PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 680 p4p, 728 weight class) and Biabas Kitjakarn (ranked 78 p4p, 84 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kitjakarn's choice of entrance music: Dancing Drums. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Matsunaga
vs
Kitjakarn

170 cm
39
145
39 - 23 - 2

171 cm
30
152
17 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Voodoo Nutrition

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 39 - 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 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Biabas Kitjakarn!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsunaga throws a hook but Kitjakarn blocks it.
Matsunaga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kitjakarn.
Kitjakarn walks forward, straight into a front kick from Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kitjakarn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Futoshi Matsunaga has been cut.
Matsunaga connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Matsunaga throws a poor cross that misses
and Kitjakarn counters with a straight right hand.
Kitjakarn avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A punch lands to the side of Matsunaga 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kitjakarn takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kitjakarn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matsunaga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kitjakarn.
Kitjakarn has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kitjakarn blocks a jab.
Matsunaga misses with a leg kick
and Kitjakarn counters with an inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kitjakarn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Matsunaga scores with a three punch combo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitjakarn defending well as Matsunaga loads up on a big left hand.
Matsunaga connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kitjakarn checks a leg kick.
Kitjakarn lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matsunaga's sensitive parts.
Kitjakarn displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Matsunaga misses with a hook
and Kitjakarn counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matsunaga fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A nice leg kick from Matsunaga, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kitjakarn misses with a low kick as Matsunaga jumps back.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matsunaga darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Matsunaga on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kitjakarn lands a really nice looking cross but Matsunaga seems unphased.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsunaga misses with a right hand
and Kitjakarn counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice uppercut there from Kitjakarn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kitjakarn's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Matsunaga connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kitjakarn scrambles back to his feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Matsunaga cracks Kitjakarn with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kitjakarn looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsunaga is just out of range.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.
Matsunaga is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kitjakarn uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Matsunaga has time to react.
Matsunaga scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kitjakarn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsunaga.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kitjakarn! But no joy.
Matsunaga tries a head kick but it misses.
Matsunaga sizes up Kitjakarn with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Matsunaga will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Matsunaga misses with a body punch
and Kitjakarn counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Matsunaga avoids the head kick by Kitjakarn.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kitjakarn's hands.
Matsunaga stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matsunaga lands a nice shot that snaps Kitjakarn's head back.
Kitjakarn throws a leg kick
and Matsunaga counters with a thumping low kick.
Kitjakarn moves out of range of the strikes.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsunaga goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Kitjakarn drives through and clinches with Matsunaga against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Kitjakarn.

Matsunaga manages to break the clinch.
Kitjakarn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsunaga moves away.
Matsunaga is looking to counter punch.
Matsunaga scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kitjakarn doesn't seem bothered though.
Matsunaga looks to land a right hand but Kitjakarn moved out of range.
Kitjakarn moves out of range of the body kick.
Kitjakarn moves out of range of the strikes.
Kitjakarn now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kitjakarn throws a hook but Matsunaga blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsunaga throws a jab when Kitjakarn was well out of range.
Matsunaga swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kitjakarn counters with a body kick that stops Matsunaga in his tracks momentarily.
Matsunaga bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kitjakarn's head backwards.
Matsunaga is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Matsunaga lands a two punch combo.
Matsunaga misses with a low kick.
Matsunaga pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kitjakarn is out of range and Matsunaga settles back down.
Kitjakarn lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut
and Kitjakarn counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Matsunaga misses with a wild body shot.
Kitjakarn fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matsunaga has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kitjakarn avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kitjakarn displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kitjakarn throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Matsunaga misses with an uppercut. Kitjakarn saw that one coming.
Kitjakarn throws out a counter right but Matsunaga avoids it with no problem.
Kitjakarn connects with a looping right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Futoshi Matsunaga dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Futoshi Matsunaga's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Matsunaga throws a nice outside leg kick.
Matsunaga pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kitjakarn blocks a jab.
Futoshi Matsunaga is winning the standup battle so far.
Kitjakarn lands a jab to Matsunaga's midsection.
Matsunaga swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A low kick lands for Matsunaga.
Matsunaga rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kitjakarn counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kitjakarn takes a swing at Matsunaga's ribcage but misses.
Kitjakarn ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kitjakarn at a distance.
Kitjakarn tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Matsunaga is able to avoid easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitjakarn misses with an uppercut.
A leg kick checked by Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn throws a series of punches but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Kitjakarn is looking to clinch.
Kitjakarn loads up on a big right hand but Matsunaga slips the punch.
An attempted straight right counter from Matsunaga misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matsunaga waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kitjakarn.
Kitjakarn displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Matsunaga connects with the punch.
Matsunaga uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matsunaga throws a poor cross that misses
and Kitjakarn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Kitjakarn's head but Kitjakarn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsunaga clobbers Kitjakarn with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Matsunaga misses with a left hand
and Kitjakarn counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A solid leg kick lands there for Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn misses with a looping left.
Matsunaga lands a nice looking body shot.
Good shot there by Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsunaga throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kitjakarn counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matsunaga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kitjakarn.
Matsunaga lands with an uppercut that bounces Kitjakarn off the cage and back into range.
Kitjakarn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsunaga was well out of range. Poor timing from Kitjakarn.
Kitjakarn throws a push kick but Matsunaga slaps the foot to one side.
Matsunaga goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Matsunaga staying out of range there.
An inside leg kick lands from Kitjakarn.
A bone on bone clash there as Matsunaga blocks the leg kick.
And Matsunaga counters with a quick kick to the body but Kitjakarn blocks it.
Matsunaga misses with a looping right.
Kitjakarn swings for the body but Matsunaga moves out of range.
Kitjakarn has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Matsunaga misses with a hook. Kitjakarn ducked under it nicely.
Matsunaga throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matsunaga throws an off balance right hand
and Kitjakarn counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Matsunaga rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kitjakarn counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga missing with a left hand there. Kitjakarn was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Kitjakarn's head but Kitjakarn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsunaga looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Kitjakarn moves into the clinch.

Matsunaga pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kitjakarn lands a lovely overhand right.
A telegraphed right hand from Kitjakarn misses the target.
Kitjakarn displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matsunaga throws out the jab.
Kitjakarn walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Matsunaga checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A punch lands to the side of Kitjakarn 's head but he takes it in his stride.
That kick from Matsunaga tenderised Kitjakarn's leg. Kitjakarn is trying to keep his angry face on.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kitjakarn tries a quick counter leg kick but Matsunaga is wise to it.
Kitjakarn punishes Matsunaga's body with a nice straight punch.
A combination from Matsunaga does no damage.
Matsunaga misses with a straight right.
A big left from Kitjakarn misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga misses with a combination
and Kitjakarn finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kitjakarn moves out of range of the body kick from Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matsunaga takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A slow jab from Matsunaga misses its intended target.
A telegraphed right hand from Matsunaga misses the target.
Matsunaga throws out a leg kick but Kitjakarn moves out of range and Matsunaga only half commits.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Matsunaga is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Matsunaga scores with a kick to the midsection.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot
and Kitjakarn counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kitjakarn moves out of range of the body kick.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kitjakarn appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matsunaga lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kitjakarn has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kitjakarn and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kitjakarn getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kitjakarn checks a low kick from Matsunaga.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Biabas Kitjakarn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Futoshi Matsunaga's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Kitjakarn.
Matsunaga looks to land a left hand but Kitjakarn moved out of range nicely.
Matsunaga throws a jab when Kitjakarn was well out of range.
Matsunaga goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Matsunaga displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kitjakarn throws out the jab.
Matsunaga seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kitjakarn just misses with a punch to the body.
Matsunaga cracks Kitjakarn with a good jab.
Matsunaga is looking to land body kicks.
Kitjakarn is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Matsunaga with a body shot.
Matsunaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kitjakarn manages to avoid it.
Kitjakarn paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitjakarn jabs Matsunaga right on the nose. Matsunaga blinks but takes it well.
Kitjakarn stuns Matsunaga with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kitjakarn throws a leg kick that misses.
A punch lands to the side of Kitjakarn 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kitjakarn 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 lands with an overhand left.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga connects with a leg kick.
Matsunaga buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kitjakarn walks into a jab.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kitjakarn.
Matsunaga misses with the body kick
and Kitjakarn counters with a nice uppercut.
Matsunaga misses with a lunging right hand
and Kitjakarn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kitjakarn walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kitjakarn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kitjakarn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matsunaga feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kitjakarn looks to land a left hand but Matsunaga moved out of range nicely.
Matsunaga throws a looping overhand right but Kitjakarn ducks down to avoid it.
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!
Kitjakarn slips under a jab from Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn flicks out a counter leg kick but Matsunaga steps away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kitjakarn throws out the jab.
Matsunaga misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kitjakarn.
Matsunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn throws out a powerful jab.
Kitjakarn misses with an uppercut. Matsunaga saw that one coming.
Kitjakarn with a nice cross.
Kitjakarn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kitjakarn looks to land a left hand but Matsunaga moved out of range nicely.
Matsunaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kitjakarn.
Matsunaga throws a hook to the side of Kitjakarn's head but Kitjakarn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A nice side step and Kitjakarn releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Matsunaga swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kitjakarn ducks under a wild hook from Matsunaga.
Matsunaga throws a body punch but Kitjakarn moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Matsunaga does it's job there.
Matsunaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsunaga wants to slow Kitjakarn down by chopping away at his legs.
Matsunaga scores with a hook to the body. Kitjakarn takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab from Matsunaga misses.
Matsunaga misses with a few strikes there.
Kitjakarn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsunaga moves away.
Kitjakarn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Matsunaga with a body shot.
Matsunaga misses with a right hand
and Kitjakarn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kitjakarn stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matsunaga throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kitjakarn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kitjakarn doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A cross from Matsunaga lands.
Matsunaga throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kitjakarn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matsunaga swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Kitjakarn blocks the leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matsunaga throws an off balance right hand
and Kitjakarn counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kitjakarn looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsunaga is just out of range.
Matsunaga misses with a straight left.
Kitjakarn connects with an inside leg kick.
Matsunaga throws a big shot that misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kitjakarn.
Kitjakarn checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matsunaga tries a low kick but Kitjakarn avoids it.
Kitjakarn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsunaga.
Kitjakarn throws out a counter right but Matsunaga avoids it with no problem.
Kitjakarn lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kitjakarn is looking to clinch but Matsunaga is avoiding it.
Matsunaga seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kitjakarn misses with an attempted mid kick.

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.
I think Matsunaga has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

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