PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Rami Astalo (ranked 2891 p4p, 125 weight class) and Makunouchi Ippo (ranked 4919 p4p, 210 weight class). Astalo comes to the ring accompanied by Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff. Ippo has chosen Indestructible as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Astalo
vs
Ippo

168 cm
27
145 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

173 cm
37
146 lbs
26 - 11 - 0

World class MT
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rami Astalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Makunouchi Ippo!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Astalo catches Ippo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ippo scores with a nice right hand.
Ippo scores with a jab.
Astalo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Astalo gets tackled into the ropes by Ippo. Ippo maintains the clinch.
Ippo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ippo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ippo blocks an elbow strike from Astalo.
Astalo takes a shot to the head.
Ippo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Astalo blocks it with crossed arms.
Astalo managing to block the knees to the body from Ippo.
Ippo blocks an elbow strike from Astalo.
Astalo throws an elbow that misses.
Ippo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ippo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Astalo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Astalo lands a nice elbow.
Ippo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ippo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Astalo blocks it with crossed arms.
Ippo lands a good knee to the midsection. Astalo won't want to take too many of those.
Ippo scores with a shot to the side of Astalo's head.
Ippo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ippo tries to land a knee to the head but Astalo blocks with his arms.
Ippo misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astalo lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Astalo throws a head punch that misses.
Ippo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Astalo working aggressively here.
Astalo pushes off an throws an elbow but Ippo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
A head punch on the inside from Astalo fails to land.
Astalo throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Astalo lands an uppercut.
Astalo throws an elbow that misses.
Ippo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Astalo avoids it.
Ippo avoids the elbow strike from Astalo, against the ropes.
Astalo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ippo backwards.
Ippo missing with knees to the body.
Ippo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ippo misses with the head strike.
Astalo throws a head punch that misses.
Ippo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Astalo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Astalo lands with a left to the head.
Astalo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Astalo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Astalo misses with an elbow strike.
Astalo lands a nice elbow.
Astalo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ippos head.
Astalo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ippo up against the ropes.
Ippo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ippo crunches a lovely knee into Astalo's ribcage.
Astalo misses with a punch on the inside.
Astalo connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ippo's face.
Ippo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Astalo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Astalo throws an elbow that misses.
Ippo tries to land a knee to the head but Astalo blocks with his arms.
Astalo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ippo avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ippo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ippo.
Astalo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Astalo taking a breather.
Ippo scores with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Makunouchi Ippo dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ippo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ippo lands a glancing blow to the side of Astalo's head.
Astalo misses with a few strikes there.
Ippo tries to clinch up.
Astalo misses with a low kick.
Astalo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ippo checks a leg kick.
Ippo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Astalo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ippo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Astalo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ippo can pounce on him.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Astalo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ippo can pounce on him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Astalo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ippo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ippo has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Ippo connects with a nice looking jab.
Ippo connects with a body shot that sends Astalo's belly button to the back.
Astalo loads up on a big right hand but Ippo slips the punch.
Ippo tries to counter with a clinch but Astalo shakes him off and moves away.
Astalo just misses with a punch to the body.

Ippo rushes Astalo and presses him up against the ropes.
Ippo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astalo trying to stall but Ippo improves his position.
Ippo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ippo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ippo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Astalo backwards.
Astalo lands a body punch.
Ippo misses with a knee strike.
Astalo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ippo tries to land a knee to the head but Astalo blocks with his arms.
Astalo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Astalo creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ippo's defenses.
Ippo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Astalo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Makunouchi Ippo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A knee to the head by Ippo.
Astalo tries to throw a body punch but Ippo avoids it by throwing Astalo back against the ropes.
Astalo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch on the inside from Astalo fails to land.
Astalo pushes Ippo back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Astalo looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ippo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ippo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Astalo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ippo tries to land knees in the clinch but Astalo avoids the damage to the body.
Ippo blocks an elbow strike.
Ippo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Astalo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Astalo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ippo tries to land knees in the clinch but Astalo avoids the damage to the body.
Ippo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Astalo lands an uppercut.
Astalo dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Ippo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ippo avoids a wild elbow strike from Astalo.
Astalo misses with a punch to the body.
Ippo throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ippo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Astalo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ippo looking to throw knees to the head but Astalo is blocking nicely.
Ippo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Makunouchi Ippo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ippo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Astalo's head backwards.
Astalo swats away the attempt to clinch by Ippo.
Rami Astalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ippo misses with a body shot.
The crowd cheers as Astalo lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ippo doesn't seem phased though.
Some bone on bone action there as Ippo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ippo checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ippo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Astalo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ippo misses with a low kick.
Astalo drops his hands momentarily and Ippo takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Astalo jabs Ippo right on the nose. Ippo blinks but takes it well.
Ippo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Astalo swats away the attempt to clinch by Ippo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Astalo lands a leg kick that knocks Ippo off balance momentarily.
Ippo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Astalo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Astalo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astalo checks a leg kick.
Astalo misses with a body shot.
Ippo tries to counter by closing the distance.
Ippo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ippo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ippo lands with a slapping head kick.
Astalo feints and then cracks Ippo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ippo down.
Astalo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A head kick misses from Astalo.
A big left from Ippo misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ippo. Astalo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Crunch! Astalo slams his shin into Ippo's torso.
Ippo blocks a leg kick.
Ippo tries a head kick but it misses.
Ippo doesn't manage to clinch there - Astalo circles away.
Ippo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Astalo's hands.
Ippo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Astalo momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jab from Ippo.
Astalo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ippo misses with an uppercut. Astalo saw that one coming.
Makunouchi Ippo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ippo tries to clinch but Astalo moves out of range.
Ippo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Astalo.
Astalo misses with a low kick.
Ippo lands with a cross.
Ippo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Astalo.
Astalo misses with a body kick.
Astalo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Astalo throws a front kick that sends Ippo stumbling back into the ropes.
Ippo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ippo sizes up Astalo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ippo sizes up Astalo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Astalo scoring well with a low kick there.
Astalo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ippo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ippo misses with a hook.
Ippo throws a lazy right hand but Astalo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Astalo misses with a looping right.
Rami Astalo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ippo scores with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Makunouchi Ippo.
Well Ippo 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Makunouchi Ippo!
Post fight, Makunouchi Ippo took to the microphone: 'I do believe I have properly earn my title shot'.
In defeat, Rami Astalo stepped up to the mic, saying 'Nothing to say but fuck off,gonna smoke joint or two'.