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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 1151 p4p, 797 weight class) and Edgy Brah (ranked 120 p4p, 89 weight class). Brah is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Dropped by Smoke Serpent. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 170 cm
39
145
38 - 23 - 2 |
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173 cm
38
155
23 - 19 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 23 - 2, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 19 - 1, fighting out of London, Edgy Brah!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brah avoids the body shot from Matsunaga.
Brah blocks a jab.
Brah will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Brah shoots in and drives through. Matsunaga sprawls well.
Brah bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A countering left hand to the body from Brah misses.
Brah slips a jab from Matsunaga.
Brah takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Matsunaga throws out a powerful jab.
Brah takes a jab right on the kisser.
Brah fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matsunaga looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Brah wants to clinch up but Matsunaga keeps it at a distance.
A little feinted left hand from Matsunaga on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matsunaga throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Brah.
Matsunaga looks to land a left hand but Brah moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Matsunaga throws a lazy head kick
and Brah counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsunaga is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsunaga gets back to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Brah throws a big elbow that misses.
Brah stopping the sweep attempt from Matsunaga.
Brah trying to control the position from guard on top but Matsunaga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Brah tries to free his leg and advance position but Matsunaga is retaining full guard.
Brah got a little sloppy there for a moment and Matsunaga has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Brah has managed to get both his arms back between Matsunaga's legs - danger averted.
Brah trying to control but Matsunaga is working from the bottom.
Matsunaga has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Brah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Matsunaga looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's two 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.
Brah controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Brah avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Brah content to stall in guard here.
Matsunaga bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Brah's guard.
Matsunaga wants to control from the top but Brah keeps moving.
Brah managing to control the position.
Matsunaga trying to control but Brah is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Matsunaga works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Brah wants to control but Matsunaga is keeping busy.
Matsunaga wants to pass the guard but Brah is defending well.
Matsunaga is trying to work for a kimura but Brah is defending well.
Brah gets full guard.
Brah is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga trying to control but Brah postures up.
Brah perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Matsunaga has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Brah is working away from the top position though.
Brah trying to control the pace.
Brah prevents Matsunaga from improving his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsunaga looking for submissions off his back.
Matsunaga is looking to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Futoshi Matsunaga 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.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Matsunaga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matsunaga misses with an attempted mid kick.
Brah drives through and clinches with Matsunaga against the cage.
Matsunaga pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsunaga looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Brah checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matsunaga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matsunaga ducks under a wild hook from Brah.
Brah displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Matsunaga finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Brah drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Matsunaga defends it well.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matsunaga.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Brah doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Brah looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Brah tries to clinch but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matsunaga looks to land a body kick but Brah moved away.
Matsunaga tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Brah tries to move into range but Matsunaga moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A swing and a miss from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga lands a nice shot that snaps Brah's head back.
Matsunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Futoshi Matsunaga is winning the standup battle so far.
Matsunaga missing with a left hand there. Brah was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Brah slips a jab from Matsunaga.
Brah scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Matsunaga is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Brah can do to turn this around?
Matsunaga scores with a nice right hand.
Brah rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matsunaga moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matsunaga moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsunaga was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matsunaga looks to land a right hand but Brah moved out of range.
Futoshi Matsunaga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matsunaga throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Brah changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Matsunaga throws a lazy right hand but Brah sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Brah avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Brah takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Matsunaga checks a leg kick.
Brah slips under a jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brah shoots in looking for a takedown. Matsunaga tries to sprawl out of it but Brah keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matsunaga manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Matsunaga jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matsunaga digs a good body shot into Brah's ribs.
Matsunaga swings for the body but Brah moves out of range.
Brah slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Brah feints a counter leg kick.
Brah swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matsunaga throws a shot from downtown. Brah moves away and avoids it.
Matsunaga lands the left hand.
Matsunaga lands a nice looking kick to the body. Brah takes a step back to recover.
Matsunaga misses with a hook.
Brah feints the counter takedown.
Matsunaga cracks Brah with an open hand slap.
Matsunaga lets loose with a powerful body kick. Brah will feel that in the morning.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a hook but Brah avoids it easily.
Brah shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Brah was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Brah wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matsunaga keeps working.
Matsunaga is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Brah off and has taken his back!
Matsunaga is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Brah manages to reverse the position and now he's in Matsunaga's guard. Nice work there by Brah.
Brah sitting in guard here, content to control.
Matsunaga had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Brah defends it easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brah passes Matsunaga's left leg - he's now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brah trying to control the pace.
Brah is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Matsunaga!
Matsunaga slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Matsunaga is trying to control but can't.
Matsunaga actively working from the bottom here.
Matsunaga is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Brah pulls his head out easily.
Brah is keen to just control but Matsunaga is a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Futoshi Matsunaga dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Matsunaga throws a leg kick that misses.
Brah with the counter takedown but Matsunaga avoids it easily.
Matsunaga connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Matsunaga misses the shot to the body.
Brah throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Matsunaga on the side of the head.
Brah takes one on the button.
Matsunaga thuds his right hand into Brah's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Matsunaga lands a head shot.
A head kick by Matsunaga misses
and Brah counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Matsunaga!
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!
Brah wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Matsunaga, who protects the arm well.
Edgy Brah has got the better of the ground game so far.
Matsunaga is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Brah is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Matsunaga has escaped the position, nice work there.
Matsunaga tries to improve position but can't.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Brah cracks Matsunaga with a big right hand but Matsunaga just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Brah working away.
Matsunaga is looking for a sweep.
Brah tries for a kimura but Matsunaga is defending well.
Matsunaga can't do much from the bottom here.
Brah controls the position.
Brah working away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Brah trying to control the action but Matsunaga is working from the bottom.
A lull in the action here.
Edgy Brah has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brah is looking to take a break and control but Matsunaga is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Matsunaga is trying to get back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brah content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Matsunaga is not content to let Brah control the position.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Matsunaga throws an overhand right that lands on Brah's shoulder, as Brah tries to avoid the shot.
Matsunaga keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Brah checks a low kick from Matsunaga.
Brah throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Matsunaga wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Brah ducked under it nicely.
Brah keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsunaga backing away here, and Brah unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Matsunaga scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Brah throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga throws a looping overhand right but Brah ducks down to avoid it.
Futoshi Matsunaga is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Brah swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matsunaga stalks Brah and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Brah's face. Brah staggers backwards, shaken.
Brah moves away from the strike by Matsunaga.
Brah changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
The fighters circling - Matsunaga throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Brah now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Matsunaga misses with a looping right.
Brah motions for Matsunaga to come forward. Brah throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Brah sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Brah ducked under it nicely.
Brah fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An inside leg kick from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Brah.
Matsunaga takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Matsunaga slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Matsunaga works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Matsunaga takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Futoshi Matsunaga.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matsunaga, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Futoshi Matsunaga!
Futoshi Matsunaga decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
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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
45% |
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