PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andr De Fran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Kato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think De Fran might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to No Worries. This should be a great matchup!

De Fran
vs
Kato

172 cm
27
158 lbs
18 - 7 - 1

176 cm
27
167 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Andr De Fran!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kenji Kato!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Kavanagh and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kato moves into range and clinches up with De Fran.

Kato pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kato.
De Fran misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kato throws a nice inside leg kick.
De Fran looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A punch lands to the side of Kato 's head but he takes it in his stride.
De Fran misses with a hook. Kato ducked under it nicely.
Kato throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kato lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick misses from De Fran.
Kato wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kato lands with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kato swings and misses with a hook to the body.
De Fran is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kato.
De Fran lands with a thumping leg kick.

De Fran gets a clinch.
De Fran tries to work over Kato's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato lands a nice shot to the body.
Kato stalling in the clinch but De Fran improves position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for De Fran.

Kato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sloppy strikes from De Fran. Those never looked like landing.
Kato takes a swing at De Fran's ribcage but misses.
Kato tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kenji Kato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kato misses with a wild body shot.
Kato moves out of range as De Fran throws a body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by De Fran. That's going to slow Kato down.
A telegraphed right hand from Kato misses the target.
Kato is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down De Fran rather than just go for the knockout.
An inside leg kick from De Fran misses.
De Fran throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kato's head.
Kato throws a lazy head kick
and De Fran counters with a body kick that stops Kato in his tracks momentarily.
De Fran sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato throws a right and a left that both miss.
De Fran swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kato throws out a powerful jab.
Kato has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
De Fran takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Nice defenses there by De Fran.
De Fran sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kato lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kato ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kato throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kato throws a nice inside leg kick.
De Fran blocks the body kick.
Kato misses with a kick to the body
and De Fran counters with a good low kick that Kato was not able to check.
Kato fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt De Fran.
De Fran takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Fran throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kato takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kato scores with a nice body kick.
Kato wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kato takes a jab right on the kisser.
De Fran looks for the body kick but Kato saw that one coming.
Kato is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
De Fran tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kato was well out of range. Poor timing from De Fran.
De Fran looks to throw the jab but Kato is out of range.
Kato works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kato drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kato lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kato keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from De Fran.
Kato appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Fran has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kato.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kato.
De Fran on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice defenses there by De Fran.
Kato stuns De Fran with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
De Fran will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
De Fran on the wrong end of a nice hook.
De Fran drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
De Fran throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kato counters with a nice leg kick.
Kato ducks right into an uppercut from De Fran.
Kato throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
De Fran throws a body kick that misses.
De Fran wants to land a leg kick but Kato is out of range.
Kato takes a swing at De Fran's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Kato dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kato will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kato lands a slapping body shot.
Kato has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
De Fran throws a half hearted mid kick.
De Fran ducks under a wild hook from Kato.
De Fran lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kato cracks a nice hook into De Fran's ribs.
Kato throws a lazy uppercut
and De Fran counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kato in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kato misses with an attempted mid kick.
De Fran misses with an uppercut. Kato saw that one coming.
Kato wants to counter the offense by De Fran and move into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kato ducks down and throws a hook to the body but De Fran moves away.
Kato misses with a body kick.
As Kato backs away, De Fran returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
De Fran takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
De Fran swings for the body but Kato moves out of range.
De Fran blocks a head kick by Kato.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Fran fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
De Fran moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
De Fran misses with a kick to the body.
Kato bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
De Fran tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kato slips under a jab.
De Fran chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kato can pounce on him.
Kato wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kato lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kato feints and then cracks De Fran's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow De Fran down.
A swing and a miss from Kato.
De Fran swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
De Fran steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kato.
Nice body kick there by Kato.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Fran pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kato back to the cage. De Fran follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kato tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. De Fran manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
De Fran is looking to land body kicks.
De Fran moves forwards but Kato connects with a nice, crisp jab.
De Fran moves out of range as Kato strikes.
Jab from De Fran.
Kato moves out of range of the body kick.
De Fran sets himself, and Kato steps forward looking for the clinch! De Fran avoids it this time.
Good leg kick by Kato there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nice defenses there by Kato.

Kato clinches with his opponent.
Kato working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Kato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
De Fran moves away from the strike by Kato.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Fran throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
De Fran tries to land a front kick but Kato steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kato misses with a straight right.
De Fran is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kato has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by De Fran.
De Fran takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
De Fran stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kato.
Kato lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
De Fran blocks a low kick nicely.
De Fran misses with a body kick.
Kato looks to land a right hand but De Fran moved out of range.
Kenji Kato seems to be getting the better of the standup.
De Fran is looking to clinch but Kato is avoiding it.
Kato avoids a kick to the body.
De Fran digs a good body shot into Kato's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Kato lands an impressive looking overhand right. De Fran doesn't seem phased though.
De Fran tries to score with a low kick but Kato moves his leg out of the way.
De Fran moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kato cracks De Fran with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kato with a jab.
De Fran scores with a jab.
A punch combination from De Fran misses.
De Fran lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
De Fran blocks the body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Kato. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kato.
De Fran takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kato throws a low kick but De Fran avoids it.
De Fran seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Kato showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kato blocks a head kick by De Fran.
De Fran takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kato misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kato moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kato scores with a jab.
Kato takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
De Fran throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
De Fran is looking to slow Kato down with leg kicks.
De Fran uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kato.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kato throws a leg kick which misses De Fran's front leg but catches the back leg as De Fran tries to avoid it.
A nice combination there by Kato.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kato scores with a sloppy right hand. De Fran should have avoided that one.
De Fran throws a head kick but Kato moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato throws a jab but it's blocked by De Fran.
De Fran is looking to counter punch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from De Fran.
De Fran avoids the body shot from Kato.
De Fran takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kato lands with a thumping leg kick.
De Fran takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
De Fran tries to clinch up.
Kato misses with a looping left.
Kato listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kato lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kato feints and then cracks De Fran's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow De Fran down.
De Fran throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kato swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato jabs at De Fran's body.
Kato misses with a wild body shot.
De Fran swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kato jabs at De Fran's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kato is looking to score with low kicks.
A swing and a miss from Kato.
Kato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Fran was well out of range. Poor timing from Kato.
De Fran turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
De Fran on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kato connects with an inside leg kick.
Kato thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kato thows a body kick. De Fran tries to catch it but that hurt him.
De Fran throws the kick towards the body but Kato avoids it.
De Fran takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kato scores with a hook to the body. De Fran takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kato displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
De Fran is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
De Fran throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kato.
Kato throws a combination. De Fran tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kato throws a wild body kick that De Fran sees coming a mile off.
Kato misses with a right hand
and De Fran counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kato misses with a straight right.
Kato throws a body punch but De Fran moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kato. That's going to slow De Fran down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kato throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Fran chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kato can pounce on him.
Kato needs to keep his hands up - De Fran had a free shot at his head there.
Kato misses with a hook.
De Fran stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kato.
De Fran pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
De Fran misses with a wild body shot.
Kato lands a jab to De Fran's midsection.
De Fran chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kato dodges the punch combination from De Fran.
Kato misses with a wild body shot.
De Fran looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kato swings for the body but De Fran moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Kato really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

De Fran on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kato. Kato obviously looking to wear him down.
Kato thows a leg kick but De Fran checks it
and De Fran counters with a nice body kick.
Kato cracks De Fran with an open hand slap.
De Fran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kato manages to avoid it.
Kato fakes high and swings low for a body shot but De Fran manages to avoid it.
Kato lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kato.
De Fran does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kato blocks a jab.
Kato throws a nice head kick!
Kato throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kato cracks De Fran with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
De Fran misses with a low kick.
De Fran throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato lands with a thumping leg kick.
De Fran's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Kato throws a jab when De Fran was well out of range.
De Fran was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kato keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
De Fran uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kato.
Good work by Kato as he checks the leg kick.
Kato throws a leg kick but De Fran moved away.
Kato throws a combination but it was largely blocked by De Fran.
Kato cracks the inside of De Fran's front leg.
A jab from De Fran does it's job there.
De Fran feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kato's calf.
Kato just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Fran misses with a head kick.

Kato clinches up with De Fran and pushes him back against the cage.
De Fran lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kato backwards.
De Fran misses with a knee to the head.
Kato throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
De Fran scores with a shoulder strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kato lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
De Fran lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kato blocks the elbow strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for De Fran.
Kato tries a body shot but De Fran blocks it.
Kato lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Kato fails to land.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kato.
De Fran stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Kato manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kato scores with a push kick.
De Fran chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kato can pounce on him.
De Fran throws a body punch but Kato moves out of range.
De Fran throws a front kick that sends Kato stumbling back into the cage.
De Fran thows a left - swing and a miss!
A countering left hand to the body from Kato misses.
Kato misses with a wild body shot.
Kato motions for De Fran to come forward. Kato throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
De Fran misses with a body kick.
Kato fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
De Fran takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kato thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Kato misses.
Kato throws a body kick that misses.
Kato throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kato dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
De Fran on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Fran swings and misses with a hook to the body.
De Fran ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kato moves away.
Kato sizes up De Fran with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
De Fran jabbing away but nothing is landing.
De Fran takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kato misses with a looping right.
Kato takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Kato dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kato lands with an overhand left.
De Fran steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kato.
De Fran tries to counter by clinching up but Kato breaks away and moves out of range.
De Fran misses with a straight right.
De Fran gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kato.
Kato throws a body punch but De Fran moves out of range.
Kato thuds a left hand into De Fran's body.
Kato scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
De Fran pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kato appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kato throws a push kick but De Fran slaps the foot to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Fran tries to land a front kick but Kato steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kato lands a nice hook to De Fran's body. De Fran takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kato throws a leg kick but De Fran sees it coming and moves out of range.
De Fran is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from De Fran, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato just misses with a punch to the body.
De Fran takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kato throws a body shot but no joy.
De Fran checks a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from De Fran misses the target.
De Fran connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kato lands a really nice looking cross but De Fran seems unphased.
Kato lands with a straight right. De Fran didn't see that one coming.
Kato waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract De Fran.
Kato pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
An attempted straight right counter from De Fran misses the target.
De Fran tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kato swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kato throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kato shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato connects with a body shot.
Kato uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by De Fran.
De Fran misses with a few strikes there.
Kato lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kato cracks De Fran with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kato swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Andr De Fran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
De Fran takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kato throws a body shot but no joy.
De Fran drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kato misses with a kick to the body.
De Fran tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kato manages to circle out of the way.
De Fran looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
De Fran throws a leg kick which misses Kato's front leg but catches the back leg as Kato tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kato avoids a kick to the body.
Kato looks like he wants to counter punch here.
De Fran throws a half hearted mid kick.
De Fran throws a leg kick that is checked
and De Fran takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kato lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kato lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Kato gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kato wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
De Fran blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kato as De Fran tries to tie him up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kato.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
De Fran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kato lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kato is trying to stall.
De Fran lands with a short punch from the clinch.
De Fran tries to land knees in the clinch but Kato avoids the damage to the body.

Kato breaks from the clinch.
Kato throws a predictable looking body shot
and De Fran counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kato takes a swing at De Fran's ribcage but misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kato with a jab.
A clash of legs there as De Fran blocks the low kick.
De Fran swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kato lunges at De Fran with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by De Fran's hand.
Kato swings and misses with a hook to the body.
De Fran tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kenji Kato is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kato takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Kato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kato has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 45:50
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Kato!
Kenji Kato is the new lightweight champion!
A victorious Kenji Kato thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.