PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoko Gushiken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daiju Kikuchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gushiken
vs
Kikuchi

170 cm
33
135 lbs
28 - 14 - 0

165 cm
26
140 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoko Gushiken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daiju Kikuchi!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, William Gold and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kikuchi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gushiken to score with a decent uppercut.
Gushiken 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.
Kikuchi throws a right and a left that Gushiken avoids nicely.
Kikuchi slips under a jab.
Kikuchi thumps Gushiken with a low kick.
Gushiken scores with a decent looking hook.
Gushiken misses the jab.
Gushiken's corner calls for a 1-2. Gushiken obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gushiken lunges at Kikuchi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kikuchi's hand.
Gushiken uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kikuchi.
Gushiken waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kikuchi.
Kikuchi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kikuchi misses with a straight left.
Kikuchi defending well as Gushiken loads up on a big left hand.
Kikuchi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikuchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Kikuchi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kikuchi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gushiken uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kikuchi.
Gushiken scores with a jab to the head.
Kikuchi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Gushiken moves into the clinch.
Gushiken is leaning against Kikuchi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Gushiken blocks an uppercut.
Kikuchi misses with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gushiken.
Gushiken cracks Kikuchi with a nice body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gushiken.
Kikuchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gushiken lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gushiken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kikuchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
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!
Kikuchi lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gushiken tries to work over Kikuchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kikuchi tries a body shot but Gushiken blocks it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kikuchi 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.
Kikuchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gushiken lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kikuchi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kikuchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kikuchi lands a nice shot to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Kikuchi fails to land.
Kikuchi can't find room to land a body shot as Gushiken controls the action.
A short body shot lands from Gushiken as the two fighters clinch.
Kikuchi tries to throw a body punch but Gushiken avoids it by throwing Kikuchi back against the cage.
Kikuchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gushiken wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kikuchi misses with some punches.
Kikuchi tries to throw a body punch but Gushiken avoids it by throwing Kikuchi back against the cage.
Gushiken prevents a body shot from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi blocks a body shot from Gushiken.
Gushiken struggles to land a body shot inside as Kikuchi controls his hands.
Gushiken struggles to land a body shot inside as Kikuchi controls his hands.
Gushiken leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kikuchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gushiken doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gushiken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kikuchi has a couple of punches blocked by Gushiken.
Gushiken misses with a punch to the body.
Kikuchi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gushiken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gushiken can't find room to land a body shot as Kikuchi controls the action.
Gushiken misses with a body punch.
Gushiken tries a body shot but Kikuchi blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kikuchi.
Gushiken takes a shot to the head.
Kikuchi lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Kikuchi fails to land.
Gushiken lands a hook that snaps the head of Kikuchi backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kikuchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kikuchi throws a punch but it's blocked by Gushiken.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gushiken lands a body punch in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Gushiken scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gushiken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kikuchi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gushiken backwards.
Gushiken tries to work over Kikuchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gushiken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gushiken tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kikuchi's elbow.
Gushiken goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gushiken tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kikuchi's elbow.
Gushiken blocks an uppercut.
Gushiken digs a right hand into Kikuchi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kikuchi's gas tank.
A right handed body shot lands from Gushiken.
Kikuchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kikuchi misses with the head strike.
Kikuchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kikuchi gets through Gushiken's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gushiken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kikuchi tries to throw a body punch but Gushiken avoids it by throwing Kikuchi back against the cage.
Gushiken is trying to maintain a safe position but Kikuchi gets an underhook and turns Gushiken into the cage.
Gushiken blocks a body shot from Kikuchi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gushiken slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gushiken throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gushiken throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gushiken.
Gushiken throws a lazy uppercut
and Kikuchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gushiken lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gushiken misses with a series of wild punches.
Gushiken getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gushiken throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kikuchi on the side of the head.
Gushiken is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gushiken lands a head shot.
Kikuchi misses with a straight left.
Gushiken swings widly with a right hand
enabling Kikuchi to counter with a crisp jab.
Gushiken misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gushiken with a hook.
Gushiken throws a body punch but Kikuchi moves out of range.
Yoko Gushiken is winning the standup battle so far.
Gushiken lunges at Kikuchi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kikuchi's hand.

Gushiken rushes Kikuchi and presses him up against the cage.
Gushiken tries to throw a body punch but Kikuchi avoids it by throwing Gushiken back against the cage.
Kikuchi misses with some punches.
Kikuchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gushiken scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Kikuchi.
Gushiken tries to work over Kikuchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kikuchi misses with the head strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Kikuchi.
Kikuchi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kikuchi misses with a punch to the body.
Gushiken lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gushiken blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gushiken backwards.
Gushiken misses with a punch to the body.
Kikuchi tries to work over Gushiken's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gushiken tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kikuchi's elbow.
Kikuchi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kikuchi misses with the head strike.
Gushiken lands with a light punch inside.
Gushiken tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kikuchi's elbow.
Kikuchi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kikuchi can't find room to land a body shot as Gushiken controls the action.
Gushiken lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kikuchi backwards.
Kikuchi misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gushiken creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gushiken goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kikuchi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gushiken or not.
Kikuchi swings wildly with an uppercut but Gushiken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gushiken lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kikuchi backwards.
Gushiken stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Kikuchi fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kikuchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kikuchi can't find room to land a body shot as Gushiken controls the action.
Gushiken blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kikuchi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gushiken.
A short right from Kikuchi on the inside.
Kikuchi digs a right hand into Gushiken's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gushiken's gas tank.
Kikuchi misses with a body punch.
Gushiken dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kikuchi scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Kikuchi on the inside.
Gushiken tries a body shot but Kikuchi blocks it.
Kikuchi lands a nice uppercut.
Kikuchi prevents a body shot from Gushiken.
Gushiken prevents a body shot from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice body punch from Kikuchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kikuchi tries to throw a body punch but Gushiken avoids it by throwing Kikuchi back against the cage.
Gushiken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Kikuchi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kikuchi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gushiken fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kikuchi manages to avoid it.
Kikuchi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gushiken misses with a hook. Kikuchi ducked under it nicely.
Gushiken tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kikuchi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kikuchi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gushiken.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A jab from Gushiken does it's job there.
Gushiken throws a hook but Kikuchi avoids it easily.
Gushiken lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Daiju Kikuchi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kikuchi lands the left hand.
Gushiken misses with a hook
enabling Kikuchi to counter with a crisp jab.
Decent striking displayed by Gushiken there.
Kikuchi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gushiken.
Kikuchi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gushiken.
Gushiken lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gushiken dodges the punch combination from Kikuchi.
No joy there for Kikuchi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gushiken throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Gushiken clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gushiken.
Gushiken stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kikuchi working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Gushiken.
Gushiken misses with a body punch.
Daiju Kikuchi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gushiken tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kikuchi's elbow.
Nice body punch from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi blocks a body shot from Gushiken.
Gushiken lands a body shot.
Kikuchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kikuchi digs a right hand underneath Gushiken's ribcage. Gushiken let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gushiken misses with a body punch.

Gushiken breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gushiken comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A good leg kick by Kikuchi.
Gushiken misses with a few strikes there.
Kikuchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Gushiken is just out of range.
Kikuchi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gushiken throws an overhand right that lands on Kikuchi's shoulder, as Kikuchi tries to avoid the shot.
Gushiken lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Yoko Gushiken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gushiken looks to land a left hand but Kikuchi moved out of range nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gushiken cracks Kikuchi with an open hand slap.
Gushiken jabs at Kikuchi's body.
A swing and a miss from Gushiken.
Gushiken tries to clinch but Kikuchi moves out of range.
Kikuchi is looking to chop away at Gushiken's legs.
Kikuchi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kikuchi blocks a jab.
Jab by Kikuchi.
Gushiken with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gushiken.
Gushiken lands a right hook to the body.
Kikuchi misses with a body kick.
Gushiken scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gushiken keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kikuchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gushiken.
Gushiken scores with a jab to the head.
Gushiken throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kikuchi counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kikuchi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gushiken pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kikuchi ducks under a wild hook from Gushiken.
Gushiken misses with a lunging right hand
and Kikuchi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gushiken's knee momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gushiken connects with a body shot that sends Kikuchi's belly button to the back.
Kikuchi misses with a low kick as Gushiken jumps back.
Kikuchi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kikuchi slips under a jab.
Gushiken works the jab nicely.
Gushiken throws a looping overhand right but Kikuchi ducks down to avoid it.
Kikuchi slips a straight right by Gushiken.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gushiken misses with a body shot.
Kikuchi jabs Gushiken right on the nose. Gushiken blinks but takes it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kikuchi throws a low kick, looking for Gushiken's leg but Gushiken calmly moves out of range.
Kikuchi dodges the punch combination from Gushiken.
Gushiken tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kikuchi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoko Gushiken clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kikuchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Gushiken looks to land a right hand but Kikuchi moved out of range.
That kick from Kikuchi tenderised Gushiken's leg. Gushiken is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kikuchi slips under a jab.
Gushiken misses with a right hand
and Kikuchi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gushiken works Kikuchi's body with a nice hook.
Gushiken lands with a nice combination. Kikuchi backs away looking to recover.
Gushiken wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kikuchi slips under a jab from Gushiken.
Gushiken throws a hook but Kikuchi avoids it easily.
Gushiken moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gushiken wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kikuchi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gushiken.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gushiken jabs at Kikuchi's body.
Kikuchi ducks under a wild hook from Gushiken.
Gushiken loads up on a big right hand but Kikuchi slips the punch.

Gushiken closes the distance and pushes Kikuchi back into the cage.
Kikuchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kikuchi prevents a body shot from Gushiken.
Kikuchi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gushikens head.
Gushiken working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kikuchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gushiken's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kikuchi.
Gushiken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gushiken working aggressively here.
Kikuchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gushiken throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gushiken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikuchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gushiken's elbow.
Gushiken lands a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gushiken cracks Kikuchi with a nice body shot.
Kikuchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kikuchi.
A head punch on the inside from Kikuchi fails to land.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gushiken.
Kikuchi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gushiken doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gushiken lands a shot to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi letting Gushiken take a breather here.
Gushiken can't find room to land a body shot as Kikuchi controls the action.
Gushiken tries to circle away but Kikuchi has him pinned against the cage.
Kikuchi struggles to land a body shot inside as Gushiken controls his hands.
Gushiken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gushiken lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kikuchi backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Gushiken.
Gushiken tries to throw a body punch but Kikuchi avoids it by throwing Gushiken back against the cage.
Gushiken misses with a body punch.
Kikuchi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gushiken backwards.
Kikuchi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kikuchi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gushiken backwards.
Gushiken blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kikuchi.
Kikuchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gushiken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kikuchi working aggressively here.
Yoko Gushiken is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kikuchi struggles to land a body shot inside as Gushiken controls his hands.
Kikuchi is working Gushiken over against the cage.
Gushiken throws a punch but it's blocked by Kikuchi.
Kikuchi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kikuchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kikuchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kikuchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kikuchi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gushiken blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gushiken lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gushiken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kikuchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gushiken blocks a body shot from Kikuchi.
Kikuchi tries to throw a body punch but Gushiken avoids it by throwing Kikuchi back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kikuchi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kikuchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Daiju Kikuchi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gushiken.
Gushiken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kikuchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gushiken misses with a punch to the body.
Gushiken lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gushiken lands a nice shot to the body.
Gushiken is trying to maintain a safe position but Kikuchi gets an underhook and turns Gushiken into the cage.
Kikuchi misses with the head strike.
Gushiken misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoko Gushiken showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gushiken has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 39:37
Judge William Gold scores the fight 40:37
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 39:37

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