PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yves Jabouin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyoji Horiguchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jabouin comes to the cage accompanied by Trobule On My Mind- Pusha T and Tyler The Creator. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Jabouin
vs
Horiguchi

175 cm
34
145 lbs
22 - 9 - 2

164 cm
29
141 lbs
22 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Yves Jabouin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyoji Horiguchi!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jabouin checks a leg kick.

Horiguchi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Jabouin tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Horiguchi is in Jabouin's guard.
Jabouin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Horiguchi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Horiguchi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Horiguchi looking to pass the guard.
Horiguchi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jabouin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Jabouin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horiguchi connects with a couple of short punches.
Horiguchi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Horiguchi wants to control from the top but Jabouin keeps moving.
Horiguchi is looking to work some ground and pound but Jabouin has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi looking to pass the guard.
Horiguchi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Horiguchi trying to control the position from guard on top but Jabouin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jabouin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Horiguchi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Horiguchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Horiguchi has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Jabouin is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Jabouin tries to move into range but Horiguchi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Horiguchi dives in and grabs Jabouin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jabouin pushes down on Horiguchi's head and hops out.

Jabouin gets caught flat footed, as Horiguchi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Jabouin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Horiguchi on the ground.
Horiguchi trying to control but Jabouin is working from the bottom.
Horiguchi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Horiguchi sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Horiguchi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Horiguchi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Horiguchi throwing strikes but missing.
Jabouin is trying to control the position but Horiguchi postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jabouin loads up on a big right hand but Horiguchi slips the punch.
Jabouin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Horiguchi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Jabouin slips under a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jabouin takes one to the side of the head.
Sloppy strikes from Horiguchi. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Jabouin is just out of range.
Horiguchi tries a low kick but Jabouin avoids it.
Horiguchi just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromJabouin.
Horiguchi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jabouin misses with a hook. Horiguchi ducked under it nicely.
Jabouin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Horiguchi dives in and grabs Jabouin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jabouin pushes down on Horiguchi's head and hops out.
Horiguchi lands a body shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Horiguchi or perhaps it was just good defense by Jabouin, which made it look bad.
Yves Jabouin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyoji Horiguchi.

Horiguchi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Jabouin!
Horiguchi is looking to take a break and control but Jabouin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi scores with a couple of short elbows.
Horiguchi fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Horiguchi works to advance to full mount. Jabouin defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horiguchi thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Poor strikes thrown by Horiguchi there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Jabouin is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Horiguchi landing strikes from the mount and Jabouin is in trouble!
Horiguchi is landing with some decent strikes but Jabouin is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Horiguchi landing strikes from the mount and Jabouin is in trouble!
Jabouin taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyoji Horiguchi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Horiguchi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Horiguchi tries to score with some ground and pound. Jabouin controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Jabouin is not content to let Horiguchi control the position.
Jabouin avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Horiguchi.
The referee asks Horiguchi politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Horiguchi prefers to stall for the moment though.
Jabouin takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horiguchi working the ground and pound but Jabouin is defending the strikes.
Horiguchi is chipping away with strikes.
Horiguchi throws an elbow but Jabouin slips to the side and avoids it well.
Horiguchi controls the position from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Jabouin parries the strikes from Horiguchi easily there. Horiguchi is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Jabouin to escape.
Horiguchi throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Jabouin works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Horiguchi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Horiguchi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jabouin's head.
Horiguchi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jabouin's head.
Horiguchi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Jabouin is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Horiguchi jumps into side control!
Horiguchi postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jabouin gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Horiguchi lands a nice shot to the head.
Horiguchi lands a nice shot to the head.
Jabouin taking shots to the head.
Horiguchi throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Horiguchi unloads with some shots from mount but Jabouin bucks and avoids them well.
Horiguchi scoring with strikes but Jabouin is staying in there.
Horiguchi throwing strikes here but Jabouin is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Horiguchi raining down shots from the mount!
Horiguchi avoids the attempt from Jabouin to control.
Horiguchi scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi throwing strikes here but Jabouin is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Horiguchi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Horiguchi throwing strikes here but Jabouin is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Jabouin in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Poor strikes thrown by Horiguchi there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Horiguchi lands a big elbow.
Horiguchi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Horiguchi raining down hammerfists from mount.
Horiguchi punching from mount but Jabouin doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Horiguchi dominating with strikes here.
Horiguchi throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horiguchi trying to control but Jabouin is having none of it.
Horiguchi misses with a head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jabouin takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Horiguchi won't let Jabouin get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Horiguchi throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Horiguchi landing strikes, looking to finish!
Horiguchi lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Jabouin hang on?
Horiguchi throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Jabouin is looking to get to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horiguchi throwing strikes here but Jabouin is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Horiguchi is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Jabouin can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Horiguchi trying to control but Jabouin is having none of it.
Horiguchi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyoji Horiguchi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Horiguchi scores with a jab to the body.
Horiguchi throws a lazy uppercut

and Jabouin counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Jabouin.
A right handed body shot lands from Jabouin.
Jabouin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jabouin swings wildly with an uppercut but Horiguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Horiguchi is working Jabouin over against the cage.
Horiguchi works on Jabouin's body with a couple of short punches.
Horiguchi tries a body shot but Jabouin blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Jabouin fails to land.

Horiguchi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Jabouin can't fight it off and eventually Horiguchi manages to take the fight to the floor. Jabouin looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Horiguchi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horiguchi trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Jabouin manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Kyoji Horiguchi has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Horiguchi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jabouin manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi lands a couple of digs.
Horiguchi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Horiguchi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Horiguchi postures up in Jabouin's guard and throws a big left but Jabouin blocks it.
Horiguchi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jabouin's head.
Horiguchi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Horiguchi trying to control the position from guard on top but Jabouin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Horiguchi is looking to work some ground and pound but Jabouin has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Horiguchi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Horiguchi looking to sit in guard and control but Jabouin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Horiguchi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jabouin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Horiguchi managing to control the position.
Let's hope that Horiguchi 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.
Jabouin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Horiguchi is pulling down on Jabouin's head. It's preventing any offense from Jabouin, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Horiguchi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Horiguchi connects with a leg kick. Jabouin looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Horiguchi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Jabouin checks it well.
Horiguchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Jabouin is just out of range.
Jabouin connects with a body shot that sends Horiguchi's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jabouin loads up on a big right hand but Horiguchi slips the punch.
Jabouin connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Horiguchi's hands.
Horiguchi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Jabouin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Horiguchi punishes Jabouin's body with a nice straight punch.
Horiguchi lands a nice looking body shot.
Horiguchi cracks Jabouin with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi darts in looking for a takedown but Jabouin gets double underhooks and turns Horiguchi into the cage.
Horiguchi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Jabouin counters with a nice body shot.
Yves Jabouin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyoji Horiguchi.
Horiguchi wants to land a leg kick but Jabouin is out of range.
Jabouin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Horiguchi manages to avoid it.
Kyoji Horiguchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jabouin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Kyoji Horiguchi just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Horiguchi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Horiguchi shoots and misses
letting Jabouin counter with a right hand.
Jabouin lands a nice looking body shot.
Horiguchi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Jabouin on the side of the head.

Jabouin tries to sprawl but Horiguchi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Horiguchi trying to control the action but Jabouin is working from the bottom.
Horiguchi throwing shots but Jabouin is blocking nicely.
Horiguchi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Horiguchi throws a strike but Jabouin avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Jabouin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Horiguchi scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jabouin's head.
Horiguchi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jabouin is keeping the position for now.
Horiguchi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Horiguchi looking to pass the guard.
Horiguchi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jabouin blocks a low kick nicely.
Jabouin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Horiguchi throws the left hand but Jabouin avoids the punch easily.
Jabouin is looking to counter with head kicks.
Horiguchi has a takedown stuffed.
Jabouin tries a head kick but it misses.
Yves Jabouin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horiguchi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jabouin.
Horiguchi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jabouin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Horiguchi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jabouin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Jabouin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Horiguchi moves away.
Jabouin misses with an uppercut. Horiguchi saw that one coming.
Horiguchi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jabouin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Horiguchi somewhat.
Jabouin tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Horiguchi manages to circle out of the way.
Yves Jabouin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyoji Horiguchi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jabouin tries a head kick but it misses.
Jabouin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Horiguchi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Jabouin rather than just go for the knockout.
Horiguchi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jabouin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Jabouin throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Horiguchi on the side of the head.
Horiguchi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Horiguchi misses with a shot to the body
and Jabouin counters with a nice uppercut.
Horiguchi shoots and misses
and Jabouin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Horiguchi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Jabouin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Horiguchi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Horiguchi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jabouin. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Jabouin's hands.
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!
Horiguchi throws the left hand but Jabouin avoids the punch easily.
Horiguchi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Jabouin, as that shot connected.

Jabouin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jabouin swings wildly with an uppercut but Horiguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Horiguchi blocking some punches.
Jabouin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Jabouin working aggressively here.
Horiguchi is trying to drag Jabouin to the mat but Jabouin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Horiguchi tries a body shot but Jabouin blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yves Jabouin had his way with Kyoji Horiguchi in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get 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.

Horiguchi tries to score with a low kick but Jabouin moves his leg out of the way.
A low kick from Horiguchi is predictable there
and Jabouin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Horiguchi. Jabouin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jabouin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Horiguchi misses with an uppercut
and Jabouin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Horiguchi has his takedown stuffed
and Jabouin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Horiguchi is rocked!
Horiguchi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jabouin circles away.
Horiguchi throws a poor cross that misses
and Jabouin counters with a stiff right hand.
Horiguchi is still on wobbly legs! Can Jabouin finish him?
Horiguchi misses with a hook
and Jabouin counters with a right hand from hell and Horiguchi is out cold! A vicious knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:43 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Yves Jabouin!
Yves Jabouin retains his bantamweight title!
Yves Jabouin 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.