PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Juan Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fyrooz Redzuan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hicks
vs
Redzuan

183 cm
20
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
21
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Juan Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fyrooz Redzuan!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Redzuan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hicks avoids the head kick by Redzuan.
Redzuan throws a head kick but Hicks moves out of range.

Hicks drives through and clinches with Redzuan against the cage.
Hicks tries to land knees in the clinch but Redzuan avoids the damage to the body.
Redzuan gets through Hicks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Redzuan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hicks jumps guard but Redzuan stands there with Hicks around his waist. Hicks gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hicks is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Redzuan is defending well for now.
Redzuan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hicks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Redzuan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hickss head.
Redzuan prevents a body shot from Hicks.
A head punch on the inside from Redzuan fails to land.

Hicks has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Redzuan uses from the top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hicks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Redzuan defends it easily.

Redzuan stands up from Hicks's guard - Redzuan perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Redzuan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hicks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Redzuan defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Redzuan throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A head kick misses from Redzuan.
Redzuan throws a sloppy head kick and Hicks moves out of range easily.
Hicks is looking to counter the offense by Redzuan and move into the clinch.
Redzuan lands with a kick to the temple. Hicks shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Redzuan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Redzuan leaves Hicks with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Redzuan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hicks wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Redzuan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Redzuan throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Redzuan lands a high kick!
Redzuan throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hicks's head.
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!
Redzuan misses with a head kick.
Hicks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Redzuan sprawls and moves away.
Redzuan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Redzuan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Redzuan looks winded!
A head kick misses from Redzuan.

Hicks gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short left from Redzuan.
Hicks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hicks misses with a hook from the clinch.

Hicks has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Redzuan uses from the top position.
Hicks trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hicks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Redzuan stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Redzuan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Redzuan lands a head kick. Hicks smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Redzuan misses with a head kick.
Redzuan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Redzuan throws a lazy head kick
and Hicks counters with a series of strikes. Redzuan will be more careful next time no doubt.

Hicks rushes Redzuan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hicks.
Hicks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Redzuan managing to block the knees to the body from Hicks.
Redzuan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hicks has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Redzuan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Redzuan misses with some punches.
Redzuan misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Redzuan blocks a body shot from Hicks.
Hicks fails to pull guard.
Redzuan misses with a punch on the inside.
Hicks blocks an uppercut.
Redzuan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hicks is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Redzuan is defending well for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hicks blocks an uppercut.
Redzuan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hicks backwards.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hicks takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hicks jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Redzuan walks away with a smile on his face. Hicks gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hicks blocks a head kick by Redzuan.
Hicks avoids the head kick by Redzuan.
Hicks half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Fyrooz Redzuan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Redzuan throws a head kick but Hicks moves out of range.
Hicks seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hicks blocks a head kick by Redzuan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fyrooz Redzuan dominated that 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.

Redzuan throws a sloppy head kick and Hicks moves out of range easily.
Redzuan misses with a head kick.
Redzuan throws a head kick but Hicks moves out of range.
Fyrooz Redzuan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Redzuan throws a head kick that half lands.
Redzuan misses with a head kick.
Hicks blocks a head kick by Redzuan.
Redzuan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Redzuan tries a head kick but it misses.
Hicks tries to close the distance and clinch but Redzuan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hicks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Redzuan tries a head kick but it misses.
Redzuan misses with a head kick.
Redzuan throws a head kick that misses

and Hicks counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Redzuan is breathing heavily.
Redzuan blocks a body shot from Hicks.
Hicks has Redzuan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Redzuan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks jumps guard but Redzuan turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Redzuan misses with a punch on the inside.
Redzuan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Redzuan misses with the head strike.

Hicks successfully pulls guard.
Hicks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Redzuan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Redzuan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hicks's guard.
Hicks tries to strike from the bottom.

Hicks looking for a guillotine here but Redzuan defends easily.
Hicks has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Hicks is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Redzuan presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Redzuan managing to block the knees to the body from Hicks.
Redzuan has a couple of punches blocked by Hicks.
Redzuan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Redzuan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hicks missing with knees to the body.
Redzuan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Redzuan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Redzuan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hicks jumps guard but Redzuan stands there with Hicks around his waist. Hicks gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A shot in the inside from Redzuan.
Redzuan misses with the head strike.
Hicks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hicks drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Redzuan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Redzuan swings wildly with an uppercut but Hicks uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redzuan has a couple of punches blocked by Hicks.
Hicks lands a shot to the body.
Hicks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Redzuan.
A nice left hand lands by Redzuan.
Redzuan lands a shoulder strike.
Redzuan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Redzuan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Redzuan prevents a body shot from Hicks.
Hicks crunches a lovely knee into Redzuan's ribcage.
Redzuan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hicks is trying to pull guard but Redzuan has him pressed against the cage.
Redzuan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hicks tries to pull guard but Redzuan won't allow it.
Hicks fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Redzuan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Redzuan throws a head punch that misses.
Hicks tries to pull guard but Redzuan won't allow it.
Redzuan has a couple of punches blocked by Hicks.
Redzuan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Redzuan working aggressively here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Redzuan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Redzuan misses with the head strike.
Redzuan managing to block the knees to the body from Hicks.
A head punch on the inside from Redzuan fails to land.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Redzuan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hicks is trying to pull guard but Redzuan has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hicks.
Redzuan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Redzuan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Redzuan lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fyrooz Redzuan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hicks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Redzuan throws a head kick but Hicks moves out of range.
Hicks avoids the head kick by Redzuan.
Redzuan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Redzuan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Redzuan throws a lazy head kick

and Hicks counters by clinching up.
Redzuan throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Redzuan.
Hicks blocks an uppercut.
Hicks tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Redzuan smiles and moves away.
Hicks blocks a head kick by Redzuan.
Hicks changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Redzuan throws a sloppy head kick and Hicks moves out of range easily.
Redzuan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Redzuan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown but Redzuan shows good takedown defense.
Despite the aggression on Redzuan's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Redzuan throws a head kick that misses

and Hicks counters with a nice double leg into side control. Redzuan won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hicks landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Redzuan is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Hicks scores with punches from side control.
Hicks working the body and head with strikes.
Hicks working the ground and pound from side control.
Redzuan takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Redzuan takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Redzuan takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Hicks landing strikes.

Hicks decides to stand up, so the ref orders Redzuan to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hicks rushes Redzuan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hicks jumps guard but Redzuan turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Redzuan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Hicks pulls guard effortlessly.
Redzuan won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Hicks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Redzuan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Hicks looking for a guillotine here but Redzuan defends easily.

Hicks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Redzuan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Redzuan stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redzuan scores with a head kick. Hicks tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hicks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Juan Hicks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Redzuan throws a head kick but Hicks moves out of range.
Redzuan tries a head kick but it misses.
Redzuan tries a head kick but it misses.
Hicks avoids the head kick by Redzuan.

Hicks instigates a clinch.
Redzuan misses with the head strike.
Hicks blocking some punches.
Hicks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hicks.

Hicks manages to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Redzuan wants to stand but Hicks is controlling his posture from full guard.

Hicks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Redzuan defends it easily.
Hicks trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Redzuan decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Redzuan throws a head kick that misses.
Redzuan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Redzuan misses with a head kick.
Hicks feinted with a counter takedown.
Redzuan swats away the attempt to clinch by Hicks.
Juan Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fyrooz Redzuan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Redzuan tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Fyrooz Redzuan.
I've got Redzuan 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fyrooz Redzuan!