PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tyronne Spong (ranked 2753 p4p, 310 weight class) and Hiroshi Kawanabe (ranked 3161 p4p, 354 weight class). Hiroshi Kawanabe will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Spong
vs
Kawanabe

175 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tyronne Spong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hiroshi Kawanabe!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Spong closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Spong scoring with punches from side control.
Kawanabe is looking to reverse the position.
Kawanabe is not content to let Spong control the position.
Kawanabe takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Kawanabe struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Spong thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Kawanabe's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Spong is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kawanabe knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kawanabe trying to remain calm as Spong controls from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawanabe holds on to Spong's head and controls the position momentarily.
Spong is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kawanabe's shoulder. That is not cool.
Kawanabe is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spong working the body and head with strikes.
Kawanabe struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Spong is looking to take a break and control but Kawanabe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Spong wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kawanabe, who protects the arm well.
Spong looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kawanabe is avoiding damage well.
Kawanabe wants to control but Spong postures up.
Spong in side control, throwing shots but Kawanabe defends.
Kawanabe tries to bench press Spong off him but Spong keeps the position.

Spong is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kawanabe has escaped the position, nice work there.
Spong wants to control but Kawanabe is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spong working the ground and pound but Kawanabe is defending the strikes.
Kawanabe is not content to let Spong control the position.
Kawanabe tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kawanabe is trying to control Spong's posture but Spong avoids it.
Kawanabe is trying to improve his position.
Kawanabe is not content to let Spong control the position.

Spong working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four 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.
Kawanabe is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Spong's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kawanabe is trying to control but can't.
Spong is looking to take a break and control but Kawanabe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spong frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kawanabe is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Spong looking to secure an arm triangle but Kawanabe defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyronne Spong dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kawanabe punishes Spong's body with a nice straight punch.
Kawanabe misses with a body shot.
Spong closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kawanabe circles away.
Kawanabe lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Spong gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kawanabe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Spong thinking.
Spong fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Spong looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyronne Spong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spong shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kawanabe sprawls well. Kawanabe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Spong gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kawanabe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Spong somewhat.
Kawanabe scores with a shot to the body.
No luck for Spong with that takedown attempt.
Hiroshi Kawanabe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kawanabe scores with a jab to the head.
Spong shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kawanabe defends it nicely.
Despite the aggression on Kawanabe's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe connects with a jab.
Kawanabe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Spong misses with a takedown attempt
and Kawanabe counters with a straight right hand.
Kawanabe thuds his right hand into Spong's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Spong takes one to the chin there.
Spong misses with a takedown attempt - Kawanabe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little jabbing left from Kawanabe on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
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!
Spong looks for a takedown but Kawanabe sprawls well.
Kawanabe is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Spong with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Kawanabe. No joy for Spong on that attempt.
Kawanabe lands a jab to the nose.
Spong gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Kawanabe counter with a right hand.
Kawanabe connects with a right hand. Spong shakes it off.
Kawanabe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spong manages to avoid it.
Kawanabe has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Spong is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Kawanabe stuffs the takedown attempt from Spong. Spong gets slowly back to his feet.
Spong closes the distance and clinches up with Kawanabe, looking for a takedown. Spong pushes Kawanabe against the cage but Kawanabe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kawanabe swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Spong fails with a takedown attempt.
Tyronne Spong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spong.
Spong is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kawanabe sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Spong closes the distance and clinches up with Kawanabe, looking for a takedown. Spong pushes Kawanabe against the cage but Kawanabe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kawanabe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kawanabe lunges at Spong with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Spong's hand.
Kawanabe fails to land with a series of punches.
Kawanabe misses with a two punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No luck for Spong with that takedown attempt.
Good standup being displayed there by Kawanabe as he connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Kawanabe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Spong shoots in but no luck this time.
Kawanabe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Spong doesn't seem bothered though.
Spong takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kawanabe.
Spong misses with a takedown attempt
and Spong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Spong tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kawanabe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Spong somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyronne Spong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spong changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kawanabe looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Spong tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawanabe gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Spong is looking to advance position but Kawanabe won't allow it.
Spong controlling the action here.
Kawanabe is controlling Spong's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Kawanabe trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kawanabe is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Spong is staying active.
Kawanabe controlling the position for now.
Spong wants to take a breather but Kawanabe is having none of it.
Spong looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Spong is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kawanabe sees it coming and defends easily.
Spong wants to take a breather but Kawanabe is having none of it.

Spong is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kawanabe has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kawanabe won't allow Spong to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe wants to control but Spong is keeping busy.
Spong missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kawanabe is looking to improve his position.
Kawanabe is looking to escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kawanabe connects with a jab.
Spong looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kawanabe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spong.
Kawanabe lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spong on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kawanabe scores with the left hand. Spong knows he should have avoided that one.
Spong dives in for a single leg takedown but Kawanabe sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kawanabe connects with a body shot that sends Spong's belly button to the back.
Spong shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kawanabe sprawls well. Kawanabe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Spong gets slowly back to his feet.
A little jabbing left from Kawanabe on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Spong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kawanabe lands a nice looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroshi Kawanabe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kawanabe 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:29
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroshi Kawanabe!
Tyronne Spong spoke after the fight, saying 'ill be back ,just didnt get the trainning right thats were i lost it '.