PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eugene Judd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Azusa Moribe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Judd kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is I take it up the ass - by lil wayne. The crowd seem to be enjoying Moribe's choice of entrance music: Krayzie Bone - Drama. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Judd
vs
Moribe

160 cm
28
140 lbs
23 - 2 - 0

165 cm
30
145 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Reaper Combatwear
Sun-Tzu

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Underworld Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eugene Judd!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Azusa Moribe!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Judd closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Moribe is trying to improve his position.
Moribe is not content to let Judd control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Moribe stops Judd from passing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judd wants to lay and pray for a moment but Moribe keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moribe wants to control but Judd postures up.
Moribe gets back to half guard.
Moribe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Judd.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Judd connects with a nice short shot to Moribe's temple.
Judd is looking to advance position but Moribe won't allow it.
Judd sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Moribe defending well though.
Moribe preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Judd working Moribe over with strikes.
Judd throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Judd prevents Moribe from improving his position.
Judd trying to control from Moribe's half guard. Moribe has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Judd working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Moribe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Judd trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Judd stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Moribe swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Azusa Moribe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judd shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Moribe takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Judd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Judd scoring well with a low kick there.
Judd moves away from the strike by Moribe.
A shot to the body from Moribe misses
and Judd counters with a leg kick.
Moribe moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Moribe throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Judd sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Moribe avoids the head kick by Judd.
No joy there for Moribe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Moribe throws a chopping leg kick but Judd manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Moribe tries a low kick but Judd avoids it.
Judd shoots for a double leg takedown but Moribe sprawls well. He's pushed Judd's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Moribe throws a body shot but no joy.
Judd moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moribe lands with a thumping leg kick.
Moribe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Judd.
It looked like Judd was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Moribe.
Judd throws a big shot that misses.
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!
Judd bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
That kick from Judd tenderised Moribe's leg. Moribe is trying to keep his angry face on.
Moribe throws a solid leg kick but Judd takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Moribe.
Moribe tries to land a front kick but Judd steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Judd with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Moribe tries a head kick but it misses.
Judd throws a wild body kick that Moribe sees coming a mile off.
Azusa Moribe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Moribe throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Judd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That kick from Moribe tenderised Judd's leg. Judd is trying to keep his angry face on.
Judd uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Moribe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugene Judd dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Moribe throws a body punch but Judd moves out of range.
Moribe scores with a sloppy right hand. Judd should have avoided that one.
Moribe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Judd lands a leg kick that knocks Moribe off balance momentarily.
Judd is looking to chop away at Moribe's legs.
Moribe thumps Judd with a low kick.
Judd throws a body shot but no joy.
Judd scores with a jab to the body.
Moribe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Judd moves away.
Moribe is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Judd rather than just go for the knockout.
Moribe throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moribe checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Moribe misses with a body kick.
Judd drops down looking for a counter takedown but Moribe sprawls and moves away.
Judd scores with a leg kick.
Judd is looking to land body kicks.
Moribe attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judd throws a body punch but Moribe moves out of range.
Moribe throws a body shot but no joy.
Judd drops down looking for a counter takedown but Moribe sprawls and moves away.
Judd shoots in looking for a takedown. Moribe tries to sprawl out of it but Judd keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Moribe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Judd dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Moribe. That did some damage!
Judd connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Judd gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Moribe.
Judd stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Moribe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Judd manages to avoid it.
Judd ducks under a wild hook from Moribe.
That kick from Moribe tenderised Judd's leg. Judd is trying to keep his angry face on.
Moribe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moribe throws a leg kick
and Judd counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Judd misses with a body punch

and Moribe counters by clinching up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Moribe takes a shot to the head.
Judd is trying to break the clinch but Moribe is controlling him.
Judd lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Moribe misses with a body punch.
Judd lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Judd.
Moribe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Judd.
Judd throws a punch but it's blocked by Moribe.
Judd misses with a hook to the ribs.
Moribe prevents a body shot from Judd.
Judd digs a right hand underneath Moribe's ribcage. Moribe let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Judd misses with a hook to the ribs.
Moribe has a couple of punches blocked by Judd.
Moribe gets through Judd's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Moribe tries to work over Judd's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judd lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Moribe tries to work over Judd's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Judd misses with a hook from the clinch.
Moribe scores with a shoulder strike.
Judd tries to work over Moribe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Moribe lands with a left to the head.
Judd has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Moribe after a bit of a struggle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Judd.
Moribe lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Judd.
Moribe lands a body punch in the clinch.
Judd misses with a hook to the ribs.
Moribe lands an uppercut.
Judd lands a shoulder strike.
Judd throws a head punch that misses.
Moribe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Judd blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Moribe throws a head punch that misses.
Judd tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Judd wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Moribe has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Judd's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Moribe struggles to land a body shot inside as Judd controls his hands.
Judd blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right handed body shot lands from Judd.
Moribe swings wildly with an uppercut but Judd uses good head movement to avoid it.
Judd throws a punch but it's blocked by Moribe.
Judd scores with a hook to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Moribe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Judd blocks an uppercut.

Judd breaks from the clinch.
Moribe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Judd's head backwards.
Moribe tried to score with a low kick but Judd checks it.
Moribe fails in his attempt to clinch.
Moribe lands a jab to the head.
Moribe just misses with a punch to the body.
Judd throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Azusa Moribe will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Judd just misses with a punch to the body.
Judd loads up on a big right hand but Moribe slips the punch.
A countering left hand to the body from Moribe misses.
Judd misses with an attempted mid kick.
Moribe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Judd manages to avoid it.
Moribe lands a nice shot to the body.
Judd tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Moribe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Moribe lunges at Judd with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Judd's hand.
Moribe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Judd throws a leg kick but Moribe sees it coming and checks it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judd lands with an uppercut that bounces Moribe off the cage and back into range.
Judd throws a big shot that misses.
Judd connects with the punch.
Moribe misses with a straight left.
A good leg kick by Judd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moribe takes a swing at Judd's ribcage but misses.
A slow jab from Judd misses its intended target.
Azusa Moribe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A nice inside leg kick there by Moribe. That's going to slow Judd down.
Judd misses with a body shot.
Moribe let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Moribe takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Judd tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Judd slips under a jab.
Judd bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Moribe throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Judd takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Moribe throws a front kick that sends Judd stumbling back into the cage.
Good exchange - Moribe coming out on top.
Moribe keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Judd throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Judd uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Moribe has time to react.
Judd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Judd lands with a cross.
Judd on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A head kick by Moribe misses

and Judd counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Moribe!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Moribe's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Moribe might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Judd haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Judd wants to lay and pray for a moment but Moribe keeps working.
Moribe prevents Judd from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moribe is looking to regain half guard here but Judd keeps moving and retains side control.
Judd content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Judd throws an elbow but Moribe slips to the side and avoids it well.
Judd looks up at the clock and then as Moribe takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Judd smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Moribe on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Moribe parries the strikes from Judd easily there. Judd is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Moribe to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Judd.
Sloppy strikes there by Judd.
Judd scoring with punches and elbows.
Judd tries to advance position but instead Moribe slips a leg back in to half guard.
Moribe wants to get back to full guard.
Eugene Judd overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Judd is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Moribe has managed to free his arm - good work.
Moribe tries to roll over but Judd keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugene Judd clearly takes that round.
That's time! Judd's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Judd throws a leg kick but Moribe sees it coming and moves out of range.
Judd checks a low kick from Moribe.
A left lands for Moribe.
Moribe just misses with a punch to the body.
Moribe throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Judd counters with a single leg into guard. Moribe didn't expect that.
Judd wants to control from the top but Moribe keeps moving.
Judd is working Moribe over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Judd trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judd distracts Moribe with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Judd content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Moribe is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judd wants to control from the top but Moribe keeps moving.
Judd preventing the sweep.
Moribe being controlled here, momentarily.
Moribe keeping full guard, as Judd tries to pass.
Moribe keeping moving, preventing Judd from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Judd misses with a hook. Moribe ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Moribe lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Judd chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Moribe slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Judd takes a swing at Moribe's ribcage but misses.
Judd lands a jab to Moribe's midsection.
Moribe moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Judd fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Moribe misses with a leg kick.
Moribe thumps Judd with a low kick.
A big left from Judd misses.
Moribe scores with a spinning back kick!
Judd misses with a leg kick
and Moribe counters with a thumping low kick.
Judd checks a low kick from Moribe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moribe tries to land a leg kick but Judd saw it coming and moves away.
Judd misses with a looping right.
Moribe is trying to counter with his kicks.
Judd throws a big shot that misses.
Moribe scores with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Moribe misses the target.
It looks like Judd has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Judd takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Judd misses with a body shot.
Moribe lunges at Judd with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Judd's hand.
Moribe misses with a low kick.
Moribe misses with an uppercut. Judd saw that one coming.
Judd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Moribe manages to avoid it.
Judd slips a jab from Moribe.
Nice shot lands for Moribe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Judd chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Judd.
Judd avoids the body shot from Moribe.
Judd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Moribe moves away.
Moribe scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Moribe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Moribe looks to score with a jab to the body but Judd is just out of range.
Moribe tries to clinch up.
Judd looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
A slow jab from Judd misses its intended target.
Moribe throws a jab but it's blocked by Judd.
Moribe thumps Judd with a low kick.
Moribe misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from Moribe misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Azusa Moribe will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Moribe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Judd.
Moribe is trying to counter with his kicks.
Moribe misses the shot to the body.
Moribe fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Judd is out of range.
Moribe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Judd has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Moribe misses with a low kick.
Judd is looking to counter with a body kick.
Judd dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Moribe. That did some damage!
Moribe looks to land a body kick but Judd moved away.
Judd displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Judd misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moribe throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Judd half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Judd slips a jab from Moribe.
Moribe lands with a nice body punch.
Moribe lands a nice shot that snaps Judd's head back.
Moribe cracks Judd with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moribe fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Judd's jab looks to have found its range, popping Moribe under the eye.
Judd fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Judd misses with a low kick.
Moribe feints and then cracks Judd's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Judd down.
Moribe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Judd on the side of the head.
Judd avoids the body shot from Moribe.
Moribe lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Moribe scores with the left hand. Judd knows he should have avoided that one.
Judd throws out a powerful jab.
Moribe lands an overhand right.
Moribe throws a body shot but no joy.
Judd tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Judd connects with a body shot.
Judd throws a shot from downtown. Moribe moves away and avoids it.
Judd throws a nice inside leg kick.
Moribe avoids the body shot from Judd.
Moribe cracks the inside of Judd's front leg.
Moribe darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
An inside leg kick from Moribe misses.
Moribe throws a leg kick but Judd checks it.
Judd takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Moribe's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A decent looking cross lands there for Judd.
Judd lands a right hook to the body.
Judd cracks Moribe with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Judd throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Moribe sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judd misses with a body kick.
Moribe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Moribe dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Judd. That did some damage!
Judd tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Moribe was well out of range. Poor timing from Judd.
Judd looks to land a body kick but Moribe moved away.
Moribe thuds a left hand into Judd's body.
Judd connects with an inside leg kick.
Judd attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Moribe wants to counter with a clinch but Judd pushes him away.
Judd connects with a body shot.
Moribe is looking to land body kicks.
Judd doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Judd shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Judd showed some decent athleticism there.
Judd 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.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Moribe tries to roll over but Judd keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Judd wants to take a breather but Moribe is having none of it.
Judd not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Judd is stalling here. Moribe is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Judd seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Moribe has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Moribe is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Judd wants to control but Moribe postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Azusa Moribe.
I think Moribe 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 48:48
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:48
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
Eugene Judd retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!