PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tshephang Batho (ranked 2467 p4p, 2584 weight class) and Rou Joukani (ranked 318 p4p, 333 weight class). Tshephang Batho could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rou Joukani's chin.

Batho
vs
Joukani

185 cm
27
172
10 - 2 - 0

179 cm
25
175
10 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

SpeeDee BBQ
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tshephang Batho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rou Joukani!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joukani throws a nice inside leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Batho there.
Rou Joukani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joukani moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Joukani throws a big shot that misses.
Batho drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A swing and a miss from Joukani.
Batho uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Joukani.
Batho misses with a looping left.
Joukani throws a big counter head kick but Batho avoids it with no problem.
Batho misses with a two punch combination.
Batho walks into a stiff left hand from Joukani.
Batho misses with a hook.
Batho blocks a head kick by Joukani.
Batho misses the shot to the body.
Batho waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Joukani.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Joukani throws a combination. Batho tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Joukani tries a head kick but it misses.
Joukani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Joukani fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Batho.
Joukani misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukani swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Batho counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Joukani misses with a head kick.
Joukani misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Joukani's coach down at Zenarals' House was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Joukani's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Joukani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Batho.
Batho appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Batho misses with a looping right.
Batho tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Joukani lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice jab there from Batho.
Donk. Batho catches Joukani right on the button with a cross.
Joukani lands with a cross.
Joukani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick by Joukani misses
letting Batho counter with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab lands there for Batho.

Joukani is rocked!
Batho tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Joukani was well out of range. Poor timing from Batho.
Joukani is still on wobbly legs! Can Batho finish him?
Batho throws a big shot that misses.
Batho misses with a hook.
Joukani seems to have recovered his senses.
Joukani slips a straight right by Batho.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batho takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Batho bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Batho takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The fighters circling - Batho throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Joukani motions for Batho to come forward. Joukani throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Batho takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Batho throws a body shot but no joy.
Batho takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nice body punch from Batho.
Joukani moves away from the strike by Batho.
Joukani paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Batho.
Joukani ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Batho scores with a jab to the jaw.
Joukani thuds his right hand into Batho's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Joukani ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Batho moves away.
Batho was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Crunch! Joukani slams his shin into Batho's torso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukani throws a hook but Batho blocks it.
An attempted straight right counter from Batho misses the target.
Batho keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Batho misses the target.
Joukani throws a big counter head kick but Batho avoids it with no problem.
Batho scores with a nice right hand.
A left and a right from Joukani both land. Nice combination.
Batho throws a hook to the side of Joukani's head but Joukani sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Joukani misses with a few strikes there.
Joukani staying out of range there.
Joukani wants to land a leg kick but Batho is out of range.
Joukani attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Joukani throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A little feinted left hand from Batho on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Joukani slips a jab from Batho.
Joukani moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Joukani tries a low kick but Batho avoids it.
Batho lands a two punch combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joukani ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joukani bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Despite the aggression on Joukani's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Batho misses with a straight left.
A big left from Batho misses.
Batho avoids a kick to the body.
Joukani listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A slapping leg kick lands for Joukani.
We've been told by Batho's head coaches at Torcida MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Joukani misses with the body kick
and Batho counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fighters circling - Batho throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters circling - Batho throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Batho slips a straight right by Joukani.
Joukani throws a poor cross that misses
and Joukani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Joukani changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Joukani - that will leave a mark!
Batho takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Batho missing with a left hand there. Joukani was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Batho misses the body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rou Joukani dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Joukani looks to land a left hand but Batho moved out of range nicely.
Joukani scoring well with a low kick there.
Joukani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Joukani is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Batho fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Joukani is out of range.
Batho rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Joukani counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A slow jab from Joukani misses its intended target.
It looked like Batho wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A leg kick checked by Batho.
Batho is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Batho throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Batho throws a body shot but no joy.
Joukani throws a sloppy head kick and Batho moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joukani scores with a sloppy right hand. Batho should have avoided that one.
Joukani has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Batho thows a left - swing and a miss!
Joukani throws a series of punches but Batho avoids them all with ease.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Batho might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Batho throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Joukani counters with a slapping leg kick.
Joukani uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Batho.
A nice inside leg kick there by Joukani. That's going to slow Batho down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukani scores with a kick to the midsection.
Joukani throws a quick inside leg kick.
Batho finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Batho lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Joukani misses with a body shot
and Batho counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Joukani thinking.
A big right from Batho misses.
Joukani swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Batho connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Joukani throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Joukani fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Batho walks forward, straight into a front kick from Joukani.
Batho uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Joukani.
Batho is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Joukani.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Batho looks to throw the jab but Joukani is out of range.
Joukani shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Batho eats them both and turns towards Joukani to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Batho will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Batho throws a jab but it's blocked by Joukani.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batho ducks right into an uppercut from Joukani.
Joukani fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Batho manages to avoid it.
Batho is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Batho walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Joukani takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Batho throws out a loose jab but Joukani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rou Joukani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Batho throws a predictable looking body shot
and Joukani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Joukani ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Batho moves away.
Joukani throws a wild body kick that Batho sees coming a mile off.
Joukani scores with a decent looking hook.
Batho misses with a straight left.
Joukani misses with a lunging right hand
and Batho counters with a nice low kick that buckles Joukani's knee momentarily.
Joukani tries to land a front kick but Batho steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A big left from Joukani misses.
Batho throwing a counter right hand but Joukani manages to avoid it.
Joukani takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Joukani shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It looked like Batho wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batho takes one to the side of the head.
Batho tried to score with a low kick but Joukani checks it.
Batho is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Joukani.
Joukani throws a head kick but Batho moves out of range.
Joukani uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Batho.
Joukani gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Batho lands with a good body shot.
Batho misses with a hook. Joukani ducked under it nicely.
Joukani was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Batho 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.
Batho misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Joukani.
Joukani flicks out a counter leg kick but Batho steps away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Joukani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Joukani swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Batho was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Batho swings for the body but Joukani moves out of range.
Batho scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Batho moves out of range of the body kick.
Joukani scores with a crisp jab that stopped Batho in his tracks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batho takes a head kick and keeps coming.
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!
Joukani connects with a crisp jab.
A big right from Batho misses.
A jab from Batho misses.
Joukani tries to work over Batho's front leg with a kick but Batho checks it.
Joukani throws a right hand that misses
and Batho counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Joukani goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Batho scores with a jab.
Batho lands a slapping body shot.
Joukani dips to his left and cracks Batho with an uppercut!
Joukani fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Batho has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Batho with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Joukani to score with a decent uppercut.
Joukani misses with a kick to the body.
Batho takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Joukani throws a head kick that half lands.

Batho is rocked!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rou Joukani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Batho's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Joukani slips under a jab from Batho.
Batho throws a poor cross that misses
and Joukani counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Joukani ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Joukani takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Joukani thuds his right hand into Batho's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Batho fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Joukani manages to avoid it.
Batho misses with a hook.
Joukani scores with a leg kick.
Batho fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Joukani looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Batho misses with a left hand
letting Joukani counter with a right hand.
Joukani slips a straight right by Batho.
Joukani scores with a jab to the body.
Joukani goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joukani throws a quick inside leg kick.
Joukani's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Batho connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Joukani scrambles back to his feet.
Batho jabs Joukani to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukani buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Batho misses the shot to the body.
Batho takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Joukani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Joukani fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Batho on the side of the head.
Joukani throws a front kick aimed at Batho's knee but Batho avoids it well.
Joukani takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Joukani has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Batho lands a right hook to the body.
Batho throws a right hand that misses
and Joukani counters with a nice body kick.
Batho throws a right hand that misses
and Joukani counters with a nice uppercut.
Joukani scores with a three punch combo!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A bone on bone clash there as Batho blocks the leg kick.
Joukani connects with a good right hand that stumbles Batho. Batho circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tshephang Batho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batho defending well as Joukani loads up on a big left hand.
Joukani looks to land a combination but Batho avoids it well.
Joukani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Batho lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Joukani at a distance.
Joukani throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Batho to counter with a crisp jab.
Batho throws a good cross that connects.
Batho misses with a straight right.
Batho jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Joukani looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Joukani fakes the leg kick and cracks Batho in the body.
A big left from Batho misses.
Batho throws a shot from downtown. Joukani moves away and avoids it.
Batho takes a swing at Joukani's ribcage but misses.
Batho swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Joukani digs a good body shot into Batho's ribs.
Joukani scores with a jab to the jaw.
Batho moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukani lands a nice looking body kick.
Joukani scores with a one two! Batho had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Joukani lands a nice looking kick to the body. Batho takes a step back to recover.
Batho needs to keep his hands up - Joukani had a free shot at his head there.
Joukani throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Batho takes a swing at Joukani's ribcage but misses.
Joukani takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Joukani tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice shot lands for Joukani.
Joukani misses with a hook
and Batho counters with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joukani throws a jab when Batho was well out of range.
Batho throwing a counter right hand but Joukani manages to avoid it.
Joukani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Batho.
Batho throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joukani misses with an uppercut. Batho saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Batho misses the target.
Batho works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rou Joukani is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Joukani bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Batho throws out a loose jab but Joukani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Joukani lands a body shot.
Joukani lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Batho moves out of range of the body kick from Joukani.
Batho misses with a straight right.
Batho throws a lazy uppercut
and Joukani counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Batho takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joukani digs a good hook to Batho's body.
Batho throws a leg kick that misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Batho.
Batho throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Joukani sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Batho moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromJoukani.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rou Joukani comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Joukani has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rou Joukani!
A less than humble Rou Joukani misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.