PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eddy Hwang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Satoshi Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eddy Hwang has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hwang
vs
Kobayashi

225 cm
27
184 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

185 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eddy Hwang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Satoshi Kobayashi!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kobayashi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hwang.
A head kick misses from Hwang.
Kobayashi blocks a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Hwang.
Hwang connects with a solid leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kobayashi crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hwang - the referee stops the clock and Kobayashi gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hwang. Kobayashi manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hwang throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kobayashi.
A solid body kick from Hwang.
Hwang scores with a nice body kick.
Kobayashi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hwang keeps Kobayashi at a distance using the push kick.
Hwang throws a leg kick that is checked

and Kobayashi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kobayashi.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hwang wants to get back to his feet but Kobayashi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hwang on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hwang tries to get out of the position.

Kobayashi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hwang is keeping the position for now.
Hwang wants to stand and escape but Kobayashi is having none of it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kobayashi working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Hwang will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Kobayashi drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Kobayashi as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Hwang screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Kobayashi! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Satoshi Kobayashi!