PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kantaro Hoshino (ranked 2392 p4p, 214 weight class) and Anton Poirier (ranked 1010 p4p, 107 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Poirier's choice of entrance music: The Chariot - . . . and Shot Each Other. Kantaro Hoshino could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Anton Poirier's chin.

Hoshino
vs
Poirier

165 cm
42
145 lbs
44 - 18 - 3

173 cm
29
146 lbs
10 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

HELLBENT

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 44 - 18 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kantaro Hoshino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anton Poirier!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Anthony Taglia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poirier with a nice cross.
Poirier keeps the fight on the outside.
Poirier takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hoshino looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Anton Poirier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Poirier throws a leg kick which misses Hoshino's front leg but catches the back leg as Hoshino tries to avoid it.
Hoshino stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hoshino wants it to stay on the feet.
Hoshino scores with a hook to the body. Poirier takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Poirier's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Poirier duly obliges.
Hoshino misses with an uppercut. Poirier saw that one coming.
Poirier throws a leg kick
and Hoshino counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Anton Poirier has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoshino throws a nice looking combination but Poirier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Poirier misses with a head kick.

Hoshino gets tackled into the cage by Poirier. Poirier maintains the clinch.
Poirier tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hoshino tries to throw a body punch but Poirier avoids it by throwing Hoshino back against the cage.
Hoshino works on Poirier's body with a couple of short punches.
Hoshino misses with a punch on the inside.
Hoshino lands with a left to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hoshino as Poirier tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hoshino scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Poirier blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Poirier has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Poirier working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Poirier stalling in the clinch.
Hoshino blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Poirier has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hoshino after a bit of a struggle.
Kantaro Hoshino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anton Poirier.
Hoshino lands a nice shot to the body.
Poirier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hoshino is keeping busy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Poirier.
Hoshino tries to work over Poirier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hoshino lands with a light punch inside.
Hoshino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hoshino.
Hoshino throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Poiriers head.
A right hand to the body from Hoshino.
Poirier blocking some punches.
Poirier lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino struggles to land a body shot inside as Poirier controls his hands.
Poirier blocking some punches.
Good body shot from Poirier.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Poirier blocking some punches.
Hoshino throws a head punch that misses.
Hoshino misses with the head strike.
Hoshino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hoshino throws a head punch that misses.
Poirier'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.
A short right from Hoshino on the inside.
Poirier lands a left hand.
Poirier misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Poirier.
Hoshino lands with a left to the head.
Hoshino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Poirier is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hoshino gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Poirier takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hoshino lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoshino lands a right hand.
Poirier is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hoshino gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Poirier scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Poirier prevents a body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino working aggressively here.
Poirier content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hoshino has a couple of punches blocked by Poirier.
Poirier is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hoshino is leaning against Poirier and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hoshino is leaning against Poirier and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hoshino has a couple of punches blocked by Poirier.
Hoshino misses with some punches.
Poirier blocks an uppercut.
Poirier blocks an uppercut.
Poirier blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino misses with some punches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Poirier - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Poirier lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Poirier has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hoshino avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hoshino misses with some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Poirier has Hoshino pressed against the cage.
Hoshino can't find room to land a body shot as Poirier controls the action.
Hoshino tries to throw a body punch but Poirier avoids it by throwing Hoshino back against the cage.
Hoshino misses with a punch to the body.
Hoshino's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Poirier tightens his grip and picks Hoshino up, before dumping him to the ground. Hoshino manages to land in guard.
Hoshino keeping moving, preventing Poirier from controlling successfully.
Hoshino utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hoshino is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kantaro Hoshino dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anton Poirier's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hoshino connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hoshino is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Poirier can do to turn this around?
Hoshino misses with a right hand
and Poirier counters with a low kick, right behind Hoshino 's knee.
Kantaro Hoshino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Poirier throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Poirier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hoshino.
Poirier tries to counter by closing the distance.
Poirier scores with a body shot.
Poirier looks to land a body kick but Hoshino moved away.
Poirier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hoshino paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hoshino tries to clinch but Poirier moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poirier just misses with a punch to the body.
Hoshino appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Poirier darts in and clinches Hoshino up against the cage.
Poirier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Poirier swings wildly with an uppercut but Hoshino uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Poirier.
Hoshino misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hoshino misses with a hook from the clinch.
Poirier is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hoshino pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hoshino as Poirier tries to tie him up.
Hoshino tries to throw a body punch but Poirier avoids it by throwing Hoshino back against the cage.
Hoshino has a couple of punches blocked by Poirier.

Poirier is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hoshino can't fight it off and eventually Poirier manages to take the fight to the floor. Hoshino looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hoshino keeping moving, preventing Poirier from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoshino wants to sweep here but Poirier controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poirier's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Poirier wants to control from the top but Hoshino keeps moving.
Hoshino wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Poirier is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Poirier is looking to pass into half guard but Hoshino pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hoshino is in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poirier pulls Hoshino in close to his closed guard and prevents Hoshino from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hoshino tries to stand but Poirier is controlling from the bottom.
Poirier has Hoshino pulled in close to control his posture.
Hoshino won't allow Poirier to sweep him here.
Poirier pulls Hoshino in close to prevent any damage.
Hoshino stopping the sweep attempt from Poirier.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Poirier seems keen to control Hoshino's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Poirier fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hoshino throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Poirier counters with a nice uppercut.
Poirier swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoshino.

Poirier has Hoshino up against the cage in a clinch.
Poirier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hoshino struggles to land a body shot inside as Poirier controls his hands.
Poirier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hoshino working aggressively here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoshino tries a body shot but Poirier blocks it.
A short right from Hoshino on the inside.
Hoshino misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Hoshino.
Hoshino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kantaro Hoshino will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Anton Poirier's cut.
That's time! Hoshino's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Poirier swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Hoshino clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hoshino.
Poirier lands with a short shot to the head.
Hoshino is pressed up against the cage. Poirier has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hoshino down to the mat. Hoshino avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Poirier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Poirier displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hoshino misses with a hook.

Poirier drives through and clinches with Hoshino against the cage.
Hoshino lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Poirier backwards.
Hoshino struggles to land a body shot inside as Poirier controls his hands.
Poirier lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hoshino backwards.
Poirier blocking some punches.
Hoshino throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hoshino swings wildly with an uppercut but Poirier uses good head movement to avoid it.
A body shot lands from Hoshino.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Hoshino - that landed with a thud.
Poirier blocks an uppercut.
Poirier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hoshino lands a nice uppercut.
Hoshino misses with a punch on the inside.
Hoshino has a couple of punches blocked by Poirier.
Poirier lands with a left to the head.
Poirier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Poirier creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Poirier has Hoshino pushed against the cage.
Hoshino digs a right hand underneath Poirier's ribcage. Poirier let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Poirier is looking to control Hoshino's arms but Hoshino gets an underhook and turns him. Now Poirier has his back to the cage.
Hoshino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Poirier's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Poirier.
Hoshino blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poirier changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hoshino fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Poirier slips a jab and a cross from Hoshino.
Hoshino with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hoshino uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hoshino throws a right and a left that Poirier avoids nicely.
Hoshino moves in looking to clinch but Poirier pushes him off.
Poirier throws a quick inside leg kick.
Anton Poirier seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Hoshino gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hoshino pushes Poirier back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Poirier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hoshino avoids a wild elbow strike from Poirier.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Poirier.
A short right from Hoshino.
Poirier wants a takedown.
Kantaro Hoshino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anton Poirier.
Hoshino swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Poirier scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hoshino struggles to land a body shot inside as Poirier controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino lands a right hand that snaps the head of Poirier backwards.
A shot in the inside from Hoshino.
Hoshino tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Poirier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Poirier stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Poirier.
Hoshino lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Poirier backwards.
Kantaro Hoshino has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short uppercut from Poirier.
Hoshino misses with some punches.
Poirier blocks an uppercut.
Kantaro Hoshino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Poirier lands with a left to the head.
Hoshino lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Anton Poirier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short body shot lands from Hoshino as the two fighters clinch.
Hoshino blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poirier'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.
Hoshino tries to throw a body punch but Poirier avoids it by throwing Hoshino back against the cage.
Poirier tries for a takedown. No joy.
Poirier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Poirier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hoshino working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Poirier is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hoshino tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kantaro Hoshino showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hoshino, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kantaro Hoshino!
Kantaro Hoshino gave a mention to Sin City Allstars in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).