PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shojo Shoujou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyson Kahn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shoujou
vs
Kahn

165 cm
22
140 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

165 cm
20
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shojo Shoujou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tyson Kahn!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kahn has Shoujou up against the cage in a clinch.
Shoujou wants to take the fight to the mat but Kahn manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Shoujou looking for a takedown.
Shoujou wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shojo Shoujou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shoujou prevents a body shot from Kahn.

Shoujou breaks from the clinch.
Kahn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shoujou manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shoujou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kahn moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kahn looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Kahn decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kahn not doing much here.
Shoujou is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at BLOODSPORT GYM, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Kahn is thwarting Shoujou's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shoujou keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoujou regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kahn wants to control from the top but Shoujou keeps moving.
Kahn looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Shoujou looking for a sweep. Not yet Shoujou, not yet.
Kahn wants to get up but he can't break Shoujou's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kahn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shoujou tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kahn is looking to clinch.
Kahn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shoujou but Shoujou pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shoujou lands a jab-cross combination.
Kahn is looking to clinch.
It looked like Shoujou wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shoujou misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A shot to the liver by Shoujou. Beautiful body shot.
Shoujou fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Shoujou looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kahn doesn't manage to clinch there - Shoujou circles away.
Kahn tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Kahn closes the distance and pushes Shoujou back into the cage.
Kahn lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kahn prevents the takedown attempt.
Shoujou goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kahn prevents it.
Shoujou goes for a takedown attempt but Kahn pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kahn clinches up against the cage.
Shoujou is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kahn pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kahn misses with a punch on the inside.
Shoujou tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shoujou has Kahn pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kahn manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kahn prevents the takedown attempt.
A short body shot lands from Kahn as the two fighters clinch.
Shoujou is pressed up against the cage. Kahn has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shoujou down to the mat. Shoujou avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kahn drops his hands momentarily and Shoujou takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kahn tries to clinch up.
Shoujou wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Kahn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Shoujou looking for a takedown.
Kahn lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shoujou.
Shoujou is trying to break free.
Shoujou wants to break free but Kahn has control.
Shoujou prevents a body shot from Kahn.
Shoujou is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kahn gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kahn works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shoujou is breathing heavily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shoujou tries to score a body lock takedown but Kahn shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kahn lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Kahn.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shoujou tries to score a body lock takedown but Kahn shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kahn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shoujou's elbow.
Kahn scores with a hook to the body.
Kahn has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Shoujou seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kahn can turn it around.
Kahn keeps control of Shoujou as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Shoujou looking for a takedown.
Kahn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shoujou is defending well for now.
Kahn throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kahn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kahn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shoujou backwards.
Kahn is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shoujou is trying to break free.
Kahn digs a right hand into Shoujou's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shoujou's gas tank.
Kahn pushes Shoujou back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kahn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shoujou tries to break the clinch but Kahn is controlling the position.
A short body shot lands from Kahn as the two fighters clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kahn is looking to clinch but Shoujou is avoiding it.
Kahn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shoujou but Shoujou pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kahn tries to clinch
and Shoujou counters with a series of strikes. Kahn will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kahn tries to clinch there but Shoujou circles away.
Shoujou thuds a left hand into Kahn's body.
Kahn tries to clinch but Shoujou is having none of it.
Shoujou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kahn.
Kahn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shoujou manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kahn is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kahn tries to clinch but Shoujou is having none of it.
Shoujou went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Shoujou just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shoujou fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kahn looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Shoujou is looking to wear down Kahn with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kahn connects with a jab.
Shoujou keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kahn looks to throw the jab but Shoujou is out of range.
Tyson Kahn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shoujou cracks Kahn with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kahn has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kahn lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tyson Kahn seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shoujou is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kahn pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kahn scores with a hook to the body.
Kahn is pressed up against the cage. Shoujou has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kahn down to the mat. Kahn avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kahn forces Shoujou back against the cage and clinches.
Kahn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shoujou backwards.
Shoujou drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kahn gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shojo Shoujou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short uppercut from Kahn.
A right hand to the body from Kahn.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Shoujou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kahn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shoujou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kahn tries to clinch up but Shoujou circles away and keeps his distance.
Kahn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shoujou.
Kahn tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shoujou swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kahn instigates a clinch.
Shoujou has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kahn after a bit of a struggle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kahn wants the takedown. Shoujou is fighting it off but Kahn persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Shoujou's guard against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahn stopping the sweep attempt from Shoujou.
Shoujou controlling the position.
Kahn trying to control but Shoujou is working from the bottom.
Shoujou keeping full guard, as Kahn tries to pass.
Shoujou trying to control the position here.
Shoujou lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Shoujou is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou chips away with some ground and pound.
Kahn working a defensive guard here.
Kahn looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kahn is trying to control the position but Shoujou postures up.
Kahn keeping moving, preventing Shoujou from controlling successfully.
Kahn has his hands on Shoujou's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kahn working a defensive guard here.
Shoujou stopping the sweep attempt from Kahn.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kahn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shoujou manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kahn connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Shoujou tries to keep at a distance but Kahn has taken the fight into the clinch.
Shoujou is trying to drag Kahn to the mat but Kahn just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A right hook to the body lands for Kahn.
Shoujou can't get the takedown.
Kahn taking a breather.
Shoujou wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Kahn 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. This is the final round!

Shoujou keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kahn tries to close the distance and clinch but Shoujou swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kahn has closed the distance and engaged Shoujou in a clinch.
Kahn gets underhooks to prevent Shoujou's takedown attempt.
Shoujou goes for a takedown attempt but Kahn pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kahn has managed to clinch.

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

Kahn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kahn working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kahn is trying to maintain a safe position but Shoujou gets an underhook and turns Kahn into the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Kahn.
Kahn pushes Shoujou back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahn trying to stall but Shoujou improves his position.
Come on Kahn - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shoujou tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shojo Shoujou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shoujou wants a takedown.

Kahn gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoujou is not content to let Kahn control the position.
Tyson Kahn has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kahn controlling the pace.
Shoujou is trying to control but can't.
Shoujou wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kahn tries to pass to full mount but Shoujou defends it.
Shoujou tries to get to full guard but Kahn has control of the leg.
Shoujou regains full guard. Nicely done.
Shojo Shoujou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shoujou can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kahn controls the pace.
Shoujou on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shoujou tries to get out of the position.
Shoujou seems keen to control Kahn's posture.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Shoujou 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shoujou looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kahn takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Shoujou throws a body punch but Kahn moves out of range.
Kahn wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahn tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kahn takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kahn slips a jab and a cross from Shoujou.
Kahn tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Kahn closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Kahn.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kahn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Kahn.
Kahn prevents a takedown attempt there.

Shoujou manages to break the clinch.
Shojo Shoujou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kahn takes the fight into the clinch.
Shoujou wants to break free but Kahn has control.
Kahn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shoujou looking for a takedown.
Shoujou can't get the takedown.
Shoujou is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kahn pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kahn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shoujou tries to circle away but Kahn has him pinned against the cage.
Kahn working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kahn lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shoujou backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stalling in the clinch from Kahn.
Kahn wants a takedown but no success here.
Kahn lands a hook that snaps the head of Shoujou backwards.
Kahn manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Shoujou drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kahn pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shoujou just misses with a punch to the body.
Shoujou scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kahn doesn't seem bothered though.
Shoujou swats away the attempt to clinch by Kahn.
Shoujou throws a right hand that Kahn ducks under and follows up with a left that Kahn also avoids with ease.
Tyson Kahn is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shoujou circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kahn looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shoujou is looking to counter punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyson Kahn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kahn winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyson Kahn!