PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Don Crenshaw (ranked 570 p4p, 351 weight class) and Akaro Horiguchi (ranked 79 p4p, 47 weight class). Crenshaw comes to the cage accompanied by Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers. Horiguchi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Japanese Imperial Army Death March. 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.

Crenshaw
vs
Horiguchi

162 cm
24
161
14 - 5 - 0

176 cm
33
159
19 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Offseason nutrition & LAUNDRY (115$-160Q)

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Don Crenshaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Akaro Horiguchi!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crenshaw misses with a body shot.
Horiguchi feints a counter leg kick.
Horiguchi tries to work over Crenshaw's front leg with a kick but Crenshaw checks it.
Horiguchi tries to bum rush Crenshaw with a series of wild strikes but Crenshaw uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Horiguchi misses the shot to the body.
Horiguchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Crenshaw dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Horiguchi. That did some damage!
Crenshaw fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Horiguchi checks a leg kick.
Crenshaw uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Horiguchi.
Crenshaw connects with a leg kick.
Crenshaw swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Crenshaw doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Horiguchi avoids the body shot from Crenshaw.
Crenshaw scores with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Crenshaw misses with an attempted mid kick.
Crenshaw throws a solid leg kick but Horiguchi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Crenshaw.
Horiguchi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Crenshaw.
Horiguchi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Crenshaw looks to score with a jab to the body but Horiguchi is just out of range.
Horiguchi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Crenshaw with a body shot.
Horiguchi throws a hook to the side of Crenshaw's head but Crenshaw sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've been informed that Horiguchi has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Horiguchi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Crenshaw was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Horiguchi with the inside leg kick.
Crenshaw throws a nice looking combination but Horiguchi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Horiguchi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Horiguchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Crenshaw throws a body shot but no joy.
Horiguchi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Akaro Horiguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horiguchi avoids the body shot from Crenshaw.
Horiguchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Crenshaw takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Horiguchi.
A counter left hand to the body from Crenshaw misses its target.
Horiguchi throws a sloppy head kick and Crenshaw moves out of range easily.
Horiguchi tried to score with a low kick but Crenshaw checks it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Horiguchi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Crenshaw shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Horiguchi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Crenshaw is looking to wear down Horiguchi with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Crenshaw throws a lazy right hand but Horiguchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Horiguchi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Horiguchi misses with an attempted mid kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Horiguchi. Crenshaw does a little dance to reset his feet.
Horiguchi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Crenshaw. Crenshaw obviously looking to wear him down.
Horiguchi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Horiguchi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Horiguchi slips under a jab.
Horiguchi misses with a low kick.
Horiguchi cracks a nice hook into Crenshaw's ribs.
Crenshaw throws a chopping leg kick but Horiguchi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Horiguchi moves into the clinch successfully.
Horiguchi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Horiguchi lands with a short shot to the head.

Horiguchi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Crenshaw throws out a loose jab but Horiguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Horiguchi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Crenshaw manages to avoid it.
Crenshaw misses the shot to the body.
Crenshaw throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A low kick lands for Horiguchi.
Horiguchi misses with a hook to the body
and Crenshaw counters with a straight right hand.
Crenshaw moves out of range as Horiguchi strikes.
Crenshaw moves out of range as Horiguchi strikes.
Good leg kick by Crenshaw.
Horiguchi cracks Crenshaw with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Crenshaw avoids the head kick by Horiguchi.
Crenshaw was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Crenshaw steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Horiguchi. That one must have hurt.
Horiguchi avoids the body shot from Crenshaw.
Crenshaw connects with a body shot that sends Horiguchi's belly button to the back.
Crenshaw lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Crenshaw to counter with a crisp jab.
Crenshaw ducks under a wild hook from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi scores with a nice body kick.
Crenshaw throws a sloppy head kick and Horiguchi moves out of range easily.
Crenshaw swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Horiguchi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Horiguchi closes the distance looking to clinch
and Crenshaw cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crenshaw. Horiguchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Horiguchi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Horiguchi jabs Crenshaw to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Horiguchi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Crenshaw momentarily.
Horiguchi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crenshaw sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Crenshaw throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horiguchi with a hook.
A jab lands there for Horiguchi.
Crenshaw tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Horiguchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Crenshaw.
It seemed like Horiguchi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A good leg kick by Horiguchi.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akaro Horiguchi dominated that round.
That's time! Crenshaw's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Crenshaw looks to land a body kick but Horiguchi moved away.
A little jabbing left from Horiguchi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Horiguchi slips under a jab.
Horiguchi connects with a jab.
Horiguchi throws a looping overhand right but Crenshaw ducks down to avoid it.
Horiguchi is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Crenshaw misses with a leg kick.
Crenshaw throws a big shot that misses.
Horiguchi tries a low kick but Crenshaw avoids it.
Horiguchi throws a chopping leg kick but Crenshaw manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Crenshaw chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Crenshaw with a nice calf kick.
Horiguchi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Crenshaw throws an overhand right that lands on Horiguchi's shoulder, as Horiguchi tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Horiguchi misses.
Horiguchi slips a straight right by Crenshaw.
Horiguchi misses with a straight left.
Crenshaw is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Crenshaw connects with a crisp jab.
Horiguchi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw misses with a body punch
and Horiguchi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice shot by Crenshaw.
Akaro Horiguchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Horiguchi connects with a looping right hand.
Crenshaw swinging wildly here.
Horiguchi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Horiguchi misses with a shot to the body
and Crenshaw counters with a low kick, right behind Horiguchi 's knee.
Crenshaw swings for the body but Horiguchi moves out of range.
Crenshaw bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Horiguchi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Horiguchi with a nice calf kick.
Horiguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Crenshaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi connects with a looping right hand.
Crenshaw throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Horiguchi tries to score with a low kick but Crenshaw moves his leg out of the way.
Crenshaw feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Crenshaw connects with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A good leg kick by Horiguchi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crenshaw looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Horiguchi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Horiguchi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A shot to the liver by Crenshaw. Beautiful body shot.
Crenshaw bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Crenshaw tries to land a body kick
and Horiguchi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Crenshaw uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi avoids a kick to the body.
Horiguchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Crenshaw is just out of range.
Crenshaw stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A leg kick checked by Horiguchi.
Crenshaw tries to move into range but Horiguchi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Horiguchi misses with a low kick.
Crenshaw swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Horiguchi.
Nice shot by Crenshaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Crenshaw.
A swing and a miss from Crenshaw.
Horiguchi staying out of range there.
Horiguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Crenshaw.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A nice inside leg kick there by Horiguchi. That's going to slow Crenshaw down.
Horiguchi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Crenshaw moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Crenshaw throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Crenshaw chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Horiguchi can pounce on him.
Horiguchi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Horiguchi throws a lazy uppercut
and Crenshaw counters with a nice body shot.
Crenshaw tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Horiguchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Crenshaw.
Crenshaw misses the shot to the body.
Horiguchi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Horiguchi loads up on a big right hand but Crenshaw slips the punch.
A nice leg kick from Horiguchi, right into the meat of the thigh.
Horiguchi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi throws a low kick but Crenshaw avoids it.
Crenshaw appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Horiguchi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Crenshaw's sensitive parts.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Crenshaw misses with a low kick.
Crenshaw takes a swing at Horiguchi's ribcage but misses.
Crenshaw bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Horiguchi's head.
Crenshaw misses with a body shot
and Horiguchi counters with a nice uppercut.
Crenshaw ducks under a wild hook from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Horiguchi blocks a jab.
Horiguchi scores with a shot to the body.
Crenshaw takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Crenshaw misses with a low kick.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick which misses Crenshaw's front leg but catches the back leg as Crenshaw tries to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crenshaw. Horiguchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Crenshaw misses with a looping left.
Horiguchi was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Crenshaw on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akaro Horiguchi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Horiguchi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Crenshaw swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Crenshaw checks a leg kick.
A low kick lands for Crenshaw.
Horiguchi throws a body punch but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Crenshaw is looking to land body kicks.
Horiguchi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Crenshaw. Crenshaw obviously looking to wear him down.
Crenshaw misses with a low kick.
Crenshaw walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Horiguchi throws a wild body kick that Crenshaw sees coming a mile off.
Nice body kick there by Horiguchi.
Horiguchi throws out a leg kick but Crenshaw moves out of range and Horiguchi only half commits.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horiguchi is looking to land body kicks.
Crenshaw just misses with a punch to the body.
Crenshaw scores with a nice strike.
Horiguchi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Horiguchi scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Horiguchi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Crenshaw misses with a wild body shot.
Crenshaw throws a low kick, looking for Horiguchi's leg but Horiguchi calmly moves out of range.
Horiguchi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crenshaw. Horiguchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Horiguchi.
Horiguchi throws a push kick but Crenshaw slaps the foot to one side.
Horiguchi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Crenshaw's head.
Horiguchi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Crenshaw.
A head kick by Horiguchi misses
and Crenshaw cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Horiguchi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Crenshaw throws a predictable looking body shot
and Horiguchi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Crenshaw throws a body kick that misses.
Horiguchi misses with a straight right.
Don Crenshaw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akaro Horiguchi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crenshaw throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Crenshaw swings for the body but Horiguchi moves out of range.
Horiguchi scores with a jab. Crenshaw acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Horiguchi's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Horiguchi duly obliges.
Crenshaw looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The fighters circle momentarily. Horiguchi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Crenshaw tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Crenshaw just misses with a punch to the body.
Crenshaw ducks under a wild hook from Horiguchi.
The fighters circling - Horiguchi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Horiguchi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jab from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Crenshaw.
Crenshaw throws out a leg kick but Horiguchi moves out of range and Crenshaw only half commits.
Horiguchi lands with a straight right. Crenshaw didn't see that one coming.
Horiguchi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Crenshaw takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Crenshaw has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Horiguchi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Horiguchi rushes Crenshaw and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Crenshaw can't break the clinch.
Horiguchi lands a left hand.
Crenshaw avoiding damage as Horiguchi throws knees to the body.

Horiguchi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Crenshaw uses from the top position.
Horiguchi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Crenshaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Horiguchi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Crenshaw not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crenshaw stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Horiguchi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Crenshaw has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Horiguchi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Crenshaw looking to pass the guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Horiguchi thumps Crenshaw with a low kick.
Crenshaw throws a sloppy body shot
and Horiguchi counters with a slapping leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akaro Horiguchi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Horiguchi 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

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