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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 1211 p4p, 52 weight class) and Thomas Power (ranked 1111 p4p, 49 weight class). Thomas Power acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
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| 170 cm
26
145 lbs
12 - 7 - 1 |
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168 cm
28
149 lbs
16 - 11 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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
12 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
16 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Power!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
It seemed like Power was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Power gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
I was talking to Matsunaga's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Still in the clinch, Matsunaga scores with a nice short uppercut.
Matsunaga throws a head punch that misses.
Matsunaga is trying to push Power away but Power has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A right hand to the body from Matsunaga.
A shot in the inside from Matsunaga.
Power misses with some punches.
Power blocks an uppercut.
Power fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matsunaga fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matsunaga works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Matsunaga lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Matsunaga misses with a punch on the inside.
Power trying to land knees to the body.
Power breaks from the clinch.
Power moves out of range of the body kick from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Power's head but Power sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Power waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsunaga.
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!
Matsunaga checks a low kick from Power.
Matsunaga motions for Power to come forward. Matsunaga throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Power throws a leg kick but Matsunaga moved away.
Power forces Matsunaga back against the cage and clinches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga jumps guard but Power turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Power lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Matsunaga lands a left hand that snaps the head of Power backwards.
A short right from Matsunaga on the inside.
A short left from Matsunaga.
Power scores with a nice hook to the head.
Matsunaga breaks the clinch.
Jab by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga lands with a hook. Power tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Power throws a looping overhand right but Matsunaga ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Matsunaga was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Matsunaga throws a low kick but it's checked well by Power.
Matsunaga throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Power avoids the body shot from Matsunaga.
Power ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsunaga throws a leg kick which misses Power's front leg but catches the back leg as Power tries to avoid it.
Matsunaga takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Power cracks the inside of Matsunaga's front leg.
Matsunaga just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick but Power checks it.
Matsunaga takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Power avoids it easily.
Matsunaga lands with a straight right. Power didn't see that one coming.
Matsunaga rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Matsunaga takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fighters circling - Matsunaga throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsunaga scores with a kick to the body.
Matsunaga scores with a crisp jab that stopped Power in his tracks.
Power throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsunaga misses the jab.
Power throws a lazy right hand but Matsunaga sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Power rushes Matsunaga and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Matsunaga breaks the clinch.
Power bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matsunaga avoids a punch combination nicely.
Power waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsunaga.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power throws a hook to the side of Matsunaga's head but Matsunaga sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Power.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
Matsunaga slips a jab from Power.
Power cracks Matsunaga with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Matsunaga tries a head kick but it misses.
Power shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Matsunaga lands the left hand.
A left lands for Matsunaga.
Power throws out a loose jab but Matsunaga uses good head movement to avoid it.
Power moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Power bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Matsunaga's head.
Power moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Matsunaga misses with a head kick.
Matsunaga wants to land a leg kick but Power is out of range.
Power connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Power fails to land with a series of punches.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Power throws out a leg kick but Matsunaga moves out of range and Power only half commits.
Matsunaga keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Power staying out of range there.
Power shapes to counter with a head kick.
Power slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
Power swings for the body but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Power avoids it easily.
Jab from Power.
Matsunaga is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Power walks into a jab.
A slow jab from Power misses its intended target.
Matsunaga lands a jab to the head.
Matsunaga walks into a stiff left hand from Power.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Power throws a leg kick but Matsunaga moved away.
Power moves away from the strike by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga backing away here, and Power unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Matsunaga throws a chopping leg kick but Power manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
That kick from Matsunaga tenderised Power's leg. Power is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Futoshi Matsunaga dominated that 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.
Matsunaga with a hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Power.
Matsunaga moves away from the strike by Power.
An inside leg kick lands from Power.
Power feints and then cracks Matsunaga's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matsunaga down.
Power connects with a looping right hand.
Matsunaga uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Power throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Futoshi Matsunaga is winning the standup battle so far.
Matsunaga misses with a straight right.
Matsunaga has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Power moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Matsunaga scores with a head kick. Power tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Power moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Power throws a nice outside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsunaga throws a series of punches but Power moves out of range.
Power doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Power swinging wildly here.
Power throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matsunaga moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A punch combination from Matsunaga misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matsunaga takes a swing at Power's ribcage but misses.
Power misses with the combination.
Power tried to score with a low kick but Matsunaga checks it.
Matsunaga lunges at Power with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Power's hand.
Nice body punch from Matsunaga.
Power slips a straight right by Matsunaga.
Power feints and then cracks Matsunaga's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Matsunaga down.
Power moves away from the strike by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga backing away here, and Power unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Power thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsunaga loads up on a big right hand but Power slips the punch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Matsunaga.
Power uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Matsunaga takes a kick to the side of the head.
Power moves away from the strike by Matsunaga.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Power! But no joy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matsunaga.
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 jab from Matsunaga finds it's way through Power's defenses.
Matsunaga swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Power slips under a jab.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Power sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsunaga is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Power can do to turn this around?
A big left from Matsunaga misses.
Power was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Sloppy strikes from Matsunaga. Those never looked like landing.
A cross from Matsunaga lands.
A jab from Matsunaga finds it's way through Power's defenses.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut.
Power defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Matsunaga takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Power takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Power blocks it.
Matsunaga misses with a double jab.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that misses.
Power misses with a leg kick.
Matsunaga throwing a counter right hand but Power manages to avoid it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga falls off balance throwing a combination
and Power counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Power throws a jab when Matsunaga was well out of range.
Power connects with a single shot there.
Power throws an off balance right hand
and Matsunaga counters with a good low kick that Power was not able to check.
Power misses with a body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matsunaga lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Power has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Power and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Power slips under a jab.
Matsunaga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matsunaga has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Power.
Power bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Power drives through and clinches with Matsunaga against the cage.
Power misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matsunaga tries to work over Power's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matsunaga fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matsunaga pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsunaga looks to land a left hand but Power moved out of range nicely.
Matsunaga blocks a head kick by Power.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Power throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsunaga misses with a body shot.
Power throws an overhand right that lands on Matsunaga's shoulder, as Matsunaga tries to avoid the shot.
Matsunaga looks to throw the jab but Power is out of range.
Power swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A big right from Power misses.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Power throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Power attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Power looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Power lands a leg kick that knocks Matsunaga off balance momentarily.
Matsunaga scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Power doesn't seem bothered though.
Matsunaga throws a chopping leg kick but Power manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matsunaga misses with a left hand
and Power counters with a left to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsunaga throws the kick towards the body but Power avoids it.
Power walks into a straight right hand from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Power has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Matsunaga looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Power blocks the body kick.
Power flicks out a counter leg kick but Matsunaga steps away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Futoshi Matsunaga dominated that second 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. This is the final round!
Power moves forwards but Matsunaga connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Matsunaga throws a good cross that connects.
Matsunaga keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Matsunaga misses the body punch
and Power counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice uppercut lands for Matsunaga. That snapped Power's head back.
Power with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Matsunaga to score with a decent uppercut.
Matsunaga bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut.
Matsunaga connects with an inside leg kick.
Matsunaga lands a lovely overhand right.
Power slips a jab from Matsunaga.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsunaga does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Matsunaga lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Power backs up against the cage.
Matsunaga scores with a hook.
Matsunaga keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Power.
Matsunaga looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matsunaga misses with a looping right.
Power misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga blocks a head kick by Power.
Matsunaga connects with a nice looking jab.
That kick from Power tenderised Matsunaga's leg. Matsunaga is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matsunaga tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A solid body kick from Matsunaga.
Power misses with an uppercut.
Matsunaga checks a leg kick.
Power blocks a head kick by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Power is out of range.
Power moves out of range as Matsunaga strikes.
Power scores with a kick to the midsection.
Matsunaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Power manages to avoid it.
Power misses with an uppercut. Matsunaga saw that one coming.
Power swings for the body but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Matsunaga throws a jab but it's blocked by Power.
Power looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A punch combination from Matsunaga misses.
Power throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsunaga throwing a counter right hand but Power manages to avoid it.
Thomas Power has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
Power keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Power scores with a punch to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Power takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Power checks the leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Matsunaga.
Power misses with a kick to the body.
Matsunaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Power manages to avoid it.
Matsunaga on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Power. Power obviously looking to wear him down.
Power lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga throws a sloppy head kick and Power moves out of range easily.
Matsunaga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Power uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Power swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Power blocks it.
Matsunaga misses with a straight left.
Power thumps Matsunaga with a low kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Power ducked under it nicely.
Matsunaga misses with a head kick.
Power drives through and clinches with Matsunaga against the cage.
Futoshi Matsunaga has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Power misses with a hook from the clinch.
Power pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Matsunaga fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Power feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Matsunagas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Power throws a big shot that misses.
Matsunaga tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Power misses with a low kick.
Power slips a straight right by Matsunaga.
Power takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Matsunaga steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Power.
A big right from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Power uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga misses with a straight right.
Matsunaga backing away here, and Power unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Futoshi Matsunaga is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matsunaga avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Power checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matsunaga tries to land a front kick but Power steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Matsunaga throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Matsunaga lands with a thumping leg kick.
Power dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Power works Matsunaga's body with a nice hook.
Power dips to his left and cracks Matsunaga with an uppercut!
Power tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Power misses with a looping left.
A little feinted left hand from Matsunaga on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matsunaga moves out of range as Power strikes.
Power throws a series of punches but Matsunaga avoids them all with ease.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsunaga bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A slow jab from Power misses its intended target.
Power tries to clinch but Matsunaga is having none of it.
Matsunaga throws a sloppy head kick and Power moves out of range easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
Futoshi Matsunaga showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matsunaga, 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Futoshi Matsunaga!
During a confident post fight interview, Futoshi Matsunaga thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
84% |
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