PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Katou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Houston Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Katou
vs
Williams

180 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Hope MMA: Island Nutritions

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joe Katou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Houston Williams!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katou misses with a wild combination.
Katou definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Williams misses with a two punch combination.

Williams rushes Katou and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Katou pulls guard successfully.

Katou has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Williams has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Katou.

Katou breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Katou scores with a jab to the body.
Williams shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Katou as he jumps to the side.
Williams throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Joe Katou has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Williams shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Katou seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Katou avoids a punch combination nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Katou on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Katou gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Katou drags the fight down to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Katou is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Katou gets control of Williams's arms and successfully pulls guard. Katou will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Katou has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Williams is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Katou ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Katou no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Williams stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Williams looks to land a combination but Katou avoids it well.

Williams gets tackled into the cage by Katou. Katou maintains the clinch.
Williams tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Katou pushes Williams back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Williams is trying to push Katou away but Katou has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Williams is trying to pull guard but Katou turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Joe Katou has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Houston Williams.
Williams has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Katou escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Williams tries a low kick but Katou avoids it.
Joe Katou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Katou on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Katou has taken the fight to the clinch.
Williams tries to break free but Katou pushes him back against the cage.

Katou decides to pull guard.
Williams looking to pass the guard.

Katou scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Katou takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Williams uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Katou.

Katou has taken the fight to the clinch.

Katou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Williams scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Katou clinches with his opponent.

Katou has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Williams uses from the top position.

Katou manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katou misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Williams unleashes a big counter combination but Katou bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Nice sprawl there from Katou as Williams shoots in.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Williams.
A combination from Katou does no damage.

Katou closes the distance and clinches.
Williams tries to pull guard but Katou forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Katou tries to pull guard but Williams won't allow it.

Katou escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Williams uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Joe Katou is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Williams swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Katou closes the distance and clinches.

Katou breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Katou has closed the distance and engaged Williams in a clinch.
We've been informed that Williams has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Katou ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Katou no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Katou manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Katou keeps control of Williams as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Katou gets control of Williams's arms and successfully pulls guard. Katou will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Williams trying to control the position from guard on top but Katou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Katou scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Good exchange - Williams coming out on top.
Williams scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Katou drives through and clinches with Williams against the cage.

Katou escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Williams misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Katou on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Williams tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Katou paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Katou takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Williams tries to clinch but Katou is having none of it.
Katou avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Katou drops down looking for a counter takedown but Williams sprawls and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Katou dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Katou's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Katou clinches with his opponent.
Williams struggles to land a body shot inside as Katou controls his hands.
Williams is trying to break the clinch but Katou is controlling him.

Katou manages to break the clinch.
Williams displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Katou throws out the jab.
Katou takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Katou is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Williams can do to turn this around?
Sloppy strikes from Katou. Those never looked like landing.

Katou closes the distance and clinches.
Katou lands a nice uppercut.
Williams fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Katou pulls Williams into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Williams gets to his feet. Katou looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The fight stays on the outside here - Williams looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Williams throws a body punch but Katou moves out of range.
Katou is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Katou lands a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Katou misses with the combination.
Houston Williams seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Katou has closed the distance and engaged Williams in a clinch.
Williams looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Williams wants to break free but Katou has control.

Katou breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Williams throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Katou shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Williams eats them both and turns towards Katou to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Katou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Williams connects with a crisp jab.
Katou throws a right hand that Williams ducks under and follows up with a left that Williams also avoids with ease.
Katou scores with a decent looking hook.
Katou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Williams.
Katou throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Williams counters with a stiff right hand.

Williams moves into the clinch.
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!
Katou misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katou keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Williams's efforts to push away.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Williams.
Katou avoiding damage.
Williams is trying to break the clinch but Katou has him pressed against the cage.
Williams fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Williams is trying to pull guard but Katou has him pressed against the cage.
Williams tries to land knees in the clinch but Katou avoids the damage to the body.
Katou lands a body shot in the clinch.
Katou lands a hook that snaps the head of Williams backwards.

Katou breaks from the clinch.
Katou misses with a series of wild punches.
Katou misses with a body shot.
Joe Katou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Katou lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams misses with a jab, cross combination.
Katou slips a straight right by Williams.
Katou throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Williams avoids a punch combination nicely.
Katou misses with a series of wild punches.
Katou is looking to wear down Williams with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Katou dodges the punch combination from Williams.
Katou slips a jab and a cross from Williams.
Katou stuffs the takedown attempt from Williams. Williams gets slowly back to his feet.

Katou closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Katou escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Katou throws a body shot but no joy.
Williams is looking for the big counter here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Katou scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A combination from Katou does no damage.
Katou misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Williams is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Katou with a body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Katou fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Williams throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Williams.
Williams takes a swing at Katou's ribcage but misses.
Williams dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Katou rushes Williams and presses him up against the cage.
Williams tries to throw a body punch but Katou avoids it by throwing Williams back against the cage.

Katou breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Katou ducks right into an uppercut from Williams.
Williams avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Katou dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Katou's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Williams throws the left hand but Katou avoids the punch easily.
Jab, jab by Katou - just one landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Williams. Katou does a little dance to reset his feet.
Williams lands a two punch combo.
Katou connects with a looping right hand.
Williams misses with a two punch combination.

Katou takes the fight into the clinch.

Katou gets control of Williams's arms and successfully pulls guard. Katou will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Williams trying to control but Katou is working from the bottom.

Katou manages to escape and get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Katou falls off balance throwing a combination
and Williams counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Katou closes the distance and clinches.
Katou is leaning against Williams and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katou is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Williams has had enough of the clinch but Katou keeps him there for the moment.
Williams tries to break the clinch but Katou is controlling the position.
Katou has Williams pressed against the cage, preventing Williams from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Williams fails to pull guard.
Williams has had enough of the clinch but Katou keeps him there for the moment.

Katou breaks the clinch.
Katou lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Katou scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Williams is rocked!
Katou misses with a few strikes there.
Williams is still on wobbly legs! Can Katou finish him?
Williams slips a jab and a cross from Katou.
Williams seems to have recovered his senses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Katou scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Katou forces Williams back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams is looking to control Katou's arms but Katou gets an underhook and turns him. Now Williams has his back to the cage.

Katou manages to break the clinch.
Katou uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Williams.
A little feinted left hand from Katou on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
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!
Katou throws a series of punches but Williams moves out of range.
Williams slips under a jab from Katou.
Williams fails with a takedown attempt.

Katou fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Williams, pushing him back against the cage.
Katou lands a shoulder strike.
Katou dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Katou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Katou gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nice body punch from Katou.
Katou is trying to pull guard but Williams turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Katou presses Williams against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Katou pulls guard.

Williams stands and steps away. Katou gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Katou gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Williams wants to get back to striking at distance but Katou won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Williams's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Katou gets control of Williams's arms and successfully pulls guard. Katou will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Williams looking to pass the guard.
Williams with a flurry of punches that miss.
Williams tries to free his leg and advance position but Katou is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katou keeping moving, preventing Williams from controlling successfully.

Williams gets to his feet. Katou looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Katou moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Katou fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Williams, pushing him back against the cage.
Houston Williams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Katou stalling against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Katou blocks an uppercut.
Katou prevents a body shot from Williams.

Katou pulls guard.
Joe Katou is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Williams has gone for a leg lock! Katou slips out almost immediately though and dives into Williams's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Katou showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Katou 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

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