elbow.
Kapaldi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kapaldi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hitigaki backwards.
Kapaldi struggles to land a body shot inside as Hitigaki controls his hands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kapaldi swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitigaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kapaldi tries to work over Hitigaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hitigaki.
Hitigaki throws a punch but it's blocked by Kapaldi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hitigaki's elbow.
Kapaldi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kapaldi can't find room to land a body shot as Hitigaki controls the action.
Kapaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kapaldi misses with the head strike.
Hitigaki throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hitigaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kapaldi throws a head punch that misses.
Hitigaki blocks a body shot from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi misses with a punch to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hitigaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hitigaki blocks a body shot from Kapaldi.
Hitigaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Kapaldi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hitigaki is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kapaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hitigaki.
Kapaldi throws a head punch that misses.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kapaldi blocks an elbow strike.
Kapaldi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hitigaki misses with a knee to the head.
Kapaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Kapaldi fails to land.
Hitigaki misses with a knee to the head.
Kapaldi misses with some punches.
Kapaldi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Kapaldi fails to land.
Hitigaki leaning against his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kapaldi lands a nice uppercut.
Hitigaki's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hitigaki misses with an elbow over the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Kapaldi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hitigaki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kapaldi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kapaldi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hitigaki doesn't seem bothered though.
Kapaldi digs a good hook to Hitigaki's body.
Hitigaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Hitigaki forces Kapaldi back against the cage and clinches.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kapaldi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hitigaki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kapaldi throws a punch but it's blocked by Hitigaki.
A head punch on the inside from Kapaldi fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kapaldi.
Kapaldi lands an uppercut.
Kapaldi prevents a body shot from Hitigaki.
Hitigaki prevents a body shot from Kapaldi.
Hitigaki is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hitigaki.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kapaldi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hitigaki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hitigaki struggles to land a body shot inside as Kapaldi controls his hands.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kapaldi misses with a punch on the inside.
Hitigaki blocks a body shot from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kapaldi misses with some punches.
Kapaldi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hitigaki stalling.
Hitigaki has a couple of punches blocked by Kapaldi.
Hitigaki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kapaldi tries to work over Hitigaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kapaldi avoids a wild elbow strike from Hitigaki.
Kapaldi lands a nice uppercut.
Kapaldi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hitigaki misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki throws a head punch that misses.
Kapaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hitigaki's elbow.
Hitigaki prevents a body shot from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kapaldi misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Kapaldi fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Kapaldi.
Kapaldi can't find room to land a body shot as Hitigaki controls the action.
Kapaldi has a couple of punches blocked by Hitigaki.
Kapaldi avoids a wild elbow strike from Hitigaki.
Kapaldi working aggressively here.
Kapaldi lands with a left to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hitigaki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hitigaki prevents a body shot from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi blocking some punches.
Kapaldi digs a right hand into Hitigaki's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hitigaki's gas tank.
Kapaldi throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi can't find room to land a body shot as Hitigaki controls the action.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kapaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hitigaki misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Kapaldi fails to land.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kapaldi lands a hook that snaps the head of Hitigaki backwards.
Kapaldi misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Hitigaki fails to land.
Hitigaki throws an elbow but it misses.
Good body shot from Kapaldi.
Pedro Kapaldi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hitigaki blocking some punches.
Kapaldi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kapaldi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hitigaki misses with some punches.
Hitigaki working aggressively here.
Kapaldi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hitigaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kapaldi's elbow.
Kapaldi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kapaldi misses with a punch to the body.
Kapaldi struggles to land a body shot inside as Hitigaki controls his hands.
Kapaldi swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitigaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kapaldi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kapaldi misses with a body punch.
Kapaldi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kapaldi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hitigaki.
Kapaldi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kapaldi tries to throw a body punch but Hitigaki avoids it by throwing Kapaldi back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kapaldi misses with some punches.
Kapaldi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hitigaki struggles to land a body shot inside as Kapaldi controls his hands.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Kapaldi dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kapaldi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kapaldi connects with a nice looking jab.
Hitigaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kapaldi throws out the jab.
Kapaldi lands the left hand.
Kapaldi stuffs the takedown.
Hitigaki goes for a double leg but Kapaldi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kapaldi continues to drive forward.
Hitigaki trying to land knees to the body.
Kapaldi misses with a punch to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hitigaki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kapaldi's brow.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hitigaki blocks an uppercut.
Kapaldi managing to block the knees to the body from Hitigaki.
Hitigaki blocks a body shot from Kapaldi.
Hitigaki misses with a knee to the head.
Kapaldi tries to work over Hitigaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kapaldi struggles to land a body shot inside as Hitigaki controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kapaldi lands a hook that snaps the head of Hitigaki backwards.
Hitigaki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kapaldi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hitigaki tries to throw a body punch but Kapaldi avoids it by throwing Hitigaki back against the cage.
Kapaldi struggles to land a body shot inside as Hitigaki controls his hands.
Kapaldi lands an uppercut.
Kapaldi tries to throw a body punch but Hitigaki avoids it by throwing Kapaldi back against the cage.
Kapaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hitigaki's elbow.
Hitigaki taking a breather.
Kapaldi throws a punch but it's blocked by Hitigaki.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kapaldi.
Kapaldi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hitigaki backwards.
Kapaldi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hitigaki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Hitigaki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi struggles to land a body shot inside as Hitigaki controls his hands.
Hitigaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hitigaki is trying to stall.
Hitigaki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Still in the clinch, Kapaldi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kapaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hitigaki has a couple of punches blocked by Kapaldi.
A shot in the inside from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kapaldi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kapaldi misses with some punches.
Hitigaki stalling.
Kapaldi misses with a punch to the body.
Hitigaki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kapaldi tries to work over Hitigaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hitigaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Kapaldi uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kapaldi struggles to land a body shot inside as Hitigaki controls his hands.
Kapaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hitigaki's elbow.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kapaldi throws a punch but it's blocked by Hitigaki.
Kapaldi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Kapaldi.
Kapaldi dodges an elbow strike from Hitigaki.
Kapaldi lands with a left to the head.
Kapaldi misses with a body punch.
Hitigaki trying to control the position but instead, Kapaldi has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hitigaki into the cage.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kapaldi tries a body shot but Hitigaki blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitigaki prevents a body shot from Kapaldi.
A head punch on the inside from Hitigaki fails to land.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hitigaki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kapaldi's brow.
Hitigaki blocks a body shot from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kapaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hitigaki's elbow.
Kapaldi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kapaldi tries a body shot but Hitigaki blocks it.
Hitigaki stalling in the clinch but Kapaldi improves position.
Hitigaki blocks an uppercut.
Kapaldi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kapaldi swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitigaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kapaldi lands a left hand.
Hitigaki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Iko Hitigaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pedro Kapaldi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kapaldi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pedro Kapaldi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kapaldi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pedro Kapaldi!
An out of breath Pedro Kapaldi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.