PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyoji Horiguchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorn Anthriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jorn Anthriel told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Horiguchi
vs
Anthriel

164 cm
28
137 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

175 cm
37
141 lbs
34 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

GREEN!160

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 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyoji Horiguchi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jorn Anthriel!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horiguchi ducks under a wild hook from Anthriel.
We've been hearing reports that Horiguchi has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Anthriel is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Horiguchi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Anthriel is out of range and Horiguchi settles back down.
Anthriel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Horiguchi scores with a body shot.
Horiguchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Horiguchi attempts a counter takedown but Anthriel avoids it well and moves away.
Anthriel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Horiguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Anthriel manages to avoid it.
Horiguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Horiguchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Horiguchi moves out of range as Anthriel strikes.
Horiguchi tries to counter with a takedown but Anthriel is quick to defend against it.
Anthriel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Horiguchi tries to land a leg kick but Anthriel saw it coming and moves away.
Anthriel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Horiguchi staying out of range there.
Horiguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Anthriel! But no joy.
Anthriel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Anthriel cracks Horiguchi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anthriel avoids the body shot from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Horiguchi defending well as Anthriel loads up on a big left hand.
Horiguchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Horiguchi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Horiguchi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Anthriel checks it well.
Horiguchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Horiguchi defending well as Anthriel loads up on a big left hand.
Horiguchi is looking to wear down Anthriel with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Horiguchi ducks under a wild hook from Anthriel.
Sloppy strikes from Horiguchi. Those never looked like landing.
Anthriel swings for the body but Horiguchi moves out of range.
Horiguchi defending well as Anthriel loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - Anthriel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Anthriel might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Horiguchi slips under a jab from Anthriel.
A shot to the liver by Horiguchi. Beautiful body shot.
Horiguchi lands a body shot.
Anthriel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Horiguchi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice combination there by Anthriel.

It looks like Kyoji Horiguchi has been cut.
Anthriel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Horiguchi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Anthriel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Anthriel uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A leg kick checked by Anthriel.
Anthriel misses with a looping left.
Anthriel loads up on a big right hand but Horiguchi slips the punch.
Anthriel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Horiguchi attempts a counter takedown but Anthriel avoids it well and moves away.
Horiguchi ducks under a wild hook from Anthriel.
Horiguchi attempts a counter takedown but Anthriel avoids it well and moves away.
Anthriel slips a jab and a cross from Horiguchi.
The fighters circling - Anthriel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Anthriel misses with a looping left.
Kyoji Horiguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anthriel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Horiguchi defending well as Anthriel loads up on a big left hand.
Anthriel is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi throws a nice inside leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Anthriel.
Horiguchi slips a jab and a cross from Anthriel.
Horiguchi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Anthriel checks the leg kick.
Horiguchi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Horiguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Anthriel was well out of range. Poor timing from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi connects with a body shot.
Anthriel throws the left hand but Horiguchi avoids the punch easily.
Anthriel missing with a left hand there. Horiguchi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Horiguchi connects with a solid leg kick.
Good work by Anthriel as he checks the leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Anthriel misses the target.
Anthriel connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Horiguchi scores with a leg kick.
Anthriel misses with a looping left.
Horiguchi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Anthriel sprawls and moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A chopping leg kick lands by Horiguchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Horiguchi.
Horiguchi moves out of range as Anthriel strikes.
Horiguchi is looking to score with low kicks.
Anthriel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Horiguchi.
Horiguchi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Anthriel sprawls and moves away.
Horiguchi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Anthriel's calf.
No joy there for Horiguchi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Anthriel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Anthriel scores with a sloppy right hand. Horiguchi should have avoided that one.
Horiguchi scores with a hook to the body. Anthriel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Horiguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Anthriel throws out a counter right but Horiguchi avoids it with no problem.
Horiguchi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Horiguchi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Anthriel.
Anthriel throws a one two combo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anthriel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Horiguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Anthriel manages to avoid it.
Horiguchi staying out of range there.
Anthriel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jorn Anthriel will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kyoji Horiguchi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Horiguchi sizes up Anthriel with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Anthriel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Anthriel misses with a two punch combination.
Anthriel takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Horiguchi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A jab from Anthriel misses.
Horiguchi scores with a hook to the body. Anthriel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab from Anthriel misses.
Horiguchi tries a head kick but it misses.
A swing and a miss from Anthriel.
Anthriel throws the left hand but Horiguchi avoids the punch easily.
An inside leg kick from Horiguchi misses.
It seemed like Anthriel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anthriel moves away from the strike by Horiguchi.
Anthriel on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Anthriel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Horiguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
Horiguchi swings for the body but Anthriel moves out of range.
Horiguchi throws a jab but it's blocked by Anthriel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Anthriel misses its intended target.
Anthriel misses with a looping right.
Horiguchi lands with a straight right. Anthriel didn't see that one coming.
Horiguchi tries to work over Anthriel's front leg with a kick but Anthriel checks it.
Jab from Horiguchi.
Anthriel throws a hook but Horiguchi blocks it.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Anthriel to counter with a crisp jab.
Horiguchi throws a body punch but Anthriel moves out of range.
Anthriel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Horiguchi swings for the body but Anthriel moves out of range.
Horiguchi swings for the body but Anthriel moves out of range.
Horiguchi cracks the inside of Anthriel's front leg.
Anthriel misses with an uppercut

and Horiguchi counters with a shoot takedown. Anthriel fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Horiguchi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
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!
Anthriel keeping moving, preventing Horiguchi from controlling successfully.
Horiguchi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Anthriel is on top in guard.

Anthriel slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Horiguchi pulls Anthriel in close to prevent any damage.
Anthriel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Horiguchi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Horiguchi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anthriel is looking to stand up but Horiguchi won't let him.
Horiguchi 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.
Horiguchi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Anthriel tries to stand but Horiguchi is controlling from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Anthriel. Horiguchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Horiguchi tries to counter with a takedown but Anthriel is quick to defend against it.
Horiguchi throws a shot to the body.
Anthriel takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anthriel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kyoji Horiguchi is winning the standup battle so far.
A chopping leg kick lands by Horiguchi.
Anthriel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Horiguchi moves away.
Horiguchi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Horiguchi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Horiguchi slips under a jab from Anthriel.
Horiguchi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Anthriel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Anthriel throws a jab but it's blocked by Horiguchi.
Anthriel misses with a straight left.
Horiguchi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horiguchi throws a sloppy body shot
and Anthriel counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A shot to the liver by Horiguchi. Beautiful body shot.
Horiguchi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Anthriel.
No joy there for Anthriel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyoji Horiguchi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kyoji Horiguchi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Horiguchi throws a right and a left that Anthriel avoids nicely.
Horiguchi moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Anthriel throws a good cross that connects.
Horiguchi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Anthriel throws a hook but Horiguchi blocks it.
Horiguchi takes one to the side of the head.
Horiguchi misses the shot to the body.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Horiguchi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Horiguchi scores with a jab. Anthriel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Horiguchi tries to bum rush Anthriel with a series of wild strikes but Anthriel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Anthriel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Horiguchi throws a nice outside leg kick.
The fighters circling - Horiguchi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Anthriel missing with a left hand there. Horiguchi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Anthriel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anthriel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Horiguchi to score with a decent uppercut.
Anthriel takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice defenses there by Horiguchi.
Horiguchi misses with a wild body shot.
A little jabbing left from Anthriel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Horiguchi misses the shot to the body.
A nice side step and Anthriel releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Anthriel checks a leg kick.
Horiguchi moves out of range as Anthriel strikes.
Anthriel looks to land a right hand but Horiguchi moved out of range.
Horiguchi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anthriel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Horiguchi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
It seemed like Anthriel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Anthriel misses with an uppercut.
Horiguchi feinted with a counter takedown.
Anthriel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Horiguchi manages to avoid it.
Horiguchi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Anthriel finds it's way round the side to connect with Horiguchi's head.
The fighters circling - Anthriel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Horiguchi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Anthriel swings for the body but Horiguchi moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anthriel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Anthriel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Horiguchi.
Horiguchi takes a swing at Anthriel's ribcage but misses.
Anthriel misses with a hook.
Horiguchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Anthriel.
The fighters circle momentarily. Anthriel darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anthriel throws a shot from downtown. Horiguchi moves away and avoids it.
Horiguchi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anthriel.
Anthriel lands a head shot.
Horiguchi scores with a hook to the body. Anthriel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Anthriel throws a shot from downtown. Horiguchi moves away and avoids it.
Horiguchi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Horiguchi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Anthriel's jab looks to have found its range, popping Horiguchi under the eye.
Horiguchi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Anthriel throws a jab when Horiguchi was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anthriel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Horiguchi.
Nice body punch from Horiguchi.
Anthriel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Anthriel checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Horiguchi ducks under a wild hook from Anthriel.
Anthriel with a nice cross.

Kyoji Horiguchi's cut is getting worse.
Anthriel takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Horiguchi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Anthriel is out of range and Horiguchi settles back down.
Horiguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Anthriel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Horiguchi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Horiguchi swings for the body but Anthriel moves out of range.
Horiguchi scores with a leg kick.
Anthriel cracks Horiguchi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Horiguchi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Horiguchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Horiguchi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Anthriel moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Horiguchi. Anthriel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Anthriel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Horiguchi cracks the inside of Anthriel's front leg.
Horiguchi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Horiguchi misses with a wild body shot.
Horiguchi throws a right and a left that Anthriel avoids nicely.
Horiguchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Anthriel is just out of range.
Anthriel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Horiguchi momentarily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Horiguchi.
Horiguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Anthriel manages to avoid it.
Horiguchi misses with a body shot
and Anthriel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Horiguchi misses with a body shot.
Anthriel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Horiguchi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Anthriel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Kyoji Horiguchi did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Kyoji Horiguchi's cut.
That's time! Horiguchi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Horiguchi throws a chopping leg kick but Anthriel manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Horiguchi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Anthriel.
Anthriel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Horiguchi moves away.
Anthriel lands the left hand.
Anthriel is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Horiguchi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Horiguchi is rocked!
Anthriel drops a shoulder and throws an uppercut that cracks Horiguchi right on the button. Horiguchi goes down! Anthriel follows him to the mat and finishes the job with more strikes! Anthriel gets the win via TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jorn Anthriel!
Jorn Anthriel is the new bantamweight champion!
Jorn Anthriel decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.