PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Kosugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammy Spishak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spishak has chosen Sleeping with Sirens as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Sammy Spishak enters the cage!

Kosugi
vs
Spishak

188 cm
32
210 lbs
13 - 9 - 1

185 cm
34
216 lbs
14 - 19 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

The Adrenaline Matrix

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ichiro Kosugi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sammy Spishak!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kosugi looks for a takedown but Spishak sprawls well.
Kosugi slips under a jab.
Kosugi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spishak manages to avoid it.
Spishak 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.
Kosugi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kosugi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kosugi definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Spishak has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kosugi finds it's way round the side to connect with Spishak's head.

It looks like Sammy Spishak has been cut.
Spishak lands with a cross.
Spishak thuds his right hand into Kosugi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kosugi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spishak defends it nicely.
Spishak is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spishak decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spishak seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kosugi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spishak is looking for a kimura but Kosugi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Spishak to get the leverage.
Spishak prevents Kosugi from improving his position.
Spishak trying to control the action but Kosugi is working from the bottom.

Kosugi actively working from the bottom here.

Kosugi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spishak pulls his head out easily.
Kosugi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kosugi is trying to control the position but Spishak postures up.
Spishak postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Kosugi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spishak can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Spishak trying to control but Kosugi is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kosugi is trying to keep Spishak in close.
Spishak trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosugi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kosugi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Spishak is one step ahead there.
Spishak trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kosugi trying to keep a closed guard but Spishak is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kosugi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Kosugi has closed the distance and engaged Spishak in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kosugi backwards.
Kosugi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Spishak pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kosugi tries to clinch up but Spishak circles away and keeps his distance.
Spishak throws out a counter right but Kosugi avoids it with no problem.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kosugi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Spishak has managed to clinch.
Kosugi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Spishak lands an elbow that stopped Kosugi in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Ichiro Kosugi has been cut.

Spishak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kosugi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Spishak gets back to half guard.
Kosugi prevents Spishak from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!

Kosugi is working for a kimura but Spishak is defending it quite comfortably.
Kosugi is looking to take a break and control but Spishak is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak gets back to full guard.

Spishak had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kosugi defends it easily.
Kosugi forces his way into half guard.
Kosugi content to control rather than advance.

Spishak looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak dominated that round.
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.

The fighters circling - Spishak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Spishak tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Spishak punishes Kosugi's body with a nice straight punch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Spishak. That's going to slow Kosugi down.
Kosugi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kosugi shoots in looking for a takedown. Spishak tries to sprawl out of it but Kosugi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spishak manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Spishak ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kosugi looks to land a combination but Spishak avoids it well.
Sammy Spishak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Spishak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spishak lands a jab to Kosugi's midsection.
Spishak lands with an uppercut that bounces Kosugi off the cage and back into range.
Spishak wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Spishak blocks a head kick by Kosugi.
Spishak is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kosugi shoots in but Spishak avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi slips a jab from Spishak.
Spishak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kosugi shoots in for a takedown but Spishak shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spishak scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Spishak takes one on the button.
Spishak connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kosugi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Spishak misses with a head kick.

Spishak instigates a clinch.

Kosugi has hold of one of Spishak's legs. Spishak is fighting the takedown attempt but Kosugi gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Kosugi trying to control the position from guard on top but Spishak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Spishak escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kosugi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kosugi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Spishak keeping moving, preventing Kosugi from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kosugi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Spishak has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kosugi has managed to get both his arms back between Spishak's legs - danger averted.
Kosugi looking to sit in guard and control but Spishak gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Spishak looking to pass the guard.

Kosugi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Spishak is aware though and is defending well.
Spishak pushes down on Kosugi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kosugi is trying to maintain the position but Spishak is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spishak is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kosugi is just riding it out for now. Spishak eventually gives up the hold.
Kosugi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spishak.
Spishak wants to pass to mount but Kosugi is defending the position.

Kosugi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spishak pulls his head out easily.

Kosugi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Spishak is trying to control. Kosugi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Spishak is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kosugi defends it well.
Spishak wants to take a breather but Kosugi is having none of it.
Kosugi trying to control here.
Spishak thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kosugi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Spishak cracks Kosugi with a solid left hand.
Kosugi trying to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kosugi is on top in guard.

Kosugi trying to control but Spishak is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak 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!

Spishak uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kosugi.
A little jabbing left from Spishak on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Kosugi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kosugi tries to score a body lock takedown but Spishak shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Spishak manages to break the clinch.
Spishak uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kosugi has time to react.
Spishak scores with a sloppy right hand. Kosugi should have avoided that one.
Spishak misses with a straight left.
Kosugi fails to land the takedown.
Kosugi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Spishak looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spishak lands a body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Spishak. No joy for Kosugi on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kosugi shoots in for a double leg but Spishak sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sammy Spishak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kosugi misses the shot to the body.
Spishak changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kosugi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spishak's waist but Spishak gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kosugi off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spishak feints and then cracks Kosugi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kosugi down.
Kosugi tries to move into range but Spishak moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kosugi throws a body punch but Spishak moves out of range.
Kosugi throws a right hand that Spishak ducks under and follows up with a left that Spishak also avoids with ease.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Spishak, as that shot connected.
Kosugi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Spishak misses with a head kick.
Spishak wants to clinch.
Kosugi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Spishak is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Spishak looks to score with a jab to the body but Kosugi is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spishak connects with a right hand. Kosugi shakes it off.
A jab from Spishak does it's job there.
Spishak with a body punch. A glancing blow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circling - Spishak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Spishak throws a sloppy head kick
and Kosugi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kosugi slips under a jab from Spishak.
Kosugi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kosugi fails to land with a series of punches.
Ichiro Kosugi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kosugi keeps the fight on the outside.
Kosugi ducks under a wild hook from Spishak.
Spishak throws out a loose jab but Kosugi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kosugi misses with a wild combination.
Kosugi is looking to land body kicks.
Spishak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kosugi shoots in for a takedown but Spishak shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosugi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A swing and a miss from Kosugi.
Spishak is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kosugi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Spishak scores with a nice right hand.

Spishak forces Kosugi back against the cage and clinches.

Kosugi gets control of Spishak's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kosugi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Spishak trying to control but Kosugi is working from the bottom.
Spishak postures up and lands a big shot to Kosugi's brow.
Spishak trying to control but Kosugi is working from the bottom.
Spishak pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kosugi is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak passes into half guard.
Kosugi moves into full guard.
Spishak trying to control but Kosugi is working from the bottom.
Spishak postures up in Kosugi's guard and throws a big left but Kosugi blocks it.
Spishak passes into half guard.
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!

Spishak is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kosugi is just riding it out for now. Spishak eventually gives up the hold.

Kosugi is defending against the submission attempts here by Spishak.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Spishak looks to land a right hand but Kosugi moved out of range.
Kosugi moves in looking to clinch but Spishak pushes him off.
Spishak changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kosugi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spishak defends it nicely.
Spishak tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kosugi throws a series of punches but Spishak avoids them all with ease.
Spishak lands a nice shot that snaps Kosugi's head back.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kosugi.
Spishak looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Spishak lunges at Kosugi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kosugi's hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Kosugi misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kosugi.
Spishak bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kosugi's head.
Kosugi takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosugi throws a series of punches but Spishak moves out of range.
Spishak tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kosugi was well out of range. Poor timing from Spishak.
Spishak throws a sloppy head kick and Kosugi moves out of range easily.
Kosugi throws a head kick that misses.
Kosugi avoids the body shot from Spishak.
A swing and a miss from Spishak.
Kosugi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kosugi shoots in looking for a takedown. Spishak tries to sprawl out of it but Kosugi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spishak manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Kosugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kosugi needs to keep his hands up - Spishak had a free shot at his head there.
Kosugi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Spishak tries to avoid it but Kosugi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Spishak to the ground. Spishak escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kosugi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spishak was well out of range. Poor timing from Kosugi.

Kosugi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Spishak's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spishak working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kosugi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kosugi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Spishak manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kosugi manages to get himself to full guard.

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!

Kosugi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Spishak has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Kosugi to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Spishak is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Kosugi pulls down on the head and he's put Spishak to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Ichiro Kosugi!
Ichiro Kosugi tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.