PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marek Horwat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Narahiko Hirata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Narahiko Hirata is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Horwat
vs
Hirata

187 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
24
193 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Marek Horwat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Narahiko Hirata!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horwat shoots and misses
and Hirata counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hirata dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Horwat takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

It looks like Marek Horwat has been cut.
Horwat shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Hirata to counter with a crisp jab.
Horwat looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hirata lands a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirata lands a nice hook to Horwat's body. Horwat takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Horwat on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirata throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Horwat sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Horwat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hirata.
Hirata throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Horwat appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hirata lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hirata throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Horwat changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Horwat moves to clinch but Hirata breaks away
and Hirata cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Marek Horwat's cut is getting worse.
A big right from Hirata misses.

Horwat clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirata has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hirata wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hirata wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hirata gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Horwat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marek Horwat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hirata looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Horwat is trying to drag Hirata to the mat but Hirata just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hirata is trying to force a seperation but Horwat has the dominant position.
Hirata is pressed up against the cage. Horwat has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hirata down to the mat. Hirata avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hirata fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Horwat manages to avoid it.
Horwat drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hirata sprawls and moves away.
Horwat takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Donk. Hirata catches Horwat right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horwat tries for a takedown but Hirata circles away easily
letting Hirata counter with a right hand.
Horwat ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hirata lands a nice hook to Horwat's body. Horwat takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The fighters circling - Hirata throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hirata fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Marek Horwat's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Hirata lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Horwat at a distance.
Horwat is breathing heavily.
Hirata lands with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirata connects with a right hand. Horwat shakes it off.
Horwat staying out of range there.
Horwat's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hirata connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Horwat scrambles back to his feet.
No luck for Horwat with that takedown attempt.
Hirata throws a hook to the side of Horwat's head but Horwat sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
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!
Hirata scores with a nice head shot.

Jeez, Marek Horwat's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Hirata swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Narahiko Hirata dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marek Horwat's cut.
That's time! Horwat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hirata misses with a hook.
Hirata misses the jab.
Horwat drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hirata sprawls and moves away.
Hirata scores with a shot to the body.
Hirata scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheers as Hirata lands an impressive looking overhand right. Horwat doesn't seem phased though.
Hirata keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirata throws a jab when Horwat was well out of range.
Hirata throws the left hand but Horwat avoids the punch easily.
Horwat appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nice shot by Hirata.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirata dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Horwat takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Horwat bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hirata is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hirata regains half guard, as Horwat was trying to land strikes.
Hirata looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Horwat is looking for a kimura here.

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

Horwat is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hirata sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Horwat wants to work for an arm triangle but Hirata is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hirata scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Horwat manages to mount him!
Horwat thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Horwat goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Hirata is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Horwat working for submissions but it's allowed Hirata to get to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horwat trying to control here.
Horwat is looking to get back to full guard here but Hirata has managed to pass to side control instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hirata stands up and we're back to a striking position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Narahiko Hirata showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marek Horwat's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hirata lands a nice shot to the body.
Hirata stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hirata lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Horwat misses with a takedown attempt
and Hirata counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Horwat tries to clinch up
and Hirata counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirata takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Horwat looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hirata ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A jab from Hirata misses.
Horwat tries to counter with a takedown but Hirata is quick to defend against it.
Hirata has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Horwat shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hirata counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Marek Horwat's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Narahiko Hirata!