PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyoji Horiguchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vincent Oketch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Horiguchi
vs
Oketch

164 cm
34
145 lbs
27 - 16 - 1

170 cm
31
134 lbs
27 - 16 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Aspire Clothing

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 27 - 16 - 1, fighting out of London, Kyoji Horiguchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Vincent Oketch!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oketch is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Horiguchi.
Oketch thuds his right hand into Horiguchi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

It looks like Kyoji Horiguchi has been cut.
Horiguchi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Horiguchi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Horiguchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oketch.
Oketch drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Horiguchi defends it well.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Horiguchi.
Horiguchi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Horiguchi shoots in but no luck this time.
Oketch throws out a counter right but Horiguchi avoids it with no problem.
Horiguchi misses with a lunging right hand

and Oketch counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Horiguchi!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Horiguchi gets back to half guard.
Oketch thows a huge punch but Horiguchi dodges it nicely.
Horiguchi is pressing down on Oketch's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Horiguchi wants to sweep here but Oketch controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Oketch accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Oketch stopping the sweep attempt from Horiguchi.
Oketch sitting in guard here, content to control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Oketch accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Horiguchi is on top in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Horiguchi won't allow Oketch to sweep him here.
Oketch keeping moving, preventing Horiguchi from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oketch utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Oketch trying to keep a closed guard but Horiguchi is proving a slippery customer.
Horiguchi trying to control but Oketch is working from the bottom.
Horiguchi postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Horiguchi wants to control from the top but Oketch keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Horiguchi swings widly with a right hand
and Oketch counters with a left and a right that stings Horiguchi.
Oketch lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Horiguchi tries to land a front kick but Oketch steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Oketch leaves Horiguchi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A little jabbing left from Oketch on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi cracks Oketch with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Oketch lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Good standup being displayed there by Oketch as he connects with a hook.
Horiguchi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Oketchs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
We've been told by Horiguchi's head coaches at Red Tri-Angle Gym. 15 Coaches/13 Elite that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Oketch.
Horiguchi connects with a single shot there.
Oketch takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Horiguchi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Oketch swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Oketch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Horiguchi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
It seemed like Oketch was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Oketch counters with a nice low kick that buckles Horiguchi's knee momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Horiguchi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Oketch tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Horiguchi is in Oketch's guard.

Oketch has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Horiguchi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Oketch manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Horiguchi manages to get himself to full guard.

Horiguchi is controlling Oketch's posture.
Oketch looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Oketch postures up in Horiguchi's guard and throws a big left but Horiguchi blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vincent Oketch will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kyoji Horiguchi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Horiguchi cracks Oketch with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Horiguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Oketch manages to avoid it.
Horiguchi tried to score with a low kick but Oketch checks it.
Oketch tries a low kick but Horiguchi avoids it.
Horiguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Oketch was well out of range. Poor timing from Horiguchi.
Oketch swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nice defenses there by Oketch.
Vincent Oketch seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Horiguchi checks a low kick from Oketch.
Oketch thuds his right hand into Horiguchi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Oketch throws a big shot that misses.
Horiguchi throws a quick counter kick to the body but Oketch avoids it.
Oketch with a nice cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Oketch. No joy for Horiguchi on that attempt.
Horiguchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Good standup being displayed there by Oketch as he connects with a hook.
Horiguchi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Oketch.
Horiguchi lands a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi misses with a looping left.
Oketch looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Oketch looks to score with a jab to the body but Horiguchi is just out of range.
Horiguchi throws a series of punches but Oketch moves out of range.
Oketch ducks under a wild hook from Horiguchi.
Oketch will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Donk. Oketch catches Horiguchi right on the button with a cross.
Oketch tries to land a body kick
and Horiguchi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Horiguchi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Oketch can pounce on him.
Oketch fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Oketch blocks a leg kick.
Horiguchi lands with a right hand.
Oketch just misses with a punch to the body.
Horiguchi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oketch lands a jab to Horiguchi's midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horiguchi swings away with a body shot that misses
and Oketch counters with a thumping low kick.
Horiguchi tries a head kick but it misses.
Horiguchi misses with a two punch combination.
Horiguchi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oketch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Horiguchi thows a leg kick but Oketch checks it
and Oketch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Oketch wants to slow Horiguchi down by chopping away at his legs.
Horiguchi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Horiguchi looks to land a right hand but Oketch moved out of range.
Oketch feints the counter takedown.
Horiguchi misses with a wild combination.
Oketch fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Horiguchi avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi throws a series of punches but Oketch avoids them all with ease.
A little jabbing left from Oketch on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Oketch has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Oketch avoids a kick to the body.
Oketch throws a head kick but Horiguchi moves out of range.
Horiguchi misses with a right hand
enabling Oketch to counter with a crisp jab.
Oketch listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Oketch with a jab.
Horiguchi lands with an uppercut that bounces Oketch off the cage and back into range.
Horiguchi throws a jab but it's blocked by Oketch.
Horiguchi shoots in looking for a takedown. Oketch tries to sprawl out of it but Horiguchi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Oketch manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyoji Horiguchi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oketch looks to throw a body kick
enabling Horiguchi to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi moves forwards but Oketch connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Horiguchi is rocked!
Horiguchi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Oh Horiguchi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Oketch tries to move into range but Horiguchi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Oketch throws a series of punches but Horiguchi avoids them all with ease.
Horiguchi works over Oketch's head and body with a nice combination.

Horiguchi looking to score a takedown here. Oketch is defending well but Horiguchi drives through and ends up in Oketch's guard.
Horiguchi seems to have got his legs back now.

Oketch had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Horiguchi defends it easily.
Horiguchi trying to control but Oketch is working from the bottom.

Oketch is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Horiguchi defends well.
Horiguchi trying to control the position from guard on top but Oketch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 Kyoji Horiguchi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kyoji Horiguchi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Horiguchi throws a body shot but no joy.
Horiguchi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Oketch throws out the jab.
Horiguchi misses with a lunging right hand
letting Oketch counter with a right hand.
Horiguchi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Oketch throws out the jab.
Oketch turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Oketch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Horiguchi as he jumps to the side.
Horiguchi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horiguchi lands a front kick.
Oketch uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Oketch has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A slow jab from Horiguchi misses its intended target.
Oketch slips under a jab from Horiguchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi lands a really nice looking cross but Oketch seems unphased.
Oketch loads up on a big right hand but Horiguchi slips the punch.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick
and Oketch counters with a straight right hand.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Horiguchi, right into the meat.
Horiguchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oketch.
Horiguchi missing with a left hand there. Oketch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Horiguchi jabs Oketch to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Oketch displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Horiguchi throws out the jab.
Oketch let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Horiguchi throws out a powerful jab.
Oketch uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Oketch tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Horiguchi pushes Oketch away with a front kick.
Oketch avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An inside leg kick lands from Oketch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Oketch. That's going to slow Horiguchi down.
Oketch has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Horiguchi.
Oketch shoots in and drives through. Horiguchi sprawls well.
Oketch is trying hard to land a takedown here. Horiguchi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kyoji Horiguchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincent Oketch.
Oketch cracks Horiguchi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A low kick from Horiguchi is predictable there
and Oketch counters with a stiff right hand.
Horiguchi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Horiguchi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Oketch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Oketch drops his hands momentarily and Horiguchi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oketch tries to score with a low kick but Horiguchi moves his leg out of the way.
Horiguchi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Oketch. Oketch circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Horiguchi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Horiguchi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Oketch keeping his opponent close.
Horiguchi is looking to take a break and control but Oketch is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Oketch is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Horiguchi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oketch is trying to maintain the position but Horiguchi is very close to passing his half guard.
Horiguchi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Oketch's head.
Oketch is looking for a sweep. Horiguchi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Oketch actively working from the bottom here.
Horiguchi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Oketch keeps working.
Oketch has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Horiguchi is working away from the top position though.
Oketch is not content to let Horiguchi control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyoji Horiguchi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Horiguchi 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kyoji Horiguchi!
Kyoji Horiguchi bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.