PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Kung Fu Master (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Master comes to the ring accompanied by Shaolin Monastic chanting. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Fu Master
vs
Bird

179 cm
31
164 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

170 cm
38
144 lbs
34 - 9 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kung Fu Master!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, William Bird!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Master lands a body shot.
Bird chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Master keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Master checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bird ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Master moves away.
Bird avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kung Fu Master seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bird misses with a wild body shot.
Master dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bird lands a body shot.
Bird takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
An inside leg kick from Master misses.
Master lands a nice shot to the body.
Master misses with a body shot.
Master checks a leg kick.
Master connects with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Master throws a lazy right hand but Bird sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It seemed like Bird was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Master.
Bird throws a low kick but Master avoids it.
Bird takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Master misses with a wild body shot.
Donk. Master catches Bird right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bird clinches up with Master and pushes him back against the ropes.
Bird lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Kung Fu Master has been cut.
Bird has a couple of punches blocked by Master.

Master escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Master has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Bird attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Master thows a left - swing and a miss!
Master just misses with a punch to the body.
Master bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bird's head backwards.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bird.
Bird connects with the punch.
A shot to the liver by Bird. Beautiful body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Bird misses the target.
Master tries a head kick but it misses.
Bird lands with a nice body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Danga de danga de dang - Master scores with a four punch combination!
Bird blocks a leg kick.
Master swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bird.
Master is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Master swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Master just misses with a punch to the body.
Bird was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Master takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bird works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Master throws a head kick but Bird moves out of range.
Bird is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Master with a body shot.
Bird misses with a head kick.
Master went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bird.
Master lands a two punch combo.
Bird lands a jab to Master's midsection.
Bird throws a body shot but no joy.
Master throws a leg kick which misses Bird's front leg but catches the back leg as Bird tries to avoid it.
Bird throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Master fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bird just manages to avoid it.
Master throws a head kick that misses.
Bird cracks Master with an open hand slap.
Master misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bird looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Master scores with a kick to the midsection.
Master takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bird scores with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kung Fu Master dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kung Fu Master's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Master throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bird counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bird.
Master wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bird tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Master's elbow.
Master landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Bird - that landed with a thud.
Bird creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Bird creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Master breaks the clinch.
Bird connects with a leg kick. Master looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Master. Bird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bird takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bird blocks a head kick by Master.
A nice side step and Bird releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Bird showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Master.
Bird stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Master.
Master chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kung Fu Master is winning the standup battle so far.
Master has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bird finds it's way round the side to connect with Master's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bird misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Master thows a leg kick but Bird checks it
and Bird counters with a slapping leg kick.
Master moves out of range of the body kick from Bird.
Bird is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bird lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bird looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Master avoids the head kick by Bird.
Master swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A leg kick checked by Master.
Master swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Bird scores with a punch to the head.
Master lands a front kick.

Bird fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Master, pushing him back against the ropes.
Bird misses with some punches.
Bird lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Master or not.
Bird tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bird as Master tries to tie him up.
Master blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Master blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bird dodges an elbow strike from Master.
Master wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Master lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Master misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bird.

Master manages to break the clinch.
Master connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Master lands a jab to Bird's midsection.
Bird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Master.
Master thows a leg kick but Bird checks it
enabling Bird to counter with a crisp jab.
Bird just misses with a punch to the body.
Master throws a body kick that misses.
Master is looking to wear down Bird with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bird fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Master has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bird blocks a head kick by Master.
Master is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bird.
Bird tries to clinch up but Master circles away and keeps his distance.
Master avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Master moves into range and connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but William Bird will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kung Fu Master's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Master tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Master throws a looping overhand right but Bird ducks down to avoid it.
Master is looking to land body kicks.
Master throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Master swings widly with a right hand
and Bird cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Master, right into the meat.
Master tries to land a front kick but Bird steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A punch combination from Master misses.
Master takes one to the side of the head.
Bird tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bird takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Master will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Master misses with a low kick as Bird jumps back.
Master lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Master.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bird goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Master keeps Bird at a distance using the push kick.
Master throws a solid leg kick but Bird takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Master.
Master throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bird closes the distance and pushes Master back into the ropes.

Master breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Good standup being displayed there by Master as he connects with a hook.
Master throws a body shot but no joy.
Bird is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Master with a body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bird darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Master throws a leg kick which misses Bird's front leg but catches the back leg as Bird tries to avoid it.
Bird missing with a left hand there. Master was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bird has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Master pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bird is out of range and Master settles back down.
Bird feints a counter leg kick.
Bird throws a sloppy head kick and Master moves out of range easily.
A low kick from Master misses
and Bird counters with a right hand to the body.
Master bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Master appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Bird connects with a body shot.
Master lands with a good body shot.
Master throws a push kick but Bird slaps the foot to one side.
Bird tries to counter with a clinch but Master shakes him off and moves away.
Bird avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Master backing away here, and Bird unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bird tries to bum rush Master with a series of wild strikes but Master uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Master fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bird manages to avoid it.
Master tries to land a leg kick but Bird saw it coming and moves away.
Master throws a leg kick which misses Bird's front leg but catches the back leg as Bird tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Master throws out the jab.
Master with a jab.
Bird scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bird takes a kick to the side of the head.
Bird lands a nice shot to the body.
Master plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A cross from Master lands.
Bird is looking to clinch.
Bird takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Bird rushes Master and presses him up against the ropes.
Bird digs a right hand into Master's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Master's gas tank.
Bird utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bird lands a nice uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bird working aggressively here.
Master prevents a body shot from Bird.
Bird prevents Master from breaking the clinch.
Bird misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kung Fu Master clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Kung Fu Master's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bird gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bird digs a right hand underneath Master's ribcage. Master let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Master breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Master cracks the inside of Bird's front leg.
Bird connects with the punch.
Bird turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bird. That's going to slow Master down.

Bird moves into the clinch.
Bird lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Master backwards.
Bird using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bird using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Master.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Masters head.
Master lands a nice uppercut.
Bird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bird lands a body punch in the clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Master lands an elbow inside that Bird shrugs off.
Bird fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bird lands an elbow inside that Master shrugs off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Master blocks a body shot from Bird.
Bird misses with some punches.
Master stalling in the clinch but Bird improves position.
Bird prevents Master from breaking the clinch.
Bird scores with a hook to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Master.
A right hook to the body lands for Bird.
Bird tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bird avoids the elbow strike from Master, against the ropes.
Bird lands a damaging elbow.
William Bird seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Master manages to break the clinch.
Bird lands a nice shot that snaps Master's head back.
Bird is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Master just misses with a punch to the body.
Bird comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Master throws a head kick but Bird moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bird. That's going to slow Master down.
Master rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bird counters with a thumping low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Master swings away with a leg kick that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Master takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Bird clobbers Master with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bird comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Bird. That snapped Master's head back.
Bird has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Master.
Master throws a leg kick
and Bird counters with a leg kick.
Master chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bird can pounce on him.
Master takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bird scores with a nice body kick.
Master misses with a lunging right hand
and Bird counters with a right hand to the body.
Bird avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Master crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Bird - the referee stops the clock and Master gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Bird. Master manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bird wants to clinch up but Master keeps it at a distance.
Master throws a leg kick but Bird sees it coming and moves out of range.
Master takes a swing at Bird's ribcage but misses.
Master ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bird moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bird dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Kung Fu Master's cut.
That's time! Master's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bird darts in and clinches Master up against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Master.
Bird lands a nice uppercut.
Bird tries to work over Master's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Master breaks the clinch.
Master misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bird staying out of range there.
Bird attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Master takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bird. Master does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bird misses with an uppercut.
Master takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Master misses with a hook.
Bird misses with an uppercut. Master saw that one coming.
Master misses with a wild body shot.
Bird wants to counter the offense by Master and move into the clinch position.
Bird lands a right hook to the body.
Bird tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Master was well out of range. Poor timing from Bird.
Bird wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Master with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bird throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Master throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bird.
Bird jabs at Master's body.
Bird takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Bird misses the shot to the body.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Bird. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Bird throws a body kick that misses.
Bird takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Master scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bird doesn't seem bothered though.
Bird thuds a left hand into Master's body.
Master defending well as Bird loads up on a big left hand.

Bird has Master up against the ropes in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Bird.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Master breaks from the clinch.
Master throws a jab but it's blocked by Bird.
Master throws a sloppy head kick and Bird moves out of range easily.
Bird throws a counter combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Master throws a leg kick which misses Bird's front leg but catches the back leg as Bird tries to avoid it.
Bird with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Master fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bird looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bird throws out a leg kick but Master moves out of range and Bird only half commits.
Master pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bird darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bird is looking to clinch but Master is avoiding it.
Bird 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.
Bird feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Master's calf.
Bird scoring well with a low kick there.
Bird connects with a crisp jab.
Master closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Bird misses with a wild combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Master misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
William Bird comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bird 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 47:48
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 47:48
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... William Bird!
William Bird made sure to mention his sponsor, KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250 in his post fight interview.
Kung Fu Master spoke after the fight, saying 'How the hell did that happen!? What a shitty call!'.