PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Kawanabe (ranked 1737 p4p, 174 weight class) and Robert Bruce (ranked 4532 p4p, 334 weight class). Robert Bruce has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Hiroshi Kawanabe's chin.

Kawanabe
vs
Bruce

172 cm
26
145 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

174 cm
26
145 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hiroshi Kawanabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Robert Bruce!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Daniel Franklin and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kawanabe forces Bruce back against the cage and clinches.
Kawanabe is pushing Bruce up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Bruce is trying to break free.

Bruce breaks the clinch.
Kawanabe dodges the punch combination from Bruce.
Kawanabe scores with a hook to the body. Bruce takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab from Kawanabe does it's job there.
Kawanabe lands a nice looking body shot.
Bruce tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kawanabe is looking to counter the offense by Bruce and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Kawanabe finds it's target.
Robert Bruce seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bruce misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kawanabe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bruce let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kawanabe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruce just misses with a punch to the body.
Kawanabe wants to clinch up but Bruce keeps it at a distance.
Bruce gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bruce takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bruce misses with a looping right.
Kawanabe seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kawanabe ducks under a wild hook from Bruce.
Kawanabe lands a nice hook to Bruce's body. Bruce takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bruce throws a series of punches but Kawanabe avoids them all with ease.
Bruce misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kawanabe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kawanabe seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Bruce takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bruce pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kawanabe wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bruce wants to slow Kawanabe down by chopping away at his legs.
Kawanabe tries to counter by clinching up but Bruce breaks away and moves out of range.
Bruce looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bruce on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Kawanabe.
Bruce tries to work over Kawanabe's front leg with a kick but Kawanabe checks it.
Kawanabe moves forwards but Bruce connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bruce on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kawanabe lands a nice looking body shot.
Bruce swinging wildly here.
No joy there for Bruce, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kawanabe tries to clinch but Bruce is having none of it.
Bruce ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kawanabe moves away.
Bruce throws a sloppy head kick and Kawanabe moves out of range easily.

Kawanabe pushes Bruce up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruce is trying to break the clinch but Kawanabe is controlling him.
Kawanabe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.
Bruce is trying to push Kawanabe away but Kawanabe has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short body shot lands from Kawanabe as the two fighters clinch.
Kawanabe lands with a short shot to the head.
Bruce tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bruce is trying to push Kawanabe away but Kawanabe has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A right handed body shot lands from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands a left hand.
Bruce misses with a punch to the body.
Bruce letting Kawanabe take a breather here.
Kawanabe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.
Kawanabe lands an uppercut.
Bruce is trying to break the clinch but Kawanabe is controlling him.
Kawanabe lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
I was talking to Kawanabe's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kawanabe is working Bruce over against the cage.
Kawanabe is working Bruce over against the cage.
Bruce looks winded!
Kawanabe working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawanabe pushes Bruce back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bruce's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kawanabe working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nice body punch from Kawanabe - that landed with a thud.
A short right from Kawanabe on the inside.
Kawanabe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kawanabe stalling.
Bruce is trying to force a seperation but Kawanabe has the dominant position.
Kawanabe lands a nice shot to the body.
Kawanabe throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bruces head.
Kawanabe lands a body shot.
A shot in the inside from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe keeps control of Bruce as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kawanabe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.
Kawanabe works on Bruce's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A right hand to the body from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe is working Bruce over against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kawanabe scores with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Kawanabe dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kawanabe pushes Bruce up against the cage in a clinch.
Kawanabe works on Bruce's body with a couple of short punches.
A hook to the body from Kawanabe.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kawanabe creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe effectively controlling the action here.
Kawanabe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bruce can do to turn this around?
Bruce is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kawanabe pushes Bruce back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Kawanabe.
Kawanabe controlling the action here for a moment.
Kawanabe lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawanabe lands a right hand.
A short right from Kawanabe.
Bruce is breathing heavily.
Kawanabe cracks Bruce with a nice body shot.
Kawanabe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawanabe leaning against his opponent.
Kawanabe lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawanabe working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kawanabe lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bruce or not.
Kawanabe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kawanabe lands a shot to the body.
Kawanabe lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kawanabe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.
A body shot lands from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kawanabe lands an uppercut.
Kawanabe lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.
Kawanabe digs a right hand into Bruce's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bruce's gas tank.
Kawanabe avoiding damage.
Kawanabe controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Kawanabe for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Bruce's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kawanabe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bruce being controlled against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kawanabe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bruce misses with the head strike.
Kawanabe lands a hook that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.
Kawanabe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kawanabe scores with a shoulder strike.
Hiroshi Kawanabe has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kawanabe lands a nice shot to the body.
Kawanabe dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Kawanabe.
Bruce wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kawanabe lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kawanabe lands a hook to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe stalling.
Kawanabe lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.
Kawanabe scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe lands a nice shot to the body.
Bruce's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bruce's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kawanabe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kawanabe works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nice body punch from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe works on Bruce's body with a couple of short punches.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Bruce in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kawanabe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Kawanabe.
Kawanabe has Bruce pressed against the cage.
Kawanabe lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bruce.
Kawanabe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kawanabe gets through Bruce's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawanabe taking a breather.
Kawanabe works on Bruce's body with a couple of short punches.
Kawanabe lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kawanabe stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kawanabe scores with a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Kawanabe - that landed with a thud.
Kawanabe content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kawanabe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kawanabe lands a left hand.
Kawanabe lands with a short shot to the head.
Kawanabe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kawanabe pushes Bruce back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kawanabe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kawanabe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kawanabe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kawanabe.
A body shot lands from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kawanabe lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Kawanabe dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bruce takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bruce lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Kawanabe closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Kawanabe.
A nice left hand lands by Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands with a light punch inside.
Bruce throws a head punch that misses.
A short right from Kawanabe on the inside.
Kawanabe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kawanabe is stalling here.
Kawanabe blocks a body shot from Bruce.
Kawanabe scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kawanabe is working Bruce over against the cage.
Kawanabe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
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!
Bruce takes a shot to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Bruce takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kawanabe keeps control of Bruce as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawanabe is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Bruce wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kawanabe works on Bruce's body with a couple of short punches.
Kawanabe displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bruce up against the cage.
Bruce misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kawanabe lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bruce or not.
Kawanabe scores with a hook to the body.
Kawanabe scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands a shoulder strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kawanabe lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruce tries to break free but Kawanabe pushes him back against the cage.
A short right from Kawanabe on the inside.
A short right from Kawanabe on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawanabe digs a right hand into Bruce's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bruce's gas tank.
Kawanabe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kawanabe lands a right hand.
Kawanabe lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Bruce is rocked!
Kawanabe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bruce is still on wobbly legs! Can Kawanabe finish him?
Kawanabe lands a shoulder strike.
A body shot lands from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands a body shot in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands a nice shot to the body.
A right hand to the body from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kawanabe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kawanabe digs a right hand underneath Bruce's ribcage. Bruce let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kawanabe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kawanabe lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawanabe scores with a shot to the side of Bruce's head.
Kawanabe lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bruce backwards.
Kawanabe scores with a shoulder strike.
Kawanabe works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A short right from Kawanabe on the inside.
Kawanabe stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kawanabe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bruce being controlled against the cage.
Kawanabe's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kawanabe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bruce's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short left from Kawanabe.
Kawanabe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kawanabe creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bruce is trying to push Kawanabe away but Kawanabe has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kawanabe lands with a light punch inside.
Bruce misses with the head strike.
Kawanabe gets through Bruce's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kawanabe throws a big uppercut that drops Bruce! More strikes from Kawanabe and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Bruce lies dazed against the cage as Kawanabe celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hiroshi Kawanabe!