PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikey Walsh (ranked 735 p4p, 113 weight class) and Lee Date (ranked 1012 p4p, 144 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Walsh
vs
Date

190 cm
24
212 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

194 cm
26
215 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

XFighter Clothing

RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikey Walsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lee Date!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Walsh moves away from the strike by Date.
Nice body kick there by Walsh.
Walsh throws a head kick but Date moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Date.
A punch lands to the side of Walsh 's head but he takes it in his stride.

It looks like Mikey Walsh has been cut.
Walsh is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Date.
Walsh avoids the body shot from Date.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walsh moves out of range as Date strikes.
Walsh appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Walsh manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Date on his heels. He'll look to pass Date's guard now, I'm sure.
Walsh wants to pass the guard but Date is keeping the position.
Walsh looking to sit in guard and control but Date gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walsh wants to sweep here but Date controlling him for the moment.
Walsh trying to control the position.
Walsh is really struggling to control Date but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Date is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Date stopping the sweep attempt from Walsh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Walsh is trying to control the position but Date postures up.
Date not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Walsh looking for a sweep. Not yet Walsh, not yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Date takes a swing at Walsh's ribcage but misses.
Lee Date is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Walsh throws a wild body kick that Date sees coming a mile off.
Date throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Walsh sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Date scores with a punch to the head.
Date throws a hook but Walsh blocks it.
Walsh half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date throws a series of punches but Walsh avoids them all with ease.
Walsh throws the kick towards the body but Date avoids it.

Walsh looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Date avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Walsh.
Walsh moves nicely into side control.
Date regains half guard there - taking advantage of Walsh's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Walsh trying to control the action but Date is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walsh seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Date keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Date keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Date is staying active underneath Walsh, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Date makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Date.
Walsh stays in close to Date's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lee Date will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mikey Walsh's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Walsh slips under a jab from Date.
The fighters circling - Date throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Walsh takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Date connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Walsh's hands.
Date scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Date lands an overhand right.
Date is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Walsh.
Date will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Date ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Date might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Walsh defending well as Date loads up on a big left hand.
Date thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Date is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Walsh.
Walsh defending well as Date loads up on a big left hand.
Date's jab looks to have found its range, popping Walsh under the eye.
Walsh with a poor takedown
and Date counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Date keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Date throws out a powerful jab.
Nice straight punches there by Date. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Date.
Walsh throws a sloppy head kick and Date moves out of range easily.
Walsh goes for a double leg but Date avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Date continues to drive forward.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Date! But no joy.
Walsh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Walsh appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick misses from Walsh.
Walsh scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Date misses.
Walsh with a lazy takedown attempt
and Date counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikey Walsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A thudding body kick lands there by Walsh!
Walsh walks into a straight right hand from Date.

Mikey Walsh's cut is getting worse.
Mikey Walsh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Date is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Walsh.
Date listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Walsh throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Walsh shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Date but Date pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Walsh tries to land a front kick but Date steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Walsh moves away from the strike by Date.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walsh uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Date.
Date throws a lazy uppercut
and Walsh counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Oooooh!!! Date has knocked Walsh down with a huge combo! Date steps away and waves a wobbly Walsh back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Walsh is rocked!
Date fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Walsh moves out of range as Date strikes.
Lee Date seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Walsh lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Walsh is looking to land body kicks.
Walsh tries to land a front kick but Date steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A countering left hand to the body from Date misses.
Walsh closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Oh Walsh is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Mikey Walsh's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Date measures up his opponent and throws a superman punch that connects to the jaw! Down goes Walsh! The ref steps in, and that's the ball game folks!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Superman Punch). Lee Date!
Lee Date was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.