PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tyson Clay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hideo Kono (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Clay
vs
Kono

170 cm
28
147 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

168 cm
25
149 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Tyson Clay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hideo Kono!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kono dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Kono forces Clay back against the cage and clinches.
Clay goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kono prevents it.
Clay is looking for a takedown.
Clay is trying to pull guard but Kono has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyson Clay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kono.
Clay misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kono lands a shoulder strike.
Clay swings wildly with an uppercut but Kono uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've been hearing reports that Clay has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Kono lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Clay slows down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kono tries a body shot but Clay blocks it.
Clay scores with a shoulder strike.

Clay breaks from the clinch.
Kono motions for Clay to come forward. Kono throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kono scores with a crisp jab that stopped Clay in his tracks.
Clay misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kono tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Clay was well out of range. Poor timing from Kono.
Kono moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Clay gets the takedown into side control.
Clay wants to control but Kono is keeping him busy.
Kono tries to escape but Clay is in control.
Check out the look on Clay's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kono is trying to get back to his feet.
Clay has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sloppy strikes there by Clay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Clay working the ground and pound but Kono is defending the strikes.

Clay is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kono knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kono is pushing Clay's head away, looking to escape. Clay manages to hold on to the position though.
Clay postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kono is looking to get back to his feet here but Clay is keeping cool and he's managed to take Kono's back.
Kono is trying to stand back up.
Kono told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Kono covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kono avoids the strikes from Clay.
Clay throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Clay misses with a punch to the head.

Clay is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Kono defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Kono trying to get back to his feet but Clay is in full control for now.
Clay thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Kono wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay is working the ground and pound. Can Kono escape?

Clay is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Kono defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Kono avoids the strikes from Clay.
Kono is trapped and Clay is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Kono is trying to get back to his feet but Clay has full control of the position and if anything, Kono has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Clay looking for the RNC.
Clay misses with an elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Clay dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kono moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Clay tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kono was well out of range. Poor timing from Clay.
Kono lands with a nice body kick.
Clay misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Clay moves out of range as Kono throws a body kick.
Kono connects with a good right hand that stumbles Clay. Clay circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Kono gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Clay misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kono lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kono lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clay blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Clay misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kono lands a right hand.
Kono goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kono makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clay wants a takedown but no success here.
Kono lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kono goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Clay blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Clay digs a right hand underneath Kono's ribcage. Kono let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kono is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Clay lands a shoulder strike.
Clay tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kono blocks a body shot from Clay.
Kono misses with some punches.
Clay tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kono throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Clays head.
Kono stalling in the clinch but Clay improves position.
Kono gets through Clay's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kono swings wildly with an uppercut but Clay uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kono lands a right hand that snaps the head of Clay backwards.
Kono works on Clay's body with a couple of short punches.
A short left from Kono.
Kono lands a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Clay misses with a body punch.
Kono is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hideo Kono seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kono misses with some punches.
Clay lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Clay gets through Kono's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kono throws a head punch that misses.
Clay is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyson Clay. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Clay ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Clay no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Clay is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kono wants to stand but Clay has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tyson Clay overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clay escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kono gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Clay trying to keep a closed guard but Kono is proving a slippery customer.
Kono is looking to stand up but Clay won't let him.
Clay looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kono tries to stand but Clay is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Clay displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kono throws out the jab.
Kono throws a head kick that misses.
Clay jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kono scores with a push kick.
Clay tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kono manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Clay keeps the fight on the outside.
A cross from Kono lands.
Clay swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kono counters with a nice body shot.
Clay blocks a low kick nicely.
Kono uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kono throws a right hand that Clay ducks under and follows up with a left that Clay also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hideo Kono showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kono throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Clay throws a right and a left that Kono avoids nicely.
Clay throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kono stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kono throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kono steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Clay.
Kono throws a leg kick which misses Clay's front leg but catches the back leg as Clay tries to avoid it.
Clay avoids the body shot from Kono.
Clay takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Kono moves into range and clinches up with Clay.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kono creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kono.
Kono scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kono misses with the head strike.
Clay stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clay can't get the takedown.
Clay is working for takedown but Kono is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kono tries to stall but Clay uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Clay tries to score a body lock takedown but Kono shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyson Clay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kono is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Clay swings wildly with an uppercut but Kono uses good head movement to avoid it.
Clay has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Clay takes a shot to the head.
Kono lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kono misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Clay is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kono can't fight it off and eventually Clay manages to take the fight to the floor. Kono looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kono is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay postures up in Kono's guard and throws a big left but Kono blocks it.
Kono is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Clay is controlling him.
Clay trying to control but Kono is working from the bottom.
Kono is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Clay is controlling him.
Clay keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kono's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kono is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kono lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kono swings wildly with an uppercut but Clay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kono swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kono pressing his opponent against the cage.
Clay prevents a body shot from Kono.
Kono misses with a hook from the clinch.
Clay is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kono gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kono throws a head punch that misses.
Kono stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kono doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kono lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kono has a couple of punches blocked by Clay.
Kono prevents a takedown attempt there.
Clay misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kono looking to slow down the pace here.
Clay tries for a takedown but Kono manages to get underhooks.
Clay presses Kono against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kono misses with a punch to the body.
Clay is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kono pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kono is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Clay is keeping busy.
Kono lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kono misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hideo Kono comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kono 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hideo Kono!
Hideo Kono seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Tyson Clay was interviewed post fight and said 'I shit the bed.'.