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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francis Fitzpatrick (ranked 148 p4p, 18 weight class) and Toshi Hijikata (ranked 75 p4p, 9 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 180 cm
33
165 lbs
31 - 19 - 1 |
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178 cm
31
159 lbs
23 - 9 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
31 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Francis Fitzpatrick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Toshi Hijikata!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzpatrick throws the left hand but Hijikata avoids the punch easily.
Fitzpatrick pushes Hijikata up against the cage in a clinch.
Fitzpatrick taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fitzpatrick.
Hijikata has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hijikata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Hijikata is predictable there
and Fitzpatrick cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fitzpatrick thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hijikata throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hijikata is looking to slow Fitzpatrick down with leg kicks.
Fitzpatrick gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fitzpatrick fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fitzpatrick rushes Hijikata and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fitzpatrick lands a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fitzpatrick throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fitzpatrick creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hijikata's defenses.
Hijikata takes an elbow to the temple.
It looks like Toshi Hijikata has been cut.
Hijikata wants to get back to striking at distance but Fitzpatrick won't allow it.
Fitzpatrick blocks an uppercut.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hijikata manages to break the clinch.
Fitzpatrick swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hijikata throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fitzpatrick sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Fitzpatrick throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fitzpatrick bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hijikata's head.
Hijikata throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fitzpatrick stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hijikata connects with a body shot that sends Fitzpatrick's belly button to the back.
Nice cross by Hijikata.
Fitzpatrick connects with a jab.
Fitzpatrick tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hijikata swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fitzpatrick throws a right and a left that Hijikata avoids nicely.
Fitzpatrick avoids the body shot from Hijikata.
Toshi Hijikata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hijikata misses with a body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hijikata throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick looks to score with a jab to the body but Hijikata is just out of range.
Fitzpatrick blocks the body kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hijikata takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A jab from Fitzpatrick misses.
Fitzpatrick takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hijikata keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fitzpatrick.
It seemed like Hijikata was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fitzpatrick scores with a hook.
Fitzpatrick closes the distance and clinches.
Hijikata lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fitzpatrick backwards.
Hijikata is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Fitzpatrick lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fitzpatrick doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hijikata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fitzpatrick lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hijikata backwards.
Fitzpatrick misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Fitzpatrick.
Our sources have told us that Fitzpatrick has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Hijikata working hard to break the clinch.
Fitzpatrick working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hijikata tries a body shot but Fitzpatrick blocks it.
Fitzpatrick scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hijikata content to slow the pace in the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick misses with a body punch.
Hijikata prevents a body shot from Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick lands an elbow inside.
Fitzpatrick has Hijikata pressed against the cage, preventing Hijikata from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Fitzpatrick tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hijikata blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fitzpatrick tries to stall but Hijikata uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fitzpatrick lands a shoulder strike.
Hijikata is trying to break the clinch but Fitzpatrick is controlling him.
A short body shot lands from Hijikata as the two fighters clinch.
Fitzpatrick misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hijikata tries to work over Fitzpatrick's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hijikata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fitzpatrick takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Fitzpatrick 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 Hijikata has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hijikata and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Fitzpatrick throws a hook but Hijikata blocks it.
Hijikata lands with a shot to the body.
Fitzpatrick tries to close the distance and clinch but Hijikata swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hijikata misses with a looping right.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hijikata scores with a hook.
Fitzpatrick takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fitzpatrick throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hijikata looks to land a body kick but Fitzpatrick moved away.
Hijikata loads up on a big right hand but Fitzpatrick slips the punch.
Hijikata uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick wants to clinch up but Hijikata keeps it at a distance.
It seemed like Hijikata was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hijikata slips a straight right by Fitzpatrick.
Hijikata throws out a counter right but Fitzpatrick avoids it with no problem.
Fitzpatrick throws the left hand but Hijikata avoids the punch easily.
Hijikata swats away the attempt to clinch by Fitzpatrick.
Hijikata misses the shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzpatrick looks to throw the jab but Hijikata is out of range.
Hijikata looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hijikata lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fitzpatrick at a distance.
Fitzpatrick takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Francis Fitzpatrick will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Toshi Hijikata's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Hijikata ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fitzpatrick moves away.
Hijikata darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hijikata throws a poor cross that misses
and Hijikata takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hijikata shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Fitzpatrick is looking to clinch but Hijikata is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fitzpatrick looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fitzpatrick lands a nice looking body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hijikata.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hijikata.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzpatrick fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hijikata, pushing him back against the cage.
Good body shot from Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick lands an elbow just above Hijikata 's eye.
Fitzpatrick misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hijikata leaning against his opponent.
Hijikata manages to break the clinch.
Fitzpatrick closes the distance and pushes Hijikata back into the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fitzpatrick softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Fitzpatrick throws an elbow but misses.
Fitzpatrick can't find room to land a body shot as Hijikata controls the action.
Fitzpatrick struggles to land a body shot inside as Hijikata controls his hands.
Fitzpatrick misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hijikata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fitzpatrick is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hijikata is keeping busy.
Come on Fitzpatrick - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A head punch on the inside from Fitzpatrick fails to land.
Fitzpatrick goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A frustrated look appears on Hijikata's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fitzpatrick tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hijikata's elbow.
Fitzpatrick lands a right hand.
Hijikata misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fitzpatrick tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hijikata's elbow.
Hijikata's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fitzpatrick works on Hijikata's body with a couple of short punches.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hijikata wants to break free but Fitzpatrick has control.
Fitzpatrick is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hijikata can do to turn this around?
Fitzpatrick tries to stall but Hijikata uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fitzpatrick lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Fitzpatrick misses with an elbow over the top.
Nice body punch from Hijikata.
Fitzpatrick swings wildly with an uppercut but Hijikata uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hijikata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hijikata avoids the body shot from Fitzpatrick.
Hijikata is trying to counter with his kicks.
Hijikata lands with an uppercut that bounces Fitzpatrick off the cage and back into range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hijikata clobbers Fitzpatrick with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hijikata uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fitzpatrick.
Hijikata steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Hijikata ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fitzpatrick lands with a hook. Hijikata tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hijikata throws a good cross that connects.
Hijikata blocks a jab.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hijikata moves away.
Hijikata lands a glancing blow to the side of Fitzpatrick's head.
Hijikata misses with a body shot.
A good leg kick by Hijikata.
Fitzpatrick jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Toshi Hijikata seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hijikata fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fitzpatrick is out of range.
A big right from Hijikata misses.
Hijikata has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hijikata there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hijikata is looking to chop away at Fitzpatrick's legs.
Hijikata misses with a hook
and Fitzpatrick counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hijikata misses with a body kick.
Fitzpatrick swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitzpatrick throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hijikata scores with a kick to the body.
Fitzpatrick takes a swing at Hijikata's ribcage but misses.
Hijikata misses with an attempted mid kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hijikata lands an overhand right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzpatrick throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hijikata thinks about the counter body kick.
Fitzpatrick shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hijikata dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzpatrick wants to clinch up but Hijikata keeps it at a distance.
Fitzpatrick misses with a low kick.
Fitzpatrick tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hijikata was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fitzpatrick smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hijikata lands a head kick!
Fitzpatrick tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hijikata counters with a left to the body.
Hijikata staying out of range there.
Fitzpatrick tries to clinch but Hijikata is having none of it.
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 Francis Fitzpatrick will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Toshi Hijikata's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!
Hijikata lands with a hook. Fitzpatrick tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A jab from Fitzpatrick misses.
Fitzpatrick misses with the combination.
Hijikata swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hijikata lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fitzpatrick tries to clinch but Hijikata is having none of it.
Fitzpatrick uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hijikata.
Fitzpatrick takes a swing at Hijikata's ribcage but misses.
Hijikata throws an off balance right hand
and Hijikata takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fitzpatrick gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hijikata.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hijikata throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hijikata scores with a spinning back kick!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hijikata.
Hijikata bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
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 lands there for Hijikata.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick throws a body shot but no joy.
Fitzpatrick tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hijikata was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzpatrick.
Hijikata digs a good body shot into Fitzpatrick's ribs.
Fitzpatrick throws a hook to the side of Hijikata's head but Hijikata sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hijikata looks to land a body kick but Fitzpatrick moved away.
Fitzpatrick feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hijikatas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hijikata throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hijikata scores with the left hand. Fitzpatrick knows he should have avoided that one.
Fitzpatrick tries to clinch but Hijikata moves out of range.
Hijikata lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hijikata is looking to score with low kicks.
Fitzpatrick was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hijikata scores with a nice right hand.
Hijikata lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hijikata lands a jab to the head.
Fitzpatrick keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
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!
Hijikata lands a nice looking body shot.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Fitzpatrick throws a body shot but no joy.
Hijikata is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Fitzpatrick with a body shot.
Hijikata tests Fitzpatrick's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A slow jab from Hijikata misses its intended target.
Hijikata throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hijikata connects with an inside leg kick.
Fitzpatrick misses the shot to the body.
Hijikata swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hijikata is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hijikata.
Hijikata changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzpatrick takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fitzpatrick fails in his attempt to clinch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hijikata.
Fitzpatrick is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hijikata throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Fitzpatrick takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hijikata throws out a leg kick but Fitzpatrick moves out of range and Hijikata only half commits.
Toshi Hijikata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fitzpatrick takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hijikata throws a front kick that sends Fitzpatrick stumbling back into the cage.
Hijikata misses with a body kick.
Fitzpatrick is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Francis Fitzpatrick is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fitzpatrick moves in looking to clinch but Hijikata pushes him off.
Hijikata just misses with a punch to the body.
Fitzpatrick staying out of range there.
Fitzpatrick throws the left hand but Hijikata avoids the punch easily.
Hijikata missing with a left hand there. Fitzpatrick was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fitzpatrick will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Fitzpatrick blocks a jab.
Fitzpatrick connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fitzpatrick chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fitzpatrick ducks under a wild hook from Hijikata.
Hijikata swats away the attempt to clinch by Fitzpatrick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hijikata throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hijikata wants to slow Fitzpatrick down by chopping away at his legs.
Hijikata scores with a body shot.
Hijikata throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hijikata avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitzpatrick wants to clinch up but Hijikata keeps it at a distance.
Fitzpatrick connects with the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzpatrick tries to clinch but Hijikata is having none of it.
Hijikata looks to land a left hand but Fitzpatrick moved out of range nicely.
Fitzpatrick throwing a counter right hand but Hijikata manages to avoid it.
A big right from Fitzpatrick misses.
Hijikata lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
It looks like Francis Fitzpatrick has been cut.
Fitzpatrick takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Fitzpatrick darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hijikata moves forwards but Fitzpatrick connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzpatrick scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
And that's the end of the fight!
Toshi Hijikata comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fitzpatrick 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
The fight is ruled a majority draw!
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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
75% |
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