PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Richmond Finch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatsuya Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Finch
vs
Kawajiri

176 cm
31
148 lbs
22 - 10 - 1

172 cm
32
155 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Pearson Specter Litt
Bullet Proof System

Spartan Nutrition
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Richmond Finch!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tatsuya Kawajiri!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Atkins and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finch swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kawajiri.
Finch misses with a looping right.
Finch sets himself, and Kawajiri steps forward looking for the clinch! Finch avoids it this time.
Finch misses with a leg kick

and Kawajiri counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kawajiri.
Finch taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Finch is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Finch blocks a body shot from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Finch's elbow.
Kawajiri working aggressively here.
Kawajiri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Finch takes a shot to the head.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the ribs.
I was talking to Finch's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kawajiri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Finch's elbow.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Kawajiri dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finch is trying to maintain a safe position but Kawajiri gets an underhook and turns Finch into the ropes.

Finch breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Finch checks a leg kick.
Kawajiri throws a leg kick but Finch moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kawajiri misses with a hook
and Finch counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Finch slips a jab from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick from Finch lands but Kawajiri takes it in his stride.
Kawajiri thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kawajiri throws a nice looking combination but Finch bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kawajiri jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kawajiri takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Finch looks to land a body kick but Kawajiri moved away.
Finch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kawajiri moves away.
A swing and a miss from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kawajiri bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Finch scores with a head kick. Kawajiri tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Kawajiri is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Finch checks a leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kawajiri. Finch shrugs it off though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri throws a leg kick but Finch sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Kawajiri moves into the clinch successfully.
Finch struggles to land a body shot inside as Kawajiri controls his hands.
Finch blocks a body shot from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kawajiri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Finch tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kawajiri tries to throw a body punch but Finch avoids it by throwing Kawajiri back against the ropes.
Finch prevents a body shot from Kawajiri.
Finch is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Finch lands with a left to the head.
Finch misses with a punch to the body.
Finch looking to stall.
Kawajiri is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Finch is keeping busy.
Finch misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri takes a shot to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Finch is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kawajiri is keeping busy.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Kawajiri is leaning against Finch and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Finch misses with a punch on the inside.
Finch looking to slow down the pace here.
Finch throws a punch but it's blocked by Kawajiri.
Finch is working Kawajiri over against the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Finch.
Finch misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kawajiri trying to control the position but instead, Finch has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kawajiri into the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kawajiri.
Finch lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kawajiri backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Finch breaks the clinch.
Kawajiri throws a chopping leg kick but Finch manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kawajiri tries to clinch there but Finch circles away.
Kawajiri lands a right hook to the body.
Kawajiri darts in trying to clinch
and Finch makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Finch.
Kawajiri takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A lazy left from Kawajiri finds it's target.
Kawajiri misses with a lunging right hand
and Finch counters with a left and a right that stings Kawajiri.
Kawajiri connects with a good right hand that stumbles Finch. Finch circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Finch connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Kawajiri rushes Finch and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Finch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richmond Finch dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Finch misses with a two punch combination.
Finch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice uppercut there from Kawajiri.
A looping hook to the body misses from Finch. Kawajiri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kawajiri throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Finch connects with an inside leg kick.
Kawajiri slips under a jab from Finch.
Finch connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kawajiri's hands.
Kawajiri tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Finch paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kawajiri takes the fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Kawajiri.
Finch manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Finch throws a head punch that misses.
Tatsuya Kawajiri seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Finch misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Kawajiri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kawajiri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kawajiri lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kawajiri tries a body shot but Finch blocks it.
A short right from Finch.
Kawajiri tries a body shot but Finch blocks it.
Kawajiri lands an uppercut.
Kawajiri throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kawajiri lands a shoulder strike.
Finch looking to stall.
Finch throws a head punch that misses.
Kawajiri controlling the action here for a moment.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finch misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kawajiri misses with a body punch.
Kawajiri can't find room to land a body shot as Finch controls the action.
Finch lands a body punch.
Finch lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Finch.
Kawajiri blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Finch misses with a punch to the body.
Kawajiri misses with the head strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawajiri lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kawajiri lands a hook to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A head punch on the inside from Finch fails to land.
Kawajiri tries to stall but Finch uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kawajiri blocking some punches.
Kawajiri has Finch pressed against the ropes, preventing Finch from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kawajiri misses with a body punch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kawajiri softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri tries to stall but Finch uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Finch is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Kawajiri can't find room to land a body shot as Finch controls the action.
Finch swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Finch has had enough of the clinch but Kawajiri keeps him there for the moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Finch lands with a left to the head.
Finch blocks a body shot from Kawajiri.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Finch.
Kawajiri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kawajiri misses with a body punch.
Finch swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Finch is struggling to control the position.
Kawajiri tries to stall but Finch uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Come on Finch - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kawajiri scores with a shot to the side of Finch's head.
Kawajiri is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Finch is keeping busy.
Kawajiri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kawajiri throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Finchs head.
Finch struggles to land a body shot inside as Kawajiri controls his hands.
Finch prevents a body shot from Kawajiri.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Finch.
Finch blocks an uppercut.
Finch working aggressively here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Finch misses with a hook to the ribs.
Finch misses with some punches.
Finch tries a body shot but Kawajiri blocks it.
Finch tries to stall but Kawajiri uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A head punch on the inside from Kawajiri fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tatsuya Kawajiri will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kawajiri looks to clinch
and Finch counters with an outside leg kick.
Finch lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Finch swats away the attempt to clinch by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri blocks the body kick.
Nice shot by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Finch moves out of range.
Kawajiri just misses with a punch to the body.
Kawajiri keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Finch pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Finch blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finch swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That kick from Finch tenderised Kawajiri's leg. Kawajiri is trying to keep his angry face on.

Kawajiri has Finch up against the ropes in a clinch.
Kawajiri misses with a punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Kawajiri.
Finch lands a body punch.
Kawajiri struggles to land a body shot inside as Finch controls his hands.
Kawajiri blocking some punches.
Kawajiri stalling in the clinch but Finch improves position.
Finch lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kawajiri blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kawajiri misses with a punch to the body.

Finch breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Finch clobbers Kawajiri with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Finch lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kawajiri tries to clinch but Finch moves out of range.
Finch fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kawajiri is still on wobbly legs! Can Finch finish him?
Kawajiri throws a jab when Finch was well out of range.
As Kawajiri backs away, Finch returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Kawajiri throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Finch throws a good cross that connects.
Jab, jab by Kawajiri - just one landing.
Richmond Finch is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawajiri lands a nice shot to the body.
Kawajiri goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Finch takes one to the side of the head.
Finch throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An inside leg kick from Finch misses.
Finch jabs at Kawajiri's body.
Kawajiri seems to have recovered his senses.
Kawajiri slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Finch looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Finch looks to throw a body kick
enabling Kawajiri to counter with a crisp jab.
Finch 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.
Kawajiri's corner calls for a 1-2. Kawajiri obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kawajiri tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Finch paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A lazy body kick from Finch
and Kawajiri counters with a stiff right hand.
Kawajiri has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kawajiri misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Finch throws a head kick but Kawajiri moves out of range.
Kawajiri has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Finch finds it's way round the side to connect with Kawajiri's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri throws a hook but Finch blocks it.
Finch throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Finch throws a head kick but Kawajiri moves out of range.
Finch uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri defending well as Finch loads up on a big left hand.
Kawajiri lands with a hook. Finch tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Finch throws a big shot that misses.
Kawajiri fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
That kick from Finch tenderised Kawajiri's leg. Kawajiri is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice straight punches there by Kawajiri. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kawajiri.
Finch throws a leg kick but Kawajiri sees it coming and moves out of range.
Finch misses with a low kick as Kawajiri jumps back.
Kawajiri lands with an uppercut that bounces Finch off the ropes and back into range.
Kawajiri misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Finch swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
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!
Kawajiri walks forward, straight into a front kick from Finch.
Finch moves away from the strike by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri misses with an uppercut. Finch saw that one coming.
As Kawajiri backs away, Finch returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Kawajiri dips to his left and cracks Finch with an uppercut!
Finch bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd cheers as Finch lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kawajiri doesn't seem phased though.
Kawajiri misses with a low kick.
Kawajiri tries to move into range but Finch moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
and Finch counters with a massive uppercut that badly hurts Kawajiri! He's just covering up as Finch starts to tee off till the referee steps in and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Richmond Finch!
Richmond Finch retains his featherweight title!
Richmond Finch made sure to mention his sponsor, Pearson Specter Litt in his post fight interview.