PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyoji Horiguchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samuel Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Washington has chosen TNT as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Horiguchi
vs
Washington

164 cm
29
141 lbs
21 - 12 - 0

169 cm
34
145 lbs
26 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyoji Horiguchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 2, fighting out of New York, Samuel Washington!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horiguchi tries to work over Washington's front leg with a kick but Washington checks it.
Horiguchi throws a shot from downtown. Washington moves away and avoids it.
No joy there for Washington, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Horiguchi looks to land a left hand but Washington moved out of range nicely.
Washington buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Horiguchi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Washington lands a nice leg kick that just misses Horiguchi's sensitive parts.
Horiguchi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Horiguchi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Washington.
Horiguchi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Horiguchi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Washington checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Washington takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Horiguchi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Horiguchi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Washington's hands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Horiguchi cracks the inside of Washington's front leg.
Horiguchi tries to work over Washington's front leg with a kick but Washington checks it.
Horiguchi defending well as Washington loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington moves out of range as Horiguchi strikes.
Kyoji Horiguchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horiguchi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Washington momentarily.
Horiguchi looks to land a left hand but Washington moved out of range nicely.
Horiguchi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Washington has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Horiguchi.
Washington takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Washington bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Washington takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Horiguchi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Washington.
Washington bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Horiguchi's head backwards.
Horiguchi throws out a loose jab but Washington uses good head movement to avoid it.
Washington swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kyoji Horiguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horiguchi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Horiguchi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Washington slips a straight right by Horiguchi.
Washington shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Horiguchi pinned against the cage. Horiguchi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington cracks a nice hook into Horiguchi's ribs.
Washington moves in looking to clinch but Horiguchi pushes him off.
Horiguchi looks to land a right hand but Washington moved out of range.

Washington shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Washington was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Washington prevents Horiguchi from escaping the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Horiguchi's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Washington cracks Horiguchi with a big right hand but Horiguchi just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Washington misses with the ground and pound.
Horiguchi tries to escape but Washington is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Washington is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Horiguchi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Washington prevents Horiguchi from escaping the position.
Washington is trying to ground and pound but Horiguchi uses the momentary lack of control by Washington to regain half guard.

Horiguchi pushes Washington off and gets back to his feet.
Horiguchi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Washington under the eye.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Horiguchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Washington checks a leg kick nicely.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Washington counters with a left to the body.
Horiguchi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Horiguchi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Washington is out of range and Horiguchi settles back down.
Good standup being displayed there by Washington as he connects with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Washington blocks a jab.
Horiguchi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Washington moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but Washington checks it.
Horiguchi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Washington.
Horiguchi motions for Washington to come forward. Horiguchi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Horiguchi looks to throw the jab but Washington is out of range.
Horiguchi misses with a hook. Washington ducked under it nicely.
Horiguchi throws a head kick but Washington moves out of range.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but Washington sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyoji Horiguchi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Horiguchi throws a head kick that misses
letting Washington counter with a right hand.
Horiguchi misses with a few strikes there.
Horiguchi throws a hook but Washington avoids it easily.
Horiguchi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Horiguchi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Washington lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Horiguchi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Washington.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but Washington sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nice shot by Horiguchi.
A combination from Washington does no damage.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Horiguchi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Washington has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Washington and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Horiguchi throws out a loose jab but Washington uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Horiguchi scores with a decent looking hook.
Horiguchi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Washington can do to turn this around?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horiguchi connects with a solid leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Horiguchi misses the target.
Horiguchi feints and then cracks Washington's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Washington down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi misses with an uppercut.
Washington stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Washington throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jab by Washington.
Horiguchi moves out of range of the body kick.
Washington pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Washington tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Horiguchi misses with a hook. Washington ducked under it nicely.
Horiguchi throws out a leg kick but Washington moves out of range and Horiguchi only half commits.
Washington fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Horiguchi misses with a left hand
and Washington counters with a slapping leg kick.
Washington throws a shot to the body.
Horiguchi scores with a punch to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Washington wants to slow Horiguchi down by chopping away at his legs.
Horiguchi misses with a lunging right hand
and Washington counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi misses with a lunging right hand
and Washington counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Horiguchi throws a lazy uppercut

and Washington counters with a takedown into side control.
Washington fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Horiguchi is looking to get back to his feet here but Washington is keeping cool and he's managed to take Horiguchi's back.

Washington is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Horiguchi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Horiguchi for a finish.

Washington has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Horiguchi has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Washington is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Horiguchi has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi wants to get back to his feet.

Horiguchi manages to stand up with Washington still on his back. Eventually Washington drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
Horiguchi stalks Washington and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Washington's face. Washington staggers backwards, shaken.
Good shot there by Horiguchi.
Horiguchi throws a nice looking combination but Washington bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Horiguchi misses with a low kick as Washington jumps back.
Horiguchi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Washington tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Horiguchi defends well and Washington ends up having to push Horiguchi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Horiguchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horiguchi throws a hook but Washington avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Washington! But no joy.
Horiguchi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but Washington sees it coming and moves out of range.
Washington was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Washington displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Horiguchi throws out the jab.
Washington now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Horiguchi misses with a low kick as Washington jumps back.
Washington thuds a left hand into Horiguchi's body.
Washington misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi throws a series of punches but Washington moves out of range.
Horiguchi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Washington counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Horiguchi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Horiguchi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Washington bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Horiguchi throws a sloppy head kick
and Washington counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Washington throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Kyoji Horiguchi has been cut.
Washington throws a combination. Horiguchi tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kyoji Horiguchi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kyoji Horiguchi's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Washington keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Washington on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick
and Washington cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Washington throws a series of punches but Horiguchi avoids them all with ease.
Washington throws a right hand that Horiguchi ducks under and follows up with a left that Horiguchi also avoids with ease.
Horiguchi throws out a powerful jab.
Washington scores with a shot to the body.
Horiguchi throws a hook but Washington avoids it easily.
Washington on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Horiguchi with a nice cross.

Washington is rocked!
Horiguchi throws a low kick but Washington avoids it.
Washington is still on wobbly legs! Can Horiguchi finish him?
Washington avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Horiguchi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Washington. That did some damage!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Washington throws a front kick aimed at Horiguchi's knee but Horiguchi avoids it well.
Washington lands a high kick!
Washington throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like Horiguchi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Washington seems to have recovered his senses.
Washington's jab looks to have found its range, popping Horiguchi under the eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington sizes up Horiguchi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Horiguchi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Washington paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Washington moves out of range of the strikes.
Kyoji Horiguchi is winning the standup battle so far.
Horiguchi throws out a loose jab but Washington uses good head movement to avoid it.
Horiguchi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Washington counters with a thumping low kick.
Horiguchi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Horiguchi misses with a right hand
and Washington counters with a stiff right hand.
Washington lands a jab to Horiguchi's midsection.
Washington connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Washington blocks a head kick by Horiguchi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Washington's jab looks to have found its range, popping Horiguchi under the eye.
A swing and a miss from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi misses with a hook.
Horiguchi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Washington.
Samuel Washington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kyoji Horiguchi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi throws out a leg kick but Washington moves out of range and Horiguchi only half commits.
Horiguchi thumps Washington with a low kick.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick
enabling Washington to counter with a crisp jab.
Washington avoids a punch combination nicely.
Good leg kick by Horiguchi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Horiguchi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Washington moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Washington's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Horiguchi looks to land a left hand but Washington moved out of range nicely.
Washington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Horiguchi manages to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Horiguchi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Horiguchi drops his hands momentarily and Washington takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Horiguchi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick that misses.
Horiguchi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Horiguchi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A nice leg kick lands there from Horiguchi.

Horiguchi gets tackled into the cage by Washington. Washington maintains the clinch.
Washington tries to work over Horiguchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Washington stalling the fight.
Washington taking a breather.
Horiguchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Washington misses with a body punch.
Washington doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Washington tries to score a body lock takedown but Horiguchi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Washington tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Horiguchi breaks from the clinch.
Horiguchi thuds his right hand into Washington's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Washington has closed the distance and engaged Horiguchi in a clinch.
Horiguchi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Washington backwards.
Washington is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Horiguchi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Washington has a couple of punches blocked by Horiguchi.
Washington effectively controlling the action here.
Horiguchi prevents a body shot from Washington.
Washington misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Horiguchi.
Washington misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Samuel Washington.
I think Horiguchi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyoji Horiguchi!
In his post fight interview, Kyoji Horiguchi started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.