PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Milton Oconnor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kiam Hikorashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Oconnor
vs
Hikorashi

215 cm
18
150 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

165 cm
20
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Milton Oconnor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kiam Hikorashi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Oconnor has taken the fight to the clinch.

Oconnor manages to pull guard.

Oconnor is working an open guard so Hikorashi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hikorashi tries to close the distance and clinch but Oconnor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hikorashi shoots in but Oconnor avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hikorashi tries to clinch up
and Oconnor counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hikorashi shoots in looking for a takedown but Oconnor manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hikorashi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Oconnor quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hikorashi.
Hikorashi controlling from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oconnor is trying to control Hikorashi's posture but Hikorashi avoids it.

Hikorashi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Oconnor is not content to let Hikorashi control the position.
Hikorashi tries to stand but Oconnor is controlling his head.
Oconnor keeps Hikorashi under control for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hikorashi is looking to take a break and control but Oconnor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Oconnor manages to get back to half guard.
Oconnor is trying to control but can't.
Hikorashi working over Oconnor with some ground and pound. Oconnor looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Hikorashi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hikorashi is keen to just control but Oconnor is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oconnor makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Oconnor.
Oconnor is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hikorashi advances to half guard.
Oconnor trying to hold on to Hikorashi's head to control him but Hikorashi postures up.

Hikorashi is working for a submission of some sort.
Hikorashi is keen to just control but Oconnor is a slippery customer.

That's four 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.
Hikorashi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Oconnor really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Oconnor is looking to improve his position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Oconnor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hikorashi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Oconnor tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hikorashi manages to circle out of the way.
Milton Oconnor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kiam Hikorashi.
Hikorashi looks winded!
Oconnor tries to clinch but Hikorashi moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A head kick by Hikorashi misses
and Oconnor counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hikorashi is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Oconnor drives through and clinches with Hikorashi against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milton Oconnor dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hikorashi tries to clinch but Oconnor moves out of range.
Oconnor is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Hikorashi with a poor takedown
and Oconnor counters with a three punch combo that has Hikorashi backing up. Hikorashi nods at Oconnor to acknowledge the strikes.
Hikorashi shoots in for a double leg but Oconnor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hikorashi fails with a takedown attempt.
As Hikorashi tries to get set, Oconnor tries to push him back and clinch up but Hikorashi manages to avoid the attempt.
Milton Oconnor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kiam Hikorashi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hikorashi has a takedown stuffed.
Nice sprawl there from Oconnor as Hikorashi shoots in.
Hikorashi is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hikorashi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Oconnor is fending him off so far but Hikorashi persists. Nope, Oconnor circles away and we're back to standing.
Hikorashi tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Oconnor counters with a head kick.
Hikorashi goes for a double leg but Oconnor avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Oconnor continues to drive forward.

Oconnor moves into the clinch successfully.
The referee is keeping an eye on Oconnor - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Oconnor manages to pull guard.

Oconnor has his feet on Hikorashi's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Hikorashi looks for a takedown but Oconnor sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Oconnor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Oconnor tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Oconnor pulls guard effortlessly.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oconnor pulls Hikorashi in close to his closed guard and prevents Hikorashi from doing any damage or advancing position.

Oconnor working for a triangle but Hikorashi defends it easily.
Oconnor is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oconnor is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hikorashi stopping the sweep attempt from Oconnor.
Hikorashi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Oconnor keeping moving, preventing Hikorashi from controlling successfully.
Hikorashi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hikorashi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Oconnor is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hikorashi defends well.
Hikorashi postures up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Hikorashi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hikorashi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hikorashi throws a series of punches but Oconnor moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hikorashi tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Oconnor counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milton Oconnor dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

Hikorashi is looking to clinch but Oconnor is avoiding it.
Oconnor tries to counter with a takedown but Hikorashi is quick to defend against it.
Hikorashi tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Oconnor counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hikorashi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Hikorashi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Oconnor paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Hikorashi rushes Oconnor and presses him up against the cage.
Hikorashi jumps guard but Oconnor stands there with Hikorashi around his waist. Hikorashi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Oconnor looking to throw knees to the head but Hikorashi is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hikorashi breaks from the clinch.

Hikorashi clinches up against the cage.
Hikorashi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Oconnor prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hikorashi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Oconnor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Milton Oconnor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kiam Hikorashi.
Hikorashi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Oconnor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Oconnor wants a takedown but no success here.
Oconnor tries a body shot but Hikorashi blocks it.
Hikorashi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Oconnor just stands there and leans against the cage.
Oconnor is looking for a takedown.
Hikorashi missing with knees to the body.
Oconnor tries a knee to the head but Hikorashi blocks it.
Oconnor throws an elbow that misses.
Hikorashi wants a takedown but no success here.
Good body shot from Oconnor.
Oconnor misses with a punch on the inside.
Hikorashi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Oconnor is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hikorashi can't fight it off and eventually Oconnor manages to take the fight to the floor. Hikorashi looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hikorashi wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Oconnor manages to pass to side control.

Hikorashi trying to control but Oconnor postures up.
Hikorashi is refusing to be controlled, as Oconnor sits in half guard.
Hikorashi wants to control but Oconnor is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oconnor decides to stand and escape the position.
Hikorashi throws a half hearted mid kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Oconnor enables Hikorashi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Oconnor manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Oconnor lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Oconnor stands up from Hikorashi's guard - Oconnor perhaps looking for a knockout.

Oconnor closes the distance and pushes Hikorashi back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oconnor lands a body shot in the clinch.

Oconnor has hold of one of Hikorashi's legs. Hikorashi is fighting the takedown attempt but Oconnor gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Hikorashi pushes Oconnor off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hikorashi closes the distance but Oconnor moves to the side
and Oconnor counters with a nice body shot.
Kiam Hikorashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hikorashi is defended easily by Oconnor.

And that's the end of the fight!
Milton Oconnor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Oconnor has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Milton Oconnor!