PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Masaya Ishida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoko Honda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Ishida
vs
Honda

193 cm
26
240 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

195 cm
26
275 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masaya Ishida!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoko Honda!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Sosuke Kotani and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Honda is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ishida sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Honda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ishida.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Honda is defended easily by Ishida.
Honda takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Honda shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ishida defends it nicely.
Masaya Ishida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoko Honda.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honda misses with a takedown attempt
and Ishida counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Honda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ishida counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda darts in looking for a takedown but Ishida gets double underhooks and turns Honda into the ropes.

Honda shoots in and gets a takedown into Ishida's guard.
Honda trying to control but Ishida is working from the bottom.
Ishida is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Ishida working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Honda doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Honda manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ishida looking to hit a scissor sweep but Honda is one step ahead there.
Honda trying to control but Ishida is working from the bottom.
Ishida tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ishida looking for a guillotine here but Honda defends easily.

Ishida has his foot on Honda's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Honda works his way back into a safe position though.
Ishida 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.
Honda wants to control from the top but Ishida keeps moving.

Ishida is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ishida is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Body Pain_12elite_599$+VM that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Honda trying to control but Ishida is working from the bottom.
My spies in Bonsai Club MMA inform me that Honda has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Ishida looking for a guillotine here but Honda defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ishida is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Honda defends well.
Ishida keeping moving, preventing Honda from controlling successfully.
Ishida is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ishida thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ishida is keen to just control but Honda is a slippery customer.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Honda avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ishida.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishida throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Honda is looking to escape.
Ishida drops an elbow to the side of Honda's head.
Ishida stops Honda from getting back to his feet.
Honda has hold of Ishida's hands but Ishida slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ishida missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ishida throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ishida not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ishida stops Honda from getting back to his feet.
Ishida throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masaya Ishida dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Ishida leaves Honda with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ishida tried to counter with a leg kick but Honda avoided it.
Honda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Honda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ishida as he avoids it easily.
Ishida throws a hook but Honda avoids it easily.
Honda with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ishida counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Masaya Ishida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoko Honda.
Honda tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ishida swivels and escapes.

Honda closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ishida to the mat! Ishida manages to get full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishida trying to control the position.

Ishida escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Honda gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda trying to control the position from guard on top but Ishida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ishida has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Honda is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ishida.
Ishida is trying to get back to half guard.
Ishida parries the strikes from Honda easily there. Honda is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ishida to escape.
Ishida tries to buck Honda off but Honda is having none of it.
Honda is looking to take a break and control but Ishida is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ishida sneaks back into half guard.
Ishida has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishida manages to get to full guard.
Honda throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ishida works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Honda postures up in Ishida's guard and throws a big left but Ishida blocks it.
Ishida is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Honda preventing the sweep.
Honda works over Ishida with some ground and pound from guard.
Honda trying to control the position from guard on top but Ishida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ishida looking to hit a scissor sweep but Honda is one step ahead there.

Ishida working for a triangle but Honda defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honda looking to pass the guard.

Honda avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Honda preventing the sweep.
Honda keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ishida's head.
Ishida bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Honda's guard.

Honda working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ishida.
Ishida wants to control from the top but Honda keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Honda is scooting his butt against the ropes and has managed to get back to his feet. Ishida presses him back against the ropes, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Honda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Honda takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Honda shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ishida counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Honda shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ishida attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Honda on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice takedown defense from Ishida. No joy for Honda on that attempt.
Ishida appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Honda is breathing heavily.
Ishida shoots in and drives through. Honda sprawls well.
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 Masaya Ishida will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Honda circles away from the clinch attempt.
Honda fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ishida avoids it really well and circles away.
Honda has a takedown stuffed.
Ishida throwing a counter right hand but Honda manages to avoid it.

Honda closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ishida's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ishida swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ishida manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Honda manages to get himself to full guard.

Ishida keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Honda's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishida tries to free his leg and advance position but Honda is retaining full guard.
Ishida is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Honda can do to turn this around?
Ishida trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ishida wants to pass the guard but Honda is keeping the position.
Ishida landing with the ground and pound.
Ishida throws a strike but Honda rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ishida keeping moving, preventing Honda from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ishida is on top in guard.

Ishida working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ishida won't allow Honda to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Honda preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ishida wants to control from the top but Honda keeps moving.
Ishida slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Masaya Ishida overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ishida wants to control but Honda is keeping him busy.
Honda wants to get back to his feet.
Ishida tries to advance to mount but Honda denies him.
Ishida trying to control the action but Honda is working from the bottom.
Honda is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Ishida has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishida tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ishida landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Honda is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ishida asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ishida in side control lands a decent elbow.
Ishida trying to control the position but Honda is working away.
Honda is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Ishida has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishida sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Honda is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Ishida is working Honda over with some ground and pound from side control.
Honda prevents Ishida from improving position.
Honda wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Honda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ishida working the head with strikes.
Honda tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Ishida lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ishida thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Ishida with good strikes from the mount here!
Ishida unloading with bombs!

Honda is rocked!
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!
Honda wants to use the ropes to get back to his feet here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masaya Ishida clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ishida connects with a jab.
Nice shot lands for Ishida.
Yoko Honda is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Honda shoots in and drives through. Ishida sprawls well.
Masaya Ishida is winning the standup battle so far.
Honda tries for a takedown but Ishida circles away easily
and Ishida counters with a nice uppercut.

Honda closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ishida to the mat! Ishida manages to get full guard.
Ishida is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Ishida here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Honda is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Honda is refusing to be controlled, as Ishida sits in half guard.
Ishida wants to pass to mount but Honda is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishida is looking to take a break and control but Honda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ishida looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Honda avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ishida.
Honda tries to kick Ishida off but Ishida keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ishida thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ishida tries to pass to full mount but Honda defends it.
Honda regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ishida.
Ishida stands and throws Honda's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Honda takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Ishida trying to control the action but Honda is working from the bottom.
Ishida landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Honda wants to get back to his feet but Ishida drags him back down.
Honda prevents Ishida from moving into mount.
Ishida creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Honda managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ishida.
Ishida tries to move to mount but Honda blocks the move with his legs.
Honda is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Ishida has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishida scores with punches from side control.
Ishida trying to control the position but Honda is working away.
Ishida lands some shots froms side control.
Ishida scoring with punches and elbows.
Honda tries to escape but Ishida is in control.
Ishida moves into full mount!
Ishida scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Honda is still in real trouble! Can Ishida finish him?
Ishida cracks Honda with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Masaya Ishida!
Masaya Ishida retains his heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Masaya Ishida made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.