PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hitoshi Shinso (ranked 4803 p4p, 4498 weight class) and Francis Fukamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hitoshi Shinso could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Francis Fukamura's chin.

Shinso
vs
Fukamura

170 cm
18
140
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
140
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hitoshi Shinso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Francis Fukamura!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shinso clinches up with Fukamura and pushes him back against the cage.
Fukamura is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shinso is defending well.
Fukamura tries for a takedown but Shinso manages to get underhooks.
Fukamura has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shinso avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hitoshi Shinso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francis Fukamura.
Fukamura tries for a takedown. No joy.

Shinso pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Shinso.

Shinso drives through and clinches with Fukamura against the cage.
Fukamura tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fukamura drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shinso pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shinso misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shinso tries to clinch up but Fukamura circles away and keeps his distance.
A low kick from Shinso misses

and Fukamura counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shinso is looking for a sweep. Fukamura is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shinso is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fukamura wants to work for an arm triangle but Shinso is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Shinso actively working from the bottom here.
Shinso wants to control but Fukamura is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Fukamura winds up and cracks Shinso with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shinso on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shinso tries to roll over but Fukamura keeps him under control.
Fukamura working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Fukamura has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Shinso is trying to get back to full guard.
Fukamura lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Shinso is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fukamura scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fukamura is working for a submission of some sort.
Shinso is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fukamura scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fukamura seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shinso does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nice strikes from Fukamura there.
Fukamura lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fukamura slips a nice elbow through Shinso's hands, connecting with Shinso's forehead.
Shinso wants to control but Fukamura is keeping busy.
Fukamura is keen to just control but Shinso is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fukamura looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Shinso knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fukamura on the ground.
Fukamura seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Fukamura looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Shinso with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Fukamura drops an elbow to the side of Shinso's head.
Fukamura is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shinso tries to roll over but Fukamura keeps him under control.
Fukamura lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fukamura lands a nice short elbow.
Fukamura working the head and body with strikes.
Fukamura slows the pace down in half guard.
Fukamura scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fukamura is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shinso is just riding it out for now. Fukamura eventually gives up the hold.

Fukamura is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fukamura is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Fukamura is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Fukamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fukamura lands a nice short elbow.
Shinso on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Fukamura dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shinso fails with the takedown
and Fukamura counters with an outside leg kick.
Fukamura stuffs the takedown attempt from Shinso. Shinso gets slowly back to his feet.
Fukamura wants to counter the offense by Shinso and move into the clinch position.
Shinso misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hitoshi Shinso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fukamura circles away from the clinch attempt

and Fukamura counters with a single leg into guard. Shinso didn't expect that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fukamura with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukamura slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Fukamura working some strikes from top position.
Fukamura postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fukamura trying to control but Shinso is working from the bottom.
Fukamura chips away with some ground and pound.
Fukamura is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Fukamura's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Fukamura scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fukamura lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fukamura is working Shinso over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shinso being controlled here, momentarily.
Shinso preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fukamura is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Fukamura is in close to Shinso's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Fukamura pushes down on Shinso's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Francis Fukamura has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fukamura is taking a breather. Shinso says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Fukamura seems to be working for a kimura but Shinso defends the submission attempt.
Fukamura working the head and body with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fukamura lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinso is not content to let Fukamura control the position.
Fukamura working over Shinso with some ground and pound. Shinso looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fukamura stalling.
Fukamura is nestled in close to Shinso, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fukamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Fukamura connects with a nice short shot to Shinso's temple.
Fukamura scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Shinso is looking to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fukamura working over Shinso with some ground and pound. Shinso looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Shinso has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fukamura is working away from the top position though.
Shinso is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fukamura scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukamura working the head and body with strikes.
Fukamura scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fukamura stalling.
Fukamura working over Shinso with some ground and pound. Shinso looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fukamura wants to take a breather but Shinso is having none of it.
Fukamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fukamura working Shinso over with strikes.
Fukamura is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fukamura slips a nice elbow through Shinso's hands, connecting with Shinso's forehead.
Still in half guard, Fukamura seems content to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Fukamura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Fukamura stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fukamura wants it to stay on the feet.
A low kick from Shinso misses

and Fukamura counters with a single leg into guard. Shinso didn't expect that.
Fukamura slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Fukamura distracts Shinso with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fukamura is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Fukamura with a nice head shot there.

Fukamura is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fukamura cracks Shinso with a solid left hand.
Fukamura working some strikes from top position.
Fukamura distracts Shinso with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukamura lands a couple of digs.
Shinso working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fukamura trying to control but Shinso is working from the bottom.
Fukamura lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fukamura postures up and lands a big shot to Shinso's brow.
Fukamura controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fukamura landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shinso is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fukamura defends well.
Fukamura is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fukamura with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fukamura is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fukamura working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shinso working a defensive guard here.
Fukamura controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shinso can't keep his opponent in guard - Fukamura advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fukamura working over Shinso with some ground and pound. Shinso looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Well, if Fukamura is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fukamura working over Shinso with some ground and pound. Shinso looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Fukamura is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shinso sees it coming and defends easily.
Fukamura controlling the pace.
Fukamura is trying to control the action in half guard but Shinso is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukamura is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Fukamura passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Shinso!
Fukamura lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Fukamura scoring with strikes but Shinso is staying in there.
Fukamura with good strikes from the mount here!
Fukamura cracks Shinso with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fukamura prevents Shinso from getting the reversal.
Fukamura cracks Shinso with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fukamura wants to control the pace but Shinso is squirming around nicely.
Shinso takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francis Fukamura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fukamura 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 25:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francis Fukamura!