PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Venum Tree Knee Dad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kantaro Hoshino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tree Knee Dad comes to the cage accompanied by Not Falling by Mudvayne. Kantaro Hoshino has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tree Knee Dad
vs
Hoshino

170 cm
35
152 lbs
36 - 11 - 0

165 cm
34
151 lbs
31 - 8 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER

Sully's Bar & Grill
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Venum Tree Knee Dad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kantaro Hoshino!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tree Knee Dad misses with a looping right.
Tree Knee Dad uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hoshino.
Hoshino misses with a body shot.
Tree Knee Dad appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Tree Knee Dad lands a leg kick that knocks Hoshino off balance momentarily.
Hoshino lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tree Knee Dad at a distance.
Tree Knee Dad tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hoshino swivels and escapes.
Hoshino feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tree Knee Dads jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hoshino swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hoshino misses with a hook
and Tree Knee Dad counters with a series of strikes. Hoshino will be more careful next time no doubt.
Tree Knee Dad closes the distance and clinches up with Hoshino, looking for a takedown. Tree Knee Dad pushes Hoshino against the cage but Hoshino circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hoshino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tree Knee Dad was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoshino.

Hoshino gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A left hand lands to the body for Hoshino.
Tree Knee Dad misses with an elbow strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tree Knee Dad misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hoshino.
Tree Knee Dad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tree Knee Dad lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hoshino is leaning against Tree Knee Dad and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Good body shot from Hoshino.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tree Knee Dad breaks from the clinch.
Tree Knee Dad throws a hook but Hoshino avoids it easily.
Hoshino lands a nice hook to Tree Knee Dad's body. Tree Knee Dad takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hoshino swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hoshino showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino throws out a counter right but Tree Knee Dad avoids it with no problem.
Hoshino misses the shot to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hoshino looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tree Knee Dad works the jab nicely.
Hoshino throws a looping overhand right but Tree Knee Dad ducks down to avoid it.
Hoshino tests Tree Knee Dad's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hoshino ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hoshino just misses with a punch to the body.
Hoshino misses with a body shot.
Tree Knee Dad listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hoshino throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad moves out of range of the strikes.
Hoshino scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tree Knee Dad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tree Knee Dad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tree Knee Dad uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hoshino.
Hoshino is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tree Knee Dad rather than just go for the knockout.
Tree Knee Dad looks to throw the jab but Hoshino is out of range.
Hoshino tries to counter with a clinch but Tree Knee Dad shakes him off and moves away.
Tree Knee Dad throws the left hand but Hoshino avoids the punch easily.
Tree Knee Dad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hoshino is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tree Knee Dad.
A big right from Tree Knee Dad misses.
Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Tree Knee Dad misses.
Hoshino is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad throws out a loose jab but Hoshino uses good head movement to avoid it.

Hoshino instigates a clinch.
Tree Knee Dad tries to land knees in the clinch but Hoshino avoids the damage to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Hoshino fails to land.
Hoshino blocks an elbow strike from Tree Knee Dad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hoshino is trying to maintain a safe position but Tree Knee Dad gets an underhook and turns Hoshino into the cage.
Hoshino's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tree Knee Dad misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hoshino trying to control the position but instead, Tree Knee Dad has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hoshino into the cage.
Hoshino tries to stall but Tree Knee Dad uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hoshino working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tree Knee Dad prevents a body shot from Hoshino.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tree Knee Dad as Hoshino tries to tie him up.
Tree Knee Dad can't find room to land a body shot as Hoshino controls the action.
Hoshino dodges an elbow strike from Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tree Knee Dad's elbow.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a shot to the side of Hoshino's head.
Tree Knee Dad tries a body shot but Hoshino blocks it.
Hoshino has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Tree Knee Dad seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Hoshino can turn it around.
Hoshino blocks an uppercut.
Tree Knee Dad struggles to land a body shot inside as Hoshino controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Hoshino.
Hoshino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tree Knee Dad's elbow.
Hoshino'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.
Tree Knee Dad pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Tree Knee Dad lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hoshino avoiding damage.
Hoshino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tree Knee Dad lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A left hand lands to the body for Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a shoulder strike.
Hoshino content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tree Knee Dad blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Tree Knee Dad - that landed with a thud.
Tree Knee Dad drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Venum Tree Knee Dad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoshino tries to stall but Tree Knee Dad uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kantaro Hoshino will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tree Knee Dad misses the shot to the body.
Hoshino misses the jab.
Tree Knee Dad attempts a counter takedown but Hoshino avoids it well and moves away.
Hoshino lands with a shot to the body.
Tree Knee Dad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tree Knee Dad half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hoshino swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Tree Knee Dad gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tree Knee Dad swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hoshino smiles and moves away.
Tree Knee Dad bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tree Knee Dad on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tree Knee Dad lands with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tree Knee Dad finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hoshino looks to throw the jab but Tree Knee Dad is out of range.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tree Knee Dad trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hoshino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tree Knee Dad tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hoshino prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hoshino is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tree Knee Dad is keeping busy.
Hoshino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tree Knee Dad throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad tries to throw a body punch but Hoshino avoids it by throwing Tree Knee Dad back against the cage.
Tree Knee Dad blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino tries to work over Tree Knee Dad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hoshino.
Tree Knee Dad throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Tree Knee Dad pulls Hoshino into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tree Knee Dad is working hard here to advance position.

Tree Knee Dad is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hoshino trying to control but Tree Knee Dad is working from the bottom.
Tree Knee Dad looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hoshino sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Tree Knee Dad keeping moving, preventing Hoshino from controlling successfully.
Hoshino sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Tree Knee Dad wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hoshino puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Tree Knee Dad tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Hoshino has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Hoshino tries to control but Tree Knee Dad wriggling away.
Tree Knee Dad is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at School Of Hard Knocks, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Tree Knee Dad tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hoshino looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad is trying desperately to improve position.
Tree Knee Dad wants to hold on but Hoshino pushes him away.
Hoshino looking to control and managing it successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tree Knee Dad is working to get back to half guard.
Hoshino wants to control the pace but Tree Knee Dad is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Venum Tree Knee Dad will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hoshino waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tree Knee Dad avoids the body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands with a good body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Hoshino as Tree Knee Dad shoots in.
A countering left hand to the body from Hoshino misses.
Hoshino scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a straight left.
Tree Knee Dad throws a shot from downtown. Hoshino moves away and avoids it.
Hoshino walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hoshino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tree Knee Dad was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoshino.
Tree Knee Dad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoshino manages to avoid it.

Tree Knee Dad shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Hoshino manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Tree Knee Dad keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tree Knee Dad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tree Knee Dad lands with a short shot to the head.
Tree Knee Dad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino throws a head punch that misses.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tree Knee Dad is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hoshino to keep the fight standing.
Tree Knee Dad tries to throw a body punch but Hoshino avoids it by throwing Tree Knee Dad back against the cage.
Tree Knee Dad is working for takedown but Hoshino is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Venum Tree Knee Dad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoshino lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tree Knee Dad throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hoshino works on Tree Knee Dad's body with a couple of short punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Still in the clinch, Hoshino scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hoshino blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hoshino misses with a hook to the ribs.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hoshino.
Hoshino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hoshino can't find room to land a body shot as Tree Knee Dad controls the action.
Hoshino doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Tree Knee Dad escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A quick step to the side and Tree Knee Dad tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tree Knee Dad throws a lazy uppercut
and Hoshino makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kantaro Hoshino seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tree Knee Dad looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoshino is just out of range.
Hoshino misses with a wild body shot.
Hoshino takes a swing at Tree Knee Dad's ribcage but misses.
A little feinted left hand from Tree Knee Dad on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tree Knee Dad takes one to the chin there.
Hoshino ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tree Knee Dad moves away.
Hoshino throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tree Knee Dad fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hoshino on the side of the head.
Hoshino chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tree Knee Dad can pounce on him.
Tree Knee Dad paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a hook to the body
and Hoshino counters with a left to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tree Knee Dad darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hoshino wants to clinch up but Tree Knee Dad keeps it at a distance.
Hoshino waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino scores with a three punch combo!
Sloppy strikes from Tree Knee Dad. Those never looked like landing.
Tree Knee Dad throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hoshino on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hoshino looks to score with a jab to the body but Tree Knee Dad is just out of range.
Hoshino ducks under a wild hook from Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad throws a body shot but no joy.
Tree Knee Dad throws a series of punches but Hoshino moves out of range.
Tree Knee Dad throws the left hand but Hoshino avoids the punch easily.
Tree Knee Dad throws a hook to the side of Hoshino's head but Hoshino sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hoshino lands a nice looking body shot.
Tree Knee Dad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hoshino. Tree Knee Dad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hoshino works Tree Knee Dad's body with a nice hook.
Hoshino slips a straight right by Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tree Knee Dad sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tree Knee Dad throws a right hand that Hoshino ducks under and follows up with a left that Hoshino also avoids with ease.
Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a straight right.
A nice side step and Hoshino releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Tree Knee Dad goes for a double leg but Hoshino avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hoshino continues to drive forward.
Hoshino throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hoshino tries to clinch
and Tree Knee Dad counters with a straight right hand.
Hoshino lands a nice hook to Tree Knee Dad's body. Tree Knee Dad takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kantaro Hoshino is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tree Knee Dad shoots in looking for a takedown. Hoshino tries to sprawl out of it but Tree Knee Dad keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hoshino manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tree Knee Dad throws a leg kick but Hoshino sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hoshino misses with a looping right.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a straight right.
It seemed like Hoshino was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tree Knee Dad throws a hook to the side of Hoshino's head but Hoshino sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hoshino thuds a left hand into Tree Knee Dad's body.
Tree Knee Dad misses with the combination.
Hoshino tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hoshino scores with a jab to the body.
Hoshino swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Kantaro Hoshino just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hoshino connects with a body shot that sends Tree Knee Dad's belly button to the back.
Hoshino is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hoshino listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a low kick.
Hoshino loads up on a big right hand but Tree Knee Dad slips the punch.
Tree Knee Dad lands a lovely overhand right.
Tree Knee Dad throws the left hand but Hoshino avoids the punch easily.
Hoshino swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hoshino takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tree Knee Dad cracks Hoshino with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tree Knee Dad throws a chopping leg kick but Hoshino manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hoshino wants to counter with a clinch but Tree Knee Dad pushes him away.
Hoshino cracks a nice hook into Tree Knee Dad's ribs.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a low kick.
Hoshino misses with an uppercut. Tree Knee Dad saw that one coming.
Tree Knee Dad on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tree Knee Dad slips a straight right by Hoshino.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino punishes Tree Knee Dad's body with a nice straight punch.
Tree Knee Dad shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A punch combination from Tree Knee Dad misses.
A combination from Hoshino does no damage.
Tree Knee Dad fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hoshino looks to land a right hand but Tree Knee Dad moved out of range.
Tree Knee Dad takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hoshino scores with a jab to the body.
Hoshino ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Tree Knee Dad gets the takedown into side control.
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!
Hoshino regains half guard there - taking advantage of Tree Knee Dad's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Hoshino is looking to control Tree Knee Dad's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hoshino avoid being mounted?
Tree Knee Dad is keen to just control but Hoshino is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hoshino defending well though.
Kantaro Hoshino has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hoshino manages to get to full guard.
Hoshino has Tree Knee Dad pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hoshino looking to control.
Tree Knee Dad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hoshino is keeping the position for now.
Tree Knee Dad wants to control from the top but Hoshino keeps moving.
Hoshino trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hoshino's head.
Tree Knee Dad keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hoshino's head.
Tree Knee Dad tries to free his leg and advance position but Hoshino is retaining full guard.
Hoshino trying to keep a closed guard but Tree Knee Dad is proving a slippery customer.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Tree Knee Dad postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tree Knee Dad in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tree Knee Dad wants to control from the top but Hoshino keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hoshino throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino fails with an attempt to clinch.
It looked like Tree Knee Dad wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tree Knee Dad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hoshino scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hoshino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tree Knee Dad was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoshino.
Hoshino takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hoshino gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hoshino. Tree Knee Dad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hoshino pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Tree Knee Dad shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tree Knee Dad showed some decent athleticism there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoshino is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tree Knee Dad scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hoshino is looking to escape.
Tree Knee Dad trying to control from half guard but Hoshino is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Kantaro Hoshino will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Hoshino looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Tree Knee Dad shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Tree Knee Dad is thwarting Hoshino's attempts to control the position.
Tree Knee Dad is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hoshino is concentrating on defense, preventing Tree Knee Dad from advancing position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tree Knee Dad seems to be looking for submissions.
Hoshino is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Hoshino is defending against the submission attempts here by Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hoshino.
Tree Knee Dad advances to half guard.

Tree Knee Dad is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hoshino defends it well.
Tree Knee Dad content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tree Knee Dad is trying to control the action in half guard but Hoshino is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hoshino is controlling Tree Knee Dad's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Hoshino avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tree Knee Dad.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tree Knee Dad in particular looking to stall.
Hoshino is refusing to be controlled, as Tree Knee Dad sits in half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hoshino wants to control but Tree Knee Dad is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hoshino takes a swing at Tree Knee Dad's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hoshino sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hoshino throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tree Knee Dad looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoshino is just out of range.
Hoshino fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tree Knee Dad half committed to a counter leg kick.
Tree Knee Dad cracks Hoshino with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a three punch combo!
Hoshino pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tree Knee Dad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Venum Tree Knee Dad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kantaro Hoshino is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A big left from Hoshino misses.
Hoshino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tree Knee Dad sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tree Knee Dad throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hoshino on the side of the head.
Hoshino throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tree Knee Dad stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tree Knee Dad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to counter punch.
Hoshino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tree Knee Dad paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sloppy strikes from Tree Knee Dad. Those never looked like landing.
Hoshino looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Tree Knee Dad takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hoshino is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tree Knee Dad fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hoshino is out of range.
Hoshino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hoshino throws a big shot that misses.
Good shot there by Hoshino.
Hoshino misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hoshino misses with a two punch combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Hoshino misses the target.
Tree Knee Dad throws a big shot that misses.
Tree Knee Dad connects with a crisp jab.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a few strikes there.
Tree Knee Dad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoshino was well out of range. Poor timing from Tree Knee Dad.
Hoshino cracks Tree Knee Dad with an open hand slap.
Hoshino bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tree Knee Dad uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hoshino.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Venum Tree Knee Dad.
I think Hoshino has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:46
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kantaro Hoshino!
Kantaro Hoshino is the new featherweight champion!
Kantaro Hoshino made sure to mention his sponsor, KAISER in his post fight interview.
Venum Tree Knee Dad spoke after the fight, saying '@#%&$*&^#$%!#$^&%$#'.