PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frank Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kuroda Atsushi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hammer's entrance music is We are the Champions. A fine choice. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Kuroda Atsushi was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Hammer
vs
Atsushi

175 cm
27
168 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

170 cm
34
164 lbs
35 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.
The Empire Clothing and Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kuroda Atsushi!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Topper Green and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hammer blocks a low kick nicely.
Atsushi checks a low kick from Hammer.
Atsushi feints a counter leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Atsushi. Hammer shrugs it off though.
Hammer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Atsushi.
Atsushi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hammer.
Atsushi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hammer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hammer swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atsushi shoots in for a takedown but Hammer shows good takedown defense.
Atsushi tries to land a front kick but Hammer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Atsushi tries to land a body kick
and Hammer counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushi scores with a nice body kick.
Hammer 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.
Atsushi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hammer fails to land with a series of punches.
Hammer takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hammer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Atsushi can pounce on him.
Hammer drops his hands momentarily and Atsushi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hammer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Atsushi throws out the jab.
As Atsushi looks to move away, Hammer throws a big counter combo bu Atsushi just gets out of the way.
Atsushi misses with a kick to the body
and Hammer counters with a left to the body.
Atsushi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hammer.
Hammer fails to land with a series of punches.
Hammer shoots in and drives through. Atsushi sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi cracks the inside of Hammer's front leg.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer moves out of range of the body kick from Atsushi.
Hammer slips a jab and a cross from Atsushi.
Hammer is looking for a counter combo.
An inside leg kick lands from Atsushi.
Atsushi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hammer was well out of range. Poor timing from Atsushi.
Atsushi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Atsushi lands a nice shot to the body.
Atsushi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Atsushi jabs Hammer right on the nose. Hammer blinks but takes it well.
A low kick from Atsushi is predictable there
and Hammer counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A low kick from Atsushi misses
and Hammer counters with a series of strikes. Atsushi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Atsushi misses with a looping left.
An attempted straight right counter from Hammer misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer takes one to the side of the head.
Atsushi throws out a leg kick but Hammer moves out of range and Atsushi only half commits.
Kuroda Atsushi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hammer misses with a jab, cross combination.
Atsushi thows a body kick. Hammer tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Atsushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hammer jabs at Atsushi's body.
Atsushi throws a push kick but Hammer slaps the foot to one side.
Hammer is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Atsushi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Atsushi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hammer takes a step back to recover.
Hammer will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Atsushi throws a body kick that misses.
Atsushi tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hammer's calf.
Hammer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Atsushi can pounce on him.
Hammer is looking to wear down Atsushi with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Atsushi, right into the meat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hammer gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hammer is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Hammer working for a triangle but Atsushi defends it easily.
Hammer is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuroda Atsushi dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hammer with a hook.
A cross from Atsushi lands.
Hammer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Atsushi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Hammer steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Atsushi. That one must have hurt.
Hammer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Atsushi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hammer. Atsushi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Atsushi tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Atsushi throws a front kick aimed at Hammer's knee but Hammer avoids it well.
It looked like Hammer wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atsushi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hammer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Atsushi.
Atsushi misses with a left hand
and Hammer counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushi misses with a low kick.
Hammer is looking to counter punch.
Hammer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Atsushi.
Atsushi tries to land a body kick
and Hammer counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Atsushi shoots in looking for a takedown but Hammer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Atsushi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Atsushi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hammer checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A little feinted left hand from Hammer on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hammer with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Atsushi to score with a decent uppercut.
Frank Hammer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Atsushi throws a body kick, spinning off balance
enabling Hammer to counter with a crisp jab.
Atsushi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Atsushi dips to his left and cracks Hammer with an uppercut!
Atsushi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hammer's calf.
Atsushi lands a high kick!
Atsushi throws a looping overhand right but Hammer ducks down to avoid it.
Hammer is looking for a counter combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi lands with an overhand left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammer takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hammer throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice uppercut lands for Hammer. That snapped Atsushi's head back.
Hammer moves out of range of the body kick.
Atsushi is looking to land body kicks.
Atsushi tries to land a front kick but Hammer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Atsushi stuns Hammer with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Atsushi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hammer is trying to defend but Atsushi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Atsushi is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Atsushi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've been hearing good reports from Hammer's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Atsushi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hammer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Atsushi is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Atsushi has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Masaru Fighting Systems. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Atsushi is looking to pass Hammer's guard but actually Hammer recovers to full guard.
Atsushi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Atsushi postures up.
Atsushi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Atsushi chips away with some ground and pound.
Atsushi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hammer can't keep his opponent in guard - Atsushi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuroda Atsushi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Atsushi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Atsushi is nestled in close to Hammer, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hammer wants to control but Atsushi is keeping busy.
Hammer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Atsushi.
Hammer is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammer avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Atsushi.
Hammer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Atsushi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hammer wants to improve his position but Atsushi is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushi wants to control but Hammer is keeping him busy.
Hammer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hammer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Atsushi.
Hammer is looking for a sweep. Atsushi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Atsushi is keen to just control but Hammer is a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Atsushi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hammer. That did some damage!
Hammer misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hammer is able to avoid easily.
Atsushi lands a nice looking body shot.
Atsushi misses with a hook
and Hammer counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Atsushi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Atsushi throws a lazy head kick
enabling Hammer to counter with a crisp jab.
Atsushi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hammer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Atsushi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Hammer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Atsushi.
Hammer's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Atsushi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hammer scrambles back to his feet.
Atsushi cracks the inside of Hammer's front leg.
Kuroda Atsushi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer blocks a leg kick.
Atsushi misses with a straight left.
Hammer went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Frank Hammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Atsushi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hammer takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hammer stuffs the takedown attempt from Atsushi. Atsushi gets slowly back to his feet.
Hammer gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hammer on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Atsushi. Atsushi obviously looking to wear him down.
An inside leg kick from Atsushi misses.
Atsushi misses with a kick to the body
and Hammer counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer misses with a body shot.
Atsushi feints a counter leg kick.
Atsushi 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.
Atsushi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hammer's sensitive parts.
Atsushi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Atsushi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kuroda Atsushi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hammer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Atsushi manages to avoid it.
And Atsushi tries to counter it with a takedown but Hammer pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hammer is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Atsushi is looking to land body kicks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Atsushi lands a nice shot to the body.
Atsushi scores with a push kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hammer. Atsushi does a little dance to reset his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kuroda Atsushi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Atsushi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kuroda Atsushi!
After winning the bout, Kuroda Atsushi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.