PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kendo Hirigushi (ranked 336 p4p, 40 weight class) and Marcinho Sitsongrit (ranked 306 p4p, 35 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hirigushi
vs
Sitsongrit

181 cm
28
160 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

172 cm
25
154 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Arcticus University: London

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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 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Kendo Hirigushi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcinho Sitsongrit!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sitsongrit rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hirigushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sitsongrit ducks under a wild hook from Hirigushi.
Sitsongrit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hirigushi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sitsongrit dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hirigushi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sitsongrit throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hirigushi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hirigushi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hirigushi digs a good hook to Sitsongrit's body.

Sitsongrit has closed the distance and engaged Hirigushi in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hirigushi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sitsongrit can't find room to land a body shot as Hirigushi controls the action.
Hirigushi can't find room to land a body shot as Sitsongrit controls the action.
Hirigushi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit jumps guard but Hirigushi turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sitsongrit goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hirigushi definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hirigushi lands a shoulder strike.
Sitsongrit lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Hirigushi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sitsongrit ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hirigushi moves away.
Kendo Hirigushi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hirigushi misses with an uppercut. Sitsongrit saw that one coming.
Hirigushi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit ducks under a wild hook from Hirigushi.
Sitsongrit feints the counter takedown.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook.
Sitsongrit misses with a body shot
and Sitsongrit takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hirigushi lands a jab to the head.
Hirigushi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sitsongrit. Hirigushi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sitsongrit scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit is looking to clinch.
A slow jab from Sitsongrit misses its intended target.
Sitsongrit lands the left hand.
Sitsongrit walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hirigushi takes a swing at Sitsongrit's ribcage but misses.
Hirigushi scores with a one two! Sitsongrit had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook to the body
and Hirigushi counters with a three punch combo that has Sitsongrit backing up. Sitsongrit nods at Hirigushi to acknowledge the strikes.
Sitsongrit on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hirigushi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sitsongrit.
Hirigushi is looking for a counter combo.
Sitsongrit lands a jab to the nose.
Hirigushi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sitsongrit slips a jab from Hirigushi.
Nice takedown defense from Hirigushi. No joy for Sitsongrit on that attempt.
Hirigushi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kendo Hirigushi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcinho Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit swings widly with a right hand
enabling Hirigushi to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirigushi with a jab.

Sitsongrit is rocked!
Hirigushi throws a hook to the side of Sitsongrit's head but Sitsongrit sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sitsongrit slips a jab from Hirigushi.
Sitsongrit punishes Hirigushi's body with a nice straight punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hirigushi. Sitsongrit does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hirigushi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sitsongrit is still on wobbly legs! Can Hirigushi finish him?

Sitsongrit rushes Hirigushi and presses him up against the cage.

Hirigushi manages to break the clinch.
Sitsongrit seems to have recovered his senses.
Hirigushi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hirigushi throws a hook but Sitsongrit avoids it easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sitsongrit darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hirigushi throws a sloppy body shot
and Sitsongrit counters with a left to the body.
Hirigushi is working the combinations to good effect here.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook to the body
and Hirigushi counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit with a hook.
Sitsongrit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hirigushi lands a right hook to the body.
Sitsongrit with a hook.
Hirigushi throws a right and a left that Sitsongrit avoids nicely.
A jab from Hirigushi misses.
Sitsongrit lands a right hook to the body.
Hirigushi misses with a straight left.
Hirigushi scores with a jab to the body.
Sitsongrit avoids the body shot from Hirigushi.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sitsongrit swings for the body but Hirigushi moves out of range.
A jab from Hirigushi misses.
Hirigushi needs to keep his hands up - Sitsongrit had a free shot at his head there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendo Hirigushi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Good standup being displayed there by Hirigushi as he connects with a hook.
Marcinho Sitsongrit has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hirigushi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sitsongrit throws a body punch but Hirigushi moves out of range.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook to the body
and Hirigushi counters with a stiff right hand.
Sitsongrit misses with a body shot.
Hirigushi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Marcinho Sitsongrit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sitsongrit misses with an uppercut
and Hirigushi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Sitsongrit manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hirigushi on his heels. He'll look to pass Hirigushi's guard now, I'm sure.
Sitsongrit trying to control the position from guard on top but Hirigushi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sitsongrit pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hirigushi is keeping the position for now.
Sitsongrit won't allow Hirigushi to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hirigushi is keeping the position for now.
Sitsongrit trying to control the position from guard on top but Hirigushi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sitsongrit tries to free his leg and advance position but Hirigushi is retaining full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hirigushi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sitsongrit can do to turn this around?
Hirigushi keeping moving, preventing Sitsongrit from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hirigushi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sitsongrit loads up on a big right hand but Hirigushi slips the punch.
Sitsongrit bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hirigushi's head.
Hirigushi misses with a few strikes there.
And Sitsongrit tries to counter it with a takedown but Hirigushi pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit lands the left hand.

Sitsongrit shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sitsongrit trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hirigushi keeping moving, preventing Sitsongrit from controlling successfully.
Hirigushi keeping full guard, as Sitsongrit tries to pass.
Hirigushi is pulling down on Sitsongrit's head. It's preventing any offense from Sitsongrit, at least for the moment.
Sitsongrit stands and throws Hirigushi's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit tries to move to mount but Hirigushi blocks the move with his legs.
Sitsongrit trying to control the position but Hirigushi is working away.
Sitsongrit staying calm.
Sitsongrit trying to control the action but Hirigushi is working from the bottom.
Sitsongrit tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Sitsongrit looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Sitsongrit tries for a kimura but Hirigushi is defending well.
Hirigushi dodges the ground and pound from Sitsongrit.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sitsongrit tries to move to mount but Hirigushi blocks the move with his legs.
Sitsongrit is still trying to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcinho Sitsongrit 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!

Sitsongrit slips a jab from Hirigushi.
Sitsongrit punishes Hirigushi's body with a nice straight punch.
Hirigushi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sitsongrit misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Hirigushi to counter with a crisp jab.
Hirigushi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sitsongrit connects with a right hand. Hirigushi shakes it off.
Hirigushi throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sitsongrit counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Sitsongrit wants to work for an arm triangle but Hirigushi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sitsongrit looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Sitsongrit trying to pass the guard but Hirigushi defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sitsongrit is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Sitsongrit uses his free foot to push down on Hirigushi's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hirigushi.
Sitsongrit can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hirigushi is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sitsongrit is looking to work his way around to Hirigushi's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Hirigushi is squirming around, avoiding Sitsongrit's attempts to control the action.
Hirigushi is controlling an arm, preventing Sitsongrit from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Sitsongrit trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sitsongrit seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Hirigushi is holding on tight.
Sitsongrit is stalling here but it's allowed Hirigushi to get half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit controlling the action here.
Sitsongrit trying to control the action but Hirigushi is working from the bottom.

Sitsongrit is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hirigushi has managed to free his arm - good work.

Sitsongrit is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hirigushi defends it well.

Sitsongrit is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hirigushi is trying to stand back up but Sitsongrit is controlling him
Sitsongrit is pressing down on Hirigushi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hirigushi is holding on for now.

Sitsongrit seems to be looking for submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sitsongrit trying to control from Hirigushi's half guard. Hirigushi has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcinho Sitsongrit comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sitsongrit has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcinho Sitsongrit!
After the fight, Marcinho Sitsongrit was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.