PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francis Ngannou (ranked 5280 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shimoda Kiyohira (ranked 3453 p4p, 0 weight class). Ngannou comes to the cage accompanied by Rae Sremmurd ft Juicy J - Powerglide. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Ngannou
vs
Kiyohira

195 cm
19
263 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

183 cm
25
265 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Francis Ngannou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shimoda Kiyohira!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kiyohira connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ngannou throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kiyohira wants to slow Ngannou down by chopping away at his legs.
Ngannou will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Kiyohira clinches up with Ngannou and pushes him back against the cage.
Kiyohira scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kiyohira scores with a hook to the body.
Ngannou has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ngannou is looking to break free of the clinch but Kiyohira has double underhooks.
Kiyohira working aggressively here.
Kiyohira tries a body shot but Ngannou blocks it.
Kiyohira misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kiyohira lands a shoulder strike.
Kiyohira lands a nice uppercut.

It looks like Francis Ngannou has been cut.
Kiyohira lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ngannou or not.
Ngannou is breathing heavily.
Kiyohira prevents Ngannou from breaking the clinch.
Kiyohira digs a right hand into Ngannou's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ngannou's gas tank.
Kiyohira lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kiyohira has a couple of punches blocked by Ngannou.
Ngannou's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ngannou wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Good body shot from Kiyohira.
Nice body punch from Kiyohira - that landed with a thud.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kiyohira.
Kiyohira misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kiyohira throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kiyohira swings wildly with an uppercut but Ngannou uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kiyohira lands a shoulder strike.
Kiyohira misses with some punches.
Ngannou blocking some punches.
Kiyohira lands a right hand.
Kiyohira lands a right hand.
Kiyohira lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kiyohira lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short left from Kiyohira.
Kiyohira lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ngannou backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short uppercut from Kiyohira.
Kiyohira scores with a shoulder strike.
Kiyohira makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiyohira throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ngannous head.
Kiyohira cracks Ngannou with a nice body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kiyohira.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kiyohira.
Kiyohira lands a right hand.
A short right from Kiyohira.
Kiyohira works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch on the inside from Kiyohira fails to land.
Kiyohira lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kiyohira stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kiyohira lands a nice uppercut.
Kiyohira goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ngannou blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kiyohira swings wildly with an uppercut but Ngannou uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kiyohira.
Ngannou tries to break free but Kiyohira pushes him back against the cage.
Kiyohira misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou can't break the clinch.
Kiyohira misses with a body punch.
Kiyohira managing to block the knees to the body from Ngannou.
Ngannou tries to circle away but Kiyohira has him pinned against the cage.
Kiyohira misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kiyohira avoiding damage as Ngannou throws knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ngannou.
Kiyohira misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kiyohira misses with the head strike.
Ngannou tries to land knees in the clinch but Kiyohira avoids the damage to the body.
Ngannou blocking some punches.
Kiyohira misses with some punches.
A hook to the body from Kiyohira.
Kiyohira prevents Ngannou from breaking the clinch.
A hook to the body from Kiyohira.
A short left from Kiyohira.
Kiyohira tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiyohira misses with the head strike.
Kiyohira can't find room to land a body shot as Ngannou controls the action.
Kiyohira working aggressively here.
Kiyohira pushes Ngannou back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kiyohira tries to throw a body punch but Ngannou avoids it by throwing Kiyohira back against the cage.
Ngannou tries to circle away but Kiyohira has him pinned against the cage.
Ngannou is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kiyohira misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kiyohira.
Ngannou working hard to break the clinch.
Kiyohira tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ngannou working hard to break the clinch.
Kiyohira lands a hook that snaps the head of Ngannou backwards.
Kiyohira tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ngannou working hard to break the clinch.
Ngannou blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kiyohira misses with some punches.
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!
Ngannou has had enough of the clinch but Kiyohira keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shimoda Kiyohira dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francis Ngannou's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ngannou misses with a series of wild punches.
Kiyohira attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kiyohira tries to clinch but Ngannou is having none of it.
Ngannou throws a big counter combination but Kiyohira scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kiyohira has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kiyohira lands with an uppercut that bounces Ngannou off the cage and back into range.
Ngannou slips a jab from Kiyohira.
Kiyohira tries to clinch but Ngannou moves out of range.
Ngannou swinging wildly here.
Shimoda Kiyohira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kiyohira fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ngannou, pushing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot in the inside from Kiyohira.

Francis Ngannou's cut is getting worse.
Ngannou is trying to break free.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kiyohira.
Ngannou tries to break free but Kiyohira pushes him back against the cage.
A short right from Kiyohira.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kiyohira tries to work over Ngannou's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiyohira working aggressively here.
Kiyohira scores with a shot to the side of Ngannou's head.
Kiyohira has Ngannou pressed against the cage, preventing Ngannou from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kiyohira throws a punch but it's blocked by Ngannou.
Ngannou is trying to push Kiyohira away but Kiyohira has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kiyohira misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kiyohira misses with some punches.
Shimoda Kiyohira seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kiyohira tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ngannou is working for takedown but Kiyohira is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ngannou is trying to force a seperation but Kiyohira has the dominant position.
Kiyohira pushes Ngannou back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kiyohira misses with a body punch.
Ngannou is trying to stall.
Kiyohira tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ngannou's elbow.
Kiyohira swings wildly with an uppercut but Ngannou uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ngannou's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou is trying to break the clinch but Kiyohira has him pressed against the cage.
Kiyohira lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ngannou or not.
Kiyohira lands a right hand.

Ngannou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kiyohira tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ngannou swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kiyohira has Ngannou up against the cage in a clinch.
Ngannou is trying to push Kiyohira away but Kiyohira has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kiyohira pushes Ngannou back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kiyohira throws a head punch that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kiyohira lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ngannou or not.
Ngannou blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ngannou tries to break the clinch but Kiyohira is controlling the position.
Kiyohira working aggressively here.
Ngannou blocks an uppercut.
Kiyohira swings wildly with an uppercut but Ngannou uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ngannou blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiyohira misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kiyohira misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ngannou.
Kiyohira misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kiyohira creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kiyohira keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ngannou's efforts to push away.
Ngannou tries to circle away but Kiyohira has him pinned against the cage.
Ngannou tries to break the clinch but Kiyohira is controlling the position.
Kiyohira lands a left hand.
Kiyohira scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kiyohira prevents Ngannou from breaking the clinch.
Ngannou tries to circle away but Kiyohira has him pinned against the cage.
Ngannou tries to break free but Kiyohira pushes him back against the cage.
Kiyohira struggles to land a body shot inside as Ngannou controls his hands.
Ngannou is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kiyohira misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiyohira keeps control of Ngannou as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kiyohira misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ngannou misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kiyohira throws a head punch that misses.
Ngannou tries to break the clinch but Kiyohira is controlling the position.
Kiyohira swings wildly with an uppercut but Ngannou uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ngannou wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kiyohira lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ngannou backwards.
Kiyohira swings wildly with an uppercut but Ngannou uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kiyohira can't find room to land a body shot as Ngannou controls the action.
Ngannou is trying to push Kiyohira away but Kiyohira has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kiyohira lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ngannou backwards.
Kiyohira fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kiyohira swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ngannou blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shimoda Kiyohira showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Francis Ngannou's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ngannou misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kiyohira pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ngannou is out of range and Kiyohira settles back down.
As Kiyohira looks to move away, Ngannou throws a big counter combo but Kiyohira just gets out of the way.
Kiyohira wants to clinch up but Ngannou keeps it at a distance.
Kiyohira tries to clinch up but Ngannou circles away and keeps his distance.
Ngannou went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kiyohira thuds his right hand into Ngannou's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ngannou takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ngannou throws a head kick that half lands.

Ngannou tries to keep at a distance but Kiyohira has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ngannou breaks from the clinch.
Ngannou ducks under a wild hook from Kiyohira.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kiyohira instigates a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kiyohira.
Kiyohira misses with a punch on the inside.
Kiyohira pushes Ngannou back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kiyohira can't find room to land a body shot as Ngannou controls the action.
Kiyohira swings wildly with an uppercut but Ngannou uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiyohira keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ngannou's efforts to push away.
Kiyohira takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ngannou is trying to pull guard but Kiyohira turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ngannou blocking some punches.
Kiyohira working aggressively here.
Ngannou is looking to break free of the clinch but Kiyohira has double underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kiyohira.

Ngannou breaks from the clinch.
Ngannou looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Ngannou clinches up against the cage.
Ngannou tries to break the clinch but Kiyohira is controlling the position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kiyohira.
Kiyohira lands a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kiyohira.
Kiyohira can't find room to land a body shot as Ngannou controls the action.
Kiyohira working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kiyohira working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiyohira misses with a body punch.
Kiyohira misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kiyohira goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kiyohira prevents Ngannou from breaking the clinch.
Ngannou looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kiyohira doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kiyohira misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kiyohira misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kiyohira has Ngannou pressed against the cage, preventing Ngannou from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kiyohira tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kiyohira misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ngannou.
Ngannou blocking some punches.
Ngannou is trying to break the clinch but Kiyohira is controlling him.
Ngannou can't break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ngannou.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kiyohira keeps control of Ngannou as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ngannou blocks a body shot from Kiyohira.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kiyohira prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kiyohira softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kiyohira throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ngannou.

Ngannou manages to break the clinch.
Kiyohira has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ngannou.
Ngannou lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ngannou misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
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!
A punch combination from Ngannou misses.

Ngannou closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kiyohira to the mat! Kiyohira manages to get full guard.
Ngannou trying to control but Kiyohira is working from the bottom.
Ngannou cracks Kiyohira with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ngannou chips away with some ground and pound.
Ngannou trying to control but Kiyohira is working from the bottom.

Ngannou decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kiyohira, up you get!
Ngannou throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Kiyohira moves into the clinch.
Ngannou is trying to break the clinch but Kiyohira has him pressed against the cage.
Ngannou blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kiyohira misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kiyohira prevents Ngannou from breaking the clinch.
Kiyohira keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ngannou's efforts to push away.
Francis Ngannou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shimoda Kiyohira is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ngannou is trying to break the clinch but Kiyohira is controlling him.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Francis Ngannou.
I think Kiyohira 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shimoda Kiyohira!