PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between William Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ukyo Sato (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.

Bird
vs
Sato

170 cm
33
144 lbs
28 - 4 - 0

175 cm
33
140 lbs
26 - 16 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, William Bird!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Ukyo Sato!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bird throws a head kick but Sato moves out of range.
Sato scores with a spinning back kick!
Bird throws a chopping leg kick but Sato manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bird takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bird uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sato.
Bird misses the jab.
Bird throws a leg kick but Sato checks it.
Bird throws a jab but it's blocked by Sato.
Sato throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sato throws a hook but Bird avoids it easily.
Sato is looking to slow Bird down with leg kicks.
Jab, jab by Sato - just one landing.
Nice uppercut lands for Sato. That snapped Bird's head back.
Bird is looking to land body kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird takes one to the chin there.
Sato throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Bird moves into the clinch.
Bird scores a nice knee to the body.
Bird lands a body punch in the clinch.
Bird landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird takes an elbow to the temple.
Sato lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sato working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bird blocks a body shot from Sato.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sato.
Bird misses with a knee to the head.
Bird 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.
Sato misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sato takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sato lands an elbow just above Bird 's eye.
Sato misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Bird throws an elbow but misses.
Bird lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Ukyo Sato has been cut.
Bird pushes off an throws an elbow but Sato leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Bird misses with an elbow over the top.
Sato lands a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice elbow from Sato.

It looks like William Bird has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a punch but it's blocked by Bird.
Sato misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bird.
Nice elbow from Sato.
Sato misses with an elbow over the top.
Bird throws a head punch that misses.
Sato swings wildly with an uppercut but Bird uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sato lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sato tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sato missing with knees to the body.
Bird makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sato lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bird backwards.

Sato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bird gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bird ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sato moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sato throws a body kick that misses.
Sato looks to land a combination but Bird avoids it well.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sato.
Sato misses with a looping left.
Sato thuds his right hand into Bird's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ukyo Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bird throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sato. Bird shrugs it off though.
Sato misses with a lunging right hand

and Bird counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sato lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bird managing to block the knees to the body from Sato.
Sato gets through Bird's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bird.
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!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bird.
Knees to the body from Bird.
Sato misses with the head strike.
Sato lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Bird just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sato's brow.
Sato blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bird pushes Sato back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Sato dodges an elbow strike from Bird.
Sato has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.
Sato unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bird lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bird looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sato trying to land knees to the body.
Sato misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bird.
Bird lands a shoulder strike.
Bird tries a body shot but Sato blocks it.
Bird working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sato.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bird can't find room to land a body shot as Sato controls the action.
Sato lands a good knee to the midsection. Bird won't want to take too many of those.
Bird avoids a wild elbow strike from Sato.
Bird makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukyo Sato 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!

Sato lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bird ducks under a wild hook from Sato.
Sato uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Jab from Sato.
Sato throws a shot to the body.
Bird throws a push kick but Sato slaps the foot to one side.
A combination from Sato does no damage.
Sato scores with a nice right hand.
Bird connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sato looks for the body kick but Bird saw that one coming.
Sato jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sato throws a push kick but Bird slaps the foot to one side.
Sato scores with a one two! Bird had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bird looks to land a body kick but Sato moved away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bird lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Sato has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sato and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sato smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A cross from Sato lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bird's hands.
Bird connects with a solid leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Sato misses.
Sato fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bird manages to avoid it.
Ukyo Sato seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sato slips a straight right by Bird.
Sloppy strikes from Bird. Those never looked like landing.
Bird looks to throw the jab but Sato is out of range.
Sato lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sato avoids a kick to the body.
Sato takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Decent striking displayed by Sato there.
Sato connects with a high kick.
Bird turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sato throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sato lunges at Bird with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bird's hand.
Good leg kick by Sato there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bird misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bird misses with a left hand
and Bird takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bird misses with a low kick.
Bird fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sato has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sato.
Sato getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The fighters circling - Sato throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bird tried to score with a low kick but Sato checks it.
Sato throws a big shot that misses.
Bird motions for Sato to come forward. Bird throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bird moves away from the strike by Sato.
Bird misses with a hook.
Sato takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bird scores with the left hand. Sato knows he should have avoided that one.
Sato throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sato pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A jab from Sato misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Bird. Sato shrugs it off though.
Sato lunges at Bird with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bird's hand.
Sato looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sato throws a hook but Bird blocks it.
Bird takes a swing at Sato's ribcage but misses.
Sato has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sato avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sato circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bird misses with the body kick
and Sato counters with a good low kick that Bird was not able to check.
Sato misses with a body shot

and Bird counters by clinching up.
William Bird has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sato lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bird avoiding damage as Sato throws knees to the body.
Bird lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sato looking to stall.
Bird scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bird putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sato in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Sato missing with knees to the body.
Sato lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Bird trying to land knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Bird - that landed with a thud.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sato working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sato swings wildly with an uppercut but Bird uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Bird.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukyo Sato 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.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bird moves out of range of the strikes.
Bird scoring well with a low kick there.
Bird lands a nice shot to the body.
Bird cracks Sato with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sato misses with a hook

and Bird moves into the clinch.
Bird doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sato lands an elbow that stopped Bird in his tracks for a moment.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sato.
Bird avoiding damage.
Sato wants to break free but Bird has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bird can't find room to land a body shot as Sato controls the action.
A nice left hand lands by Sato.
Sato misses with an elbow over the top.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sato is looking to control Bird's arms but Bird gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sato has his back to the ropes.
A nice left hand lands by Sato.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bird backwards.
Sato blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Sato pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bird throws out a loose jab but Sato uses good head movement to avoid it.

Bird moves into range and clinches up with Sato.
Bird lands an elbow that stopped Sato in his tracks for a moment.
Sato throws an elbow but it misses.
Sato tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bird avoids it.
Bird misses with an elbow over the top.
Bird pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Sato throws an elbow that misses.
Sato blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bird gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bird pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Bird scores a nice knee to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Bird.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato avoids the elbow strike from Bird, against the ropes.
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!
A short left from Sato.
Sato slows down the pace here.
Sato throws an elbow but it misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bird.
Sato lands an elbow just above Bird 's eye.
Sato working aggressively here.
Bird scores with a shot to the side of Sato's head.
Sato lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bird backwards.
A shot in the inside from Sato.
Sato working aggressively here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bird.
Bird can't find room to land a body shot as Sato controls the action.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sato.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird tries to land knees in the clinch but Sato avoids the damage to the body.
Sato creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sato is trying to force a seperation but Bird has the dominant position.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bird working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bird scores with a hook to the body.
Bird can't find room to land a body shot as Sato controls the action.
Sato misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sato throws an elbow that misses.
Bird takes a shot to the head.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Sato throws an elbow but misses.
Sato tries to land knees in the clinch but Bird avoids the damage to the body.
Sato managing to block the knees to the body from Bird.
Sato tries a body shot but Bird blocks it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sato creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bird is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bird misses with an elbow over the top.
Bird gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That has opened up Ukyo Sato's cut even more.
Sato lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bird backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice left hand lands by Bird.
Bird with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bird stalling against the ropes.
Sato landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A short uppercut from Bird.
Sato has had enough of the clinch but Bird keeps him there for the moment.
Bird blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Bird.
Bird throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but William Bird did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sato misses with a straight right.
Bird lands an overhand right.
Sato throws the left hand but Bird avoids the punch easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Sato checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sato swats away the attempt to clinch by Bird.
Sato misses the shot to the body.
Sato moves out of range of the leg kick from Bird.
Bird attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bird waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sato.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sato walks into a left hand.
Sato misses with a body shot.
Bird misses with an uppercut. Sato saw that one coming.
Sato throws a shot from downtown. Bird moves away and avoids it.
Sato looks to throw the jab but Bird is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bird scores with a sloppy right hand. Sato should have avoided that one.
Sato throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Bird counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sato is stalling here.
Bird takes an elbow to the temple.
Sato on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bird doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bird tries a body shot but Sato blocks it.
Bird has Sato pressed against the ropes, preventing Sato from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sato.
Bird struggles to land a body shot inside as Sato controls his hands.
Bird blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sato blocks a body shot from Bird.
Sato fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bird works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird keeps control of Sato as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Sato throws an elbow but misses.
Bird tries to land knees in the clinch but Sato avoids the damage to the body.
Bird misses with a knee strike.
Bird gets through Sato's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sato landing knees to the body.
Bird blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bird missing with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sato creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bird's defenses.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Sato creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bird misses with an elbow over the top.
Sato is trying to break free.
Bird goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sato misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sato looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bird tries a body shot but Sato blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Bird.
Bird lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sato blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bird keeps control of Sato as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sato misses with some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Bird just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sato's brow.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Bird lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sato backwards.
Bird creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sato's defenses.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bird lands a right hand.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

The cut above Ukyo Sato's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Sato on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato misses with a punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Bird.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sato misses with an elbow over the top.
Sato blocks an elbow strike from Bird.
Sato working aggressively here.
Sato managing to block the knees to the body from Bird.
Sato digs a right hand underneath Bird's ribcage. Bird let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sato lands a hook to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bird using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sato has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bird misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bird blocks an elbow strike from Sato.
Sato has a couple of punches blocked by Bird.
Sato throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sato tries to land knees in the clinch but Bird avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bird had his way with Ukyo Sato in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sato rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bird moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bird tries to land a leg kick but Sato saw it coming and moves away.
Sato misses with a body shot.
Bird tries to clinch but Sato moves out of range.
Sato misses with a body kick.
Bird wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sato loads up on a big right hand but Bird slips the punch.
Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Bird has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sato finds it's way round the side to connect with Bird's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sato scores with a nice body kick.
Sato missing with a left hand there. Bird was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bird fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sato has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bird will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Bird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sato.
Sato misses with a leg kick

and Bird counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bird.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Sato fails to land.
Sato tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from Sato.
Bird blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bird lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sato or not.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A short uppercut from Bird.
Bird lands an elbow inside.
Sato throws a punch but it's blocked by Bird.
Bird is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Sato is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sato avoids the elbow strike from Bird, against the ropes.
Sato throws a punch but it's blocked by Bird.
Sato lands an elbow that stopped Bird in his tracks for a moment.
Sato works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird keeps control of Sato as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bird on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bird tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sato avoids it.
Sato misses with a punch on the inside.
Bird tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sato avoids it.

Sato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bird tries a low kick but Sato avoids it.
Sato takes a swing at Bird's ribcage but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bird looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bird blocks a head kick by Sato.
Sato goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
An inside leg kick lands from Bird.
Sato connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sato throws a lazy right hand but Bird sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sato checks a low kick from Bird.
Sato throws a body kick that misses.
Sato lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sato walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bird.
Sato throws a series of punches but Bird moves out of range.
Bird throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bird connects with a right hand. Sato shakes it off.
A big left from Sato misses.
Sato misses with a body kick.
Sato misses with a looping right.
Bird throws a hook to the side of Sato's head but Sato sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A solid body kick from Sato.
Sato throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a wild body kick that Bird sees coming a mile off.
Sato scores with a jab. Bird acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bird ducks right into an uppercut from Sato.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bird scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sato.
Sato throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bird bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
An inside leg kick lands from Sato.
Sato swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sato takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bird ducks under a wild hook from Sato.
Bird looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bird throws a head kick that misses.
Bird fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sato looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sato throws a hook to the side of Bird's head but Bird sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ukyo Sato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sato 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ukyo Sato!
Ukyo Sato is the new bantamweight champion!
The defeated William Bird had this to say: 'You proved you were the better fighter tonight.'.