PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Suzuki (ranked 1718 p4p, 115 weight class) and Pal Hasani (ranked 1573 p4p, 106 weight class). Hasani has chosen Slipknot - Duality as his entrance music. Pal Hasani will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Suzuki
vs
Hasani

175 cm
25
145 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

170 cm
24
143 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Conviction
Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ichiro Suzuki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Pal Hasani!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Chad Campbell and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hasani lands a nice looking body shot.
We've been hearing reports that Suzuki has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Suzuki shoots in for a takedown but Hasani shows good takedown defense.

Suzuki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Suzuki advances position into side control!

Suzuki tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Suzuki has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Suzuki wants to control but Hasani is keeping him busy.
Suzuki remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Suzuki goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hasani has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Suzuki but great work by Hasani.
Suzuki is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hasani asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Suzuki is trying to control Hasani's posture but Hasani avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suzuki looking for a sweep but Hasani has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Hasani looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hasani throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Suzuki is in all sorts of trouble here.
Suzuki bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Suzuki advances position into side control!

Suzuki decides to stand back up.
Hasani connects with a body shot that sends Suzuki's belly button to the back.
Suzuki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Suzuki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hasani lands a nice shot to the body.
No joy there for Hasani, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Suzuki shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hasani is trying to defend but Suzuki finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Suzuki decides to stand up.
Suzuki goes for a double leg but Hasani avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hasani continues to drive forward.
A nice combination there by Hasani.
Suzuki tries for a takedown but Hasani circles away easily

and Hasani counters with a nice double leg into side control. Suzuki won't be happy with that.
Suzuki tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Suzuki is working to get back to half guard.
Hasani content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hasani prevents Suzuki from getting the reversal.
Hasani looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hasani can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Suzuki is looking to escape.
Hasani controlling from mount.
Suzuki keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hasani controlling the position easily from mount.
Suzuki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hasani sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Suzuki sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Suzuki taking some punishment here, with Hasani in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pal Hasani will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Suzuki takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hasani slaps away a takedown attempt from Suzuki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hasani stuns Suzuki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hasani has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Suzuki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hasani tries to avoid it but Suzuki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hasani to the ground. Hasani escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And Hasani tries to counter it with a takedown but Suzuki pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hasani stuns Suzuki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Suzuki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hasani is fending him off so far but Suzuki persists. Nope, Hasani circles away and we're back to standing.
Hasani feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Suzuki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hasani's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hasani duly obliges.
Hasani lands with a nice body punch.
Suzuki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hasani is fending him off so far but Suzuki persists. Nope, Hasani circles away and we're back to standing.
Hasani keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hasani scores with a three punch combo!
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!
Hasani lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hasani scores with a one two! Suzuki had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hasani moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Suzuki misses with a takedown attempt - Hasani sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Suzuki fails with a takedown attempt.
Pal Hasani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hasani scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hasani lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hasani.
Hasani goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hasani is working the combinations to good effect here.

Hasani gets caught flat footed, as Suzuki shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hasani is trying to control the position but Suzuki postures up.
Hasani keeping moving, preventing Suzuki from controlling successfully.
Suzuki is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hasani is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Suzuki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hasani is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Suzuki passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hasani prevents Suzuki from moving into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Hasani's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hasani is looking to regain half guard here but Suzuki keeps moving and retains side control.
Suzuki tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hasani's legs.
Suzuki is looking to take a break and control but Hasani is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Suzuki tries to advance to mount but Hasani denies him.
Hasani is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Suzuki stands up and beckons Hasani to his feet.
Hasani throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Suzuki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hasani as he avoids it easily.
Hasani lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Suzuki backs up against the cage.
Ichiro Suzuki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Suzuki slips a jab and a cross from Hasani.
Pal Hasani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hasani lands with a nice combination. Suzuki backs away looking to recover.
Ichiro Suzuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Suzuki fails with a takedown attempt.
Suzuki closes the distance and clinches up with Hasani, looking for a takedown. Suzuki pushes Hasani against the cage but Hasani circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Suzuki darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hasani is looking to control Suzuki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hasani avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hasani is looking for a sweep. Suzuki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Suzuki stalling away here and it's allowed Hasani to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Hasani is trying to keep Suzuki in close.
Suzuki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hasani is keeping the position for now.

Suzuki drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hasani looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hasani looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hasani!

Hasani wants to lay and pray for a moment but Suzuki keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pal Hasani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Suzuki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hasani defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Suzuki.
Hasani throws a series of strikes that have Suzuki backpedaling.
Hasani misses with a series of wild punches.
Suzuki walks into a straight right hand from Hasani.
Suzuki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hasani pinned against the cage. Hasani gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Suzuki darts in looking for a takedown but Hasani gets double underhooks and turns Suzuki into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Suzuki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Suzuki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hasani moves into full guard.
Suzuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Hasani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hasani pulls Suzuki in close to his closed guard and prevents Suzuki from doing any damage or advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Let's hope that Hasani has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suzuki sitting in guard here, content to control.
Suzuki looking to sit in guard and control but Hasani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hasani trying to control but Suzuki is working from the bottom.

Suzuki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hasani gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Suzuki being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two 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.
Suzuki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hasani wants to control from the top but Suzuki keeps moving.
Hasani prevents Suzuki from getting back to his feet.
Suzuki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hasani is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hasani accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hasani is one step ahead there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hasani lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hasani lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Suzuki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hasani circles away.
Hasani stalks Suzuki and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Suzuki's face. Suzuki staggers backwards, shaken.
Hasani lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Pal Hasani is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Suzuki has a takedown stuffed.
Suzuki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hasani circles away.
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!
Hasani throws a series of strikes that have Suzuki backpedaling.
Hasani defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Suzuki.
Hasani displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hasani works the jab nicely.
Hasani connects with a jab.
Hasani scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hasani scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suzuki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hasani but Hasani pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Suzuki has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hasani throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Suzuki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hasani defends well and Suzuki ends up having to push Hasani into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hasani lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Suzuki backs up against the cage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Suzuki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hasani avoids it really well and circles away.
Hasani feints the counter takedown.
Hasani goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Suzuki takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A left and a right from Hasani both land. Nice combination.
Suzuki has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Suzuki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pal Hasani comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hasani winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 26:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pal Hasani!
During a confident post fight interview, Pal Hasani thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.