PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Masaru Shimabukuro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Moxson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shimabukuro's entrance music is Warrior. A fine choice. Moxson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Zombie by Cranberries. Masaru Shimabukuro could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to John Moxson's chin.

Shimabukuro
vs
Moxson

172 cm
25
182 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

182 cm
24
183 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masaru Shimabukuro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Moxson!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moxson fails to land the takedown.
Shimabukuro went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Shimabukuro connects with a nice looking jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A looping hook to the body misses from Moxson. Shimabukuro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Moxson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Moxson throws a low kick but Shimabukuro moves out of range easily.
Shimabukuro throws a head kick that half lands.
Shimabukuro throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Moxson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Moxson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Shimabukuro on his heels. He'll look to pass Shimabukuro's guard now, I'm sure.
Moxson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shimabukuro wants to stand but Moxson is controlling the position.
Moxson trying to control but Shimabukuro is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moxson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Moxson trying to control the position from guard on top but Shimabukuro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shimabukuro is wriggling around but Moxson manages to pass to half guard.
Moxson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shimabukuro's head.
Moxson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Moxson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shimabukuro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Moxson is nestled in close to Shimabukuro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
My spies in Tōshi inform me that Moxson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Moxson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Moxson trying to control the action but Shimabukuro is working from the bottom.
Shimabukuro is trying to stand back up but Moxson is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moxson is trying to control. Shimabukuro wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Shimabukuro gets full guard.
Moxson wants to control from the top but Shimabukuro keeps moving.
Shimabukuro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Moxson controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Moxson looks to land a combination but Shimabukuro avoids it well.
Shimabukuro scores with a head kick.
Shimabukuro closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Moxson shoots in looking for a takedown. Shimabukuro tries to sprawl out of it but Moxson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shimabukuro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Moxson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shimabukuro.
Moxson misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Moxson.
Masaru Shimabukuro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Moxson.
Moxson misses with a knee strike.
Shimabukuro tries to break free but Moxson pushes him back against the cage.
Moxson takes a shot to the head.
Moxson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Moxson crunches a lovely knee into Shimabukuro's ribcage.
Moxson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Moxson working aggressively here.
Moxson is looking to control Shimabukuro's arms but Shimabukuro gets an underhook and turns him. Now Moxson has his back to the cage.
Shimabukuro wants to break the clinch but can't.
Moxson missing with knees to the body.

Shimabukuro breaks from the clinch.
Shimabukuro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Moxson.
Shimabukuro feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Shimabukuro checks a leg kick.
Shimabukuro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shimabukuro lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shimabukuro.
Moxson throws a good cross that connects.
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!
Shimabukuro goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shimabukuro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Moxson.
Moxson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Moxson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Masaru Shimabukuro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Moxson dives in and grabs Shimabukuro's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shimabukuro pushes down on Moxson's head and hops out.
Some wild striking there from Moxson.
Moxson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shimabukuro avoids it really well and circles away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Shimabukuro.
Moxson loads up on a big right hand but Shimabukuro slips the punch.
Moxson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shimabukuro was well out of range. Poor timing from Moxson.
Moxson throws a lazy right hand but Shimabukuro sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Moxson throws a nice looking combination but Shimabukuro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shimabukuro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Moxson.
Shimabukuro went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Shimabukuro thows a body kick. Moxson tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Shimabukuro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shimabukuro misses with a double jab.
Moxson shoots in for a takedown but Shimabukuro shows good takedown defense.
Shimabukuro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Moxson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Masaru Shimabukuro will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Moxson looks to land a combination but Shimabukuro avoids it well.
Shimabukuro checks the leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Shimabukuro blocks the low kick.
Shimabukuro lands a head kick. Moxson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Shimabukuro gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Moxson.
Shimabukuro scores with the left hand. Moxson knows he should have avoided that one.
Moxson tries to clinch up.
Moxson shoots in but Shimabukuro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Masaru Shimabukuro is winning the standup battle so far.
Moxson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Moxson throws a jab but it's blocked by Shimabukuro.
Moxson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Moxson throws a low kick but Shimabukuro avoids it.
Moxson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Shimabukuro lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Moxson backs up against the cage.
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!
Moxson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shimabukuro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Moxson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shimabukuro throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shimabukuro pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Moxson back to the cage. Shimabukuro follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Moxson is rocked!
Moxson fails with a takedown attempt.
Moxson is still on wobbly legs! Can Shimabukuro finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moxson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Moxson seems to have recovered his senses.
The fighters circling - Moxson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shimabukuro dodges the punch combination from Moxson.
Nice defenses there by Shimabukuro.
Masaru Shimabukuro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shimabukuro throws a sloppy head kick and Moxson moves out of range easily.
Moxson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Moxson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Shimabukuro.
Moxson misses with a takedown attempt - Shimabukuro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Masaru Shimabukuro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Moxson.
Shimabukuro fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Moxson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Moxson throws a looping overhand right but Shimabukuro ducks down to avoid it.
Shimabukuro tries to counter with a takedown but Moxson is quick to defend against it.
Moxson throws a solid leg kick but Shimabukuro takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Moxson.

Moxson pushes Shimabukuro up against the cage in a clinch.
Moxson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shimabukuro backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moxson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shimabukuro's efforts to push away.
Moxson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shimabukuro's efforts to push away.
Moxson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shimabukuro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shimabukuro has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shimabukuro working hard to break the clinch.
Shimabukuro is trying to break free.
Shimabukuro can't break the clinch.
Shimabukuro has had enough of the clinch but Moxson keeps him there for the moment.
Shimabukuro can't break the clinch.
Moxson stalling in the clinch but Shimabukuro improves position.

Shimabukuro breaks the clinch.
Moxson tries to work over Shimabukuro's front leg with a kick but Shimabukuro checks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Moxson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shimabukuro manages to avoid it.
No joy there for Shimabukuro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shimabukuro will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shimabukuro connects with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimabukuro throws a nice looking combination but Moxson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Moxson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shimabukuro is fending him off so far but Moxson persists. Nope, Shimabukuro circles away and we're back to standing.
Moxson moves out of range of the body kick.
Shimabukuro goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Shimabukuro goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Moxson shoots in but Shimabukuro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
An inside leg kick from Moxson misses.
Shimabukuro blocks a leg kick.
Shimabukuro lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Shimabukuro.
Shimabukuro throws a series of punches but Moxson avoids them all with ease.
A countering left hand to the body from Moxson misses.
Shimabukuro connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Moxson momentarily.
Moxson avoids the head kick by Shimabukuro.
Moxson shoots in looking for a takedown but Shimabukuro manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Moxson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shimabukuro scores with a kick to the midsection.
Shimabukuro throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shimabukuro lands with a kick to the temple. Moxson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Shimabukuro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Moxson can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Moxson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shimabukuro as he jumps to the side.
Shimabukuro has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Shimabukuro there as he acknowledges the shot.
Shimabukuro goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Moxson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shimabukuro is out of range.
Moxson misses with a low kick.
Moxson loads up on a big right hand but Shimabukuro slips the punch.
Shimabukuro punishes Moxson's body with a nice straight punch.
Shimabukuro scores with a nice right hand.
Shimabukuro with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Moxson tries to score with a low kick but Shimabukuro moves his leg out of the way.
Moxson takes one to the chin there.
Shimabukuro has been working on his balance at Tōshi, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Moxson.
Shimabukuro looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Moxson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shimabukuro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shimabukuro scores with a spinning back kick!
Moxson is breathing heavily.
Shimabukuro bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masaru Shimabukuro dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Shimabukuro tries to land a front kick but Moxson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Moxson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Moxson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Moxson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Shimabukuro wants to stand but Moxson is controlling the position.
Moxson lands a couple of digs.
Shimabukuro keeping moving, preventing Moxson from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moxson lands a couple of digs.
Moxson trying to control the position from guard on top but Shimabukuro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Moxson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimabukuro has momentary wrist control but Moxson slips an elbow through the middle.
Moxson prevents Shimabukuro from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moxson trying to control but Shimabukuro is working from the bottom.
Shimabukuro wants to get back to his feet but Moxson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Moxson shoots for a takedown but Shimabukuro saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Shimabukuro misses the target.
Moxson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shimabukuro.

Moxson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Moxson working the ground and pound.
John Moxson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Moxson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Moxson scores with punches from side control.

Moxson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Moxson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Moxson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Shimabukuro is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Moxson lands a few punches from side control.
Shimabukuro wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Moxson working the head and body with strikes.
Shimabukuro pushes Moxson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Moxson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moxson scores with punches from side control.

Shimabukuro is rocked!
John Moxson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shimabukuro is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Moxson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Oh Shimabukuro is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shimabukuro takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Moxson cracks Shimabukuro with a big elbow. Oh, he's hurt! Moxson immediately mounts and start dropping bombs! Shimabukuro is done! The referee jumps in and saves him from any more punishment - a quick and decisive finish by Moxson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Moxson!
In his post fight interview, John Moxson gave a big smile as he said 'I will tell you one thing and one thing only. I'm coming for you. Another win and another victim. Life isn't fair so try me if you dare - watch this rise from despair.'.