PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Liam McGuiness (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sagoya Nobonaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGuiness's entrance music is The Boys are Back by Dropkick Murphys. A fine choice. Nobonaga is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kickboxer. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McGuiness
vs
Nobonaga

182 cm
31
209 lbs
29 - 24 - 1

188 cm
30
182 lbs
18 - 17 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN
Sully's Bar & Grill

Dauntless
Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 24 - 1, fighting out of London, Liam McGuiness!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sagoya Nobonaga!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nobonaga misses with a body kick.
As Nobonaga looks to move away, McGuiness throws a big counter combo but Nobonaga just gets out of the way.
McGuiness has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gorilla Warfare Academy in the buildup to the fight.
Nobonaga uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McGuiness.

Nobonaga closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Nobonaga using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McGuiness has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McGuiness avoiding damage as Nobonaga throws knees to the body.
Nobonaga is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McGuiness is defending well for now.
Nobonaga misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nobonaga.
Nobonaga throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McGuiness blocks it with crossed arms.
McGuiness stalling.
A head punch on the inside from Nobonaga fails to land.
McGuiness tries to work over Nobonaga's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McGuiness escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nobonaga tries to clinch but McGuiness is having none of it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Nobonaga - that will leave a mark!
Nobonaga moves in looking to clinch but McGuiness pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nobonaga misses with a head kick.
McGuiness swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Nobonaga gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've been informed that Nobonaga has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Nobonaga lands an elbow inside that McGuiness shrugs off.

It looks like Liam McGuiness has been cut.
Nobonaga comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nobonaga.
A head punch on the inside from Nobonaga fails to land.
Nobonaga tries to land knees in the clinch but McGuiness avoids the damage to the body.
McGuiness blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
McGuiness prevents a body shot from Nobonaga.
Nobonaga looking to throw knees to the head but McGuiness is blocking nicely.

McGuiness's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Nobonaga has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nobonaga lands with a left to the head.
Nobonaga utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

McGuiness breaks the clinch.

Nobonaga fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McGuiness, pushing him back against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nobonaga misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nobonaga throws an elbow that misses.
McGuiness tries to work over Nobonaga's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nobonaga works on McGuiness's body with a couple of short punches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as McGuiness takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nobonaga.
McGuiness throws a punch but it's blocked by Nobonaga.
Nobonaga unloads a knee to the mid-section.
McGuiness is breathing heavily.
A short body shot lands from Nobonaga as the two fighters clinch.
Nobonaga crunches a lovely knee into McGuiness's ribcage.
Nobonaga is trying to maintain a safe position but McGuiness gets an underhook and turns Nobonaga into the ropes.
McGuiness swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nobonaga lands a knee to the body.
Nobonaga using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nobonaga lands a hook that snaps the head of McGuiness backwards.
Nobonaga lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nobonaga misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sagoya Nobonaga dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Liam McGuiness's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

A head kick from Nobonaga lands but McGuiness takes it in his stride.
Nobonaga tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nobonaga uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McGuiness.
Nobonaga tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nobonaga pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nobonaga throws a sloppy head kick and McGuiness moves out of range easily.

Nobonaga has managed to clinch.
Nobonaga can't find room to land a body shot as McGuiness controls the action.
Nobonaga misses with a knee to the head.
McGuiness is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nobonaga is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McGuiness is defending well for now.
McGuiness tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nobonaga lands a nice elbow.
McGuiness is trying to stall.
Nobonaga tries to stall but McGuiness uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuiness misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McGuiness wants to break free but Nobonaga has control.

McGuiness breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGuiness swats away the attempt to clinch by Nobonaga.
McGuiness swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nobonaga wants to clinch.
Nobonaga tries to clinch up but McGuiness circles away and keeps his distance.
Sagoya Nobonaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nobonaga throws a nice inside leg kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nobonaga.

Nobonaga has closed the distance and engaged McGuiness in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuiness managing to block the knees to the body from Nobonaga.
Nobonaga misses with a punch to the body.
McGuiness scores with a shot to the side of Nobonaga's head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nobonaga takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
McGuiness on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McGuiness wants to break free but Nobonaga has control.
Nobonaga has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGuiness misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nobonaga is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McGuiness is defending well for now.

McGuiness manages to break the clinch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Nobonaga. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Nobonaga drives through and clinches with McGuiness against the ropes.
Nobonaga misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short uppercut from Nobonaga.
Nobonaga misses with the head strike.
Nobonaga pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
McGuiness prevents a body shot from Nobonaga.

McGuiness escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGuiness waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nobonaga.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sagoya Nobonaga showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Liam McGuiness's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nobonaga connects with a high kick.
Nobonaga fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nobonaga tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. McGuiness manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McGuiness.

Nobonaga clinches.
Come on McGuiness - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nobonaga looking to throw knees to the head but McGuiness is blocking nicely.
McGuiness tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nobonaga misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McGuiness.
Nobonaga can't find room to land a body shot as McGuiness controls the action.
McGuiness tries to break free but Nobonaga pushes him back against the ropes.

McGuiness manages to break the clinch.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McGuiness crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nobonaga - the referee stops the clock and McGuiness gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nobonaga. McGuiness manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nobonaga wants to clinch up but McGuiness keeps it at a distance.
An attempted straight right counter from McGuiness misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nobonaga closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McGuiness breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nobonaga tries to close the distance and clinch but McGuiness swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McGuiness throws a hook but Nobonaga avoids it easily.

Nobonaga darts in and clinches McGuiness up against the ropes.

McGuiness's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nobonaga fails with an attempt to clinch.

Nobonaga rushes McGuiness and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Nobonaga.
Nobonaga lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McGuiness scores with a hook to the body.
Nobonaga tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McGuiness's elbow.
Nobonaga tries to throw a body punch but McGuiness avoids it by throwing Nobonaga back against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nobonaga lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
McGuiness tries a body shot but Nobonaga blocks it.
Nobonaga leaning against his opponent.
Nobonaga throws a head punch that misses.
McGuiness misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McGuiness's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McGuiness circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling McGuiness to counter with a crisp jab.

McGuiness tries to keep at a distance but Nobonaga has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nobonaga fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nobonaga.
McGuiness tries to throw a body punch but Nobonaga avoids it by throwing McGuiness back against the ropes.
McGuiness has Nobonaga pressed against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sagoya Nobonaga really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Liam McGuiness's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nobonaga smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nobonaga bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Nobonaga gets in close and instigates a clinch.

McGuiness breaks the clinch.
McGuiness takes one to the side of the head.
McGuiness pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nobonaga slips a straight right by McGuiness.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nobonaga tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McGuiness swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nobonaga tries to close the distance and clinch but McGuiness swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nobonaga lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nobonaga tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. McGuiness manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nobonaga fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nobonaga is looking to clinch.
McGuiness swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McGuiness swats away the attempt to clinch by Nobonaga.
Nobonaga tries to clinch but McGuiness is having none of it.
Nobonaga wants to clinch but McGuiness slips to the side
and McGuiness counters with a straight right hand.

Nobonaga clinches.
McGuiness lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nobonaga doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nobonaga tries to work over McGuiness's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nobonaga is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Nobonaga is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McGuiness is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from McGuiness.
McGuiness has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McGuiness is working Nobonaga over against the ropes.

McGuiness pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nobonaga wants to clinch up but McGuiness keeps it at a distance.
McGuiness throwing a counter right hand but Nobonaga manages to avoid it.
Nobonaga throws a head kick but McGuiness moves out of range.
Nobonaga tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuiness swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGuiness jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Nobonaga moves to clinch but McGuiness breaks away
and McGuiness counters with a stiff right hand.
Nobonaga tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McGuiness was well out of range. Poor timing from Nobonaga.
Nobonaga moves to clinch but McGuiness breaks away
and McGuiness counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam McGuiness had his way with Sagoya Nobonaga in that round.
The cut man is working on Liam McGuiness's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nobonaga swings widly with a right hand
and Nobonaga takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sagoya Nobonaga is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McGuiness.
A clash of legs there as Nobonaga blocks the low kick.
Liam McGuiness has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nobonaga wants to clinch up but McGuiness keeps it at a distance.
Nobonaga is looking to clinch.
McGuiness is looking to counter punch.

Nobonaga has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nobonaga gets through McGuiness's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nobonaga letting McGuiness take a breather here.
McGuiness lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuiness doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McGuiness throws a head punch that misses.
Nobonaga keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McGuiness's efforts to push away.
McGuiness takes a knee right on the jaw!
McGuiness misses with a punch on the inside.
McGuiness is trying to break free.
A nice left hand lands by McGuiness.
McGuiness lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nobonaga backwards.
McGuiness wants to stall.
McGuiness tries to work over Nobonaga's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuiness trying to stall but Nobonaga improves his position.
Nobonaga misses with a short punch on the inside.
McGuiness swings away with an uppercut that misses.

McGuiness escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nobonaga tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McGuiness paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Nobonaga rushes McGuiness and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Nobonaga tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McGuiness avoids it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGuiness looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McGuiness lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
McGuiness stalling in the clinch.
McGuiness digs a right hand into Nobonaga's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nobonaga's gas tank.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liam McGuiness showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nobonaga 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sagoya Nobonaga!
After winning the bout, Sagoya Nobonaga thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.