PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adrian Shota (ranked 2201 p4p, 309 weight class) and Keiji Mutou (ranked 2354 p4p, 325 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Shota might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Black Panther Theme by Stephen James Taylor . Keiji Mutou has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Shota
vs
Mutou

185 cm
43
202 lbs
33 - 20 - 1

188 cm
45
206 lbs
37 - 26 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Powerful

Sin City Allstars

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 20 - 1, fighting out of London, Adrian Shota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 26 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Keiji Mutou!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shota throws an overhand right that lands on Mutou's shoulder, as Mutou tries to avoid the shot.
Despite the aggression on Mutou's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Adrian Shota seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shota misses the body punch

and Mutou counters with a single leg into guard. Shota didn't expect that.
Shota keeping moving, preventing Mutou from controlling successfully.
Mutou stops Shota from standing up.

Shota has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Mutou has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Shota working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Shota fails to land.
Mutou goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Shota.
Mutou lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shota misses with a punch to the body.

Shota breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mutou blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shota misses with an uppercut.
Mutou avoids the body shot from Shota.
Shota misses the jab.
Mutou is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shota misses with a looping right.
Mutou fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shota comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Shota with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shota misses with an uppercut
and Mutou counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Shota bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mutou's head.
Shota just misses with a punch to the body.
Shota has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Shota throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shota ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mutou moves away.
Shota throws a leg kick that is checked

and Mutou counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shota pushes Mutou off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Shota ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutou throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shota throws a shot from downtown. Mutou moves away and avoids it.
Mutou defending well as Shota loads up on a big left hand.
Mutou tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Shota swings for the body but Mutou moves out of range.
Shota lands a right hook to the body.
Mutou moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Shota misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Mutou was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Shota lands a jab to the nose.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mutou.
Shota swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shota throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mutou fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Shota swings away with a body shot that misses
and Mutou counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutou takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mutou displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Shota just misses with a punch to the body.
Mutou is looking for the big counter here.

Mutou shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Mutou prevents Shota from standing back up.
Mutou lands with a punch from half guard.

Shota has one foot on Mutou's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shota tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mutou was well out of range. Poor timing from Shota.
Shota circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mutou takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mutou fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Adrian Shota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keiji Mutou.
Shota scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Shota misses with a wild body shot.
Shota showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mutou.
Mutou keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shota throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shota shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mutou looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shota lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shota thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shota misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mutou.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shota. Mutou does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adrian Shota 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.

Mutou fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Shota sprawls well initially but Mutou persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Shota pushes Mutou off looking to stand but Mutou dives back in and keeps control.
Shota is looking to get back to is feet but Mutou passes into side control.
Shota is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Mutou works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Shota is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Mutou has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Mutou landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shota wants to get back to his feet.
Mutou wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shota keeps working.
Mutou working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutou in side control, throwing shots but Shota defends.
Mutou is putting a hurting on Shota here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mutou is putting a hurting on Shota here, landing some big shots from side control.
Shota is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Mutou asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ground and pound from Mutou seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Shota avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Mutou.
Mutou lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Shota knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mutou on the ground.
Mutou tries to score with some ground and pound. Shota controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shota sneaks out the side door and pushes Mutou away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Adrian Shota is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shota looks to score with a jab to the body but Mutou is just out of range.
Shota throws a leg kick that is checked

and Mutou counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shota won't be happy with that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shota pushes Mutou away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mutou gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Mutou scoring with punches and elbows.
Shota is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Mutou lands a nice forearm strike.
Shota is pushing Mutou's head away, looking to escape. Mutou manages to hold on to the position though.
Mutou landing a few strikes.
Mutou trying to control the position but Shota is working away.
Keiji Mutou has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mutou misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutou in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Shota is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Mutou asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Mutou misses with the ground and pound.
Shota takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Mutou is looking to take a break and control but Shota is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shota wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's four 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.
Mutou tries to score with some ground and pound. Shota controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Mutou misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Mutou scoring with punches and elbows.
Mutou in side control, throwing shots but Shota defends.
Mutou is working Shota over with some ground and pound from side control.
Mutou working the head with strikes.
Mutou postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Shota wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The ground and pound from Mutou seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Mutou is working Shota over with some ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keiji Mutou showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Mutou keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mutou misses with a series of wild punches.
Shota lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Shota misses the jab.
Shota swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mutou ducks under a wild hook from Shota.
Shota jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mutou tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mutou misses the jab.
Shota swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutou scores with a sloppy right hand. Shota should have avoided that one.
Shota takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Shota throws a hook but Mutou blocks it.
Mutou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shota.
Shota wants to land a leg kick but Mutou is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shota connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Shota thows a leg kick but Mutou checks it
and Mutou counters with a stiff right hand.
Mutou fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Jab by Shota.
Shota throws a hook but Mutou avoids it easily.
Shota throws a big shot that misses.
Mutou looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Shota throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Shota misses with a hook to the body
enabling Mutou to counter with a crisp jab.
Mutou slips under a jab.
Mutou lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Mutou scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Shota attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Shota is looking to wear down Mutou with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Mutou misses with a series of wild punches.
Mutou misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutou throws a body shot but no joy.
Shota was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shota misses the shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shota lands with a shot to the body.
Shota connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shota tries to score with a low kick but Mutou moves his leg out of the way.
A telegraphed right hand from Shota misses the target.
Mutou throws a right hand that Shota ducks under and follows up with a left that Shota also avoids with ease.
Mutou tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shota defends well and Mutou ends up having to push Shota into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Shota thumps Mutou with a low kick.
Shota throws a solid leg kick but Mutou takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Shota.
Mutou looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shota tried to counter with a leg kick but Mutou avoided it.
Shota looks to land a left hand but Mutou moved out of range nicely.
Mutou scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A big right from Mutou misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shota wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Shota throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shota lands with a nice body punch.
Shota scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mutou fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Shota misses with a shot to the body
and Mutou counters with a two punch combo.
Shota lands a nice looking body shot.
Shota lands the left hand.
Mutou misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Adrian Shota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keiji Mutou.
Mutou takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shota cracks the inside of Mutou's front leg.

Mutou closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shota pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shota looks to score with a jab to the body but Mutou is just out of range.
Shota misses with a looping left.
Shota jabs Mutou to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mutou works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mutou swinging wildly here.
Mutou walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Shota uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mutou slips under a jab.
Shota stuffs the takedown.
Shota misses with a lunging right hand
and Mutou counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Mutou moves forwards but Shota connects with a nice, crisp jab.

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 Adrian Shota.
I think Shota has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adrian Shota!
Adrian Shota really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that King of Fists logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.