PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Artem Irhin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shunsui Kyoraku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Irhin
vs
Kyoraku

180 cm
27
200 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

190 cm
35
186 lbs
24 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artem Irhin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shunsui Kyoraku!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Irhin wants to clinch up but Kyoraku keeps it at a distance.
Kyoraku lands a nice hook to Irhin's body. Irhin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Irhin lands with a cross.

Kyoraku gets a clinch.
Kyoraku has Irhin pressed against the cage.
Irhin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kyoraku lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Irhin.
Kyoraku tries to throw a body punch but Irhin avoids it by throwing Kyoraku back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Kyoraku - that landed with a thud.
Irhin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kyoraku in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Irhin controlling the action here for a moment.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Irhin as Kyoraku tries to tie him up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kyoraku is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kyoraku is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Kyoraku is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Irhin misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kyoraku struggles to land a body shot inside as Irhin controls his hands.
Kyoraku pushes Irhin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kyoraku lands with a right to the head.
A short body shot lands from Kyoraku as the two fighters clinch.
Kyoraku leaning against his opponent.
Kyoraku tries to work over Irhin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Irhin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kyoraku has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Irhin looking to throw knees to the head but Kyoraku is blocking nicely.
Irhin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Our sources have told us that Irhin has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Irhin missing with knees to the body.
Kyoraku swings wildly with an uppercut but Irhin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kyoraku avoiding damage as Irhin throws knees to the body.
Kyoraku stalling the fight.

Irhin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kyoraku works the jab nicely.
Kyoraku blocks a head kick by Irhin.

Irhin closes the distance and clinches.
Irhin utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Irhin blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku trying to stall but Irhin improves his position.
Irhin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A body shot lands from Kyoraku.
Irhin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kyoraku works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short uppercut from Kyoraku.
Irhin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kyoraku has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kyoraku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Irhin missing with knees to the body.
Kyoraku's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kyoraku tries to work over Irhin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kyoraku working aggressively here.
A short uppercut from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kyoraku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kyoraku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kyoraku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kyoraku can't find room to land a body shot as Irhin controls the action.
Kyoraku can't find room to land a body shot as Irhin controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku stalling in the clinch but Irhin improves position.
Irhin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kyoraku gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Irhin trying to land knees to the body.
Irhin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kyoraku blocks it with crossed arms.
Kyoraku lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kyoraku lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Irhin is breathing heavily.
Kyoraku can't find room to land a body shot as Irhin controls the action.
Irhin pushes off an throws an elbow but Kyoraku leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kyoraku misses with a punch to the body.
Irhin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kyoraku blocks it with crossed arms.
Irhin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Irhin just leaning against Kyoraku, taking a breather.
Kyoraku misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Irhin lands a knee to the head.
Kyoraku presses Irhin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kyoraku tries to work over Irhin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kyoraku lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kyoraku lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Irhin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Irhin throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irhin takes a shot to the head.
Kyoraku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kyoraku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kyoraku lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Irhin misses with a knee to the head.
Irhin throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Kyoraku on the inside.
A body shot lands from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku lands a shoulder strike.
Irhin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A bit of stalling here from Kyoraku.
Irhin misses with a knee strike.
Kyoraku content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kyoraku lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Irhin backwards.
Kyoraku lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kyoraku lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Irhin is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kyoraku misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shunsui Kyoraku dominated that round.
That's time! Irhin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Irhin throws a jab but it's blocked by Kyoraku.
It seemed like Kyoraku was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kyoraku in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Irhin throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kyoraku counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kyoraku stuns Irhin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Irhin walks into a left hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kyoraku.
Irhin misses with an uppercut.
Kyoraku misses the shot to the body.

Irhin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Irhin looking to throw knees to the head but Kyoraku is blocking nicely.
Irhin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kyoraku gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Irhin obliges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irhin lands a damaging elbow.
Kyoraku presses Irhin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kyoraku lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kyoraku can't find room to land a body shot as Irhin controls the action.
Kyoraku misses with a punch to the body.
Kyoraku lands a shot to the body.
Shunsui Kyoraku seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kyoraku cracks Irhin with a nice body shot.
Kyoraku holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Irhin blocks a body shot from Kyoraku.
A left hand lands to the body for Kyoraku.
Kyoraku scores with a shot to the side of Irhin's head.
Kyoraku lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Irhin backwards.
Kyoraku tries a body shot but Irhin blocks it.
Kyoraku tries a body shot but Irhin blocks it.
Irhin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Irhin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kyoraku is defending well.
Kyoraku lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Irhin backwards.
Kyoraku misses with a punch to the body.
Kyoraku dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kyoraku is struggling to control the position.
Irhin misses with a knee to the head.
A short right from Irhin.
Kyoraku lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Irhin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kyoraku.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku lands a left hand.
Kyoraku managing to block the knees to the body from Irhin.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kyoraku.
Kyoraku stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Irhin looking to throw knees to the head but Kyoraku is blocking nicely.
Kyoraku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Irhin wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Irhin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kyoraku lands with a left to the head.
Nice body punch from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kyoraku leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kyoraku displaying some good clinch control by pressing Irhin up against the cage.
Kyoraku lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irhin landing knees to the head.
Kyoraku is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Irhin is keeping busy.
Kyoraku stalling.
Kyoraku lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Irhin.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku controlling the action here for a moment.
A short right from Kyoraku.
A body shot lands from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku misses with a body punch.
Kyoraku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Irhin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Irhin wants to get back to striking at distance but Kyoraku won't allow it.
Kyoraku scores with a nice hook to the head.
Irhin blocks a body shot from Kyoraku.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kyoraku lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kyoraku blocks an uppercut.
Kyoraku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Irhin obliges.
Kyoraku gets through Irhin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
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!
Kyoraku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kyoraku lands a right hand that snaps the head of Irhin backwards.
Irhin looking to throw knees to the head but Kyoraku is blocking nicely.
Irhin tries to land a knee to the head but Kyoraku blocks with his arms.
Irhin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kyoraku stalling in the clinch but Irhin improves position.
Kyoraku lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Irhin.
Kyoraku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Irhin struggles to land a body shot inside as Kyoraku controls his hands.
Kyoraku working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kyoraku tries to work over Irhin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Irhin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Irhin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shunsui Kyoraku showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kyoraku with a hook.

Kyoraku darts in and clinches Irhin up against the cage.
Kyoraku has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku blocks an elbow strike.
Irhin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kyoraku has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kyoraku lands a body punch.
Kyoraku lands a hook that snaps the head of Irhin backwards.
Kyoraku cracks Irhin with a nice body shot.
Kyoraku taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku pushes Irhin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kyoraku pushes Irhin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kyoraku lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kyoraku lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kyoraku lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A right hand to the body from Kyoraku.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kyoraku lands a body shot.
Kyoraku is trying to stall.
Kyoraku blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kyoraku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Irhin looking to throw knees to the head but Kyoraku is blocking nicely.
Kyoraku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kyoraku throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Irhins head.
Irhin tries to land knees in the clinch but Kyoraku avoids the damage to the body.
Kyoraku throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Irhins head.
Kyoraku tries to throw a body punch but Irhin avoids it by throwing Kyoraku back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Kyoraku.
Kyoraku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Irhin's elbow.
Kyoraku leaning against his opponent.
A short uppercut from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku tries a body shot but Irhin blocks it.
Irhin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kyoraku is defending well for now.
A short right from Kyoraku on the inside.
Kyoraku blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right from Kyoraku on the inside.
Irhin stalling in the clinch but Kyoraku improves position.
Kyoraku lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irhin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kyoraku.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Irhin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kyoraku avoids it.
A short body shot lands from Kyoraku as the two fighters clinch.
Irhin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kyoraku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kyoraku lands a shoulder strike.
Kyoraku stalling.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Irhin.
Kyoraku can't find room to land a body shot as Irhin controls the action.
Irhin is pushing Kyoraku up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kyoraku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Irhin's elbow.
A short right from Kyoraku.
Kyoraku tries to stall but Irhin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kyoraku - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kyoraku lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kyoraku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irhin is trying to stall.
Kyoraku manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kyoraku is looking to control Irhin's arms but Irhin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kyoraku has his back to the cage.
Kyoraku tries to stall but Irhin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kyoraku seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Irhin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kyoraku avoids it.
Kyoraku looking to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Shunsui Kyoraku.
Kyoraku lands a leg kick that knocks Irhin off balance momentarily.
Irhin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Irhin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Irhin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It seemed like Kyoraku was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kyoraku.
Kyoraku with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kyoraku feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Irhin's calf.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kyoraku comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Irhin throws a chopping leg kick but Kyoraku manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Irhin tries to clinch but Kyoraku moves away
and Kyoraku counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Artem Irhin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kyoraku dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shunsui Kyoraku seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kyoraku avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shunsui Kyoraku is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kyoraku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Irhin throws a lazy right hand but Kyoraku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kyoraku takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
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!
Kyoraku throws a leg kick which misses Irhin's front leg but catches the back leg as Irhin tries to avoid it.
Irhin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Irhin misses with a low kick.
Kyoraku lands a right hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Irhin.
Kyoraku cracks Irhin with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Irhin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kyoraku moves away.
Irhin moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shunsui Kyoraku comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kyoraku 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shunsui Kyoraku!
A relieved looking Shunsui Kyoraku thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.