PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thorn Drysdale (ranked 6200 p4p, 521 weight class) and Yuki Shojo (ranked 3137 p4p, 306 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Drysdale
vs
Shojo

167 cm
24
149 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

165 cm
24
140 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Aspire Nutrition

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thorn Drysdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuki Shojo!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Drysdale misses the target.
A jab from Shojo does it's job there.
A jab from Drysdale misses.
Drysdale throws a lazy right hand but Shojo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Drysdale throws a one two combo.

Shojo rushes Drysdale and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Shojo manages to break the clinch.
Drysdale takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Drysdale throws a right hand that Shojo ducks under and follows up with a left that Shojo also avoids with ease.
Drysdale rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Shojo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Shojo feints and then cracks Drysdale's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Drysdale down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shojo connects with a body shot.
Drysdale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shojo was well out of range. Poor timing from Drysdale.
Shojo has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Shojo closes the distance and pushes Drysdale back into the cage.
Shojo connects with a knee to the head.
Drysdale lands a right hand.
Shojo scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drysdale misses with some punches.
Drysdale misses with some punches.
Shojo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shojo is stalling here.
Drysdale misses with a punch on the inside.
Drysdale tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shojo's elbow.
Shojo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shojo lands a knee to the body.
Shojo scores a nice knee to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Drysdale fails to land.
Shojo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shojo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shojo tries to work over Drysdale's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Shojo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Drysdale takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo scores with a sloppy right hand. Drysdale should have avoided that one.
Drysdale throws a shot to the body.
Yuki Shojo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shojo tries to clinch
and Drysdale counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shojo clinches with his opponent.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shojo.
Shojo lands with a left to the head.
Drysdale misses with some punches.
Drysdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drysdale misses with a short punch on the inside.
Drysdale lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shojo backwards.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shojo lands with a light punch inside.
Drysdale doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shojo throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch on the inside from Drysdale fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shojo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Shojo breaks the clinch.
Shojo moves out of range of the strikes.
Drysdale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Drysdale throws a jab but it's blocked by Shojo.
Shojo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shojo lands a right hook to the body.

Shojo moves into the clinch successfully.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shojo obliges.
Shojo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shojo blocks an uppercut.
Drysdale goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Drysdale.
Shojo crunches a lovely knee into Drysdale's ribcage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo landing knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Drysdale fails to land.
Drysdale throws a head punch that misses.
Drysdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Shojo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shojo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drysdale swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Drysdale moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Shojo throws a quick inside leg kick.

Shojo clinches up with Drysdale and pushes him back against the cage.
Shojo unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shojo digs a right hand underneath Drysdale's ribcage. Drysdale let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shojo is struggling to control the position.
Shojo has Drysdale pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Shojo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Drysdale takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Shojo darts in and clinches Drysdale up against the cage.
Shojo lands a good knee to the midsection. Drysdale won't want to take too many of those.
Shojo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shojo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Drysdale takes a knee to the side of the body.
Shojo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Drysdale's elbow.
Shojo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Drysdale up against the cage.
Shojo blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shojo.
Shojo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shojo landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shojo lands a knee to the body.
Drysdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knees to the body from Shojo.
Drysdale swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shojo blocks an uppercut.
Drysdale misses with a punch on the inside.
Shojo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Drysdale lands a right hand.
Shojo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Shojo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Shojo has managed to clinch.
Drysdale tries a body shot but Shojo blocks it.
Shojo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shojo slowing the pace effectively.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shojo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale lands with a right to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Shojo.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shojo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shojo utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Shojo.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shojo.
Shojo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Drysdale lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Drysdale letting Shojo take a breather here.
Yuki Shojo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drysdale.
Shojo effectively controlling the action here.
Drysdale tries to throw a body punch but Shojo avoids it by throwing Drysdale back against the cage.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale takes a knee to the side of the body.
Drysdale misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Drysdale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Drysdale can't find room to land a body shot as Shojo controls the action.
Drysdale misses with a punch on the inside.
Shojo scores with a hook to the body.
Shojo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Drysdale in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Shojo.
Shojo lands a knee to the body.
Shojo lands a knee to the head.
Shojo digs a right hand underneath Drysdale's ribcage. Drysdale let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Come on Shojo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nice body punch from Shojo.
Shojo tries a body shot but Drysdale blocks it.
Shojo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Drysdale in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo presses Drysdale against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Drysdale throws a punch but it's blocked by Shojo.
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!
Shojo effectively controlling the action here.
Shojo lands a knee to the body.
Drysdale tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shojo's elbow.
A hook to the body from Shojo.
A nice right hand lands inside from Shojo.
Shojo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Drysdale backwards.
Shojo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Shojo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Shojo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shojo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Shojo jabs Drysdale to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shojo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Shojo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Drysdale walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shojo.
Drysdale thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shojo lets loose with a powerful body kick. Drysdale will feel that in the morning.
Shojo misses with a kick to the body.

Shojo pushes Drysdale up against the cage in a clinch.
Shojo blocking some punches.
The referee calls for Shojo to work.
Shojo crunches a lovely knee into Drysdale's ribcage.
Shojo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Drysdale misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojo prevents a body shot from Drysdale.
Shojo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shojo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Drysdale working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drysdale.
Shojo lands a left hand.

Shojo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shojo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drysdale was well out of range. Poor timing from Shojo.
A little feinted left hand from Drysdale on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shojo scores with a crisp jab that stopped Drysdale in his tracks.
Yuki Shojo seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Shojo clinches.

Shojo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shojo cracks Drysdale with a right hand to the side of the head.
Drysdale misses with a wild combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Shojo unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Shojo dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Thorn Drysdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo is leaning against Drysdale and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shojo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shojo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shojo digs a right hand underneath Drysdale's ribcage. Drysdale let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shojo stalls.
Shojo stalling the fight.
Yuki Shojo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Drysdale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shojo slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch on the inside from Drysdale fails to land.
Shojo controlling the action here for a moment.
Shojo is pushing Drysdale up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yuki Shojo.
Shojo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Drysdale manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shojo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Drysdale.
Shojo sizes up Drysdale with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Shojo slips a jab from Drysdale.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shojo! But no joy.
Shojo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Drysdale.
Drysdale takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shojo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Drysdale momentarily.
Shojo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Shojo scores with a leg kick.
Drysdale misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Shojo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shojo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Shojo lands with an uppercut that bounces Drysdale off the cage and back into range.
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!
Drysdale misses with a right hand
and Shojo counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo tries to clinch up but Drysdale circles away and keeps his distance.

Shojo darts in and clinches Drysdale up against the cage.
Drysdale digs a right hand underneath Shojo's ribcage. Shojo let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Drysdale swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shojo landing knees to the head.
Shojo pressing his opponent against the cage.
Drysdale lands a left hand.
Drysdale lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Drysdale has a couple of punches blocked by Shojo.
Shojo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shojo works on Drysdale's body with a couple of short punches.
Shojo works on Drysdale's body with a couple of short punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuki Shojo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shojo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuki Shojo!
Yuki Shojo made sure to mention his sponsor, Lion Fightwear in his post fight interview.