PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yuki Shojo (ranked 2674 p4p, 275 weight class) and Jordan Haffie (ranked 3837 p4p, 374 weight class). Jordan Haffie will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Shojo
vs
Haffie

165 cm
24
140 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

176 cm
21
157 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuki Shojo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Jordan Haffie!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shojo tries to keep at a distance but Haffie has taken the fight into the clinch.
Haffie pushes off an throws an elbow but Shojo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Haffie misses with a knee strike.
Haffie trying to land knees to the body.
Haffie managing to block the knees to the body from Shojo.
A body shot lands from Shojo.
Haffie lands an elbow just above Shojo 's eye.

It looks like Yuki Shojo has been cut.
Haffie tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Haffie misses with an elbow over the top.
Haffie has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shojo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Shojo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shojo can't find room to land a body shot as Haffie controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Haffie gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Shojo regains guard.
Shojo controlling Haffie's posture.
Shojo controls Haffie momentarily but Haffie frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haffie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Shojo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shojo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Haffie's guard.

Haffie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shojo is aware though and is defending well.
Haffie is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shojo wants to stand but Haffie has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Haffie is trying to control the position but Shojo postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo tries to stand but Haffie is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Haffie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shojo stopping the sweep attempt from Haffie.

Shojo decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shojo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've been told by Shojo's head coaches at Bonsai Club MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Shojo moves out of range as Haffie throws a body kick.
Shojo lands a nice shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shojo.
Shojo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Haffie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shojo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haffie goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Shojo has Haffie up against the ropes in a clinch.
Shojo stops a takedown attempt from Haffie.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Shojo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shojo blocks a leg kick.
Shojo tries to clinch up but Haffie circles away and keeps his distance.
Shojo tries to clinch up but Haffie circles away and keeps his distance.
Shojo misses with a wild body shot.
Haffie avoids the body shot from Shojo.
Shojo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shojo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shojo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Haffie avoids the body shot from Shojo.
A nice side step and Haffie releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shojo.
Shojo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Shojo forces Haffie back against the ropes and clinches.
Shojo tries a body shot but Haffie blocks it.
Shojo is struggling to control the position.
Shojo avoids the elbow strike from Haffie, against the ropes.
A body shot lands from Shojo.
Shojo blocks the elbow strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haffie using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shojo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Shojo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Haffie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shojo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Haffie misses with a wild body shot.
Shojo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Haffie. That did some damage!
Haffie misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yuki Shojo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yuki Shojo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

An inside leg kick from Haffie misses.
Shojo jabs Haffie to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Haffie throws a leg kick but Shojo moved away.
Shojo throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Shojo wants to clinch up but Haffie keeps it at a distance.
Haffie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shojo tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Haffie manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Haffie circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shojo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Haffie with the counter takedown but Shojo avoids it easily.
Haffie wants to slow Shojo down by chopping away at his legs.
Shojo wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haffie throws a head kick that misses.

Shojo pushes Haffie up against the ropes in a clinch.
Shojo blocks an elbow strike.
Shojo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haffie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shojo.
Haffie throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shojo blocks it with crossed arms.
Haffie throws an elbow that misses.
Shojo leaning against his opponent.
Shojo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Haffie.
Haffie has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Shojo seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Haffie can turn it around.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Shojo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Haffie tries a knee to the head but Shojo blocks it.
Shojo looking to stall.
Shojo lands a nice knee to the body.
Shojo pushes Haffie back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Haffie can't get the takedown.
Shojo lands a good knee to the midsection. Haffie won't want to take too many of those.
Haffie is breathing heavily.
Shojo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Haffie misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haffie tries to land knees in the clinch but Shojo avoids the damage to the body.
Shojo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Haffie in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Haffie tries a body shot but Shojo blocks it.

Shojo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Shojo moves into the clinch successfully.
Haffie with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haffie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shojo.
Haffie is working for takedown but Shojo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Haffie trying to land knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shojo struggles to land a body shot inside as Haffie controls his hands.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Shojo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shojo obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haffie blocks a body shot from Shojo.
Shojo lands a body shot.
Shojo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Haffie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shojo feints and then cracks Haffie's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Haffie down.
Haffie checks a leg kick nicely.
Shojo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Haffie was well out of range. Poor timing from Shojo.
Haffie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Haffie looks to land a combination but Shojo avoids it well.

Haffie moves into range and clinches up with Shojo.
Haffie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shojo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Yuki Shojo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan Haffie.
Shojo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Haffie manages to avoid it.
Haffie with the counter takedown but Shojo avoids it easily.
Shojo doesn't manage to clinch there - Haffie circles away.

Shojo moves into range and clinches up with Haffie.
Nice body punch from Shojo - that landed with a thud.

Shojo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yuki Shojo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haffie goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Shojo gets a clinch.
Shojo tries a body shot but Haffie blocks it.
Haffie misses with a knee to the head.
Shojo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Haffie misses with a short punch on the inside.
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 landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Haffie creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Yuki Shojo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Haffie.
A right hand to the body from Shojo.
Shojo prevents the takedown attempt.
Haffie tries for a takedown but Shojo manages to get underhooks.

Shojo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shojo is looking to wear down Haffie with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Shojo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Haffie's calf.
Good leg kick by Shojo there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Haffie throws a series of punches but Shojo avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuki Shojo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yuki Shojo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shojo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Haffie at a distance.
Shojo thuds a left hand into Haffie's body.
Shojo thuds a left hand into Haffie's body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Haffie.
Shojo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shojo, right into the meat.
Haffie throws a sloppy head kick and Shojo moves out of range easily.
Haffie throws a leg kick
and Shojo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A head kick by Haffie misses
and Shojo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shojo is looking to clinch.
Haffie misses with a head kick.
Haffie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojo lands a leg kick that knocks Haffie off balance momentarily.
Shojo digs a good body shot into Haffie's ribs.
Shojo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Haffie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shojo. Shojo obviously looking to wear him down.
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!
Haffie stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shojo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haffie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Haffie fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Haffie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shojo. Shojo obviously looking to wear him down.
Shojo tries to clinch but Haffie is having none of it.
Shojo throws a body punch but Haffie moves out of range.
Shojo takes a swing at Haffie's ribcage but misses.
Haffie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Shojo moves in looking to clinch but Haffie pushes him off.
Haffie goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Shojo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Haffie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Haffie takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Jordan Haffie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Haffie looks to throw a body kick
and Shojo counters with a nice body kick.
Shojo throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Haffie's head.
A head kick misses from Haffie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo just misses with a punch to the body.
Shojo feints and then cracks Haffie's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Haffie down.
Shojo throws a nice head kick!
Haffie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yuki Shojo is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shojo misses with a wild body shot.
A slapping body kick lands there for Shojo.
Haffie pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Haffie lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shojo circles away quickly and effectively.
Haffie checks a leg kick.
Yuki Shojo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shojo misses with a low kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Haffie.
Shojo takes a swing at Haffie's ribcage but misses.
Shojo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Haffie doesn't seem bothered though.
Haffie's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Shojo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Haffie.
Haffie throws a leg kick but Shojo sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shojo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Haffie looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Haffie checks the leg kick.
Shojo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shojo tries to bum rush Haffie with a series of wild strikes but Haffie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Haffie takes one on the button.

Shojo clinches up with Haffie and pushes him back against the ropes.
Haffie stalling against the ropes.
Haffie using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shojo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shojo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Haffie wants to break free but Shojo has control.
Haffie working hard to break the clinch.
Haffie leaning against his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo taking a breather.

Shojo manages to break the clinch.
Nice uppercut there from Shojo.
Shojo misses with a two punch combination.
Shojo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Shojo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Shojo moves out of range of the body kick from Haffie.
Shojo tries to clinch up.
Haffie replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Shojo blocks it well.
Shojo moves out of range of the body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haffie throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Shojo closes the distance and clinches.
Shojo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Haffie avoids it.
Shojo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Haffie is defending well for now.
Jordan Haffie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shojo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Haffie can do to turn this around?
Nice body punch from Shojo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuki Shojo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shojo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuki Shojo!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Yuki Shojo waved his t-shirt featuring Lion Fightwear's logo in front of the cameras.