PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pupuki Namasuzuki (ranked 703 p4p, 971 weight class) and Norman Pearson (ranked 94 p4p, 128 weight class). Namasuzuki's entrance music is Stand By Me- Ben King. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Namasuzuki
vs
Pearson

175 cm
29
262
12 - 7 - 0

180 cm
37
272
25 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pupuki Namasuzuki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Norman Pearson!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Namasuzuki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Namasuzuki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Namasuzuki throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Namasuzuki thuds a left hand into Pearson's body.
Namasuzuki lands an overhand right.
Namasuzuki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pearson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Pearson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pearson defending well as Namasuzuki loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pearson looks to land a left hand but Namasuzuki moved out of range nicely.
A jab from Pearson finds it's way through Namasuzuki's defenses.

It looks like Pupuki Namasuzuki has been cut.
Pearson connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearson throws a looping overhand right but Namasuzuki ducks down to avoid it.
Namasuzuki misses with an uppercut. Pearson saw that one coming.
Nice defenses there by Pearson.
Namasuzuki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pearson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Namasuzuki with a body shot.
Pearson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Pearson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Pearson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Pearson throws a hook but Namasuzuki avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Pearson.
Pearson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Pupuki Namasuzuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Namasuzuki scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Namasuzuki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It looked like Namasuzuki was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Pearson.
Namasuzuki scores with a spinning back kick!
Namasuzuki shoots for a double leg takedown but Pearson sprawls well. He's pushed Namasuzuki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pearson throws a one two combo.

Namasuzuki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Namasuzuki controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Namasuzuki seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Pearson for as long as he can get away with.
Pearson is not content to let Namasuzuki control the position.
Pearson is letting Namasuzuki control him for a moment.
Pearson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Namasuzuki trying to control the action but Pearson is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pearson ducks under a wild hook from Namasuzuki.
Pearson misses with a hook. Namasuzuki ducked under it nicely.
Namasuzuki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pupuki Namasuzuki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A bone on bone clash there as Namasuzuki blocks the leg kick.
Namasuzuki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pearson is fending him off so far but Namasuzuki persists. Nope, Pearson circles away and we're back to standing.
Pearson connects with a body shot that sends Namasuzuki's belly button to the back.

Namasuzuki throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pearson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Namasuzuki is in Pearson's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pupuki Namasuzuki will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pupuki Namasuzuki's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pearson swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Namasuzuki to counter with a crisp jab.
Pearson throws a hook to the side of Namasuzuki's head but Namasuzuki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Namasuzuki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Pearson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Namasuzuki.
Namasuzuki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pearson.
Pearson thuds a left hand into Namasuzuki's body.
Namasuzuki with a nice cross.
It looks like Namasuzuki has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Pearson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Namasuzuki appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Namasuzuki keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Namasuzuki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pearson.
Pearson misses with an uppercut. Namasuzuki saw that one coming.
Namasuzuki seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Namasuzuki.
Namasuzuki walks into a stiff left hand from Pearson.
Namasuzuki misses with a looping right.
Namasuzuki throws a sloppy head kick
and Pearson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Namasuzuki lands a leg kick that knocks Pearson off balance momentarily.
A nice leg kick from Namasuzuki, right into the meat of the thigh.
Norman Pearson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pearson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Pearson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Namasuzuki throws a front kick aimed at Pearson's knee but Pearson avoids it well.
Norman Pearson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pearson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearson lands with a nice body punch.
Namasuzuki misses with a straight left.
Namasuzuki on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Namasuzuki scores with a sloppy right hand. Pearson should have avoided that one.
Pearson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Namasuzuki misses with a hook. Pearson ducked under it nicely.
Pearson moves forwards but Namasuzuki connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Pearson lands a really nice looking cross but Namasuzuki seems unphased.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pearson blocks a leg kick.
Pearson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A jab from Namasuzuki finds it's way through Pearson's defenses.
Namasuzuki fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pearson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Namasuzuki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pearson avoids it really well and circles away.
Pearson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Namasuzuki with a body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Namasuzuki. That's going to slow Pearson down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Namasuzuki dodges the punch combination from Pearson.
Namasuzuki works Pearson's body with a nice hook.
Pearson walks into a left hand.

Namasuzuki has managed to clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Namasuzuki.
Namasuzuki has a couple of punches blocked by Pearson.
Pearson tries a body shot but Namasuzuki blocks it.
Pearson taking a breather.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pearson.
Pearson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pupuki Namasuzuki will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pupuki Namasuzuki's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Pearson moves out of range as Namasuzuki strikes.
Namasuzuki throws a hook but Pearson blocks it.
Pearson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Namasuzuki.
Pearson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Namasuzuki counters with a nice leg kick.
Namasuzuki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Pearson throws out a counter right but Namasuzuki avoids it with no problem.
Namasuzuki throws a hook but Pearson blocks it.

Namasuzuki feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Namasuzuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Pearson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Namasuzuki won't allow Pearson to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Namasuzuki tries to free his leg and advance position but Pearson is retaining full guard.
Pearson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Namasuzuki trying to control but Pearson is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Pearson trying to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Pearson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

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.
Pearson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Namasuzuki misses with a looping right.
Pearson misses with a right hand
and Namasuzuki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jab, jab by Pearson - just one landing.
Namasuzuki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pearson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Namasuzuki fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Namasuzuki throws a leg kick but Pearson moved away.
Pearson throws out a counter right but Namasuzuki avoids it with no problem.
A low kick from Namasuzuki is predictable there
and Pearson counters with a stiff right hand.
Namasuzuki digs a good hook to Pearson's body.

Namasuzuki shoots in and gets a takedown into Pearson's guard.
Namasuzuki controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Norman Pearson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pearson keeping moving, preventing Namasuzuki from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pearson looking to control.
Pupuki Namasuzuki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Namasuzuki controlling from the top position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pupuki Namasuzuki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Namasuzuki has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pupuki Namasuzuki!
A very excited looking Pupuki Namasuzuki made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Norman Pearson was interviewed post fight and said 'I knew I was better in the clinch so I did my best to get in that area and smash him. Obviously that gameplan didn't work. I will get back to camp and re-evaluate where we went wrong. Thank you all for coming out! '.