PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lexi Belle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hideo Tokoro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tokoro comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Boomtastic kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Hideo Tokoro has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Belle
vs
Tokoro

190 cm
35
145 lbs
13 - 14 - 0

171 cm
37
154 lbs
19 - 7 - 1

Good takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

GREEN!160
Underworld Clothing

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 13 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lexi Belle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hideo Tokoro!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tokoro moves into range and clinches up with Belle.
Tokoro is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Belle pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A right hook to the body lands for Tokoro.
Belle trying to stall but Tokoro improves his position.
Belle throws a head punch that misses.

Tokoro has Belle pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Tokoro pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Belle tumbling to the mat - Tokoro dives into Belle's guard.

Belle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tokoro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tokoro trying to control but Belle is working from the bottom.
Tokoro passes Belle's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tokoro works his way into full mount!
Belle is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Belle slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Belle is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tokoro pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tokoro is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Belle is defending against the submission attempts here by Tokoro.
My spies in LOD: Contenders inform me that Tokoro has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Tokoro is looking for a kimura but Belle is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tokoro to get the leverage.

Tokoro is working for a kimura but Belle is defending it quite comfortably.
Tokoro is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Belle reverses the position - he's now on top in Tokoro's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belle's corner is telling him to maintain position.

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.
Tokoro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tokoro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Tokoro is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Belle defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Belle drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tokoro looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tokoro looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tokoro!

Tokoro goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Belle rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Tokoro's guard! Nice work there by Belle!

Tokoro looking for a guillotine here but Belle defends easily.
Tokoro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belle landing with the ground and pound.
Belle wants to control from the top but Tokoro keeps moving.

Tokoro working for a triangle but Belle defends it easily.
We've been hearing that Belle has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Tokoro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Belle is aware though and is defending well.
Belle will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Belle's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Belle tries to stand but Tokoro is controlling from the bottom.
Belle pushes down on Tokoro's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tokoro keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Belle is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Tokoro is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Belle pulls his head out easily.
Tokoro is not content to let Belle control the position.
Belle scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Belle thows a huge punch but Tokoro dodges it nicely.

Belle is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tokoro is just riding it out for now. Belle eventually gives up the hold.
Tokoro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Belle wants to work for an arm triangle but Tokoro is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hideo Tokoro dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tokoro cracks a nice hook into Belle's ribs.
Belle throws a nice looking combination but Tokoro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tokoro with the counter takedown but Belle avoids it easily.
Tokoro is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Tokoro has Belle up against the cage in a clinch.
Belle tries to score a body lock takedown but Tokoro shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Belle lands a takedown into guard.

Belle has gone for a leg lock! Tokoro slips out almost immediately though and dives into Belle's guard.

Belle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tokoro thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Belle wants to stand and escape but Tokoro is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokoro stands and throws Belle's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tokoro taking a breather here.

Tokoro looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Belle pushes Tokoro away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Tokoro gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Tokoro is trying to get an arm triangle but Belle is defending well.

Tokoro is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Belle knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Tokoro tries for a kimura but Belle is defending well.

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.
Belle is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tokoro asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Belle is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Tokoro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Belle keeps working.

Tokoro is trying to get an arm triangle but Belle is defending well.

Tokoro thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokoro prevents Belle from escaping the position.
Tokoro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tokoro wants to control but Belle is keeping him busy.
Belle tries to buck Tokoro off but Tokoro is having none of it.
Belle manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Tokoro is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Belle defends it well.

Tokoro is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Belle sees it coming and defends easily.
Belle is looking to escape.

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.

Belle looking for a kimura from the bottom but Tokoro passes into side control!
Tokoro trying to control the position but Belle is working away.
Belle tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tokoro wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Tokoro working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Tokoro working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tokoro controlling from side mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tokoro tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tokoro has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hideo Tokoro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Belle changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tokoro tries to avoid it but Belle manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tokoro to the ground. Tokoro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tokoro throws a fast counter high kick but Belle manages to duck under it in time.
Tokoro throws a body shot but no joy.

Belle takes the fight into the clinch.
Belle wants a takedown but no success here.
Belle goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tokoro prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lexi Belle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belle tries to pull guard but Tokoro won't allow it.
Good body shot from Tokoro.
Tokoro lands a hook to the side of the head.

Tokoro has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Belle clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Belle is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Tokoro off. It looks like it's working - Tokoro slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Belle displaying calm under pressure there.
Belle dives in for a single leg takedown but Tokoro sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Tokoro has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tokoro lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tokoro lands a left hand that snaps the head of Belle backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tokoro creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Belle wants to break the clinch but can't.
Belle goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tokoro prevents it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A shot in the inside from Tokoro.

Belle is rocked!
Belle drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Oh Belle is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Tokoro lands a takedown into guard.

Belle had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tokoro defends it easily.
Belle seems to have got his legs back now.
Tokoro trying to control the position from guard on top but Belle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tokoro slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Tokoro is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Belle knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tokoro working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hideo Tokoro has got the better of the ground game so far.

Tokoro is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Belle has escaped the position, nice work there.

Tokoro looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Belle is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tokoro asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Tokoro is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Belle knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tokoro is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Belle has escaped the position, nice work there.
Belle is trying to get back to his feet.
Hideo Tokoro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tokoro slows the pace down.
Tokoro advances to mount.
Tokoro can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Belle is looking to escape.
Tokoro sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Lexi Belle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Belle regains half guard.
Tokoro tries to pass to full mount but Belle defends it.

Tokoro is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Belle doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tokoro.

Belle is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tokoro pulls his head out easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tokoro keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hideo Tokoro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tokoro 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hideo Tokoro!
Hideo Tokoro thanked the fans post fight for their support.