PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominic Hoover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture comes to the ring accompanied by Mama said knock you out. The crowd seem to be enjoying Hoover's choice of entrance music: Godsmack - I Stand Alone. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Couture
vs
Hoover

175 cm
46
174 lbs
53 - 27 - 2

172 cm
26
170 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 53 - 27 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Brandon Couture!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dominic Hoover!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hoover with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Couture manages to break the clinch.
Couture avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hoover lands a nice leg kick that just misses Couture's sensitive parts.
Hoover keeps Couture at a distance using the push kick.
Couture stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hoover.
Hoover tries a head kick but it misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Couture misses the target.
Dominic Hoover seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hoover throws a body kick that misses.
It looked like Couture wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hoover tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoover throws the left hand but Couture avoids the punch easily.
Hoover's corner calls for a 1-2. Hoover obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hoover avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hoover is looking to slow Couture down with leg kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hoover throws a right and a left that Couture avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hoover has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Couture is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Hoover misses with a head kick.
Hoover fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Hoover closes the distance and clinches.
Hoover misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hoover is working Couture over against the ropes.
Hoover lands a shoulder strike.
Hoover is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Couture's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Couture wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Couture avoiding damage as Hoover throws knees to the body.
Couture misses with a hook from the clinch.
Couture lands a nice uppercut.

Couture breaks from the clinch.
Hoover cracks Couture with a good jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Hoover scores with a four punch combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoover scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoover scores with a jab to the head.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt.
Couture thinks about countering with a head kick.
Hoover will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hoover fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Couture looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hoover scores with a body shot.

Hoover closes the distance and clinches.

Couture breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Couture looks to land a right hand but Hoover moved out of range.
Hoover bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Couture's head backwards.
Hoover stuns Couture with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hoover misses with a few strikes there.
Couture swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hoover works over Couture's head and body with a nice combination.
Couture takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoover looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Hoover gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Hoover is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. Couture can't fight it off and eventually Hoover manages to take the fight to the floor. Couture looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hoover wants to control from the top but Couture keeps moving.

Hoover stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hoover uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Couture has time to react.
Hoover tests Couture's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Couture throws the left hand but Hoover avoids the punch easily.
Hoover fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hoover jabs Couture to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Couture misses the jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hoover moves out of range as Couture strikes.
Couture looks to throw the jab but Hoover is out of range.
Couture blocks a head kick by Hoover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoover misses with a body shot.
It looked like Couture wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hoover throws a nice head kick!
Hoover misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Couture moves out of range as Hoover strikes.
Hoover throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Couture connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Couture takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A right-left combo lands from Hoover.
Couture misses with an uppercut.
Hoover throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It looked like Couture wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hoover is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Couture had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Good shot there by Hoover.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hoover moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hoover fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hoover goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hoover connects with a high kick.

Couture is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Hoover dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hoover looks to throw a body kick
and Couture counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice cross by Hoover.
Hoover misses with a body shot.
Couture is looking to counter punch.
Hoover tries to clinch but Couture moves out of range.
Couture pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Hoover moves into the clinch successfully.
Hoover has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hoover lands an uppercut.
Couture working aggressively here.
Hoover looking to slow down the pace here.
Hoover connects with a nasty looking knee right to Couture's face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoover is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Couture working aggressively here.
Hoover lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Couture breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hoover drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Couture is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hoover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoover misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hoover throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.
Hoover misses with a combination
and Couture counters with a nice uppercut.
Hoover scores with a jab to the jaw.

Hoover instigates a clinch.
Hoover lands a hook that snaps the head of Couture backwards.
Hoover blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Couture misses with a punch on the inside.
Couture lands with a right to the head.

Couture breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hoover closes the distance and clinches.
Dominic Hoover seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hoover.
A short right from Hoover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Couture breaks the clinch.
Hoover throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hoover.

Hoover closes the distance and clinches.
Hoover tries for a takedown but Couture manages to get underhooks.
Couture throws a punch but it's blocked by Hoover.
Hoover is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Hoover struggles to land a body shot inside as Couture controls his hands.
Couture lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hoover working aggressively here.
Couture lands a shoulder strike.
Couture lands a left hand.
Couture throws a head punch that misses.
Couture swings wildly with an uppercut but Hoover uses good head movement to avoid it.
Couture blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hoover misses with a knee to the head.
Hoover throws an elbow that misses.
Hoover tries for a takedown but Couture manages to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture misses with some punches.
Hoover is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Hoover is trying to drag Couture to the mat but Couture just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Brandon Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominic Hoover.
Couture swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hoover looking to throw knees to the head but Couture is blocking nicely.
Hoover lands a good knee to the midsection. Couture won't want to take too many of those.
Couture lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hoover backwards.
Couture swings wildly with an uppercut but Hoover uses good head movement to avoid it.
Couture misses with the head strike.
Hoover lands a right hand.
Couture misses with the head strike.
A short left from Couture.
Hoover looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Couture prevents the takedown attempt.
Hoover tries to land knees in the clinch but Couture avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoover throws a punch but it's blocked by Couture.

Hoover has clasped his hands together around Couture's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hoover decides to stand back up.
Hoover slips under a jab.
Hoover listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The fighters circling - Couture throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Hoover forces Couture back against the ropes and clinches.
Hoover tries to stall but Couture uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hoover with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoover using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Couture has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Couture on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hoover lands with a left to the head.
Couture managing to block the knees to the body from Hoover.
Couture lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Couture wants to break the clinch but can't.
Couture wants to get back to striking at distance but Hoover won't allow it.
Couture working aggressively here.
Hoover throws an elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Hoover showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hoover connects with a crisp jab.
Hoover throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Couture stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hoover ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hoover pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Couture on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hoover tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A little feinted left hand from Couture on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Couture checks a leg kick.
Couture steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hoover.
Couture is looking to counter punch.
Hoover swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Couture blocks a head kick by Hoover.
Couture throwing a counter right hand but Hoover manages to avoid it.
Hoover tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couture throws out a loose jab but Hoover uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hoover ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hoover tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Couture was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoover.
Hoover throws out a loose jab but Couture uses good head movement to avoid it.
Couture throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hoover sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoover swinging wildly here.
Hoover throws a one two combo.
Hoover ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hoover tries to bum rush Couture with a series of wild strikes but Couture uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dominic Hoover is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt
and Couture counters with a nice uppercut.
Couture moves forwards but Hoover connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Hoover has managed to clinch.
Hoover is trying to drag Couture to the mat but Couture just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Hoover tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hoover looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoover throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.
Couture is looking to counter punch.
Hoover misses with a two punch combination.
Hoover takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hoover uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Couture.
Hoover throws a series of punches but Couture avoids them all with ease.
Couture throwing a counter right hand but Hoover manages to avoid it.
Hoover takes one to the side of the head.
Hoover throws a nice outside leg kick.
Couture throws an overhand right that lands on Hoover's shoulder, as Hoover tries to avoid the shot.
A punch lands to the side of Couture 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Couture takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Hoover moves into range and clinches up with Couture.

Couture breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Couture takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoover throws a series of strikes that have Couture backpedaling.
Hoover slips a jab from Couture.
Hoover moves to clinch but Couture breaks away
and Couture counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Couture missing with a left hand there. Hoover was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hoover throws a body kick that misses.
Couture throwing a counter right hand but Hoover manages to avoid it.
Hoover takes a swing at Couture's ribcage but misses.
Couture throws a shot from downtown. Hoover moves away and avoids it.
Hoover connects with a good right hand that stumbles Couture. Couture circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hoover scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Couture doesn't seem bothered though.
Couture throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hoover tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Hoover pushes Couture up against the ropes in a clinch.

Couture escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoover throws a hook but Couture blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hoover misses with a right hand
letting Couture counter with a right hand.
Hoover fails to land with a series of punches.
It looked like Couture wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hoover fails with an attempt to clinch.
Couture was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Couture misses with an uppercut. Hoover saw that one coming.

Hoover moves into the clinch.
Couture swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Couture fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Couture escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Couture throws a shot from downtown. Hoover moves away and avoids it.
Hoover looks to land a combination. Couture sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Hoover staying out of range there.
Hoover appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hoover misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Hoover really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Couture blocks a leg kick.
Hoover lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Couture circles away quickly and effectively.
Hoover slips a jab from Couture.
Hoover throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hoover blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hoover is looking to control Couture's arms but Couture gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hoover has his back to the ropes.
Couture misses with the head strike.
Hoover missing with knees to the body.
Hoover with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoover scores with a shot to the side of Couture's head.
Hoover lands a left hand that snaps the head of Couture backwards.
Hoover tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Couture avoids it.
Hoover lands a nice uppercut.
Hoover can't find room to land a body shot as Couture controls the action.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Hoover throws an elbow but misses.
Hoover throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoover blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hoover throws a head punch that misses.
Couture lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoover has a couple of punches blocked by Couture.
Couture lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Couture working aggressively here.
Hoover lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Couture.
Hoover lands with a left to the head.
Hoover lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Couture takes a shot to the head.
Hoover lands a shot to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hoover lands a knee to the body.
Hoover softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Couture looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Couture on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hoover lands an elbow just above Couture 's eye.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good body shot from Hoover.
Hoover scores with a hook to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hoover obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoover crunches a lovely knee into Couture's ribcage.
Hoover gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Hoover lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hoover passes to side control.
Hoover wants to lay and pray for a moment but Couture keeps working.
Hoover taking a breather here.
Let's hope that Hoover has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture is not content to let Hoover control the position.
Hoover prevents Couture from escaping the position.
Hoover has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Couture!
Couture tries to buck Hoover off but he can't manage it.
Hoover tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
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.
Hoover can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Couture is looking to escape.
Hoover controlling the position easily from mount.
Hoover tries to control but Couture wriggling away.

Hoover stands up from mount. Strange move.
Hoover fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Couture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoover tries to bum rush Couture with a series of wild strikes but Couture uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Hoover rushes Couture and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Hoover is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Couture tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hoover lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Couture can't break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Hoover scores with a nice short uppercut.

Hoover drags the fight down to the ground.

Couture decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Hoover lands a nice hook to Couture's body. Couture takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoover pushes Couture away with a front kick.
Hoover lands a nice looking body shot.

Hoover pushes Couture up against the ropes in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Hoover dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hoover drives through and clinches with Couture against the ropes.
Hoover scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hoover looking to throw knees to the head but Couture is blocking nicely.

Couture pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hoover scores with a jab.

Hoover closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Hoover blocking some punches.

Hoover ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hoover no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Couture is looking to stand up but Hoover won't let him.

Hoover is looking for a triangle but Couture pushes his legs off easily.
Hoover has a closed guard, preventing Couture from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoover wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoover controlling Couture's posture.
Couture would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hoover is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hoover is on top in guard.

Couture wants to get back to his feet but Hoover is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hoover pushes down on Couture's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hoover prevents Couture from standing back up.
Brandon Couture has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dominic Hoover is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoover is keen to just control but Couture is a slippery customer.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hoover in particular looking to stall.
Hoover has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hoover trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Couture is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Hoover controlling his opponent.
Hoover trying to control but Couture is having none of it.

Hoover stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Dominic Hoover seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hoover with a jab.
Hoover ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture throws a shot from downtown. Hoover moves away and avoids it.

Hoover clinches up against the ropes.
Couture can't break the clinch.

Couture breaks from the clinch.
Hoover fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hoover throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hoover slips a straight right by Couture.
Couture misses the jab.
Couture misses with a looping left.
Hoover lands a head kick!
Hoover scores with a jab to the body.
Hoover defending well as Couture loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hoover scores with a jab.
Hoover goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
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!

Hoover gets a clinch.

Couture manages to break the clinch.
Hoover tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Couture counters with a nice uppercut.
Hoover cracks Couture with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hoover moves out of range as Couture strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hoover! But no joy.

Hoover instigates a clinch.
Couture misses with some punches.
A shot in the inside from Couture.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dominic Hoover comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hoover 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dominic Hoover! Dominic Hoover retains his welterweight title!
Dominic Hoover tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.